Personal Blog Highlighting Adventures in the Greater Raleigh Parks, Playgrounds & Greenways
This fall we wanted to further explore Falls Lake so we set off with intentions to start closer to the dam and finish Day Hike A of the Mountains-to-Sea trail. Falls Lake Dam is on the eastern side of the lake (see map) and has helped control flooding from the Neuse River ever since its completion in … Read more
I gave up on making New Year’s resolutions many, many years ago so last year on New Year’s Eve, we started a new tradition of documenting our top 10 moments from the previous year. It was a fun way to recall great memories without the disappointment of forgotten resolutions, and we plan to continue the … Read more
The first day of Fall began this week with a few days of colder temperatures, which led me to reminisce about my first full summer home with both girls. Despite having a tough adjustment period from 3-day-a-week preschool to zero-day-a-week preschool, things smoothed out and we had an awesome summer! I find myself longing for … Read more
A playground at the landfill…say what?! Yes, the North Wake landfill closed in 2008 and local residents worked with the county to repurpose the closed landfill into a park which now features paved trails, mountain biking trails, a large playground area, pavilion, and access to Abbotts Creek Trail (part of Neuse River Greenway). North Wake Landfill … Read more
It might be snowmaggedon part 2 in Raleigh right now, but months ago it was a beautifully warm day for a run in North Raleigh along Abbotts Creek Trail. Abbotts Creek Trail is 2.9 miles and connects Simms Branch Trail with the Neuse River Trail. We parked on-street near the intersection of Falls River Ave … Read more
We are always on the lookout for something fun and different to do outside the house especially in the early evenings after nap time. When we attended the Neuse River trail expansion grand opening some folks from the Walnut Creek Wetland Center were there explaining their programs. I remember them saying their center was open … Read more
My mom visited this past weekend so on Friday morning we headed out to Anderson Point Park at 20 Anderson Point Dr in east Raleigh. This park is bordered by 264/64 bypass on the north, the Neuse River to the east and Crabtree Creek on the west. From the park you can also access the … Read more
Here’s a map of the Greater Raleigh parks we’ve explored so far: View the Raleigh Parks Google Map in full screen. Abbotts Creek Park (9950 Durant Rd, Raleigh, NC) Abbotts Creek Trail (intersection of Falls River Ave & Ashmead Ln) Anderson Point Park (20 Anderson Point Dr, Raleigh, NC) Annie Wilkerson Nature Preserve Park Baileywick Park … Read more
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 … Read more
Over the past two years, I’ve learned that Mother’s Day is all about the balance for me. After losing my mother so suddenly in 2015, I realize I yearn for more reflection and relaxation (aka alone time without kids) to counter my natural tendency for wide-open family fun and adventure. I’ve consciously let the reflection and relaxation needs … Read more