The woods in OUR WORLD are lovely ... but not too dark and not too deep.
There are four or five turnouts along Jeans Road where it's possible to walk into the natural area between the road and Fern Ridge Lake. (That road is the default daily walk when we're staying here, with whatever side trips time and energy allow.)
There's something sort of magical about a path that takes you from a paved road into a woodsy area so easily and quickly.
One of the paths goes through some brushy areas and then opens up into a lovely clearing.
Before there was a Fern Ridge Lake (reservoir) with its surrounding wetlands, there were people who lived and farmed here. There are still apples on some of the old trees -- a reminder of what used to be. (Now the wetlands are public property, maintained by the Corps of Engineers and Lane County.)
Away from the road and houses and people, it's easy to pretend that you are out hiking in the wilds. When really you can even start out in late afternoon and still be home in plenty of time for dinner.
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For OUR WORLD Tuesday. Thanks to Sylvia and Sandy for hosting.
What beautiful nature captures with wonderful textures and light.
Posted by: Jewaicious | October 09, 2012 at 10:41 AM
I agree..it is magical..
Posted by: Rambling Woods | October 07, 2012 at 12:18 PM
I love this, Sallie. As soon as I saw your title of These Woods, I knew it would be a visual treat. Thank you.
Posted by: Penny | October 04, 2012 at 08:25 AM
Fern Ridge Lake looks like Embrun : a lake (a reservoir too), forests and apples... a peaceful place too !
Posted by: Annie | October 03, 2012 at 09:40 AM
I would love to follow those paths into the woods.
Posted by: diane | October 02, 2012 at 10:39 PM
The second and last shots are my favorite. Just the kind of place I enjoy hiking through.
Posted by: Rita aka Cashjocky | October 02, 2012 at 04:16 PM
What a lovely place for a walk!
Posted by: Mama Zen | October 02, 2012 at 09:03 AM
looks a lot like ours. I like the last shot. I almost expected to see some sheep. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | October 02, 2012 at 08:06 AM
You have captured many of my favorites.
Trees, are my our good friends.
Posted by: Rainfield (雨田） | October 02, 2012 at 07:26 AM
I'm not a hiker so this would be a great 'adventure' for me! Lovely scenery.
Posted by: bettyl | October 02, 2012 at 05:05 AM
very nice! no matter how vast or how small...walking through the woods is magical!! thanks for the hike!!
Posted by: laura k | October 02, 2012 at 04:35 AM
Wonderful green views. I am greeting
Posted by: ZielonaMila | October 02, 2012 at 01:55 AM
How lovely-and so different from town life!But I do have the canal towpaths and a local rec!
Posted by: HAZEL | October 01, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Looks like a lovely place Sallie!
The dappled light in the last photo is inviting!
Posted by: Carletta | October 01, 2012 at 09:43 PM
Oh, I do love a walk in the woods. Love the light in that last shot.
Posted by: Lady Fi | October 01, 2012 at 08:34 PM
So nice to have this nearby. We have something similar right behind our property, but it's been too hot to enjoy until today. Everyone should have a place of solitude to escape to every once in a while.
Posted by: Gail | October 01, 2012 at 05:57 PM
Seems like every busy place should have a quiet place. Nice you found one.
Posted by: Gaelyn | October 01, 2012 at 05:38 PM
Lovely photos - woods and forest are one of my favorite places to be. And thanks for that fascinating link on the turtles, based on that I'd guess the turtle may be some kind of memorial for a high-ranking official.
Posted by: Al | October 01, 2012 at 04:45 PM
Your photos are spectacular again, Sallie - the light in that last is fabulous. I love paths through woods even if they aren't dark and deep.
Posted by: Barb | October 01, 2012 at 04:32 PM
really nice to have it nearby. love those ferns. :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | October 01, 2012 at 03:18 PM
Close to home sounds perfect to me, Sallie! It is a beautiful spot and I love all the trees and ferns. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Eileen | October 01, 2012 at 02:45 PM
Great spot!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | October 01, 2012 at 12:44 PM
I just love a trail, almost any trail. This is a great example of an area that has been repurposed successfully.
Posted by: Yogi | October 01, 2012 at 12:44 PM
We have something similar in my world, too. It is a luxury having such natural country settings to relax and exercise in so close to city life.
Posted by: Penelope Postcards | October 01, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Great shots of wood. It will be nice to walk in that shade,
Posted by: Rajesh | October 01, 2012 at 12:18 PM
What lovely woods you have, Sallie! Wonderful to have a place like this to "slip" away to! Hope your week is off to a great start! Enjoy!!
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | October 01, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Those are beautiful woods and I love the ferns.
Posted by: Carver | October 01, 2012 at 12:05 PM
It's like magic to feel like you are in a wild place when really you are not. Very nice.
Posted by: EG Wow | October 01, 2012 at 12:04 PM
It's always nice to have a wooded spot for one's "default" daily walk.
Posted by: Martha | October 01, 2012 at 12:03 PM