My first hike of 2015, on the Patsy Pond Nature Trail, part of the Croatan National Forest and only about 30 minutes from my house.

The trail was easy and well maintained. It could have been better marked though, there are three short trails that cross each other, and the only trail markings were at these junctions. There were also some fire roads that I’d like to explore in the future, but it will wait until after hunting season.

Really pretty walk through the pine forest. I’ll definitely be back.

My girl Sasha, I haven’t taken here on any more difficult trails yet, but I think she is going to be a good little hiker.

Patsy pond, the trail was a big loop, just under 3 miles around this pond and several smaller ones.

Pinecones, from the longleaf pine, almost as big as my foot.

This was a great hike considering I haven’t been too active recently, and short enough that my boots, which I haven’t worn in months, didn’t hurt me.

Miles in 2015: 2.85

I have a goal of hiking  500 miles this year. Thats about 10 miles a week, which doesn’t seem like much, but that means finding time for several shorter hikes, or one long one every week; I’m not counting my daily walks with my dogs. Plus we don’t have much hiking where I live. There is the national forest, but that is pretty swampy in some places, and I won’t get to explore it much until duck hunting ends in next month. There are also nice beaches on the Outer Banks, and some wildlife refuges within driving distance. And in the spring and fall I can go camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 6 hours away.