To make the most of our remaining late-summer, my family and I set out one evening to check off a couple of items from our Cumberland County bucket lists. With a toddler in tow, even the simplest of places can become a fun adventure — with the proper snacks, of course. We set off with two no-cost destinations in mind: Hope Mills Lake and the downtown Fayetteville trolley.
While staying with family over the summer, I had ventured into the world of open water swimming. Though experienced enough to swim my first one-mile open water “race,” I still get nervous in a new lake. With a swimming area open for a few more days at Hope Mills, I figured this lake would be a perfect place for some simple practice.
Upon arriving, past experience taught us to direct our toddler straight to the playground, where she darted and dashed over and under slides in the hot evening sun. While she played, I took in the sights of a couple swinging on the lakeside boardwalk, others casting lines to catch fish, and an ant-like line of kayakers slowly crawling across the lake. Some patrons plucked at fries hot from the cafe, while others lounged with home-packed picnics under trees.
Once my daughter had slowed long enough for a slug of water and a few Cheerios, we meandered to the swim area along the treeline. I swam back and forth for time, and my spouse held on to the baby while she giggled and splashed. Soon, the sun’s descent created a cool breeze, beckoning us to switch gears and pull on warm, dry clothes for the second phase of our evening.
A half-hour later, the calm of the lake had long faded as we found ourselves immersed in the downtown beats and the low-hum of crowds at Segra Stadium. Studying the Cool Springs District online trolley map, I tried to orient myself to street names to find a trolley stop. Before I could, however, the blue trolley zipped past us. Waving our arms, we flagged it down. The driver kindly stopped, and we nestled onto a wooden bench seat about a third of the way back. My daughter sat on my spouse’s lap, holding on to the bench ahead of us tightly with both hands.
Winding through Haymount, I noticed planters teeming with flowers along front porches, ornate details on historic brick buildings. Circling and returning along Hay Street to the other side of downtown, from way up high, these familiar surroundings took on a new light. Upon completing the full trolley route, we requested a stop and filed out onto the sidewalk. The streets were quiet. Sinking into shaded patio chairs at Agora Mediterranean Restaurant and slicing dolma, grape-leaf-wrapped spiced rice, I took in a contented breath.
Sometimes, the simplest days prove the most meaningful. Today was one of those days.
