The first thing to catch my eye as we started down Rocky Water Path was a patch of Christmas ferns (above) growing down the edges of a gully, hanging like drapes. They usually grow up in a fountain-like shape.
And then there was a large group of boulders, not something we’re used to seeing in the woods in these parts. Our trail was leading us sharply downhill to the West Fork Eno River. But just before we reached the river we encountered a box of walking sticks.
Take a stick.
Return the stick for
another to use.
The sign on the box (above) and the sign next to it (below) had us scratching our heads. Why would we need a stick? We already knew what path we were on, why a sign in the middle of it? Why was there a lost and found, also in the middle of nowhere?
We soon learned why we might need a stick! Turning around towards the river we saw a sign for another trail, pointing across the river. But how to get across? Checking the map we found our location and noted that we were at the “River Crossing.” Hmmm…
We sat down to rest on a conveniently placed bench and after some time figured out that there were some stones going in a straight line across the river. (below) Apparently that was the river crossing. The stones were far enough part that we would not have dared to cross, even with two sticks in hand! Maybe if we were 20 years younger, but it’s hard to remember what having that sort of confidence feels like…
From studying the map it looks like there is no other way to get to Poplar Bend Loop. But if you crossed back over from that trail and happened to forget how you got there, at least you would find the sign and know you had made it back to the Rocky Water Path and could choose to follow it in either direction. As for us, we passed by the crossing and continued on our way along Rocky Water Path. Niste:kmani:hątkóx, means Rocky Water Path in Yesnechi, the language of one of the Sioux tribes who first lived in this area.
(a bit of green to go with the Christmas fern seen earlier)
Fresh air is as good for the mind as for the body. Nature always seems trying to talk to us as if she had some great secret to tell. And so she has.
~ John Lubbock
(The Use of Life)
As we were leaving we disturbed a flock of robins foraging for food on the trail. One of them was standing his ground, keeping a close eye on us.
I’m not sure if we’ll come back to this wonderful nature preserve because the cell phone reception wasn’t good. (Tim’s walking app wouldn’t connect to the cell phone towers.) It was remote enough that we were concerned about calling for help in an emergency. But I imagine it must be quite beautiful here in the spring.
An enjoyable walk … good decision about crossing that creek. I like signs on walking trails – and get annoyed when there isn’t one at a key location. But that seldom happens.
Signs and maps are important navigation aids for sure, even if we sometimes have trouble making sense of them!
Looks like a nice, but ‘athletic’ trail. It can be a challenge to accept the limitations we face as we age, esp. when we remember so clearly are more nimble years! 🙂
I know what you mean! 🙂 I keep telling myself to focus on what I can still do and let go of what is no longer possible or advisable. After all, I can still walk and see where I’m going!
Amen, sister! 👍🏼
I imagine this would be gorgeous in Spring because it’s pretty even in the “resting” phase of the year. Not sure I’d have ventured over those stepping stones either. Even if the water wasn’t deep, I’d not want to slip and get wet. I like that Robin’s expression, and the Lubbock quote is perfect!
Last year spring was so pretty here that I find myself more than a little impatient for it to arrive again. That robin seemed to be sizing us up as he waiting until the last minute to take off and join the rest of the flock. Yup, I agree, no need to chance getting wet while one is getting some fresh air. 🙂
A lovely remote region! Yes, I’ve come across some trails that were more treacherous and/or strenuous than I could handle, better left for the young ones to enjoy, lol.
Sometimes I want to remind those young ones to enjoy those wild adventures while they still can. I’m in awe of what my grandchildren can do with their bodies when they’re enjoying the great outdoors!
My 13yo grandson will go beyond what I can, you should here me fretting, and him telling me he’s okay, its fine, Grammy! And keep going, lol. I watch him and marvel too.
It’s the same with me and my 6 year old grandson and I can only imagine him at 13! All that climbing, leaping, and zooming around keeps me on the edge of my seat. Sometimes I can’t look!
Beautiful photos. But that’s the thing about some of the lonely trails, I don’t want to get out there without the ability to call for help. And doesn’t that make me feel old!
Thank you, Ally! It makes me feel old, too, and pretty vulnerable. Things we used to do without a second thought now have to be analyzed thoroughly as we become ever more reluctant to take risks.
Beautiful walk, Barbara. I don’t think I’d have taken that river crossing, either. I hear you about remote locations and being able to call for help. I feel the same way.
Thank you, Robin. It’s amazing how we depend on cell phones as a safety net. When I think of how my elderly father used to walk by himself way out in the woods before they even existed…
Well Barbara, I enjoyed your nice walk in February and those ferns do give you hope for Spring … for you and Tim, it’s just around the corner and beckoning you. I was smiling at your commentary on each new sign you encountered, especially the walking sticks. I would not want to traverse that river either, so it would be a hard pass for me as well, even using two walking sticks as you mentioned. I am adventurous to a point, but even if it was a shallow body of water, I’d not appreciate falling into if I made a misstep. With age comes wisdom and apparently our sense of adventure disappeared after we tacked on a few decades of life.
P.S. – I meant to mention that Robin foraging in the leaves … again, its muted coloring matching its surroundings.
I thought it was remarkable how the only green we saw besides moss was the Christmas fern and the holly tree. It’s now wonder people associated those greens with that winter holiday. Although, in my mind they should be complimenting the white snow, not the brown earth and gray woods! We were so confused by the order we happened on those signs, and we were expecting a bridge across the river. The map did say “River Crossing” and in my mind I assumed that meant bridge. I wonder how many other people have been confused. When one’s brain expects to see something it has a hard time noticing what is actually there. I agree with you. I don’t want to get wet and the space between those rocks was awfully big for someone like me with short little legs!
They probably should have clarified more about the ruggedness at the trailhead. I have long legs and I wouldn’t have taken a chance. I had that one crossing at the place I saw the glacial erratic and it was just a plank of board with material like fishnets across it so it wasn’t slippery. I wasn’t keen on that and it wasn’t over water. I see at the bigger parks they tell the condition of the trail, elevation so there are no surprises. The Cherry Island Trail was nothing but mud so I quit going along it unless it had not rained in some time, then they finally put pea gravel and white marble on the trail in those parts so it wasn’t muddy (but it’s not great for your shoe soles).
A muddy path presents its own set of problems, just as treacherous as slippery rocks and bridges without railings!
Yes – a whole lot of slippin’ and slidin’ going on – as bad as ice if you fall and hit something. My neighbor said he slipped on the ice in his driveway and fell on his back. Our side of the street is shady, so the sun does not hit our side until late in the day and so it doesn’t melt.
Beautiful indeed! It’s so nice to see you’re still adventuring, you two, even though perhaps not with the gusto of youth. You made me think of a long long ago time when we would have walked across that river without a backwards thought. Not even concerned about tripping and falling. Twenty year olds don’t know what they’re in for eventually. Your love of nature always reminds me to notice all the small voices that nature speaks in. Are you near Raleigh or Chapel Hill? I sort of remember that you are. Our son flew in there for a conference last week.
Our little town of Carrboro borders the west side of Chapel Hill. Durham and Raleigh are east of Chapel Hill. While we still miss the ocean we are finding things to love about our new home down south here, especially the North Carolina Botanical Garden and the many woodland trails maintained by various nature preserves and conservancies. Our neighborhood borders the huge (750 acres!) Carolina North Forest and a short walk from home leads us to a pretty creek. Most of all, it’s been a joy seeing our grandchildren so often!
I love that you’re so close to your grandchildren—and nature too.
💙 Thank you, Kathy. It all worked out better than we imagined possible. I hope all is well up north there in your little house in the woods.
Another lovely walk. Thank you for sharing! I’m not sure how I’d feel about that crossing, perhaps the temperatures outside would dictate whether I’d be willing to take the chance of possibly getting a bit wet
I just noticed today your note about the Piedmont of NC being your new home, and then in your response to Kathy I saw the name of your town. I was curious about where you are because in April I’ll be making a road trip to Tennessee. I’ll be camping at a state park in Crossville. I looked at Google Maps – we will be at approximately the same latitude as you, but still 6 hours or so apart!
Thank you, Karma! Being a lot younger than me, I am not surprised that you would consider making that crossing!
I looked up Cumberland Mountain State Park and it looks like a great place to have lots of outdoor fun, and in a month before it gets too hot to enjoy being out there at this latitude. I’ve been reading books by a nature writer from Tennessee, Margaret Renkl, in an effort to learn about the seasons and the wildlife down south here. I’m looking forward to reading about your trip and seeing any pictures you share. It should be very pretty there in the springtime!