Last Monday I meandered my way to a town I had driven through once or twice but had never spent any time in. The town’s official name is Washington but North Carolinians call it Little Washington.
I was so glad I took the time to explore because I discovered a lovely park, a boardwalk, and a million (or two) lily pads.
I am not even kidding. There were lots and lotsa lilies and lots of accompanying lily pads.
I spent nearly an hour on the riverfront, walking the boardwalk.
I admired the blossoms . . .
and the variety of places where one could plop oneself for a riverfront respite.
And since I love historical things, I took note of this marker and stood for a few moments and thought about how much things had changed since 1895.
In the middle of my meanders, I even learned a new word. Who knew that there was something called an estuarium?
As I walked by a gazebo set amidst an expanse of grass, I imagined for a moment all the town gatherings that have taken place there over the years. I could picture families and neighbors gathering, friends hollering hellos, ice cream cones dripping, happy dogs gallivanting, gazebo music playing, and American flags waving.
All of it the very epitome of small-town America which I love so much.
Mixed in with the imagined memories was the sadness that, due to COVID-19, none of those images will be brought to life there this summer. The grass will be empty of kids, dogs, and noise; the bandstand will be empty of guitars, drums and music stands.
But still. Flags still wave, as seen in this house across from the river.
And dozens of Little Washingtonians still walk the boardwalk for their morning exercise.
And the lily pads and the flowers around them still turn their bright faces to the sky and wait expectantly for the time when the air around them is once again filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of small-town summer evenings.
I am thankful, that even in the midst of a pandemic, there is beauty to be experienced. There are rivers and benches and lilies with which to fill my eyes and my heart.
What about you?
In whatever big or small town you call home, what snippets of beauty do you see around you today?
It might be something as simple as sunshine on a wooden dresser or as complex as a fabulously designed skyscraper. It might be a hen house or a clean kitchen counter or a smiling golden retriever.
Share with us whatever is beautiful in your life today.
Becky, beautiful photos of a beautiful place! It looks like most of those lily pads and flowers are actually lotus leaves and flowers, you can tell by the upright seed pods, when water lilies go to seed they usually turn downward back into the water. The large pads someone else mentioned people standing on are victoria lilies and a board was usually positioned under them! I had a lotus growing in my pond here in Michigan for quite a few years, it eventually took over the entire bottom of the small pond.
Kari,
Such interesting things you know about lily pads and lotus leaves and flowers! I love learning from my readers.
I certainly didn’t know any of that!
Becky,
I guess my comment got lost in cyperspace. I’ll give it another try.
Your photos are fantastic. Little Washington looks like a beautiful, peaceful, inviting place to visit and your photos do a lot to enhance that feeling. You have such a great eye for interesting perspectives in your photography and you can always find the beauty (which others often overlook) that surrounds us everywhere. Like you, I love meandering through small town. I particularly enjoy walking down the main street of town, which almost always seems to be named Main Street 😉
Stay safe and healthy. God bless!
Hugs,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
You always give the nicest, most encouraging comments about my photography. I appreciate you!
I agree that walking down the main street of a small town is a fun thing to do. Each one has its own personality and quirkiness. It’s the simple pleasures, isn’t it?
Hmmm, I posted a comment, but it doesn’t seem to have shown up. I will wait a few minutes to see if it appears. If no I will do another.
Linda,
That’s odd. I see your comment posting about your comment but don’t see the original comment.
Beautiful pictures! You seem to be able to find beauty everywhere.
Around here for some reason there have been a ton of butterflies this past week. Some of them are very colorful, some more plain but all beautiful!
Michele,
I love butterflies. It’s kind of odd, isn’t it, that they appear more often sometimes than at others. I’m sure there is some scientific reasons but it doesn’t really matter. Just thankful for the beauty of butterflies!
Beautiful photos Becky!!! Little Washington looks beautiful.
I just meandered over to the community garden and was so excited to see that the lilly I grew from seed (tuber) has bloomed. It’s gigantic and beautiful!!
Beautiful lilipad pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Nicole,
Glad you enjoyed them. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a photo of a lily pad before so I had fun. 🙂
I see beautiful blue skies and green grass that is wet from a small overnight rain. There is no wind, and the irrigation engine across the road is working hard to pump water to the pivot that is watering the crop. There are even several Great Blue Heron that hang out in the wetland just west of here. They were flying overhead the other day as I walked out to get the mail. They are so big, yet so graceful!
LeeAnne,
What a treat to see Great Blue Heron! And blue skies and green grass wet from the rain?
Perfection.
Isn’t Little Washington just darling! I’ve had the pleasure of visiting there several times over the last four years. My oldest child, Katie, just graduated from ECU with a BFA in Theatre Arts Education & she performed several times with different groups from ECU at their historic Turnage Theatre and also in the town square area for an event called Smoke on the Water. I enjoyed every trip we made there. It’s so quaint!
Sara,
It’s nice to know that a few of my readers know just where Little Washington is. In fact, you’ve even been to the town square I photographed which is extra cool.
Sounds like Katie has an interesting and creative life ahead of her. I know you are proud of her.
My, those are a lot of lilies. Didn’t notice any frog on them, but I’m sure they were around. Again, great pictures – love the small town look and feel. My husband and I were looking at something the other day when walking – can’t remember what it was we saw, but he made the comment – “I don’t understand how some can say this all happened by chance.” The beauty of this earth the Lord has given us to enjoy – the flowers, birds, trees, etc. – Awesome! The one tree that looked like it had lilacs on it, wish it could be grown in MN, but not the right climate.
Sharyn,
Every blade of grass and petal of a flower points to a Creator!
I actually did see one frog swimming through the lilies. He looked like he was having a grand o’l time.
Today I took my mom to Springfield, MO for a dermatologist appointment. I came to their house yesterday afternoon. On the drive down, I saw fields of corn, tassels blowing in the wind. I saw more fields today. At one house, there is a nice size pond. Close to the water’s edge there is a gazebo. I thought to myself how nice it would be to sit in the gazebo some nice late summer afternoon and read.
Your pictures are beautiful! Looks like a very interesting town.
Phyllis,
You’ve read this blog long enough to know that you have just described one of my favorite places to take a drive. Fields and more fields. And a gazebo and a pond for a bonus.
I’m glad you didn’t just zip on by but took the time to notice and to appreciate it.
What a pretty town and waterfront to spend the time. I could sit on those swings and benches for hours just looking at the water. Hope you are all doing well.
Sue Ellen,
Yes, bench-sitting and swing-swinging are some of the most underrated enjoyable ways to pass time. So much placidity and peace to be had.
What a beautiful place. I would love to plop down on a bench and just admire everything. I’m like you, too; I like to think about everyone before us and what all happened there. I have added OBX to my “want to travel there on day” list.
Have a blessed week.
Krista,
Love the word “plop” because that’s what I did. Plopping is much different from (and more enjoyable than) plain ol’ sitting!
The Missouri Botanical Garden has lily pads that are big enough to hold people standing on them. I cloraxed my coffee and tea mugs this morning.. so a wee bit of beauty in a clean vessel.
Mrs. Pam,
Please tell me people don’t actually stand on them, though! 🙂
Would love to see some that big.
A wee bit of beauty is a big thing. I’m glad you took the time to appreciate it.
I am always on the lookout for beauty. And it’s everywhere!
I love our beautiful skies at sunset (I’m sure sunrise is lovely as well but I’m not a morning type a gal 😴), the flowers blooming everywhere, the unmatched loveliness of the WI countryside on a sunny day (which always makes me think of you because you love driving through it so much with your camera in hand), the beautiful old historic houses our city has…..the list goes on and on. As the world gets more and more chaotic, the beauty and order of nature is supremely comforting to me. Thankful for a mom who taught us to look for and appreciate beauty as we go through our days.
Love your pictures. So glad you had a chance to meander through that pretty town.
Sending much love!
Deb
Deb,
Yes, we were definitely blessed with a mom who is a great fan of the wonders of nature. The older I get, the more I get just like her.
I loved that you listed so many specific things about what you see around you. And you know me well. Tooling along through that “unmatched loveliness” is one of my happiest things to do. Glad you are enjoying and appreciating it all on my behalf.
That’s where I was born! You are getting closer and closer to my neck of the woods. Pamlico County. Next county East. Through Chocowinity, Aurora and then Hobucken! Turn right and go three miles to Mesic where I was raised or turn left and go over the intracoastal water way to Lowland where all my cousins lived and where we went to church. Was just down there visiting my mom for 12 days. So hot! Hot in Knoxville too though.
Didn’t make it to OBX but did spend a couple nights on the Crystal Coast of NC. Beaufort, Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle. Talk about beautiful. Oh my. Took a high speed ferry out to Cape Lookout. It doesn’t get any prettier.
Have a great day!
Buff
Buff,
How fun to know you were actually born in Little Washington! I’ve heard of Chocowinity but Aurora and Hobucken are new to me. I will have to take a ramble in that direction sometime. Small towns are high on my list of favorite things.
I’ve never taken a high-speed ferry; sounds like something I definitely want to do.