I apologize in advance: #39: Catawba River Greenway, Morganton

Trillium Sessile, AKA "Red Trillium" or "Toadshade"

Today I managed to coax the roomie away from the computer for a short walk. There was this place we had gone to a long time ago, for a class assignment, and I wanted to see if it was still there.

Turns out it it was, and they'd made some improvements in the eight or nine years since we had been there.

Of course, being near a city, you had the usual "people/dirt" smell just on the edge of your senses. Added to this, there was the expected "dirty water smell" (the Catawba river runs alongside) and, curiously, a scent of sulphur in places. I am not sure where that came from. And coming back, I caught the whiff of cloves. That may have been someone smoking; I don't know.

At any rate, there were a few surprises this time. Dent even managed to spot something before I did--the above flower. They aren't endangered, but it was unusual to see them in such an urban area. I myself am more used to the white flowered ones, so this was a bit of a treat.

"Quack!" "Honk?" "No, QUACK!!"

There were also a few critters out enjoying the spring. The squirrels wouldn't stop to pose for me, but the duck and his goose friends sunning themselves didn't seem to mind me snapping a photo or two. I suspect these fine feathered friends are year round residents, as there is a restaurant nearby with plenty of tourists willing to throw a french fry their way.

Where's the billy goats gruff when you need 'em?

They had a couple of these nifty steel and wooden bridges crisscrossing across the river. You could go out in the middle and look down at the rushing waters below.

I seem to remember these last time we were here, although I think the wood has been replaced since then. I was happy to not see them covered with a bunch of graffiti, but maybe the vandals hadn't got to them yet.

The paths and bridges were wide enough for bicycles, and the paths were paved. We saw a few people out taking advantage of the weather to ride around, as well as some folks out walking dogs (all on leashes--smart humans!)

At this point, it was starting to cloud over and the wind picked up a bit, so it was time to go. But I plan on returning soon to see if there are more flowers poking out.