Saturday, April 27, 2019

Happy Birthday Mom & More Greenfield Lake

     Mom turned ✽✽ a couple of weeks ago (Woo hoo!  Happy Birthday, you spring chicken!) and dad took her birthday off so they could enjoy what turned out to be a fabulously warm, sunny day. 
They had a few things planned, wanting to keep it simple and local, and the day couldn't have been any better.

     They spent several hours at Greenfield Lake Park, a beautiful natural wonder only a couple miles from downtown Wilmington. 
The Birthday Girl up front
They walked the 4 or so mile paved trail that winds its way around the lake, and rented a canoe, lazily paddling around to take in the sights and sounds from a different angle.


     The cypress trees surrounding the lake add dramatic beauty, and the duck, egret and heron population make for some wonderful observation with or without binoculars. 
Looking for his lunch
Dad says he thinks this was where he and mom saw their first alligator when they moved here the first time 8 or so years ago, and this time around they got another view of not only a full-sized adult monster, but at least one "baby" (dad estimates it was 3 to 4 feet long) one as well. 
The adult gator.  Sorry, wouldn't get any closer 
The adult was snoozing in the tall grass along the shore, while the little one was sunning atop one of several floating solar panel platforms in the middle of the lake.
The old guy, steering from the rear
According to one park employee the adult one is somewhere in the 12 foot range, and once they spotted it  mom made sure dad steered their canoe only so close.
The paddleboat & canoe rental dock

     They rounded out the day with a stop at The Harp, an authentic Irish pub right near the lake, where they lounged on the patio in the abundant mid-afternoon sun with a couple of frosty pints.  They returned smelling all outdoorsy and
A beautiful old fountain near the shore
sunblocky (yes, that's a word as far as I'm concerned), and ended the day with a picnic of grilled veggie dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad and pickles, two of mom's best homemade treats.
There were about a gazillion of these guys out in the sun
   Of course, I wasn't too happy that they left me unattentioned (yes, another real word) for so long, but once they fed me I forgot they'd even been gone. 
Quenching their thirst at The Harp with some Waterline Brewing Co. Kolsch

17 comments:

Mickey's Musings said...

We wish your mum a very Happy Birthday!!!
Looks like she and your Dad had a wonderful time on that lake.
Way too much water for us cats ;)
Good that they looked after you too when they dot back :)
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ

Erin the Cat Princess said...

Well what a lovely way to spend a birthday, and in hindsight with them sets of teeth on legs I think being at home was by far the best place to be ;) Thanks for calling by our photo fails blog yesterday, it was great to see you.
Toodlepips and purrs
ERin

Brian's Home Blog said...

It looks like they were having a fun time. Happy Birthday to your Mom from all of us!

My Mind's Eye said...

Happy Happy belated bday to Mom of Cleo.
OMCs you dad planned a most glorious day and Mother Nature was quite kind to be cooperative. I don't think I've ever seen an 'gator in purrson and that is okey dokey. The heron pic was gorgeous and the water so very refreshing.
Hugs Cecilia

Eastside Cats said...

What a fun way to celebrate a birthday!
Cleo, didn't you enjoy sniffing them when they got home...that was fun, right?
Great photos!

The Swiss Cats said...

Happy Birthday to your mom ! It looks like she had a wonderful celebration ! That lake is a beautiful place, thank you for sharing some pictures with us. Purrs

Ivan from WMD said...

Happy birthday to your mom! It looks like they had a wonderful day celebrating. We think you should have been there too, though.

The Island Cats said...

Happy Birthday to your mom! Looks like she celebrated in a really fun way.

Timmy Tomcat said...

What a great way to spend a relaxing birthday. Happy Birthday to Mom. Getting a good meal makes me not worry about my hooman either Cleo

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

Sounds like a purrfect day!

pilch92 said...

Happy Birthday to your wonderful , young Mom! XO

Furries said...

What a wonderful way to spend a birthday!

The Whiskeratti said...

Happy birthday to your mom. I'm very glad they had such a good time.

da tabbies o trout towne said...

cleo...happee ** birthday two yur mom; her N dad hada AWESUM day; lookz like it waz loadz oh fun !!! heerz ta ** mor N heerz two a yeer a head filled with happeez & healtheez ♥♥
her birthday dinner sounds total lee grate two !! ☺☺ hope ewe got a wee bit oh spud salad :) ☺☺

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Happy birthday to your mom. The lake looks beautiful.

Darla M Sands said...

I like your words. ~grin~ Sunblocky is a favorite. And I'm glad your mom enjoyed her special day! Looks like a lovely area. I appreciate the kind word on our Tilly. She seems to be feeling better, at least not restlessly going back and forth between litter boxes and water bowl. Be well!

Katie Isabella said...

Happy Happy belated birthday Mom of Cleo! And what a grand day you two had! Mom, having lived in Florida kinda likes alligators BUT she wouldn't go try and pet one. :-)