On the warm and mostly sunny afternoon of November 5, Janet Smith and Bob Laney pedaled our e-bikes the length of the Wilmington City to Sea Trail. The trail mostly follows Eastwood Road (US Hwy 74) from the eastern side of Wilmington to the Intracoastal Waterway on the mainland side of Wrightsville Beach.
The trail has several distinct sections. The western part is an asphalt paved trail running between a major traffic street and developed houses mixed with shopping centers. Then it joins city sidewalks for a number of blocks. Several places require crossing small side streets. One major intersection requires crossing a major highway of about 10 lanes. Fortunately, a stoplight helps with the crossing.
The eastern part of the trail ducks down into shaded woods on another asphalt paved trail winding between a forest and a wooden fence protecting the upscale Land Fall housing development. This trail opens out of the woods onto a quaint street of small houses looking over an estuary to the Intracoastal Waterway.
Most of these houses have a small yard across the street adjoining their boat docks. Janet and I had our picnic lunch on a wooden bench in one of those yards. A good time was had by all.
Banks Channel in the Wind
On Saturday, November 2, the Calvary Baptist Church went on a paddle trip with the Kayak Carolina of Wilmington outfitter who supplied the boats and a guide. They launched from the NC Wildlife ramp at Federal Point (the southern-most end of US Hwy 421) and went to Zeke’s Island. Janet Smith and I, Bob Laney, had registered to go, but we both developed back pain from musculo-skeletal problems which prevented us from participating.
So, the next day, November 3, Bob and Janet were still wanting to float a boat and wet a paddle, so we went on our own shorter trip in Banks Channel. We launched from a public water access point beside at the south end of Waynick Boulevard at the end of the long straight-away and just before the sharp left curve.
Like our last time on Banks Channel, the wind was brisk. It was just below the limit recommended by the Coast Gard for paddle boats. We had considerable chop but no whitecaps. The bigger problem was passing large boats throwing out a wake which tossed us around. During the first few wakes, Janet ducked into sheltered coves between boat docks. Eventually, I showed her how to place her paddle blade flat on the top of the water in a low brace to stabilize her boat. This procedure worked well for the rest of the trip.
We followed the standard rule and first paddled upstream (north) against the current, which happened to also be against the wind, to make our return trip easier and safer. Upon returning to the take-out and put-in, I followed Janet past it further down-stream. We went to a large dock which housed the Coast Guard boats and was at the southern end of the peninsula.
When we turned around to go back to the take-out, we were now paddling against both the current and the wind. As bad luck would have it, Murphy’s Law kicked in and the wind blowing in our faces picked up speed. So, the final phase of our paddle was a good, strong workout. Fortunately, we both had sleek, new boats which cut through the wind and water nicely. Thanks to Bill Webb and Lori Bork for guiding us in our purchases.
A good time was had by all.
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.
