I turned 35 a few weeks ago. For many years I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by friends on my birthday; I’ve enjoyed lots of lunches and special outings to celebrate the occasion. It’s a little different when you’re in a new place where you don’t know many people. I know this will change but for this particular birthday, I was a little blue.

The good Lord knew I needed something special for my day so he came up with a sunny, warm Thursday. I didn’t want to waste this gift so I set out for Paris Mountain State Park with my good tennis shoes and camera. I’d like to say that I climbed a mountain the day I turned 35 but in the interest of full disclosure, I walked a lot at the bottom and the top but the actual climbing between the two came courtesy of my Subaru.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Paris Mountain, it’s a gorgeous state park just a few miles for Greenville. You can picnic, hike, fish, swim*, paddleboat* or bike. Again in the interest of full disclosure, George Hincapie bikes here so while it’s not the Alps, it is a bit of a challenge.

I enjoyed my time at the park. I’ve forgotten how much I like just being out in nature. There is something about a nice brisk walk in the woods that helps me organize my mind. I look forward to going back to the park. It’s got great picnic potential and I can’t wait to cruise Lake Placid on one of those paddle boats.

It’s a cool angle. I feel like I could just slide into the water.

This bridge was built after the Great Depression as part of the Works Progress Administration.

This is part of the lake trail.

These gents seemed to be having a good time fishing. I happened across a dad and his preschooler on the other side of the lake. They were picnicking (pizza) and fishing. The little boy had caught his first bass earlier that day and instead of becoming addicted to the thrill of the catch, he was done with fishing. He met his objective (catching the fish) and now other things (a cool tree stump) had his attention.

Lake Placid dam

another shot of the dam

Those are busy beavers.

Outcropping on the Sulfur Springs Loop at the top of the mountain

*Seasonally available