Eno River Put Down Park

This yesteryear summer, Ashley in addition to I had the lead chances to watch the Eno River State Park again, which is a fun hiking place correct inwards key North Carolina.  As around of our readers know nosotros watch North Carolina every summer. The Eno River State Park is located inwards Durham in addition to Orange counties, northwest of the metropolis of Durham. The Cox Mountain Trail is located inwards the Western component of the Eno River State Park. The Cox Mountain Trail is a loop in addition to is 3.75 miles circular trip. The hike tin sack move lengthened yesteryear adding the Fanny's Ford Trail loop, which adds approximately other mile to the distance. For a item trail write-up amongst directions in addition to trail statistics on this hike, brand certain to cheque out our write-up in addition to click Here.

Ashley in addition to I accept ever enjoyed hiking inwards the Eno River State Park spell on our summertime visits to North Carolina. While hiking hither this yesteryear summertime nosotros had the lead chances to encounter deer, turtles, frogs, in addition to other wildlife. Additionally, nosotros had the trails to a greater extent than oft than non to ourselves which was great. The hiking trails hither are ever good maintained in addition to the interruption yoke is ever a highlight of this hike. Enjoy the pictures from our around recent hike at the Eno River State Park during the summertime of 2014.

Occoneechee Mount Acre Recreation Expanse (North Carolina)

The Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is recognized equally i of the almost of import natural areas within the Raleigh, Durham, together with Chapel Hill Triangle inwards North Carolina. The Occoneeche Mountain State Natural Area provides non bad hiking through diverse habitats that back upward species that expanse rare together with pregnant to this region. This expanse provides fun hiking together with outdoor recreation opportunities for the entire family.

Directions to Trailhead: To hike inwards the Occoneeche Mountain State Natural Area, from I-85 direct maintain larn out 164, plow due north onto Churton Street, plow left at the halt sign onto Orange Grove Road, together with plow correct onto Virginia Gates Road together with follow the signs all the agency to the parking area. The address of the Occoneeche Mountain State Natural Area is 625 Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278. There is no damage for parking at the trailhead area. The common hours are equally follows: Nov - February, 8 a.m. - six p.m.; March, April, September & October, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and May - August, 8 a.m. - ix p.m. the common is closed on Christmas Day.

Description of Hike: The Occoneeche Mountain State Natural Area contains 190 acres of dry reason together with to a greater extent than than 3 miles of hiking trails. The expanse is situated roughly Occoneeche Mountain Summit (867 feet) which rises 350 feet from the Eno River together with is the highest betoken betwixt Hillsborough, North Carolina together with the Atlantic Ocean. The hike Ashley together with I completed was the Occoneeche Mountain Loop Trail which is 2.2 miles inwards length alongside an elevation arrive at of only over 300 feet. The Occoneeche Mountain Loop Trail is good marked together with is tardily to follow. The hike features hilly terrain through mature oak forests together with goes along the Eno River.  There are several side trails, i nosotros did was the stone quarry stance trail below the stone quarry. The Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail is marked yesteryear cherry circles throughout the park. For a Occoneechee Mountain State Recreation Area common map, click Here.

Further Thoughts: Ashley together with I actually enjoyed our hike inwards the Occoneechee Mountain State Recreation Area. We saw several other common visitors spell were hiking at that topographic point together with nosotros likewise got a adventure to utter alongside a rattling prissy common ranger. The summertime weather condition was non bad alongside a slight breeze together with temperatures inwards the mid 80s. While on our hike nosotros saw fish, turtles, toads, frogs, a hawk, together with several lizards. We flora the hiking trails inwards the Occoneechee Mountain State Recreation Area tardily to navigate together with follow. The exclusively tyke downsides to this hiking expanse is the ability lines running through a constituent of the common equally good equally the unopen proximity to roads at times.

There are 2 lilliputian line-fishing ponds that are close the trailhead expanse where y'all tin larn fishing, if that is your loving cup of tea. The Occoneechee ponds are non bad for catching bass together with bream on worms, crickets, together with lures. The Eno is a non bad house for fly-fishing, casting lures, or baiting alongside the e'er reliable worms together with crickets. Most of the river tin live waded together with at that topographic point are many openings for banking concern fishing. Commonly caught game fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, together with the feisty Roanoke bass. Roanoke bass, locally know equally "red-eye" are flora inwards exclusively 4 river drainages inwards northeastern North Carolina together with southeastern Virginia. Chubs together with bullheads add together to the line-fishing fun. All North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission line-fishing regulations are enforced.

The Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area showcases a diverseness of natural communities, together with such diverseness is flora nowhere else inwards the Triangle area. The relatively undisturbed wood of the ridge overstep includes i of the best chestnut oak stands inwards the region. And, the mount expanse itself, side yesteryear side to the upper Eno River, is of import wild fauna habitat. The acorns together with berries produced yesteryear the chestnut oaks together with other expanse plants back upward a population of animals, including deer, groundhog together with wild turkey.

The overstep of Occoneechee Mountain's ridge together with northern slopes supply habitat for a broad variety of wild fauna species that are typically flora inwards the mountains, together with some flora species achieve their easternmost limits here. These include Bradley's spleenwort together with wild sarsaparilla. Catawba rhododendron is acquaint on the steep stone outcrop side yesteryear side to the ravine, together with a mount laurel-galax community grows on the ravine's slopes. Sweet pinesap, some other rare plant, likewise grows here, along alongside large witch-alder. Yet some other mountainous species that grows inwards the natural expanse is the regal fringeless orchid.

In addition, several rare beast species flora nowhere else inwards the portion are acquaint inwards the park. These include the brownish elfin butterfly. Separated yesteryear to a greater extent than than 100 miles from other brownish elfin populations inwards the mountains, the brownish elfin butterfly is believed to direct maintain survived at Occoneechee Mountain since the Ice Age. Although the brownish elfin is flora virtually nowhere else inwards the Piedmont, the population on Occoneechee Mountain is quite large.

Researchers believe that the area's habitat has remained relatively unchanged since the concluding Ice Age due to the presence of brownish elfin, a rare butterfly, equally good equally several unique flora species. The brownish elfin is typically flora inwards mountainous together with northern areas, together with the nearest brownish elfin population to Occoneechee Mountain is to a greater extent than than 100 miles west. When the Piedmont's habitat underwent enormous transformations afterward the Ice Age, the expanse became unable to back upward the brownish elfin together with other species to a greater extent than accustomed to cooler environments. Brown elfins, believed to direct maintain i time populated the Piedmont, were restricted to the state's mountains. However, the brownish elfin butterflies at Occoneechee Mountain remained.

Rating: Elevation Gain: 300 ft. (Easy), Distance: 2.2 Miles Roundtrip (Easy)

Time to Complete Hike: 1 - 2 hours.

Cape Spotter National Seashore (North Carolina)

Cape Lookout National Seashore is an undeveloped barrier isle inwards North Carolina that is a must see for whatever outdoor enthusiast. Ashley in addition to I visited Cape Lookout National Seashore on our most recent see to North Carolina this past times summer. Cape Lookout National Seashore is a low, narrow barrier isle that runs for 56 miles from Ocracoke Inlet on the northeast, to Beafuort Inlet to the southwest. There is plenty for the whole theatre unit of measurement to create when visiting Cape Lookout National Sea Shore, from hiking, swimming, exploring the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, seeing wild horses, in addition to so much more.

Directions to Trailhead: Ashley in addition to I got to Cape Lookout National Seashore past times using the Harkers Island Visitor Center, which is located on the eastern terminate of Harkers Island, to a greater extent than or less 20 miles (30 km) eastward of Beaufort, NC in addition to xxx miles (50 km) due south of the Cedar Island terminus of the North Carolina State Ferry road from Ocracoke Island to Cedar Island. This visitor centre is 1 of ii Ferry Gateways to the Cape Lookout Light Station in addition to Shackleford Banks. There are several other Ferry options to acquire to the Island, but this is the shortest Ferry ride to acquire to Cape Lookout Lighthouse. There is no fee for parking at the visitor center, but in that location is a cost to ride the Ferry to see the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Cost hit from $15-$20 per individual to ride the Ferry in addition to the ferry ride is to a greater extent than or less xv minutes. For to a greater extent than data on taking a Ferry to the Cape Lookout National Seashore, click Here.

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is alone opened upward is opened upward for climbing from the 2nd calendar week inwards May to the tertiary weekend inwards September. Self-guided tours of upward to 10 people will get down every xv minutes during the hours of operation. The electrical current costs for admission when nosotros went was $8 per person, in that location are discounted prices for children in addition to seniors. The lighthouse may unopen at whatever fourth dimension if conditions (i.e.: temperature/humidity, lightning, or high winds) are determined to live on unsafe. The climb to the top is strenuous. It may live on hot, humid, noisy in addition to dim within the lighthouse. Climbing the 207 steps to the gallery is roughly equal to climbing a 12-story building. The stairs are narrow in addition to groups going upward volition part the stairs amongst groups returning to the bottom. Make certain to acquire your tickets to climb the lighthouse early on because on busy days the bring out of tickets tin sell out. There is a laid bring out of people able to climb the lighthouse each twenty-four hours in addition to the quota exists because the lighthouse is a really quondam construction in addition to tin alone safely accommodate so many people safely. For to a greater extent than data nigh seasonal hours of operation, click Here.

Description of Trail: This is a niggling dissimilar of a write-up than our normal posts equally in that location is non laid trail to explore, per se. When yous get down your ferry ride from Harkers Island to Cape Lookout National Seashore, yous volition locomote along side Shackleford Banks, which is some other uninhabited barrier island. If yous are lucky, yous volition live on able to grab a glimpse of the wild horses that inhabit this island. Ashley in addition to I saw several horses spell on the ferry ride to Cape Lookout. Our ferry driver was overnice plenty to come upward to a total halt to allow visitors the chance to receive got pictures. These horses are descendants of Castilian horses that washed ashore subsequently shipwrecks to a greater extent than or less 400 years ago. There are an estimated 110 wild horses living on Shackleford Banks.

During the ferry ride over, yous volition receive got Cape Lookout Lighthouse firmly inwards view. The ferry docks correct close Cape Lookout Lighthouse in addition to yous acquire out the ferry correct past times Cape Lookout Lighthouse. You in addition to so hike along a wooden boardwalk to the visitor center, which has a minor gift shop, restrooms, in addition to is the gateway to Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Cape Lookout National Seashore. You purchase your tickets to climb the lighthouse at this visitor center. At this indicate yous are a curt walk to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse in addition to less than a 0.4 mile hike to the Atlantic Coast. There are wooden boardwalks about the visitor centre in addition to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, but exterior of that yous are walking on apartment sandy trails.

Further Thoughts: A wealth in addition to multifariousness of activities awaits yous at Cape Lookout National Seashore. From birding, to camping, to fishing, to learning nigh the rich history of Cape Lookout Light Station, in that location is something hither for everyone. The primary affair is yous volition withdraw to convey amongst yous everything yous withdraw for your see to the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Ashley in addition to I brought a total twenty-four hours pack amongst everything from lunch, sunscreen, water, in addition to appropriate clothes. When nosotros rootage got to Cape Lookout, nosotros forthwith purchased our tickets to climb the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Our scheduled fourth dimension was non for several hours, so nosotros hiked over to the beach in addition to explored the area.

We did a niggling shelling in addition to and so went swimming inwards the warm Atlantic waters, which during the summertime fourth dimension acquire over eighty degrees. One of the nifty things nigh beingness at Cape Lookout National Seashore is in that location is no evolution on the island. It is a completely dissimilar sense beingness on an isle that has no housing correct along the ocean. You await downward equally far equally the oculus tin come across along the coast in addition to in that location is not a unmarried dwelling built on the coastline. It is genuinely a magnificent sight to see!

After enjoying the surf in addition to the sand, Ashley in addition to I headed dorsum over to create our tour of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. The electrical current Cape Lookout Lighthouse was completed in addition to lit on Nov 1, 1859 in addition to replaced a shorter lighthouse built inwards 1812. The double wall structure--the rootage of its sort inwards North Carolina--allowed the tower to live on much taller than previous designs. The 1859 lighthouse was 163 feet tall in addition to its lite reached to a greater extent than or less xv miles out to sea. Shortly subsequently the improved tower was activated, however, country of war broke out betwixt the states. The lite was extinguished to forbid Union ships from using it to navigate the treacherous North Carolina coast. The lite was reestablished amongst a tertiary gild Fresnel lens inwards 1863 in addition to shone for most of the residual of the war. For more, on the history of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, click Here.

If yous receive got to a greater extent than than 1 twenty-four hours to pass at the Cape Lookout National Sea Shore, in that location is primitive camping ground available on the island. Campers should ready carefully for the natural conditions to live on found at the park. We saw ii groups of people that were going to live on camping ground correct on the beach.

The waters surrounding the commons are feeding grounds for marine mammals in addition to sea turtles. Four sea turtle species - Loggerhead, Green, Kemp's Ridley, in addition to Leatherback - are sometimes seen feeding inwards expanse waters. Only the Loggerhead sea turtle regularly nests on the park's beaches during the summertime months. The others are found alone equally juveniles or are but passing through.

Birds are the most easily observed animals inwards the park. Spring in addition to Fall migration brings a bring out of dissimilar species through the park. Stormy conditions tin drive a few pelagic birds inwards from the opened upward body of body of water for a visit. In summer, a bring out of tern species, egrets, dark skimmers, herons, pipage plovers in addition to other shorebirds nest within the park's boundaries.

Mammals are uncommon on the islands; rice rats, rabbits, river otters, in addition to raccoons are some of the native species found here. On Shackleford Banks is a population of horses that has gone wild in addition to adapted to their surroundings over the past times few hundred years. Although common salt in addition to brackish H2O environments dominate the islands, a few fresh H2O habitats back upward tree frogs in addition to Fowler's toads. While diamond-back terrapins prefer the common salt marsh areas, the grasslands are the preferred habitat for five-lined racerunner lizards in addition to dark racer snakes. For to a greater extent than on the ecosystem of this area, click Here.

Ashley in addition to I spent a niggling to a greater extent than than a one-half twenty-four hours on the isle doing hikes along the beach, exploring the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, in addition to swimming inwards the ocean. When yous see this expanse brand certain to banking company fit the conditions forecast earlier yous acquire in addition to live on prepared for the anticipated conditions conditions. Since nosotros visited during the summery, nosotros got rained on for nigh 20 minutes of our one-half twenty-four hours remain on the island.

Rating: Little elevation gain throughout the whole Cape Lookout National Seashore. You tin brand your twenty-four hours equally relaxing or equally strenuous equally yous would like.

Time to Complete Hike: Ideally, Ashley in addition to I would recommend spending at to the lowest degree a one-half a twenty-four hours exploring the Cape Lookout National Seashore, if non a total day. We spent a one-half twenty-four hours in addition to would have enjoyed having to a greater extent than fourth dimension to pass enjoying the Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Battleship Due North Carolina

 

The Battleship North Carolina is a slap-up menage unit of measurement friendly adventure inward Wilmington, North Carolina. Ashley together with I, on our 2014 trip to North Carolina, had the chance to explore the Battleship North Carolina. The Battleship North Carolina is a house yous tin literally pass hours soaking inward the history of WWII together with the stories of the sailors who served on the Battleship North Carolina. The Battleship North Carolina is is a fun menage unit of measurement friendly adventure that nosotros would highly recommend visiting for those traveling to Wilmington, North Carolina.

Directions to Trailhead: The Battleship North Carolina is located at 1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, NC 28401. If yous are coming from the Raleigh/Durham area, follow I-40 East towards Wilmington. Take last out 416A (I-140/US 17 South) towards Myrtle Beach. Take the Battleship Memorial/ Wilmington exit, at the cease of the off ramp, acquit correct onto U.S.A. 421 South to follow the Battleship Memorial signs. For to a greater extent than data on directions, click Here. The Battleship North Carolina is opened upwards every twenty-four hours of the year, including all holidays, every bit she serves every bit a memorial. Summer Hours: Fri earlier Memorial Day through Labor Day: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, except Independence Day (4th of July) when the send closes at 5:00 pm for enforcement of firework security zone. Winter Hours: Tuesday next Labor Day through the Th earlier Memorial Day: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, except Christmas Day when the send opens at noon. Ticket sales cease 1 hr earlier closing fourth dimension together with the rates when nosotros visited were every bit follows: Adults: 12 together with over: $12.00; Seniors: 65 together with over: $10.00; Military: Active or retired alongside armed services ID: $10.00 (Does non include dependents); Children: half dozen through 11: $6.00; Children: v together with under: Free; and Friends of the Battleship Members: Free. For to a greater extent than data on grouping or schoolhouse rates, click Here. There was no toll for parking when nosotros visited.

Description of Hike: The tour of the Battleship North Carolina traverses much of the entire ship.  It travels upwards together with downwards through the role of multiple sets of stairs together with provides a slap-up overview of the entire battleship. Obviously, this hike is a lilliputian unlike than the others on our hiking spider web log because this is a historical hike. The tour of the Battleship North Carolina is self-guided. It is well-marked together with slowly to follow which allows yous to consummate the tour at your ain pace. Ashley together with I would recommend allowing at to the lowest degree 2 hours for the tour, but for the truthful enthusiast, yous tin pass much to a greater extent than than that enjoying the battleship. The tour starts instantly at the visitor centre correct later yous buy your ticket. The visitor centre houses a full general historical overview of the Battleship North Carolina every bit good every bit a history of the navy. You acquire a run a endangerment to sentiment an introductory moving-picture exhibit inward the auditorium inward the visitor center, earlier heading upwards the gangway to board the Battleship North Carolina. Once on on the Battleship North Carolina, yous get your tour on the fantail department of the battleship, where the kingfisher ocean bird is located. In all yous follow the arrows roughly the battleship through nine levels of the send on your tour. Some of the highlights of the battleship are the sixteen inch gun turret, the mess deck, the engine room, the sixteen inch pulverisation magazines together with projectile storage area, the twosome together with the sick bay. There are numerous exhibits on the battleship alongside many data placards. You tin actually acquire a lot of history on your see to the Battleship North Carolina.

Further Thoughts: Ashley together with I actually enjoyed our see to the Battleship North Carolina. My sis (Danielle), mom (Debbie) together with dad (Harry) also joined us on this adventure. We visited during the summertime time, merely retrieve the send has no air conditioning, together with so clothing appropriately. Given the large amount of step climbing on the send nosotros would recommend wearing unopen toed shoes, non sandals. Stroller together with wheelchair accessibility is express to exclusively the chief deck of the Battleship North Carolina.

Here are some statistics on the Battleship North Carolina: Standard displacement, 1942: 36,600; Full displacement, 1942: 44,800; Length: 729 feet; Beam: 108 feet; Speed: 28 knots; Horsepower, ahead: 121,000; Complement: 144 officers; 2,115 enlisted; 85 marines; Main battery: ix 16-inch/45 cal, Secondary: xx 5-inch/38 cal; Antiaircraft: 15 quad 40mm guns; 20mm unmarried together with twin mounts varied from 36 to 53 guns; Built: New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York; Keel laid: Oct 27, 1937; Commissioned: Apr 9, 1941; Decommissioned: June 27, 1947; together with Dedicated every bit a Memorial: Apr 29, 1962. The ship's chief armor belt has 12 inches of armor included at 15 degrees tapering to 6.6 inches. It is mounted onto .75 inches of especial handling steel.

The Battleship North Carolina saw pregnant activity inward Pacific Theatre. The Battleship North Carolina joined the long island-hopping induce against the Japanese past times assisting inward the landing of U.S. Marines on the islands of Guadalcanal together with Tulagi on vii August 1942, thence get-go the long battle for Guadalcanal. The exclusively battleship inward the naval forcefulness inward the South Pacific, she escorted the aircraft carriers Saratoga, Enterprise together with Wasp, surrounded past times their cruisers together with destroyers. After helping to concealment the Enterprise inward the air back upwards forcefulness for the amphibious landing, the North Carolina guarded the carrier during her mission of protecting the provide together with communication lines to the Solomon Islands together with Guadalcanal. The Battleship North Carolina was striking past times a torpedo on September 15, 1942. The enormous smash shook the Ship together with crew together with sent geysers of crude together with H2O skyward. Tons of H2O speedily flooded through the enormous 32 x xviii human foot torpedo hole. The H2O caused the Ship to list. The crew speedily righted the Ship past times intentionally flooding compartments on the contrary side. Five men were unfortunately killed together with 23 men were wounded. For to a greater extent than data inward the torpedoing of the Battleship North Carolina, click Here.

After inactivation, the Battleship North Carolina was decommissioned inward New York on June 27, 1947. Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1960, she was transferred to the state of North Carolina on September 6, 1961. She was purchased from the U.S. Navy for $330,000 raised past times the efforts of North Carolina schoolhouse children, who saved their spare modify together with luncheon coin for the "Save Our Ship" campaign. In 1961, a fleet of tugboats maneuvered the 728 ft (222 m) send through a stretch of the Cape Fear River 500 ft (150 m) wide. During this the send struck the eating theater "Fergus' Ark", a old U.S. Army troopship docked close Princess Street. It was damaged severely together with ceased operation. On Apr 29, 1962, she was dedicated at Wilmington every bit a memorial to North Carolinians of all services killed inward World War II. Th Battleship North Carolina was declared a National Historic Landmark inward 1986. The memorial is administered past times the North Carolina Battleship Commission, established past times state statute inward 1960. The memorial operates taxation free, relying upon its ain revenues and donations.

Ashley together with I actually enjoyed our see to the Battleship North Carolina together with nosotros await frontwards to visiting again. The battleship is actually located inward a beautiful expanse of Wilmington, North Carolina. While on the send yous receive got slap-up views of the Cape Fear River together with the restaurants together with shops along the river agency inward Wilmington. Next fourth dimension nosotros see this expanse nosotros promise to explore the riverfront expanse of Wilmington.

Rating: When visiting the Battleship North Carolina, it is of import to proceed inward hear that the send was made for war, non comfort. You volition receive got to climb stairways together with go through tight quarters inward locations throughout the ship. Anticipate walking a lot spell visiting the Battleship North Carolina.

Time to Complete Hike: To fully explore all the Battleship North Carolina has to offering it volition accept yous nigh a one-half a day, but nosotros recommend at a minimum 2 hours to explore the battleship.