Outer Banks Adventures

My high school gal pal flew home and we went back to being teens this past weekend. While I can’t recount everything we got into, I can confirm that we ate great, cried a little, laughed a lot, and made some more memories of a lifetime in our 700 mile road trip. Here are some highlights:

Pine Knoll Shores:

We spent our first leg at the former ClamDigger hotel on Salter Path. It goes by another less colorful name now (the bland ‘Inn’) and has been renovated, but it’s the location that makes it a favorite. All rooms are full oceanfront, and being about halfway between Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle makes it easy to go either direction for food and fun. An added bonus is a pretty darn good restaurant on site, a lounge with a pool table, and a tiki bar by the pool. Downside is the up charge for the beach umbrellas. But to kick off a few days in the sun, this was a good place to start.

View from my hotel bed. Bliss!

Wide, sandy, and empty! beach

Even if you don’t know where to go, you’re still
going to get there.

Ricky the Paddle-board Guide

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Emerald Isle:

On a perfectly fine morning my friend decided it would be a terrifically great idea to paddle board. My friend is tall, graceful, athletic, and an experienced paddle boarder. I am the exact opposite of every one of those. I almost had her convinced I could not do this since I had only one pair of eye glasses and if they were lost in the InterCoastal Waterway , I could not drive her back to the airport, until she discovered my oversized sunshades came with a handy dandy head strap.

Off we go.

It was really fun.

And even though it’s called Stand Up Paddling (SUP) I went the entire distance kneeling, sitting, and dangling. I never stood. I also never fell off. Which is more than my friend can say.

Gotta crawl before you walk….

Swansboro:

What a treat to spend time in the quaint waterfront town of Swansboro! Cozying up to the White Oak River, the historic 18th century buildings have been restored to private homes as well as shops, restaurants and bed and breaksfasts.

One eatery, Yana’s, is a must. Whether for breakfast or lunch, there will be a wait most days for this 50s throwback diner. The burgers are good, the fritters are better, and the service is the best. You’ll know you’re there when you spot Elvis.

Fresh peach fritters doused in powered sugar. This is a half order, and Yana’s serves it as an appetizer. Like they say, life is uncertain, eat dessert first!

Cedar Island:

The next morning we checked out of the Inn formerly known as ClamDigger and headed north to Cedar Island. We were on our way to a 2.5 hour adventure crossing the InterCoastal by ferry to the island of Ocracoke. For a mere $15 per car this is a trip everyone should do at least once. There is nothing quite like being on open water on a barge.

Water, water everywhere!

Destination in sight!

Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

Ocracoke Island:

Ah, Ocracoke! What a wonderful, isolated, picturesque place you are! There is something just magical about Ocracoke. It has managed to defy the mightiest of hurricanes and still retain a charm and an appeal unlike any place I’ve ever been. Every time there, I find something that keeps drawing me back. This time around, we stumbled upon family plots of ancient fishermen and mariners. The mosquitoes kept us from lingering for long. But even though decades can pass between visits, as long as I am around and it is too, I will always have in the back of my mind a desire to come back and be an Ocracokan for a while.

One of Bonnie and Clyde’s?

Shells topping a picket fence

Old headstones of souls long gone home

After strolling along Silver Lake we popped into Howard’s Pub for a couple of delicious burgers and even better fries.

Then we drove to the other end of the 12 mile island to catch the one hour ferry ride to Hatteras Island. The blazing sunset was a gorgeous end to the day.

The next morning, after spending the night with a friend, we woke to take in the last day of our trek along the N.C. coast. We visited two of the most famous landmarks in America, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Wright Brothers Memorial.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse:

The last time I visited the Lighthouse was in 1999, during the historic and daring relocation of the Lighthouse 1/2 mile inland. The beach and foundation the massive structure was located on was eroding, and amid a great deal of controversy, the megaton brick lighthouse, the tallest in the US, 2nd tallest in the world, built in 1870, and only 15 feet from the surf, was moved inch by inch 2900 feet on railroad ties by house movers using Ivory soap. Word is that not a single brick crumbled.

Wright Brothers Memorial;

About 60 miles north of the Lighthouse is Big Kill Devil Hill, the almost 100 foot tall massive sand dune the Ohio brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright first took off in flight. The memorial on top of the dune, which has been covered with vegetation to stabilize the shifting sands, stands another 60 feet high. Visitors can walk up to the tower but not into it, although tours inside have taken place in the past. Views from the the top of the hill are breathtaking and the constant winds make it easy to see how the inventors decided to use this area to test their flying machine. A museum on the site houses a full size replica of the first flyer. The original is on display at the Smithsonian.

North Carolina is rich in natural beauty and history. A trek along the coast with an old friend was a fitting end to the summer.

Do you have a special weekend trip that you’d like to recommend? Please share your suggestions in the comments section. Thank you for visiting my blog!

Forest Ridge Park

With a beautiful afternoon and a nearby park that I’d never visited, I went to check out the trails at Forest Ridge.

The trails at Forest Ridge Park are a mix of old logging roads and gravel paths. A three mike loop is used by beginning mountain bikers as well as hikers.

The park itself is fairly young, less than 2 years old. Its entrance is at the end of old NC 98, a deceptively rural area less than 10 miles from the densely populated state capital. The park borders the huge Falls Lake Recreation Area, a favorite destination for outdoor lovers in central N.C.

At this park, there’s a few short trails (.2 mile to 1.25 mile), easy to navigate on foot or bike. Fishing and watercraft are permitted, but there is no swimming or wading allowed at this park’s lake front.

Two nice covered picnic shelters and a playground are near the entrance, as well as a staffed welcome center, restrooms and an indoor classroom facility.

Of the natural areas I’ve visited along Falls Lake, Forest Ridge has the fewest amenities and is the most primitive. The simplicity actually makes its appealing, but it will not be a destination that will likely draw avid boaters or mountain bikers given the limited features compared to others nearby.

Still, it may be just enough, when getting back to nature is what is needed. In a matter of minutes the frenzy of city life can be temporarily left behind at Forest Ridge Park along Falls Lake.

Broken Shells

In my summer quest to journal about my treks on trails, today’s story is a bit of a departure.

I’m by the sea at the moment. It is my escape. I’m drawn to it when I’m happy, even more when I’m sad. It restores my soul. Yesterday was not a good day. So today I find myself walking along the sand, with the waves barely licking my toes. While this is not a marked trail through majestic trees or along a mountain pass, it is the path where earth meets sea meets sky.

I came across people looking down, searching for that perfect sea shell, spying one, picking it up, and tossing it down as soon as they see it’s cracked or worn or ugly underneath. And I am suddenly irritated by this. There are millions if not billions of shells. They are tossed and pounded and beaten and seldom survive raging storms unscathed. Then I see them. Three broken shells. 

All three had their best sides showing to the world. But, when you pick them up and look a little closer, you see the broken edges, the scars, the cracks. It’s easy to imagine someone coming along, reaching down to pick up and take that shell, then tossing it aside when seeing the imperfections.

Broken shells are a sign of strength, of perseverance, of survival. They are defiant and tenacious, not giving up, not giving in. They are beaten and tossed by forces much stronger than they. But they are here, still. Broken shells are nature’s reminder to not give up hope.

I picked up all three imperfect, broken shells. I did not toss them back down.

Yates Mill Pond

Another blogger jogged my memory about Yates Mill Pond. I’ve been living in this county for well over a decade and never driven the dozen or so miles to explore this historic site, that is, until recently.

Yates Mill Pond is a well maintained park within spitting distance of NCSU, just down Lake Wheeler Road within easy access of major highways. The mill itself still gives demonstrations monthly to show exactly how the great stones ground corn into meal, powered by the falls on the pond. There is a nominal charge to take this 30 minute guided tour. The Park also presents a number of educational activities and programs that are updated seasonally.

There are scattered sitting and picnic areas on the simple paths around the pond. Plenty of wildlife can be spotted.

Keep an eye out for the abundance of snakes that inhabit the rocks below the falls.

Many Instagram-worthy pictures await your cell phone clicks. To be honest, it is worth a visit on a sunny afternoon or a crisp fall day for the photo ops alone, but as a destination for hiking this will not be high on my list of trails to return to. Still, if you are in the area with an hour to spare, take a step back in time to Yates Mill Pond.

Beaverdam Lake

A little known gem, Beaverdam Lake is located within the large Falls Lake State Park. Falls Lake was created by the damming of the Neuse River and straddles a 3 county area in central North Carolina.

On this visit, the plan was to explore the trail system at the Beaverdam Lake site.

However, when I found out this lake had a beach, and the heat index was topping 104, a dip in the water beat out a hike on the trails.

What a nice, secluded beach it is! A wide, sandy stretch is surrounded by a view of still, flat water and thick trees. The really nice feature is no motorized boating is allowed! So not only are the waters calm and cool on this really hot day, but kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and floats can put in without fear of being swamped by boats and jet skis.

Beaverdam Lake also has nice picnic spots, covered shelters, outdoor showers, a playground, large clean restrooms, and plenty of parking.

See that blue umbrella? That’s my spot. In 3 hours on this hot summer day, less than a dozen adults, most with kids, came to cool off. Granted, there is not an ocean breeze, so you end up in the water more than on the sand, but this place is a great alternative when a day by the sea is not doable.

But wait, there’s more! Beaverdam Lake does have trails. About 15 miles of mountain biking paths are mapped out on 4 loops, ranging from beginner to advanced, and a drop zone course. The trailhead has parking places, a convenient restroom, site maps and clearly marked directions to avoid head on collisions. Hikers are allowed to use the same trails, as well as leashed dogs. Just be very aware, as always, of your fellow trail users, and be courteous in giving bikers the right of way.

The park is patrolled by rangers and there is a nominal fee per car or bikers in most months. All visits end at dusk; there is no overnight camping at this location. Overall, this easy to find day park is one that offers a lot of recreational opportunities without a lot of crowds, even on the hottest of summer days. Check it out if you are in the area and see for yourself!

Blue Jay Point County Park

In my continuing summer quest to trek trails, I landed at Blue Jay County Park, another destination along the Falls Lake shoreline. What a find!

This well maintained and diverse natural habitat offers a number of activities and educational spaces. The visitor center has a number of hands on exhibits for young kids. Just outside there is an educational garden, including an herb section, butterfly garden, pond with turtles and fish and even a log garden that caters to insects and other critters.

The park also has a playground, t-ball field, overnight lodge, picnic shelters, and trails that lead to the lake. One of the trails is part of the state’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail, an added bonus. The trails are short and easy to navigate, so not a challenge for die-hard hikers, but for a dose of nature it is a wonderful spot to visit for awhile.

Plus, if you’re looking for a traipse through the treetops, Go Ape zip-line adventure is located there as well. No swimming is allowed, but leashed dogs are welcome.

And remember, please, leave no trace behind.

Falls Lake Dam Trails

Falls Lake is a man-made lake straddling 3 counties and providing abundant recreational options including swimming, boating, fishing, and camping. However, the more than 60 miles of hiking trails are what brings me here. The trails around Falls Lake are, by far, my most favorite in central NC.

At the Falls Lake Dam off Falls of Neuse Road, northeast of Raleigh heading toward Wake Forest, both paved and wooded trails hug the shoreline. Blue and white blazes mark the easy-to-moderate trails, with the blue being the longer hike that leads to the neighboring Raven Ridge access. It is also a part of the state’s Mountains-to-Sea trail, a phenomenal continuous 1000 mile hike connecting the Great Smokies to Cape Hatteras. That’s bucket list material there!

There is abundant wildlife to spot here, from deer to a bald eagle or two. Fishing by both humans and herons is common below the dam. There is also a playground, picnic area, restrooms, boat and paddle access, even an old cemetery and open bench outdoor chapel at Falls Dam. To be so close to busy traffic, the sounds of nature are not drowned out. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t find myself here, restoring my body, mind, and spirit.

Golden Sunset

Treks on Trails

Wandering through woods has become a favorite pastime. Upcoming posts will share images and reviews of some of the ones in my neck of the woods.

First up:

It’s a New Day.

This shot is a good place to start. It was taken on the first day of the new year. After a run of dreary, wintry days, the sun burst out with a vengeance, setting the browns and grays of the woods in a golden glow. This path is one that runs along Falls Lake in northern Wake County, NC. Locally, this area is called New Light. Very appropriate name for this new day in a new year.