Historic Smithfield/Windsor Castle Park Hike 2/12/2013

Sandwiched between two rainy days, the sun smiled on the 35 Tuesday Groupers who gathered at the Cedar Rd parking lot for a hike through Smithfield. The hike began with a half mile walk up to Riverview Park where we paused for a view of the Pagan River, and a group photo. Continuing down Grace St. we passed many 18th century houses including Hayden Hall, the first girls' school of Smithfield. Threading through the former Wharf area, now headquarters to Smithfield Foods, the group admired bronze statues of Thomas Jefferson, Robert Frost and the Luters, founders of Smithfield foods. As a touch of whimsey, life sized hog statues, painted by local artists, were stationed near this stoic collection. Climbing up the short hill to S. Church St., we could see the home of Captain Todd who is credited with starting the ham curing business. We paraded past wonderful Victorian houses on our way to Smithfield Station, stopping to gaze at the spectacular Gwaltney house. At Smithfield Station, the newly constructed bridge over Little Creek, provided us access to the 208 acre Windsor Castle Park. We followed the outer loop past marsh views, harvested cotton fields, the Windsor Castle Manor House, a kayak launch and a horse pasture. Our final stretch took us through the woods to the Mason St. Bridge exit. After 6 miles of hiking we were more than ready to enjoy lunch at "A Taste of Smithfield." About a third of the group had to leave after lunch, but the rest of us went back to the park to walk the 1.8 mile woodland inner loop. Ice cream back at Main Street capped a great day with a great group!

Diane

Take a walk through Smithfield with Bill B's pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/b.billings/TuesFeb122013Smithfield?authkey=Gv1sRgCP_f9PTW9pa8jgE&feat=email