{"id":144721,"date":"2024-11-07T09:45:33","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T15:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=144721"},"modified":"2024-11-07T09:50:40","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T15:50:40","slug":"john-cofields-photo-of-the-week-baileys-woods-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/john-cofields-photo-of-the-week-baileys-woods-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"John Cofield\u2019s Photo of the Week: \u201cBailey\u2019s Woods Trail\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Before 2002, the Bailey\u2019s Woods Trail<\/strong> was left to nature\u2019s hands. After the Museum <\/strong>and Rowan Oak<\/strong> staff believed improvements were necessary for the preservation of the woods and the safety of pedestrians, changes were made. Contractors added four bridges, steps to help with steepness and erosion control. In 2012, Bailey Woods was designated a National Recreation Trail<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was 2:00 am as we laughingly stumbled drunk along the Bailey Woods Trail. Four or five guys and four or five girls partaking in what was to those in the known, an Ole Miss<\/strong> rite-of-Rebel passage to Rowan Oak. We didn\u2019t strike out from the museum, but rather from one of those aforementioned tributary trails that began off the very back corner of the last tennis court above and behind Swayze Field<\/strong>. Soon on the main trail, to the man himself\u2019s house we went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We lounged on the front porch, imagining sharing a drink with the only Nobel Laureate we\u2019d ever be this close to. We carried on for a good bit until we began to wander the grounds. As several of us approached one of the back buildings we thought we saw movement inside. The last thing said was, \u201cNo matter what happens, don\u2019t run!\u201d We gathered closer and stared and then a single hanging light bulb showed brightly with a dark figure holding the pull chain and staring back at us. We ran like hell! Around the house and down the drive we tore. Before we knew it we were standing in the street, hands on knees, huffing, puffing, and laughing away. We made our way back to campus and to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had we made it a day trip we\u2019d have found William Faulkner<\/strong> doing that which he loved best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014John Cofield<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bailey’s Woods Trail. Photograph \u00a9 Jim Hendrix.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bailey’s Woods Trail. Photograph by Jason Heavner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bailey’s Woods Trail. Photograph \u00a9 Tripp Farris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n