Athens, Georgia - a walk around a loop

My younger sister lives in Athens, Georgia dn we alternate visits just after Christmas. It was our turn to visit so we did the 700 mile journey down I-95 and I-85.

My sister and brother-in-law are keen walkers and they have a good long loop through their neighbourhood that they use for exercise.

So we set off  via the front drive way.

 My sister's house is at the top of a hill so the first part of the walk is easy.

 We think the development was started in the 70's but this section was built in the 80's.

 Most of the lawns are zoysia grass that turns a golden brown in the winter. Many gardens have green ground covers to provide some colour in winter.

 Athens is home of the University of Georgia and its football team, the Bulldogs.

 A curious colour for a fire hydrant, but I presume it shows up well at night.

 Since this is a university town, many of the inhabitants come from other countries. In this case, it looks like they are Irish.

 A rather sturdy mailbox.

 Perhaps my favourite structure on the whole walk. I reckon this would make a pretty good room for my stereo system.

 Since it was early January, most of the deciduous trees had lost their leaves. This was the exception.

 Whoever built the first of these certainly started a trend. Maybe there was an article in a DIY magazine that inspired a host of builders to unleash their trowels.

This is probably the busiest corner in the community. Whatever the owners do, cars cut the corner too close.

 I liked the patterns of the tar on the road.

 There are not many bright colours to be seen. Here is a bit of red to lighten the winter gloom.

 Most of the trees in the development are tall pine trees.

 Since the climate is very humid, some of the trees have a green fungus growing on them.

 Closeup of the fungus.

Since we are in 'the South', there has to be a magnolia tree.

 Two Christmas trees that had served their purpose.

 Magnolia leaves.

 In the past couple of years, some of the local house owners have created a nature walk which makes a pleasant change from just walking on the road.

 The walk features a creek that flows in the lower parts of the community. In wet weather, some of the houses used to flood but they have been removed.

 The local council has donated some trees to enhance the area.

 Bark and mold. What a combo.

 Some of the community members have been very industrious wheeling loads of wood chips to cover the path. It really helps when it has rained and the path would be muddy.

 I was intrigued by the use of the fallen tree to delineate the path. Yes, that is my sister walking ahead.

 A basic but functional bridge.

 The Sydney Harbour Bridge.

 This 'bridge' could use improvement.

 A nifty cubby house. Note the natural lighting panels in the roof.

 Somebody had installed a fire pit and seating along with a bar. It probably would have been quite pleasant in the spring and autumn lounging around in the 'Kingswood Corniche'. Summer is too hot in this area to be pleasant.

 Apparently this is a beaver dam.

 Closeup of more mold. We last saw mold like this in Scotland.

 Somebody had erected a flying fox. No doubt the kids loved it.

 The local Maginot Line bunker.

 Some of the trees by the stream are very dense. It basically is a swamp in this area.

Of course the last part of the walk is the worst since you have to climb the hill. Then you need a nap. At least I do that part well.