Riverwalk Trail, Rock Hill, SC

This weekend we went to visit family in South Carolina, just over the border from North Carolina, very close to Charlotte. I found this new trail for the dogs.

It is a part of the Carolina Thread Trail system. The Carolina Thread Trail system is a series of trails throughout the Carolinas open to the public that connects people, cities and towns. The Riverwalk Trail is in a housing development--but right along the river--keeping that portion of the development open to all.

The trail starts out at a canoe/kayak launch. It is easy to find--right off Cherry Road in Rock Hill.

This is a beautiful trail along the river. It's paved and has a few elevation changes--but pretty easy to walk. Mountain bikes go on the trail, too--so you have to be aware of them passing.

There is a 10 mph speed limit, though, Sammy! No running!

All along the trail, you can view the Catawba River. People are canoeing and kayaking. Lots of birds.

The trail goes 4.25 miles out and back; it doesn't loop around. We walked a mile in and then turned around and walked back out because it was humid and the dogs were hot.  The trail is marked every 1/4 mile so you can decide when to turn around.

On the way back, Sammy and PG went into the river for a dip. They loved that part of the walk!

 Sammy really enjoyed the water!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCEh8B6qQOQ

I have to add another note about our trip. I tried to walk at Cherry Park, also in Rock Hill. I walked there in December the last time I visited. But this time, when I walked at Cherry Park I was stopped by one of the park rangers and told there was a "one dog per person" rule. Since I had more than one dog, I had to leave! Isn't that a crazy rule? The ranger said the people who have more than one dog never pick up after their dogs. I pulled out a handful of poop bags from my purse! Then he said that people are afraid of dogs and when someone walks more than one dog, it's really scary. I said, Well, I'm going to have to put this on my blog! One dog per person. He said, Please don't write anything bad about our park on your blog! So, if you only have one dog--Cherry Park is a nice place to walk. But if you have more than one dog, go to Riverwalk Trail!

Also while we were in the Charlotte area, we went to several dog friendly restaurants. One was Toast Cafe. This cafe was in the Ballentyne area of Charlotte. They are only open for breakfast/brunch from 8am till 2:30pm.

The dogs were welcome on the patio. The waitress brought water for both dogs. And refilled it at the same time as she refilled the other waters at the table!

Overall, Charlotte, NC and Rock Hill/Fort Mill, SC are very dog friendly areas!

Wish you were here!
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Aroma's, Williamsburg, VA

This morning my friend, Lesa, and I went to the Williamsburg Farmer's Market and afterwards we went to Aroma's.

I recommend parking in the Prince George Street Garage (P1) for $1 per hour. Walk out the side doors and turn right--Aroma's is right there at 431 Prince George Street.

This is such a dog friendly place. There are water bowls along the patio--which is so nice on a summer day! Dogs are at almost every table on the patio. Of course, you still have to have an extra person to go inside and order for you.

We went for breakfast and had the Garden Veggie Scramble and Mimosas.  Delicious! But Aroma's also serves lunch and dinner--so you can go at any time! They roast their coffee in-house 7 days a week and have a huge menu of hot and cold drinks.

PG and Sammy laid under the table on their pads. PG was very close to the door so she had a good view of everyone going in and out. "Are those greyhounds? Are they rescues? They're beautiful!" was the refrain for the day!

Aroma's also has a location in Newport News at City Center near the fountain. It's also dog friendly but has a different ambiance and feel than the original location in Williamsburg.

Wish you were here!
Joyce
Sammy & PG