Top 5 (off the beaten path) Triangle Parks for Fall Foliage

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Edna Metz Wells Park

With the peak of Fall foliage on our heels in the Triangle, I wanted to recount some of my favorite local parks for capturing beautiful autumn pictures.  There are a lot of obvious places to visit such as Umstead Park, Historic Yates Mill Park and Pullen Park, so here’s my Top 5 (off the beaten path) Triangle Parks for Fall Foliage:

  1. Edna Metz Wells Park (intersection of Smallwood Dr & Clark Ave in Raleigh) – gorgeous yellow and orange colors
  2. Brookhaven Nature Park (5125 Berekeley St in Raleigh) – a little bit of every color, but check out the reflection of the trees on the small pond

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    Brookhaven Nature Park
  3. Fearrington Village (Pittsboro, NC) – even though it’s not technically a park, there’s still lots of open space for wandering and gorgeous trees bursting with color
  4. Crowder District Park (4709 Ten Ten Rd in Apex) – hiking trails, a pond, playground and more among a spectrum of trees
  5. Eliza Pool Park (1600 Fayetteville St in Raleigh) – open spaces and playgrounds surrounded by colorful trees

 

 

Jockey’s Ridge State Park

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For the first time in our 10 years of vacationing in Nags Head, we finally paid a visit to Jockey’s Ridge State Park.  Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern US.  It is located at 300 W. Carolista Dr in Nags Head (MP 12) on the sound side of HWY 158.  Having never been to a desert or sand dune park before, I was blown away by the massiveness of the dunes; if a herd of camels had passed by, I would’ve forgotten we were in NC!

Jockey’s Ridge sand dunes vary in height of 80 to 100 ft and is believed to have been formed when hurricanes or strong northeasters transported sand inland from offshore islands.  The rich history of this area started with the Algonquian Indians and was further explored by European settlers.  Jockey’s Ridge became an official NC state park in 1975 only after the strong efforts of Carolista Baum (read more about the history of Jockey’s Ridge).  Today, the non-profit group Friends of Jockey’s Ridge also provides support and brings awareness to the dunes.

IMG_8054Unfortunately, our visit to Jockey’s Ridge did not go as swimmingly as I would have liked.  As with most things I plan with two small children, my expectations exceed reality and this was one of those examples.  Knowing the sand is at least 10 degrees hotter than the outside temperature we got an early start to our trip and were in the parking lot area by 9:30am.  After a short stop inside the visitor’s center, Bill and I set off with both girls to find the top of the dunes.  We made our way to the end of the wooden walkway near the large group of visitors that were catching their breath from just coming off the dunes.  We followed some of the other visitors along the loosely marked Tracks in the Sand trail.  We made it up a few small hills and discovered several animal tracks, but on our way up the large dune our sweet 3yr old retreated down the hill exclaiming, “My legs are too tired!”  Rather than continue climbing with Claire in the carrier while Bill was 100 yards away on a work conference call (great reception, fyi) I scooped Ashley up and proceeded downhill.  Looking back, maybe this trip was a bit premature for this young group, but a little character building never hurt anyone; and, Ashley loooved recounting the story about how tired her legs were throughout dinner later that night!

I hope to make it back to Jockey’s Ridge for some solo hang gliding during our annual trip in May; the kiddos will have to enjoy my stories and pics instead of another first-hand experience!  I look forward to some family kite flying when everyone is at least 5 years old!

Thumbs up: gorgeous views (I bet they’re even better from the top)

Thumbs down: learning the hard way that my young children do not tolerate sand dunes

Bodie Island Light Station

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A month ago while we were in Nags Head on our family vacation, Claire and I headed south to Bodie (pronounced body) Island Light Station.  Bodie Island Light Station consists of a 200-step, 10-story lighthouse and keepers’ quarters turned visitor’s center.  It is run by the National Park Service and is located at 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Rd in southern Nags Head.  The NPS runs daily tours of the lighthouse, which are getting ready to end (although see the final full moon tour info on Wed., Oct 8).

Bodie Island was a quick 20 minute drive from our beach rental house so Claire and I arrived early in the morning, hoping to beat the crowds and score some climbing tour tickets.  After a quick stop in the visitors’ center, which houses historical information about the lighthouse, we learned they weren’t doing climbing tours due to the high heat index. It turns out according to their safety rules, I wouldn’t have been allowed to climb with Claire in the carrier anyways.  So we explored the grounds on our own starting with a walk along the boardwalk that stretches above the wetlands area.  It was a quick 5 minute walk between high grasses to the perch that overlooks the wetlands, giving breathtaking views.  I’d definitely recommend bringing babies and early walkers in a carrier; the park can accommodate strollers, but with the steady crowds a carrier would be easier.

IMG_0293After walking back we headed over to the lighthouse to talk to the NPS rangers.  We had a great conversation with the young rangers who shared some of their favorite facts about the lighthouse: 1) how the Confederate troops blew up the lighthouse to prevent Union troops from occupying it, 2) that the lighthouse still uses its original Fresnel lens from Paris and 3) how the lighthouse still aids in navigation today given its checkered history.  Despite the high heat index they still allowed visitors to climb a few steps to the first landing.  We explored the old oil storage rooms in the front and then took pictures of the amazing view up the heavy duty spiral staircase before heading out.

Since we visit Nags Head a few times each year, I’m anxious to get back to the lighthouse (without kiddos) to take the climbing tour and capture more amazing photos from inside.

Thumbs up: friendly and knowledgeable staff, beautiful views

Thumbs down: nothing to report, but keep in mind to call ahead of time about the status of climbing tours during the hot summer months