Glencairn Gardens, Rock Hill, SC

Still in South Carolina and found this great garden to walk in!

This started as the backyard garden of David & Hazel Bigger in 1928 and  is now an 11 acre paradise located in the heart of Rock Hill.

Located in a residential section of Rock Hill, covering most of the block bounded by Charlotte Avenue, Crest Street, Piedmont Avenue, and Edgemont Avenue. Dogs are allowed on leash and the park is free to visit.

The Garden was the original inspiration for Rock Hill’s annual Come-See-Me Festival which has become a 10-day event held each spring at Glencairn Garden and other Rock Hill sites. Vernon Grant was the illustrator for the cereal gnomes, Snap, Krackle and Pop--and also illustrated the frog who is the mascot for this festival.

"The Wall of Whimsy" is a tribute to this artist.

PG preferred the tiered fountain to the wall of whimsy!

There were so many places for photo opportunities in this garden! Even though it was winter--there were many plants to look at--pansies and camelias were in bloom.

The American Legion Post 34 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2889 formed a partnership with the City of Rock Hill to create the Veterans Garden area at Glencairn Garden to honor past, present and future men and women of the armed forces of the United States.

This charming children's sculpture was just added to the garden this year in June. It was dedicated to the retiring Recreation and Tourism director, Ed Thompson. He said the question most often asked of him was, "Is this garden good for children?" Sammy and PG say, "It's a good garden for greyhounds!"

Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Riverwalk Trail, Rock Hill, SC

Although it was 27 degrees--this really was a beautiful morning to walk along the Catawba River.

We're in South Carolina visiting family so I got up early to take the dogs for a walk.  If you are coming from Charlotte on I-77, get off at exit 83, turn left, go a half a mile, and you'll see a sign for a mixed use development called Riverwalk. From what I understand, there used to be run-down factories along this part of the river and now there is a grand new plan for this area.

There is not much parking and I can see that when all the houses are built in the area--parking will really be at a premium--but for now the public has nice access to the river.

There are some openings where you can get right up to the river and catch some gorgeous views of the water and the wildlife. The trail does not form a loop, so once you get to the end you have to go 2.25 miles back.

There are also places to rest, so you can take a break and relax if needed. The trail is paved so it's easy to walk on.

PG didn't sit on the chair--she blended right in with the leaves. If she didn't have her bright collar and necklace on--she'd disappear!

Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Monument Avenue, RIchmond, VA

It was a sunny morning today after days of rain and cold! So we met up with the Around Town Hounds Group for a walk on Monument Avenue in Richmond to look at holiday decorations.

People stop in their cars when they see this big group of greyhounds all walking together.

Monument Avenue is an historic district. The street takes its name from a series of monumental statues that mark its major intersections. But on this day, we're out to look at the homes with their wonderful holiday decorations.

This house was all decorated with nutcrackers.

There were even nutcrackers all around the door frame.

Another pretty door!

Doors aren't the only things that are decorated! This car was decorated like Santa's sleigh? Well, it had reindeer leading it and even a little Rudolph up in the tree! For the past 10 years Keith Kissee has been lighting up Richmond's historic Monument Avenue during the holidays with "Santa's Cadillac."
Annually, he loads his white 1966 Cadillac -- contrasted with black antique plates -- with at least 80 different stuffed animals, mannequins and light fixtures.

The dogs prefer a more understated tree in the park.

The whole group at the Robert E. Lee Monument.

On December 26th and 27th, you can take an evening walking tour with the Richmond History Center for $10 and see all these beautiful homes glittery and sparkly at night!

After the walk we went to Carytown to the new Carytown Place and had lunch at Panera. The dogs were able to take a little rest after their long walk on Monument Avenue!

Happy Holidays,
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Gardenfest for Fidos at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond, Va

Gardenfest is a walk through light show at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens from 5 till 10pm each night.  It is located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue in Richmond. If you want to go, the show will be up until January 13, 2014. 

Twice during the Gardenfest event, they allow people to bring leashed dogs along with a $2 donation per dog for the SPCA. The next Gardenfest for Fidos is January 9, 2014.

This night was almost 70 degrees and hardly felt like December! Maybe the January date will have more winter-like temperatures.

There are 1/2 million lights that take 10 staff members almost 2 months to install. This year's theme A Natural Love Affair celebrates all we love about the natural world.

We met up with the Around Town Hounds greyhound walking group. Because it was so warm--the whole place was packed and we had a tough time getting everyone together in front of the tree.

The 20 foot tall golden tree is in the Conservatory and celebrates the birds, bees, and flora of all seasons.

There is a miniature train landscape where woodland creatures, inspired by the beloved children’s book The Wind in the Willows, go about their day cleaning house, reading, fishing, or just taking a nap.

 In the Children's Garden, there is a stand called Espresso-A-Go-Go that sells hot drinks, cookies and s'mores. PG is ready for something a little colder than that on this warm night!

Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Legends Walk & Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA

Someone told me that a good place to take the dogs for a walk was the Legends Walk at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. It was a bright, sunny morning so I decided to check it out.

It turned out that this walk was about the same as walking from my front door to my van! Not much of a walk for two greyhounds! But if you want to go and check it out--it is at 13th Street and Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach. The pillars have plaques about great Virginians, past and present.

This same person who told me about the walk, told me that there was a plaque for Secretariat--but I didn't see that plaque.

One of the plaques is about Grace Sherwood, the Witch of Pungo. She was tried in 1706 and they determined her guilt by "ducking" her in water. Since she floated--she was guilty and then spent 8 years in jail. There is a Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach. According to local residents, a strange moving light, said to be Sherwood's restless spirit, still appears each July over the spot in Witch Duck Bay where Sherwood was thrown into the water.
 So, since the Legends Walk was finished in about 15 minutes (Maybe the person that told me about this has a chihuahua--and it took them a long time to walk through?), we walked across the street to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is set up for the Holiday Lights at the Beach show. Lights across the boardwalk as well as out in the sand.

There is a fishing pier along the boardwalk but dogs are not allowed on it. Sammy and PG could only look longingly at it.

It would be neat to walk through the lights at night when they are lit. I think they do this once a season for a fundraiser--but we missed the date. I will have to keep it in mind for next year.

Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG