Tuesday October 18th began a beautiful sunny day in the 60’s with an expectation of comfortable temp around 80. 18 People showed up to enjoy perfect weather for a meandering hike in the woods on The Greensprings Interpretive Trail, part of the James City County Trail network connecting to The Capitol Trail about 1.5 miles out from Jamestown Settlement. We met at the Williamsburg Community Chapel and placed our lunch orders at their wonderful Cafe and started out to the trail head along a spur along James City High School. The Greensprings Trail is a 3.5 mile loop through wetlands, creeks and a Beaver pond with many signs explaining the environment and history of the land. It is relatively flat and groomed. It is billed as very pet friendly and many folks from the neighborhoods around there were out taking advantage of the Indian Summer weather. It is a great diversion from a bike ride on The Capitol Trail as well and as it happens I rode my bike to our meeting spot that morning.
Typical of the Tuesday group, we were soon lost in each others company and engaged in the nature of the location. There are apparently about 200 different birds that make these woods their home and many signs explained the history of the area from colonists to farmers and even a Revolutionary War Battle , The Battle of Greensprings. We made excellent time on our loop and so had a chance to hike an extra mile up a portion of the Powhatan Creek Trail to the ruins of an old Church dating back to the mid 18th century and revolutionary times. It is speculated that many soldiers who died in the battle are buried there in the church yard. After talking and taking pictures it was time to find our way back to the trail loop and back to the Chapel for lunch. The Chapel Cafe is one of the best kept secrets in Jamestown. Our lunch was waiting for us right on time for our arrival from our 5 mile hike and it was very well prepared and fresh. Some folks hung out and talked after lunch outside on their patio and as usual, someone brought Chocolate (I bet you can guess who that was). What a fitting end to a great day. For more info have a look at the link to the trail at:
http://jamescitycountyva.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Greensprings-Interpretive-Trail-48
View Bill's pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bill_billings/sets/72157671902538714/
View Jim's pictures: https://imagesbyjimarend.smugmug.com/Sports/Tuesday-Group-Hikes/20161018-Williamsburg-Hike/