Duck Walk

Hike distance: ~5 miles
Total distance hiked: 158.28 miles
Miles remaining: 20.72

I took a few walks around the Town of Duck, NC, over Thanksgiving - along the boardwalk, and through town.  The boardwalk is always a nice quasi-natural getaway - it goes along the edge of the sound with beautiful views and interesting trees and cool birds.  I also discovered a cool little outdoor bar near my uncle's house that had a cider on tap, which was a lovely treat for myself after a walk!

Company Mill with a twist

Hike distance: 4.54 miles

Total distance hiked: 153.28 miles

Miles remaining: 25.72

My recent hikes have taken an interesting turn. I have had the urge to go in directions that the trail doesn't go, so I end up veering off the trails and tromping through the woods. I'm sure there's some life metaphor in there somewhere...

Today, I started on Company Mill, went on the Inspiration Trail, got off the trail, went down a steep hill, and saw a nice little trickling waterfall. (I got the idea from someone's post on Instagram - he told me about the little waterfall.) I came across a guy nearby, and we chatted about the trail and where it went. He had found an extra trail map on the ground and gave it to me. I felt inspired (I guess this trail is appropriately named) to try to tromp through the woods and meet up with another part of Company Mill... Unfortunately, the big creek was in the way. I started following the creek to see if I could make it to the big bridge. I came across some rather large obstacles and decided to go back up the hill through the woods to catch an earlier section Company Mill trail. I went the opposite way on the loop than I usually go since it was the section across the creek from where I had just been. I watched the terrain on the other side to see if I could possibly hike along the creek on that side and make it to the bridge, or if there were any possible natural crossing places with rocks and logs. I definitely saw some big obstacles, but if I tried hard enough, I think I could do it.

Someone used to tell me that you should always stay on the trail. It's safer, and you won't disturb more protected natural areas. The same person also told me that the trail carries you. On a difficult backpacking hike, I remembered this visualization. I felt like I was riding the trail like a wave, and it was carrying me along the way, up and down the hills. It's easy to stay on the trail. The trail carries you. It's unnerving to veer off the trail. You have to stay more aware of direction, landmarks, and surroundings, and you may or may not be able to actually get to where you want to go. There are obstacles, dead ends, unknowns. It's possible to get lost. The terrain is more natural and potentially less stable. There may be more spider webs and other wildlife with fewer humans around. It's easier to misstep or fall into a hole. But there's a bigger sense of accomplishment when you make it out, and you see things you wouldn't normally see. I want to spend more time venturing through woods off the trail.

But then i see signs like this that crush my dreams.

Arrowhead hunting With Dad at Jordan Lake

Hike distance: 3.4 miles

Total distance hiked: 148.74 miles

Miles remaining: 30.26

Schenck Forest with a twist

Hike distance: 5.7 miles

Total distance hiked: 145.34 miles

Miles remaining: 33.66