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Bob Laney

Biking and Hiking the Neusiok Trail

On October 30, 2024, Bob Laney explored the Neusiok Trail in Croatan National Forest.  The National Forest is between New Bern and Morehead City, NC.  The trail runs 21 miles southeast from Pine Cliff Recreation Area on the Neuse River to Oyster Point Campground on the Newport River.  [Note - Pine Cliff is closed to vehicle traffic for hurricane repairs and can only be accessed by this trail.

The trail section I was on goes 5.6 miles northwest of a crossing at NC Hwy 306 where there is an unmarked parking lot to Pine Cliff.  It is also south of the Cherry Point Marine Air Station and east of Havelock, NC.

This trail is nice for hiking, being well cleared and maintained.  There are several long wooden foot bridges traversing low lying wet lands and creeks; and several more logs thrown across short swampy areas.  There are some ups and downs, but being near the coast, it has no significant hills.

My goal was to go 3.1 miles to the Copperhead Landing trail shelter and scope it out for a future backpacking trip.  Other than utilizing the shelters, the trail is no good for backpacking.  There is no grass nor any smooth, flat areas where a camper can put a tent.  The whole forest, as far as I have seen on several hikes, is small trees, shrubs, brush and swamp.  

I needed to check out the condition and useability of the shelter, and the presence of open water.  The published brochures and maps say there is no potable water anywhere.  There are a few places with open water which can be filtered, including the two creeks crossed at 1 mile and 1.25 miles on the trail I took today, but that is too far from the shelter to be practically useable.  A call to the Ranger Station revealed that the only filterable water at a shelter is Copperhead Landing. The other shelters at Dogwood Camp and Blackjack Lodge have no water nearby.

I rode my bike to make the trip faster in scoping out the trail.  About 2 miles into the trip, I realized my mistake. The trail was too rough with nearly constant roots, plus the above-mentioned hills, swamps and foot bridges which were too narrow to bike. I wore myself out trying to pedal. When my thigh muscles were exhausted, I turned around to head back to the parking lot by hiking and pushing the bike.

Then my sciatica pain kicked in, worse than is has been for several months.  For a few minutes I could not bike, walk or move at all.  I briefly considered my exposure to a night in the woods with no camping equipment. I did have a phone with two bars of cell coverage; and a Garmin Montana GPS with satellite access to county 911 emergency services, so I was not in mortal danger.

Eventually, with many rest stops and snacks sitting on handy stumps and logs, I mustered enough energy to hike to the parking lot. I contemplated the fact that to go into remote, semi-wilderness areas for any significant distance requires substantial physical strength and stamina.  On this day I did not have enough of either trait.  

I guess that is why so few of my 72-year-old friends do this kind of stuff anymore.  As Janet Smith tells me, I must continue to bear down on my physical stretches, exercises, dieting and training to get good enough.

My plan is soon to return with a daypack, explore the route trail all the way to the Copperhead shelter, and then another time backpack the trail.

Flanners Beach Camp and Hike

Over the weekend of October 18 – 20, 2024,  Janet Smith and Bob Laney went with multiple Twin Rivers Paddle Club and Crystal Coast Kayaking Community partners camping and hiking at Flanners Beach Park in Croatan National Forest.  Some of the other campers included John Burt, Terry and Becki Rich, Diana Hastings and Zadoc. Many other members including Suzanne Blais came for the hike.

The campground was originally established to support a boating put-in on the Neuse River. However, some years ago, a hurricane destroyed the launch ramp, leaving an unmanageably steep dirt and forest face, so kayaking is not allowed.

The weather was moderate without being too warm or cool. Sleeping at night was pleasant.  We had no rain, with some mixed sun and clouds.

Saturday morning Diana and Zadoc lead a 3 ½ mile hike on the trail through the woods around the campground.

Diana and Zadoc were good hosts Friday and Saturday night, inviting the other campers to join them around a nice fire and shared some wonderful desserts contributed by several campers.

A good time was had by all.

Janet’s Birthday

For Janet Smith’s birthday on October 14, 2024, we drove to Southport, NC. It is located on the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington and just north of the Atlantic Ocean. This quaint seaside town was the setting for the movie Safe Haven.  There is a picture of the main character’s house in this post. 

We took our e-bikes and cruised all around town and the water front.  It is a beautiful place with many big live oak trees almost every block.  While pedaling up main street we stopped at a small bakery shop for a sweet indulgence.  Janet got a key lime tart while I got a brownie and some ice cream.

Then we went down to the sandy shore just south of the marina and dipped our feet in the cool, foamy water. As the final treat we ate supper at one of the water front restaurants on a dock extending over the water.

A good time was had by all.  We plan to go back.

Navigation Challenges Conclusions

A few weeks ago, I posted an article with observations about difficulties working with electronic devices in the woods, fields, on trails and in open water.  After receiving many helpful replies and giving the matter further thought, I have come to a few conclusions. 

One of the reasons for going on outdoor trips is to get away from civilization and enjoy the benefits of nature. That factor leads to leaning away from electronic devices.  Having a cell phone, a GPS, a satellite phone or an SOS signaller can be a comfort to carry in reserve.  It can be a life saver when brought to bear in an emergency.  But the difficulties with making them work, and the dangers of them failing, suggest that other means of navigation should be used as primary sources. 

I have concluded that my going back to how I navigated 50 years ago is a good idea.  Those methods include going where I have been before.  And following other people who know where they are going.  And using a map and compass.  This latter method is both an art and a science.  It will not work by itself. It will only work while being closely monitored throughout the trip.  I used to be pretty good at that task.  I will work on recovering that skill.   

I hope to join you outdoors soon. 

A Day at the Beach Is Like...

...is like a day at the beach!

It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

On September 22, after too many days doing paddling, biking, hiking and YMCA workouts, Janet and I needed some sand, sun, wind and waves.  We went to Wrightsville Beach for a pleasant, relaxing, and invigorating afternoon. 

A good time was had by all. 

Rice's Creek in Flood Stage.

On September 21 Janet and I paddled on Rice's Creek near Wilmington, NC.  This trip was a few days after a tropical storm had dumped about 13 inches of rain on southeastern NC.  The creek water level was about four feet high.  The pictures with this post show the bases of the signs in the parking lot being several feet under water.  The NC Wildlife Resources Commission dock and boat launch ramp were far enough under the tanin stained opaque water as not to be visible. 

Like most creeks in this part of the state, it is surrounded by swamps and wetlands. During floods the water spreads out across many acres of wetlands and does not damage anything.  The creek route was only an open space between trees.  There was standing water as far as could be seen through the trees and vines.  For most of the trip, the creek banks were also under water and not visible. Paddling on this endless flat surface while inland from the ocean was a little bit disorienting. 

We had almost no wind so the water surface was as smooth as glass.  Some of the pictures show the trees reflected on the water surface in a mirror-like double image. 

Another picture shows what appears to be a big rectangle of concrete blocking the stream.  That structure is a low-water bridge partially inundated with no passage underneath.  Our only problem was that at the bridge the creek narrowed and the flow pushed under the bridge at a faster pace.  Where we stopped and turned around down stream from the bridge the concentrated current tried to push us into standing timber.  If we had not gotten quickly turned around and away from the bridge then we could have been capsized while squeezed between the current and the trees.

The photos at the end of this article show the boats and equipment drying out in the gear shed. 

Everyone returned home safely and had a good time.  

On the pleasant day of September 15, I played Ranger Bob and went biking at Greenfield Park on the trail around the lake. I am still overcoming the negative cardiovascular results of three years of insufficient physical activity while recuperating from three major surgeries.  The route is 4.25 miles for one round trip.  Today I was able to push out three circuits. For hard-core road bikers, this mileage is insignificant.  But for me, it was a nice leg-stretching and lung-expanding exercise.  The next trip should be on the water to stretch my arms and torso. 

On the mostly sunny day of September 12, 2024, with a comfortably warm temperature and occasional wind, Janet and I [Bob Laney] ventured into the Holly Shelter NC Wildlife Resources Commission Game Land about 25 miles northwest of Wilmington. We paddled our kayaks in Shelter Creek from the NCWRC landing with a dock and ramp. Shelter Creek is a black water body in the classic down east swamp land style. The water is so opaque that at the launch we could not see the ramp located under less than 6 inches of water. The water had cooled a little bit compared to this summer's warmer temperatures. We saw one other vessel there, a fishing boat leaving as we arrived. Shelter Creek is one of two NC WRC boat launches in the Game Land, the other one being the confusingly named Holly Shelter Boat Launch into the South Fork of Cape Fear River. Shelter Creek is the smaller, narrower body of water with a lesser current. While we paddled there was almost no current. Several persons have told me it has good fishing. Along the way, the only wild life we encountered was a single turtle in the middle of the creek. It poked its head out of the water, saw us and ducked back down. It was a fun paddle, and everybody returned safely home.

Navigation Challenge

Since joining the Boy Scouts at age 11 years, I have been trained to be prepared.  For most of the intervening 61 years, when I took an outdoor trip that involved moving across water or terrain, such as canoeing or backpacking, being prepared included knowing where I had been, where I was located and where I was going.  At the beginning, I used a map and compass. One of the drawbacks of a map is that the most commonly available types of maps covering the whole country are the US Geological Surveys 7.5-minute series.  These maps cover so much area on such a small scale as not to be helpful on a short trip.  Further, the map does not tell you where you are without many slow, tedious observations and calculations.  Lately, I have learned that a GPS will faster tell you where you are and where to go.  

Since I moved to the NC coast a couple years ago and took up kayaking, I have usually used my GPS on outdoor trips.  But it’s use is hindered by several factors.  First, water drips off the paddle handle onto the. GPS screen. The screen reacts as if I have touched it with my finger.  Then the device goes to another function that I don’t want.

Second, I have tried using plastic waterproof cases, but they lead to the problem of looking through another transparent layer which reflects the sun and makes the screen un-discernable. 

Third, when I try to input data, the icons and keyboard, are so tiny and delicate that I cannot get the data input correctly. 

Finally, the water on which I am kayaking is rarely still. There are almost always waves, wind, currents and / or tide. Whenever I stop to fiddle with my GPS, then I am often blown off course.  Or, since I have to stop paddling, I usually fall behind the group I am following which increases the chance of getting lost.

The attached photographs are from my last paddling trip on September 11 to Smith Creek Park lake to work with my GPS.  I encountered a 10 knot wind.  Whenever I stopped to work with the device then I was blown into the weeds surrounding the lake.

When paddling with the TRPC group, I have not noticed anybody, even the leader, using a map, compass, GPS or other navigational aid.  How do the paddlers know where you are located and where you are going?  I assume most of the trips are to where the leader and most of the members have already been and know the route.  But since I am new to the area and do not know most of the routes., then I need some assistance to navigate.  Even if I'm with a group and following a leader, still have the responsibility of protecting myself.  If a problem develops with the group or the leader, or if I get separated from them, then I will be responsible for getting to the take out.

I would enjoy receiving from TRPC members or friends suggestions for how I can best. function in these circumstances. How do you navigate? Suppose it is a new route?

336-984-6860.

bob@broutings.com

Have a great day.  Your friend, Bob Laney.

After most of the week’s fairly cool mornings and blazing hot afternoons, Janet Smith and I [Bob Laney] needed a paddling fix.  In the late morning of  Saturday, August 31, we tried to access Badley Creek.  We saw advertised in a year-old Wilmington tourist magazine a new Bradley Park with a kayak dock and a handicapped roller launch.  We followed my Jeep’s GPS through remote neighborhoods on small, winding dirt paths leading to the Creek. Then at the end of a narrow, rough, steep track, we came up against a power pole making the track a dead end.  The pole overlooked a footpath down to the creek.  I slowly and carefully backed out between two steep drop-offs into the water for about a block.  We talked to several neighborhood persons who had never heard of Bradley Park.  Finally, a nice young lady walking her dog on one of the dirt paths informed us that the Park and kayak launch had never been built.

Janet and I debated several other local paddling locations and settled on Greenfield Lake Park.  We had paddled there once before and had trouble with dense beds of water weeds hindering our paddle strokes.  Sometimes we had to jerk our paddles so hard to free them from the mass of plants that we nearly capsized.  Another problem is that the lake is a swamp full of cypress trees, Spanish moss, and no marked trails.  A paddler cannot tell where he is on the lake and cannot see across the lake; making it difficult to find the take-out. Janet graciously acquiesced to my plan to circumnavigate the lake sticking to the shore.

Along the way we spotted what looked like a log floating in the distance.  Upon closer examination, we determined it to be an alligator.  As we paddled further, we came upon a group of about five alligators chasing a school of fairly large fish, which caused the intended prey to repeatedly jump out of the water and create a 30-yard-wide boil. Janet got the closest and took a good alligator photograph, shown below.  It looks like a long, thin, bumpy log floating just barely above the swamp surface.  

Best of all, Janet spotted a snow-white egret on the bank hunting for fish.  She slowly, quietly, and expertly glided up to the bird without spooking it.  After being subjected to a couple of pictures, the bird flew off across her bow.  Janet got an excellent photograph of the egret with wings extended in flight.

After getting to the far end of the lake, we followed our paddle route back to the put-in where we started. I used my Garmin Montana 750i GPS and iPhone app All Trails to trace our route.  They both showed a line on their screens marking our watery path. I occasionally checked our location.  On our return route, both devices helpfully showed me the narrow water trails between swamp islands and boggy isthmuses to the take-out. Janet sometimes makes fun of me for playing with my electronic devices too much, but I get comfort in knowing where I am and how to get where I am going.

When we returned to the take-out and loaded our boats on the Jeep roof rack, we brought home dirty hulls covered in swamp muck.

A good time was had by all.

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