Kris Montgomery - raleighparks.org

2018 Summer Bucket List

June 27, 2018June 4, 2018 by Kris Montgomery

With swim team in full gear, preschool finished, and the last week of elementary school on the horizon – summer is already in full swing! Next fall brings a new chapter in our lives with both kids in elementary school, so I’m looking forward to making fun summer memories! While we plan to hit the open road quite a bit this summer, we still have lots we want to explore here at home. I’ve intentionally shortened my summer bucket lists over the years to hopefully slow down our summer while having a go-to list of ideas for our family.

Bucket List

Swim at a lake
Decorate canvas bags for checking out books at the library
Build an outdoor art table
Check out Raleigh’s new Union Station via a short train ride to Cary
See a movie at the Henderson drive-in movie theater
Get a bushel of crabs
Make ice cream in a bag
Meet up with friends at a campground
Visit a new brewery
Visit the Whirligig Park in Wilson, NC
Take a day trip to Saxapahaw, NC
Explore the Riverwalk Greenway in Hillsborough, NC
Watch some bull riding at Carousel Farms
Go to the Kids Bop concert in Raleigh
Have a water balloon fight
Explore a new campground
Try a new kid-friendly drink to cool down with on a hot summer day
Bike the Art to Heart Trail in Raleigh

Celebrating a Preschool Graduate & Top 6 Parks for Picnics

May 25, 2018 by Kris Montgomery

And, just like that, I’m watching my youngest, Claire, have her final preschool days at The School of Grace. While I know we’ll have a full summer together, her preschool graduation means her kindergarten milestone is just around the corner in August, and it’ll be a big changing of the guard moment for me.

I’ve had the lucky opportunity to stay home with the girls over the past 7 years! Having both girls in elementary school next year means I’m losing more time with them. While I’m excited to have more time to myself, I’ll miss staying so connected. And, these final few days signify a lot of “lasts” with just her.

Last days walking her into preschool and watching her “sign in”
Last days getting a big squeeze as I pass her onto her teacher
Last days she hangs with me after school eating a snack, helping or running amok in the classroom
Last days her and I sing to the Trolls soundtrack or Avett Bros with the windows down after we drop big sis at school
Last impromptu mid-day park visits
Last days she runs up to me for hugs on the preschool playground
Last days I get to spend a solid four hours of uninterrupted together time being her Helping Parent

While I’m hopeful she’ll mature a little this summer, I wrestle with the desire to let her be her. As much as she brings the ~~potty words~~ energy to the party, she also gives the best hugs ever and loves to have picnics. Though we’ve been butting heads a lot lately (probably our way of processing the upcoming changes) I’m so proud of this spunky, comedic, crazy, intensely loving chic!

Top 6 Parks for Picnics with Preschoolers

Like I mentioned above Claire loves picnics. She loves to throw them for her lovies at home, bring them to friends’ houses or to a park. Here are our 6 favorite local parks to have a picnic:

Roanoke Park (Five Points, 1500 Cherokee Dr) – features a large open grassy area adjacent to a smaller age playground area with lots of benches; open field has several trees along the perimeter perfect for climbing and a shady picnic; I’m a huge fan of ordering take out from Nofo and picnicking here
North Wake Landfill Park (North Raleigh, 9300 Deponie Dr) – enjoy a picnic under the large pavilion next to the playground area; if you want to take in amazing 360-degree views of Wake County, hike the short but steep trail to the top of the hill
Lassiter Mill Historic Park (ITB, intersection of Lassiter Mill Rd & Lassiter Circle) – throw a blanket down on the sandy beach near Crabtree Creek, provided the water levels aren’t too high; then, skip some rocks in the water together or wade out into the water
Mordecai Mini Park (ITB, 1122 N Blount St) – features lots of shady spots on the mulch or at the picnic tables; great fenced-in playground for kids of all ages with slides, swings and climbing areas; walk to Escazu for amazing hot chocolate or ice cream push-pops afterwards
Dorothea Dix Park (ITB, multiple access points) – has a mix of picnic spots with views of downtown Raleigh, tree groves, and open grassy areas; our favorite picnic spot is near the Big Field (101 Blair Dr) under the trees along the perimeter; the girls love to ride their bikes, barrel roll down the hills, or kick the ball around
Anderson Point Park (east Raleigh, 20 Anderson Point Dr) – follow the paved trail around the park for several picnic options; enjoy a picnic while swinging on the bench swings overlooking the park; sit on the stone wall or grassy spots at the amphitheater; walk up the spiral path to another scenic overlook and sit on the wooden benches while enjoying the view; one of our favorite spots to enjoy a picnic is in the large grassy spots near the playground area

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Falls Lake: Rolling View Campground

May 21, 2018 by Kris Montgomery

Throughout my early childhood, my family spent several summers renting a weekly beach house in Cape Hatteras. We always went in mid-September because the pricing was just right for a large house that could fit grandparents, aunts, uncles and my family of five. Once we got busy with after school sports in middle school, our family stopped making the annual trip. So, when our family decided to head back to Cape Hatteras last summer after a 25-year hiatus, only a mandatory evacuation could stop us – and it did!

Hatteras Evacuation

Due to an unfortunate accident on Bonner Bridge, Dare County prompted a mandatory evacuation of Cape Hatteras island two days before our vacation was set to start. With family coming from CA, TN, and VA, my sister acted fast and found us an amazing last-minute house in Emerald Isle, starting a day later.

With the extra day’s wait and our kitchen in full demolition mode, we did what any sane family would do. We loaded up the Winnie for a nearby overnight trip to Falls Lake Rolling View Campground.

Falls Lake Rolling View Campground

Falls Lake Rolling View Campground is located at 4201 Baptist Rd, just north of 98/west of 50. Since my aunt arrived from CA the day before, she also ventured with us, excited to be the first overnight guest. We rented a back-up spot in Loop A, close to the bathrooms. Falls Lake does not have sewer hook-ups (as is the case of most state parks) so we used the surprisingly comfortable restrooms/showers. Overall, our shady camping spot was perfect for a late July Saturday.

Being only about 30 minutes from the house we arrived mid-morning to a quiet campground and swimming area. We enjoyed cooling off in the roped-off swimming area with the $5 tubes we purchased earlier in the season. Between splashing and exploring the nearby playground, the girls also played in the sandy beach. Overnight guests have access to the beach area with their rental fees. You can also just pay a “per car” fee to use the beach daily.

After a few hours at the beach, we headed back to the campsite for quick showers at the bath house. Then, we hiked a short trail through Loop B to access another playground. The girls spent at least an hour swinging on the tire swing – a big novelty to them.

After the playground we explored the marina near the park entrance. The marina features boat launch facilities, a convenience store, snack bar, and water recreation rentals (kayaks and paddleboards). Then, we cooked hotdogs and sausages on the campfire and made mac n cheese on the stove. Though it sprinkled a bit, we quickly roasted some s’mores and had a nature scavenger hunt.

Early the next morning, we cooked a modest breakfast before packing up the trailer. We stopped at the dump house on the way out of the park, which was relatively quick and convenient. Then, thirty minutes later we arrived back at home with plenty of time to re-pack the car for Emerald Isle. Having Falls Lake within thirty minutes makes for fun family outings of all types – day, overnight, or multi-days!

Additional Resources

Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Falls Lake Rolling View Campground Map

Thumbs up: peaceful campsite, fun beach area, clean bath house, playgrounds with tire swings, water recreation rentals at the marina, ease and convenience of renting, close proximity for last-minute trips

Thumbs down: nothing to report

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Top 10 Raleigh Parks for Mother’s Day Pics

May 10, 2018 by Kris Montgomery

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

Moms tend to always be the ones behind the camera, and now is the best time to adjust the focus and snap a quick pic with her. This week I drove to some of my favorite Raleigh Parks to scope out the best spots to take pictures for Mother’s Day. Though I concentrated mostly on places with flowers and trees in bloom, I also noted places with unique backgrounds, hardscapes and water features.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there and cheers to snapping some fun pics in nature with your mom!

1. Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve

It’s been at least a year since I last visited Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve and I’m so glad I started my park visits there. Between the beautiful morning sun and large meadows of grasses and wildflowers, I wanted to daydream on a picnic blanket all day. Snap a pic among the wildflowers and grasses at the front of the park or in the large back meadow. If your mom likes rustic backgrounds, walk towards the left corner of the park for a pic in front of the old gray barn. Don’t forget to admire the flitting butterflies and chatty birds along the way, not that they’ll let you forget!

Park address – 2900 Horse Shoe Farm Rd, Wake Forest, 27587

2. Historic Oak View County Park

Where else can you stroll on brick paths and stop for pictures with animals, plants, or historic buildings? The herb garden’s contrast of brick walkways, lush plants and white picket fence make for great photos. Relax in the gazebo outside the main house, rock in the chairs outside the plank kitchen, or stroll through the pecan grove. And, don’t forget to say hi to the goats and chickens!

Park Address – 4028 Carya Dr, 27610

3. Fred Fletcher Park

Meander around the meticulously manicured lawn and flower beds and snap a pic with mom in front of flowering trees, alliums (aka enormous dandelions) or peonies. Stop by the circular stone wall for a beautiful backdrop or walk through a shaded trail on the way for a pic in front of the Borden House. Follow the path past the tennis courts for a picture in front of the art sculpture or on the deck overlooking the wetlands. With so much lush green grass everywhere, even a simple selfie on the lawn would be special!

Park Address – 820 Clay St, 27605

4. JC Raulston Arboretum

With so many color and texture options at the Arboretum, it’s hard to go wrong with photo taking at the Arboretum. Even though the irises in my yard are on the decline, the irises at the Arboretum are still in full bloom in purples, corals, and yellows. For a shady spot, admire the bright white blooms in the White Garden while relaxing on a bench with mom. Or, hold hands with mom as you walk by the tree line in the Plantsmen’s Woods. If you’re looking for a quirky surprise in the garden, look no further than the dead elm tree (near the restrooms). Even though it is currently stricken with Dutch Elm disease the tree is all dressed up in red and white polka dots – perfect for any mom with a good sense of humor!

Park Address – 4415 Beryl Rd, 27606

5. Lassiter Mill Historical Park

Lassiter Mill Historical Park still remains a hidden gem of a park to me. Tucked inside the beltline where Crabtree Creek flows through, it’s a great spot for fishing, picnicking or just listening to the water. Currently the water levels are low enough for exploring the sandy “beach” or capturing NC mountain-esque photos with the waterfalls in the background. Several large fallen trees lay on the beach, giving a driftwood look, which would be fun for any water-lovin’ mama!

Park Address – intersection of Lassiter Mill Rd and Lassiter Mill Circle

6. Raleigh Rose Garden

When I brought my girls back to the Rose Garden this week, they literally stopped to smell all 60 varieties of roses. Even though we’ve been to the Rose Garden many times in the past, the girls didn’t have memories and were blown away by the colors and quantity of roses. Nestled in the University Park neighborhood, the garden has a unique history that has evolved nearly 150 years. By early this week the roses really started to show their colors. Many varieties boasted lots of big blooms mixed with smaller blooms, with more blooms yet to come forth. You can’t go wrong with taking pics in front of mom’s favorite colors, or escaping to the ends of the park for a pic under the pergola, shelter, or benches.

Park Address – 301 Pogue St, 27607

7. Dorothea Dix Park

Dorothea Dix Park’s landscape boasts lush green fields and full trees and shrubs right now. The landscape will change a bit starting this weekend for the Light the Woods with Sound performances, offering some unique evening photos. But, if visiting in the daytime, my favorite spots include:

intersection of Cramer Dr & Black Dr with downtown Raleigh skyline in background
Umstead Dr with beautiful magnolia tree and gazebo
outside the Spring Hill House on Barbour Dr
walking under the canopy of trees along Barbour Dr or Blair Dr
wide open green fields and rolling hills of the Big Field (embrace your inner Julie Andrews from Sound of Music)

8. NC Museum of Art Museum Park

In years past, I’ve taken pictures of water lilies in full bloom on Mother’s Day at the NCMA Museum Park. Sadly, I only saw a few in bloom this week, but maybe they’ll be ready to open by this weekend. Even if the lilies aren’t in bloom, the Museum Park is bursting with photo op spots. Take a stroll with mom through the Rodin Garden near the soft roses – a great contrast to the hardscape. For a picture near water, walk to the Pond Platform for a place of relaxation that overlooks the pond. For the adventurous mom, walk the unpaved trail for a picture outside the Cloud Chamber exhibit. Don’t forget to bring out mom’s inner child with a fun slide down the Sculpt C exhibit (aka piggie slide). Finally, a trip to the Museum Park is not complete without a pic under the distinctive Gyre rings.

Park Address – 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, 27607

9. Annie Louise Wilkerson Park

Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal and Annie Louise Wilkerson Park is no stranger to welcoming new inhabitants and new flora. As we visited the park last night, we watched 7-week-old Great Horned Owlets perch on a branch near their nest. Then, the super friendly park ranger showed us where the Phoebe baby birds nested and wait for mama to return. While those might not present great mom photo spots, it’s fascinating to watch new moms nurture their young in the wild.

After exploring the animals (don’t forget to visit charismatic turtle Holden), settle in for some remarkable photo ops with mom. The mowed grassy trails provide a nice contrast to the tall surrounding grasses. For a water pic, relax on a bench near the pond. Finally, don’t forget to explore the Nature Play Area, which features lush groundcover in a wooded area. The sunlight sneaks through the trees making the groundcover pop in color!

10. Historic Yates Mill County Park

Though I didn’t make the drive to Historic Yates Mill County Park this week, I vividly imagine great photo ops based on previous trips. For an unmistakable photo, gently climb the rocks in front of the dam for a memorable waterfall pic. Then, head back towards the main building and across the bridge over the pond for great photos overlooking the water. Finally, head to the back of the main building to enjoy the rocking chairs or sneak a quiet spot together on the small landing overlooking the water.

Park Address – 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd, 27603

Mother’s Day Ideas of the Past

2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2012

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Black Mountain & Asheville, NC

April 2, 2018 by Kris Montgomery

On the eve of our Spring Break Camping Trip, it’s only necessary that I get back to writing about last summer! Last summer we met up with my in-laws in Black Mountain, NC for a beautiful weekend of hiking, exploring Black Mountain and beyond, and celebrating Claire’s 4th birthday.

Sierra Nevada Brewery (Mills River, NC)

Though we stayed in a gorgeous cabin in Black Mountain, we rarely spent much time in it. We split our time between exploring Asheville and downtown Black Mountain. With Raleigh being only 3.5 hours from Black Mountain, we arrived early on a Thursday (well before check-in) and immediately headed to the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Mills River, NC. The place was unbelievable! It’s as large as a Great Wolf Lodge, and dare I say more enjoyable for all ages! We enjoyed a delicious lunch and beers before heading to the outside area where the girls played in the kiddo-friendly sandbox area while we enjoyed a second round. Sierra Nevada’s outside area is beautifully landscaped, with lots of stone hardscape for eating, gardens, an amphitheater, and large open areas for corn hole. It also features an outside bar area for ordering light snacks and drinks with full-service sit-down areas.

blackmtn - 2 After exhausting the outside area, we dragged the girls (who were pretty willing) through the hallway that showcases their production areas. We glanced at the huge multi-story storage tanks, watched the bottle filling/cleaning process, and saw the packaging area. The girls mildly enjoyed watching the mechanics of how everything worked. Having toured only craft brewery operations, we were blown away by the grandness of everything at Sierra Nevada. I can’t wait to go back!

Pack Square Park (Asheville, NC)

blackmtn - 14 Since we had a little time to kill before checking into our cabin we headed to downtown Asheville to let the girls run off some energy in the water fountains at Pack Square Park. The park features multiple water fountains for splashing in, a large open green space area, nearby Veterans’ Memorial, amphitheater and a few restaurants. It was the perfect quick trip on a hot summer day – we parked right along College St and quickly walked across the street to the park. I’m only hopeful the City of Raleigh will recreate a similar water feature in the new Dorothea Dix park.

Biltmore & Western NC Nature Center

My mother-in-law and I quickly snuck off to Asheville for a visit to Biltmore and its winery. It’d been over 10 years since we’d last gone, so I quickly forgot the estate’s enormity. The first time I visited I left in awe of the house. This time I left with a much greater appreciation for the forests and grounds that Frederick Olmsted created. I had only ever been to Biltmore in the late Fall, so I really enjoyed walking the gardens and seeing how the landscaped differed in Summer. While we visited Biltmore, the rest of the crew explored the nearby Western NC Nature Center. They raved about the animals they saw and the interactive exhibits for children.

Catawba Falls (Old Fort, NC)

The next day we headed to Catawba Falls, which is in Old Fort, NC and part of the Pisgah National Forest. We parked at the trailhead a few miles south of Route 40 on Catawba River Rd. The trail is about 2.5 miles out and back and climbs about 500ft in elevation. The first 80% of the trail was moderately flat and easy with the last 20% being much steeper and required climbing over slippery rocks to get to the bottom of the waterfall.

We crossed a few streams along the way, which gave the grandparents and kiddos some time to rest and splash. Though the trail is wide, it does have some steep drop-offs so we repeatedly cautioned and held the little ones’ hands. Hiking on Saturday morning proved to be a super popular time, so it’ll take you a little longer to get those special bottom of the waterfall pictures.

After our hike we drove a few miles down the road to the Old Fort Picnic Area of Pisgah National Forest. Though this picnic area has seen better days, it features several picnic tables, old shade trees, and lots of green grass. The bathrooms were less than desirable, but we quickly finished a yummy picnic lunch just as the skies opened.

Downtown Black Mountain

blackmtn - 79 After recovering from our big hike and nearly rain-soaked picnic, we rallied to explore downtown Black Mountain. Black Mountain located in Buncombe County and part of the Swannanoa Valley area is about 15 miles east of Asheville right off I-40. Black Mountain incorporated in 1893, named after the Black Mountain range that borders the town to the north. For a busy Saturday afternoon we easily found a parking spot close to our destination of Swannanoa Valley Museum & Visitor Center. The museum houses two floors of interactive exhibits detailing the history of Black Mountain and surrounding Swannanoa Valley area. The girls enjoyed pounding the keys on an old typewriter and getting hands-on experience washing clothes in the earlier days with a wash basin, washboard, and fels-napth.

Shortly after visiting the museum, we stopped at the Dripolator coffee shop for some caffeine and ice cream. Then we walked all around downtown, stopping in the homemade musical instrument shop, clothing shops and general store.

For dinner we searched Yelp for the best pizza and headed to Fresh Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta. The place looks pretty sketch from the outside, but their pizza was AHMAZING! The crust tasted delicious, the ingredients were fresh and the beer was plentiful!

We thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Asheville and exploring the new (to us) small mountain town of Black Mountain. Whether you want to focus on the food and drink, local history, outdoor beauty or a little bit of all, it features fun for all ages. I can’t wait to explore this area again, maybe in the Minnie Winnie next time!

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Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve (Kilmarnock, Va)

March 3, 2019January 8, 2018 by Kris Montgomery

It’s week three of an NC cold wave and I’m longing for our hot summer hike in Kilmarnock, Va. When traveling last summer we started looking for hiking suggestions with the All Trails app. Its helpful app lets you filter and search by distance, rating, suitability for kids, difficulty and more. With it being a hot July day and having small children we needed a shortish hike with easy water access. After a quick search we found Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve, which had a 2 mile trail and access to the Chesapeake Bay.

Location

The Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve is 200 acres of undeveloped land located on a peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay, about 15 minutes northeast of Kilmarnock off Route 605. It has a large sandy shoreline, marshy wetlands, forested areas, and is home to the federally threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle. Though we didn’t see any tiger beetles, we saw several shore birds, crabs, and bugs on our hike.

The Hike

After parking at the trailhead we walked along the wooden walkway through the forest. We soon saw a sign post, and turned left to follow the North Loop. Shortly after starting along the North Loop we arrived on the Chesapeake Bay’s beautiful sandy shoreline. The sudden change from forest to deserted beach was breathtaking. The girls immediately waded into the water, while the adults took in the beautiful views. Being a flat undeveloped area, every direction we looked gave different views of a sandy shoreline, endless bay water, or grassy wetlands. It almost felt like we were on a deserted island.

Despite the lack of signage, we headed south hoping the shoreline kept us on the right path. Because we hiked next to the water, the full sun beat down on us, making the little ones quickly tire. My sister and I, each, soon started carrying a little one on our backs. After walking about a half mile in the sand, we cheered as the trail met back up with the mainland.

We caught our breath at an observation deck where the swimming crabs distracted the little’s tears. This trail features a few observation decks that overlook the flat and vast wetland areas. After watching the crabs swim through the water we continued walking on the dirt trail back to the parking lot. Unfortunately, we ran into some dense bug families through the forested walk back. Since the girls regained their breath while watching the crabs, they miraculously sprinted through the dense bug fog, and made it back to the car in record time.

For this hike, I felt we arrived pretty unprepared. We didn’t anticipate half the hike being in full sun and sand, and we didn’t bring the necessary bug spray. The Chesapeake Bay’s beautiful views and undeveloped areas made up for our lack of planning. We treated ourselves to a quick stop at the Dog & Oyster Winery on our way back to Grey’s Point Camp. The girls munched on snacks, tried soft-shelled crabs and colored oyster shells while the adults tasted wines and grilled oysters – heavenly!

Thumbs up: breathtaking views, undeveloped land, crab spotting, bird watching

Thumbs down: signage, lots of bugs

2017 Holidays in the Parks

December 13, 2017 by Kris Montgomery

Even though Pullen Park’s Holiday Express has been sold out since July, there’s still plenty of other Holiday happenings in local parks. If you can’t make it to an event, explore a park soaking up Raleigh’s inevitable sunny winter days (remember Christmas Eve two years ago when it was almost 80 degrees). Grab coffee (and goldfish) to go and meet friends at a park, meet a friend for a bike ride or run on the greenway, or take a solo walk around a lake. Here’s a list of several indoor and outdoor programs sure to keep the kids busy (and the parents sane) happening across different parks through New Years including First Day Hikes.

City of Raleigh Programs

Wednesday, 12/13 (8-10pm) – Skywatching at Dorothea Dix Park – join volunteers and staff from several local astronomy clubs and the Morehead Planetarium to watch the Geminid Meteor Shower of 2017; Free; Meet at the Big Field
Thursday, 12/14 (5-6pm) – Creative Crafts Throughout the Holidays at Hill St Community Center: create a Christmas-themed craft; Free; program barcode #210494; ages 5-12
Friday, 12/15 (5-7pm) – Holiday Pajama Party at Greystone Community Center: bring the entire family dressed in your pajamas for a holiday movie, cocoa and cookies; $2 per participant; program barcode 210518; all ages, not many spots left
Saturday, 12/16 (7am-noon) – Christmas Bird Count at Walnut Creek Wetland Center: stroll along the greenway looking and listening for birds. 2016’s Christmas Bird Count netted 49 different species. Please bring your own binoculars, or you can borrow a pair of our children’s binoculars. Free; ages 12+; registration required; program barcode 217570
Saturday, 12/16 (10am-12pm) – Snacks with Santa at Chavis Community Center: enjoy holiday games, arts and craft activities and story time with Santa. Bring your camera to capture a photo with Santa. Please bring two nonperishable food items for this event; Free; ages 12 and under; program barcode 211028
Saturday, 12/16 (1-2:30pm) – Gingerbread House Decorating Competition at Method Rd Community Center: they provide the gingerbread houses and supplies and you build; $20 per family; program barcode 211845
Saturdays in December, January and February (11:30am-12:30pm) – Yoga at the COR Museum – bring your yoga mat and water for a free yoga class instructed by yoga studios from around Raleigh

Wake County Parks & Recreation

Sunday, 12/17 (2-3pm) – Family Feature: Winter Wrap Up at Crowder County Park: winter is a great time to explore nature at the park! Join a naturalist and learn how to identify tracks, explore conifers, and drink pine needle tea. Then, observe snow and ice through hands-on science experiments. Don’t forget to bring your scarf and mittens! For all ages; $1/person; Registration is required for all family members and children must have an adult accompaniment.
Dec 22 (10:30-noon or 2-3:30pm) Field School: The Ingalls Long Winter at Historic Yates Mill County Park – Learn what Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family did to survive one especially long winter and find out how the family celebrated Christmas. Taste an old-fashioned peppermint candy stick and bring home a home-made holiday craft. Feel free to dress in your best pioneer outfit! For ages 7 and up; $6/Child. Registration is required. This is a drop-off program but adults are welcome to stay – however, seating is limited.
Dec 30 (2-3pm) – FWS: Green and on the Scene at Blue Jay County Park – Join Blue Jay staff for an outdoor adventure hunting winter plants and trees that are green and on the scene. All participants must be independently mobile or in child backpacks. No strollers please!; $1 per participant; open to all ages though most appropriate for ages 5+

NC Parks

Sunday, 12/17 (2pm) – Holiday Sing-a-Long at Eno River State Park: Join a park ranger at the historic Piper-Cox House for cookies, hot chocolate and the chance to sing historic carols sung by the inhabitants of the Eno River Valley.
Saturday, 12/23 (2pm) – Happy Holidays to You & the Birds at Falls Lake State Recreation Area: meet at Shelter 24 at Beaver Dam Lake area to make bird feeder ornaments and decorate a tree in the park with wildlife friendly decorations.
Thursday, 12/28 (2pm) – Winter Wonders at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area: explore the nothern portion of the lake with a Ranger! Observe bald eagles, winter birds and water fowl. The deck is located approximately 150 yards from the gravel parking lot with the walk being very easy. Dress for the weather as it’s usually colder on the deck. Meet at observation deck off Martha’s Chapel Rd.
Friday, 12/29 (2pm) – Winter Wonders at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area: explore the southern portion of the lake with a Ranger! Observe bald eagles, winter birds and learn about the lake’s history. Meet near the volleyball court at the Ebenezer Day Use Area.

First Day Hikes on Monday, January 1, 2018

William Umstead Park (9am): meet at Reedy Creek parking lot off Harrison Ave exit on I-40 for a moderate 4-mile hike that will be a bit off trail, on the Company Mill Trail; highlights include two millstones in the woods that were never finished, the old Craggy Garden Scout camp and the biggest rock formations in the park. Please call the park for more info or to register.
Walnut Creek Wetland Park (2-4pm): Jump-start your New Year’s resolutions and join our staff for a scenic guided walk along the Walnut Creek Greenway. Be prepared to walk at least a mile. Strollers are welcome! Preregistration is helpful but not required. FREE; all ages; program barcode 209308
Falls Lake State Recreation Area (10am & 2pm start times) – Meet at the Rolling View Recreation Area for a hike on the kid-friendly Neuse Bend Trail; join a park ranger for an easy scavenger hunt/hike on the 0.75 mile Neuse Bend Trail in Rolling View Recreation Area. The Scavenger Hunt Hike is designed for ages 6-12 but all ages are encouraged to participate; Pre-registration is required and spots are limited: 919-676-1027
Eno River State Park (2pm) – meet at Fews Ford Picnic Shelter and choose between two hiking options: easy 2 mile hike or moderate 4-5 mile hike
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Hike #1 (9-11am) – meet at the New Hope Overlook Recreation area and hike the challenging 2.7 mile Blue Loop Trail; no pre-registration
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Hike #2 (1-3pm) – meet at the Ebenezer Church Recreation Area shelter #8 for an easy 1 mile hike along the Old Oak Loop Trail; great for families; no pre-registration

Summer 2017 Bucket List Follow-up

December 6, 2017 by Kris Montgomery

Phew! Where did the Fall season go?! It’s almost December, but the recent warmer afternoon weather makes me reminisce about our amazing summer adventures with family and friends. Even though we didn’t cross off everything from our 2017 Bucket List, we explored so many new (to us) places in the mountains and at the beach.

We kept the weekdays simple, yet fun, with pool time and swim team with friends, and spent the weekends mostly traveling around NC and VA. We had lots of ups – amazing travels meeting up with friends and family, fresh seafood, gorgeous waterfalls; but, we also had some downs – getting lost down a one-way road with the Winnie, late night kiddo fevers in the Winnie, Winnie electrical outages in hot July, and the Hatteras Island evacuation. So, when things got out of our control, we tried to stay positive and improvise knowing that things will come full circle, which they eventually did! We somehow turned Winnie around at the end of Little Buck Creek Rd, fevers magically disappeared, my sister saved our food (and sanity) during the great electrical outage, and we moved our family vacation to beautiful Emerald Isle at the last minute.

As a summertime bonus, we survived a major kitchen renovation that is finally concluding, we celebrated what would have been my mom’s 60th birthday, Claire turned 4 years old, we celebrated Labor Day weekend with a crab feast and lots of Hokie buds and their littles, and we witnessed a total solar eclipse. I don’t know how we’ll top the mix of relaxation and travel from this past summer!

~~Enjoy a low country boil~~ (with the in-laws over Memorial Day weekend)
~~Survive having two kids on summer swim team~~ (it was touch-and-go at some points)
~~See some waterfalls~~ (Tom’s Creek & Roaring Fork Falls in western NC, Catawba Falls in Pisgah National Forest)
~~Swim at a lake~~ (Jordan Lake & Falls Lake Recreation Areas)
~~Discover new & easy campfire recipes~~ (garlic broccoli and potato pockets, french bread pizzas, rocky road dessert)
Go blueberry picking (the farm was closed so we discovered nearby Kelly Rd Park instead)
~~Discover new hiking trails on our travels~~ (Hughlett Point Nature Preserve in Kilmarnock, Va, Emerald Isle Woods Park)
~~Catch fireflies~~ (Jordan Lake campsite and backyard)
~~Try a new ice cream place~~ (Sweet Spot in Emerald Isle, Fudge Factor in Beaufort)
~~Visit a new museum~~ (Museum of NC Minerals on Blue Ridge Parkway, Swannanoa Valley Museum in Black Mtn, NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort)
~~Perfect my mojito making~~ (muddle 8 sprigs of mint with slice of lime cut into quarters and spoonful of sugar, add 2 Tbsp simple syrup, add 1.5 oz of white rum, fill glass 3/4 full of ice, add enough club soda or La Croix to cover ice)
Start composting (Bill put the nix to this idea)
~~Have a water balloon fight~~ (backyard sister fun)
~~Read a long book together as a family~~ (Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame)
~~Enjoy Winnebago camping as a family~~ (5 trips under our belt this summer)
~~Visit a new brewery~~ (Deep River Brewing Co in Clayton, Sierra Nevada & Wicked Weed in Asheville)

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Top 5 Raleigh Parks for Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing

August 19, 2017 by Kris Montgomery

Months ago we planned one last Winnie mountain trip before the end of summer. We purposefully planned it to coincide with the solar eclipse so we could get close to being in the path of totality (words I never thought I’d hear myself saying). Not knowing the solar eclipse would become so popular we’re glad we booked our campsite so far in advance!

We’re heading to the small town of Whittier, NC for camping, hiking and playing. On Monday we plan to drive an hour south to Andrews, NC for their big eclipse festival. If we stayed in Raleigh, we’d plan a picnic get-together with friends at a local park. Triangle residents can expect to see a partial solar eclipse beginning around 1:16pm, peaking at 2:44pm and ending at 4:06pm.

Here are my suggestions for the Top 5 Raleigh Parks for viewing the solar eclipse:

North Wake District Landfill Park
Dorothea Dix Park’s Big Field – GPS coordinates for accessing big field: 35.766883, -78.663255
Spring Forest Road Park
Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve Park
Annie Wilkerson Nature Preserve Park

Be sure to bring your eclipse-approved safety glasses or go old school and make your own pinhole camera from supplies you have at home. Happy Viewing!

Kelly Rd Park (Apex, NC)

August 19, 2017 by Kris Montgomery

Sometimes, the best laid plans go amiss. After realizing the blueberry farm we were meeting friends at was closed to allow for more ripening, we adjusted our plans and rendezvoused at nearby Kelly Rd Park. I’ve been wanting to visit Kelly Rd Park for years, given that it’s one of the last wooden playgrounds (see Raleigh’s former All Children’s Playground) in the area. Exploring this park with friends made for a perfect morning for kiddos and mamas to catch up with each other.

The Town of Apex’s Kelly Rd Park is located at 1609 Kelly Rd in western Wake County just outside I-540. Kelly Rd Park features multiple playgrounds for all ages, swings, picnic shelters, baseball fields, and tennis courts. With 7 girls under the age of 7, we spent all of our time exploring the massive wooden playground areas also known as KidsTowne.

As you enter the KidsTowne playground area, the memorial honoring Kathy Carlisle Smith immediately catches your attention. The Town of Apex remembered Ms. Smith for her dedication to the Greater Apex area and making the KidsTowne playground a reality. KidsTowne has two playgrounds for the different age groups. The playgrounds have fencing all around except for the main entrance area in the middle.

The smaller age playground features tot swings, one-level climbing areas, balance beams, bouncy bridges, and fun wooden paintings. A long bench sits nearby, perfect for watching the littles climb around.

The older age playground features an enormous wooden playground with multi-level, interconnected bridges, tunnels, slides, and towers. It resembles a fairy castle because of its purple and green stained wood, fire poles, decorative paintings, play boats, and towers. Regular swings and a tire swing sit behind the playground. The girls loved climbing the ropes and monkey bars, playing hide and seek, jumping on bridges, and finding shade. They also spent a ton of time flying high on the tire swing.