Category Archives: Hiking

Fort Macon, Again

I love the contrast of the photos taken on a sunny day, in the previous post, and here taken on a cloudy day. As much as I’m looking forward to spring, the warm browns of the dunes in winter does have its own beauty.IMG_0057

The weather may not have been ideal, but it was nice to have the beach to ourselves.

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My Sasha and my Panzer, they look so good here, but they were probably jumping all over each other 10 seconds before this photo was taken.

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Just a short hike: 2.75 miles

So far in 2015: 9.6 miles

In case anyone was wondering how I measure my milage, I use my pedometer. I’ve found that 2000 steps per mile is pretty accurate

Fort Macon State Park

In spite of the miserable weather I have managed to get out of the house for a few short hikes. Here are some instagrams from a rare nice day, back in January, that Sasha and I were able to take advantage of and go for a hike at Fort Macon State Park. This is a really pretty park, with a beautiful beach to walk on, only about 15 minutes from our house.IMG_0027

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Miles hiked: 4, Miles hiked in 2015: 6.85

I still have a long ways to go if I’m going to reach 500 by the end of the year. I had really hoped that once February arrived the weather would start getting nicer, but that just has not happened. I’ve spent most of the last 2 weeks hibernating next to the fireplace.

Patsy Pond Nature Trail

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.

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

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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.

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

IMG_2271Pinecones, 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.