-
Duke Gardens with Friends
At the end of March, the kids had a day off school for a teacher workday. After seeing an Instagram post about a “Bloom Walk” in Duke Gardens, I gave the boys a heads up that we would be making a trip, and I tagged my friend Erika on the post, hoping she would see it and hadn’t already booked her day. Friday morning she messaged me and we made plans to pack snacks and hit the road at about…
-
JC Raulston Arboretum March Blossoms (Just Pics)
I visited the JC Raulston Arboretum on Saturday and Monday. So much was in bloom. Enjoy!
-
A Hike in William B Umstead State Park
Our Hike, marked in Red Crayon On New Year’s Day the weather was amazing, so we took an impromptu hike with friends in William B. Umstead State Park. We forged our own path and traveled along Sal’s Branch for awhile before cutting down through the woods, across the power lines and down to the rim of Big Lake. We worked our way down to the boat ramp, across the junction between the two lakes, and then back into the woods beside Sycamore…
-
Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest
Growing up I hiked wilderness foot trails in Tennessee, and having lived in Raleigh, North Carolina since college, I find that most nearby parks have overly managed trails. By overly managed, I mean they are wide enough to allow park vehicle access, there may be a foot trail but it parallels a road for three-quarters the distance to the destination view, or there are so many people that you constantly hear, “On the right!” Schenck Forest is no wilderness, it…
-
Lake Raleigh
It was a strange collision of events this weekend – the start of Spring Break, full moon, Easter, and April Fools Day. After a long, cold winter, we were eager to enjoy the warm air. Late Sunday afternoon we set out to explore the woods near Lake Raleigh on Centennial Campus. Joe and I first ended up near the paved greenway trail after following bad directions, but we eventually navigated to Centennial Magnet Middle School. Only a few paces into…
-
Milburnie Dam Demolition Part 2
Saturday morning, we opted to skip the Christmas parade, and Joe and the kids played video games instead. By 10:30 am, I was chomping at the bit to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. Joe had not yet seen the Milburnie Dam demolition, so we went out for a hike. I love being in the woods with Joe, because he always finds new things to explore. We went around the dam to the side I had not yet ventured…
