COLER PRESERVE EXPEDITION!

Coler Bicycle Preserve is located in Bentonville, Arkansas, and is a wonderful location for numerous types of outdoor activities.  It is one of many properties in Northwest Arkansas, made possible by the philanthropy of the Walton family, whose patriarch, Sam Walton, founded the Walmart Corporation.  A bicyclist who assisted me in finding the preserve (after the navigation system in my vehicle could not locate it), advised me I would have two choices of where to park.  He advised me to try to park in the lower parking lot (probably after seeing I was of the "senior citizen" class), because parking in the second available lot, would result in a challenging (for me) uphill climb on the way out.  I took this photo as I was exiting the parking lot he recommended, because it was completely full.  Then I followed the road shown in the left of the photo, and found the second parking lot he mentioned, which still had plenty of spots available.   

There was a very nice pavilion at the parking lot, which had electrical outlets, tables with chairs, a water fountain and restrooms.  

The concrete sidewalk I used, was only one of the ways a visitor could explore the park.  Notice the elevated ramp on the right of the photo, that bicyclists can use.

The sidewalk meanders downward through a mostly deciduous forest.  The fact that there are no leaves covering the sidewalk, is an indication that diligent attention is being paid to blowing fallen leaves off the sidewalk.  I volunteer with the Arkansas Master Naturalists (www.arkansasmasternaturalists.org) in working on keeping area trails free of leaf build-up, so I know this task does not happen without effort!

At the bottom of the hill, I reached what is called "The Plaza".  It serves as a staging area for meet-ups, and photo opportunities.

The custom-made sign at the Plaza, is different from the one in the parking lot, because it has a map of the park, etched onto its metal surface, winding through the letters C O L E R.  

I visited on an unseasonably warm day, which was the day after Christmas, so not surprisingly, there were many families together, out enjoying the beautiful weather!

This colored arch way, is one of the "OZ ART" installations, and can serve as a landmark, for visitors wanting to mark their location.  

I liked the way the design of the metal roof and sides, to make this covered bridge, mimics the design of old-time wooden covered bridges.  

Although camping is not allowed anywhere you want within the preserve, there is a designated camping area that has received nice on-line reviews, for those who want to be the first on the trails, when the sun comes up!

The park is dog friendly, but of course, dog owners are asked to keep their pets on leash, and clean up after they "do their business."

One of the reasons I was eager to visit the Coler Preserve, is because I had read of its unusual coffee shop, that can only be reached by biking or walking.  No "drive through" window at this location!

One of the reasons I had trouble locating Coler Preserve, is because when I put Airship Coffee shop into my search engine, a downtown location was coming up.  When I phoned the number shown, the person who answered said there are TWO Airship locations, and I was phoning the one downtown, and  yes, it is possible to drive to the downtown location.    

The Airship location in Coler Preserve has clean restrooms, and water fountain, with adaptation for re-filling water bottles.  It has a ramp, making it handicap-accessible, for those using wheelchairs on the sidewalks, to get to the location.  

The roof top of the coffee shop, is set up to make a very nice out-door patio, with chairs and tables for guests.  

A kind, random stranger, agreed to take a photo of me, so I could remember the beautiful environment and weather, where I found myself, on December 26, 2025!

The area adjacent to the roof patio, is equipped with overhead lights, and additional picnic tables.  

The front of the coffee shop is equipped with big chair swings, so visitors can look out across the valley.  

I tried sitting in the swing, but decided that was a scenario perfect for spilling my coffee, all over my white blouse!  

From the rooftop patio of the coffee shop, one has a good view of the old-timey barn, of the original homestead.  There are placards that tell about the history of the family that lived in this valley, and how that history relates to the name "Coler".

The old barn has been retro-fitted, to make it a wonderful area for youngsters (and those young at heart!), to climb around on rope ladders, and explore the second story.  The facility can be reserved for birthday parties, and other special events.  

I really wanted to try to climb the rope ladder, but did not want to wait in line, to make the attempt.  (or at least, that is the excuse I told myself!)

Rope climbing is not the only activity one can participate within the barn.  This visitor was taking advantage of the electrical connection to work from his notebook computer!

The shadows made by the spaces between the boards of the barn construction, make for a type of "Shadow Art" installation!

Beside the barn, examples of antique hay harvesting equipment make another type of vintage metal farm equipment "sculpture".   It provides an opportunity where youngsters can learn that GPS-guided harvesters, were not available to the family that homesteaded this valley! 

In front of the barn, there is a concrete pad, equipped with bike-washing water supply, and other items one might need, to make minor bicycle repairs.

The Quiver mentioned on this sign, is yet another example of an outdoor activity that has benefited from the generosity of the Walton family.  It shares the same website as the Coler information, although The Quiver is all about archery opportunities.  

Just as the neon sign says on this re-purposed outbuilding of the farmstead, one may feel as though they are in "paradise", when they are outside enjoying all the natural beauty of this preserve!

I saw several different people enjoying this hammock beside the stream, and I cannot think of a better location for "live streaming"!

The stream that flows through the valley adds a wonderful ambience to the preserve, but for the original homesteaders here, the stream would have been a necessary water source for livestock and crops---not just something pretty to look at!

Reading this sign near the entrance, is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge about Coler Bicycle Preserve, and will improve your understanding of all the opportunities you can add to your life by visiting here.  

Furthermore, if you read and abide by these "Rules and Regulations", it will improve your chances of adding "accident-free" days and years, to your life.  Therefore, I am using this as the visual aid for one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) memory verses that says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Through wisdom, your days will be many, and years will be added to your life."  Proverbs 9:10-11

This visit to Coler Bicycle Preserve gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!  Tricia

















 

AIRLIE GARDENS WALKING EXPEDITION!

 Airlie Gardens (www.airliegardens.org) in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a "walkers' paradise"!  This blog has some photos from when I visited there in September, 2025.  One of the most famous plants at the gardens, is  "The Airlie Oak".  It is a gigantic Southern Live Oak, estimated to be nearly 500 years old.  The Spanish moss, hanging like sheer curtains, make it a focal point of the gardens, and a frequent filming location .  The magnificent tree is shown in the photo below:

I read that its acorns are used to grow heritage trees, but I was too busy taking photos to stop and look for souvenir acorns.  I took the photo below, that includes a fellow traveler, to help the viewer get a perspective on the massive size of the living sculpture.

For those who have the time, there are picnic tables beside the oak tree, where one can sit and enjoy the ambience:

My time at the gardens was limited, so instead of stopping, I continued on to the Bradley Creek Pier, that extends out into that body of water, and eventually flows into Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington.  (That name is familiar to me because it is the location of the first photograph I ever saw, of my future grandson-in-law, when he was showing my granddaughter around his then, home state.  Photos showing the wedding that resulted, are on my blog post entitled "Bentonville Expedition", dated August 6, 2021)  With its coastal location, this area is subject to hurricanes.  One thing that makes the Arlie Oak so unique, is the fact that it has survived so many hurricanes.  The same cannot be said for the massive tree trunk, that lies adjacent to the Bradley Creek Pier.  

I don't want to imply that Bradley Creek flows DIRECTLY into Wrightsville Beach.  Rather,, there is a massive "filtration system" that it goes through on its way to the ocean.  One of these filters is Cordgrass, as pictured in the photo below:

Sometimes downed trees such as this are left where they fall, as a way to provide habitat for more wildlife.  In fact, a salamander was kind enough to pose for a photo for me, after I spotted it climbing on the decaying tree trunk: 

 

The metal sculpture is not only artistic, but educational, as the placard it is holding has information about the surrounding gardens.  In spite of my prodding, I could not get the frog to make is familiar "ribbit" sound!  

Speaking of wildlife, there was a wide variety of birds that could be spotted, which may explain why this is an important birding area.  In addition to the birds that actually fly, there was an art installation taking place during my visit, called "Birds of a Feather".  Individuals or businesses could place bids on the various bird sculptures, and become one of the owners of this aviary artwork, when the exhibit ended in a few months.  One of the birds had the prominent blue color of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW):

Team colors more familiar to my area can be seen on this cardinal statue.

Since I am from the Ozarks, where a sports team named Cardinals is popular, this bird would be a welcome addition to a fan of the Cardinals!

This "mosaic" bird design, probably covers the mascot colors of every team in the nation!

When I walked out onto the pier, I couldn't help noticing a visitor with a very long lens on his camera.  When I asked what he was focused in on, he said he was watching a bird across the water.  The photographer is a reminder for me to mention, that there are strict guidelines for professional portrait, wedding, or engagement photo setups, so be sure to check the guidelines on their website to learn more.

It is easy to see why professional photographers would want to work here, because the picturesque settings abound throughout the gardens.  

 

The three columns above the oval benches, surrounded by luscious ferns would make an ideal location for a group photo!  Since I often participate in groups, I am always on the lookout for settings that would be suitable for group photos!

As I was entering the sunken gardens, our group leader was there, so I took the opportunity to give my signature pose, of arms uplifted in praise and gratitude, to the Creator of all this beauty!

The three-tiered fountain beside the lake is another scenic location, and has been the setting for various movie and television programs.  A complete listing of well-known scenes filmed at Airlie Gardens is available on their website.  One source referred to Wilmington, North Carolina, as "The Hollywood" of the central East Coast!

A group of five young ladies was enjoying taking candid shots with their phones, of one another at the fountain, and offered to take my photo.  Of course, I said, "Yes, and thank you very much!"

There were several species of wading and water birds on the distant shoreline of this lake, that some birders were observing, with high-powered binoculars.  So if you are a serious fan of bird watching, be sure to take your binoculars with you when visiting the gardens!

The South if famous for their azalea bushes, and the vibrant blooms on some of their plants were still very photogenic, even though it was not their prime season.  

The photo below shows that the entire bush was covered with healthy blooms!

This metal sculpture of a flower bloom, will keep people interested, when all the azaleas have gone dormant. 

When I saw these two lawn chairs sitting side by side, it reminded me of a favorite photo I have of a man and his wife (who were my cousins), sitting in similar chairs, holding hands, and both turned around to smile at the camera.  Although I looked around for "models", there were no couples at the time, that I could get to pose for such a photograph!

Seeing the bottle house (which is not accessible to go inside), reminded me of the first time I ever saw "bottle glass".  It was at a very old hotel along the canal, where my father and I stayed, when we visited Venice in the 1960's.  I later learned that Venice is famous for its glass creations, and probably the reason my father agreed to purchase some very delicate glass deer, that we watched a Venetian artist blow and sculpt, right before our eyes! (Photos of that trip are on blog entitled "Italy Expedition", dated January 2, 2025)

I was delighted to see that Airlie Gardens has a Labyrinth, because it reminded me of Grandma/Grandchild day where we visited several labyrinths in Northwest Arkansas. (See Labyrinths and Lanes Expedition, dated July 7, 2010).

There is an indoor place of worship on the grounds of Airlie Gardens, called Mount Lebanon Chapel, that is still in regular use today.  The chapel was completed in 1835, and was named for the surrounding cedar trees that recalled the Biblical Cedars of Lebanon.  It is a part of St. James Episcopal Parrish, and you can read more about its history at their website, www.stjamesp.org .

 

The landscape architects of Airlie Gardens have done an outstanding job of designing a variety of different types of walking paths.  The walking path below reminds me of the letter "H".   

This tan-colored walking path is lined with colorful blooms, and is very straight.

The gently curved-at-the-end, walking path below is lined with low hedges, like one might see in Scotland.  In fact, Airlie Gardens gets its name from Airlie, Scotland, because the developer (Sarah Green Jones) named her land acquisition around Mt. Lebanon, Airlie Gardens, after her husband's ancestral home in Scotland.  

Seeing all the different walking paths at Airlie Gardens, is the visual aid for my current First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) class, that is studying the lessons in "Walk in Wisdom".  It is based on the book of Proverbs, which mentions the word "path" about 29 times!  Proverbs uses "path" as a key metaphor representing life's direction---contrasting the wise, righteous way with the foolish, wicked one.  The class will meet weekly for about eight weeks, and each week, we will work on memorizing one verse from the book of Proverbs.  The memory verse for the first week is "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Proverbs 1:7

 

 

Visiting Airlie Gardens and exploring its many paths, gave me "MILES OF SMILES!"    Tricia