Lazy Day hike

“This isn't a Smokies Deathmarch or a Freeze your Ass Off trip report, just a leisurely 3-mile hike through a coastal forest/marsh area. This past Sunday the Hyway clan, including the dog, piled into the Suburban Assault Vehicle (SAV- minivan) and took the short drive to Carolina Beach State Park in North Carolina. This park is a sweet bit of "back country" smack dab in the middle of a tourist Mecca.

With my son securely fastened in the child carrier on my back, toys dangling from every hook, we set off on the Venus flytrap trail where there exists prime examples of exotic carnivorous plants; Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, etc. Since we have seen these types of plants on many occasions, we didn't tarry long, but moved on to the Sugarloaf Trail, which was the primary reason for the day’s hike. As we leisurely strolled among the stunted pines and adolescent Live Oaks, our conversations were light and airy. The kids were happy to have their mother with us; she doesn’t usually accompany us on our hikes. The dog was happy not to be left home even if it did mean he had to be on a leash.

Before we knew it, we were at the first of our destinations – Sugarloaf Dune. To understand the attraction of this dune, you most first understand how flat the coastal region of the Carolinas are. A topo map of the area usually only requires 2 elevation lines. We are so impressed by the staggering height of a 60’ sand dune, that we actually gave it a name – Sugarloaf . After a short “climb”, we were at the “summit” where we found the rangers had placed a nice bench. From here the view out over the Intracoastal Waterway was awe-inspiring. The islands of marsh grass waved like fields of wheat in a sea of sparkling diamonds. The sun shone brightly from a wide, blue sky. Puffs of cotton candy clouds blew aimlessly across the horizon. With eager eyes, my kids anxiously looked up at me. I knew what they wanted; we had been here before. With just the slightest of nods, they were off, running at break neck speeds down the sandy face of the dune toward the mature Live Oaks along the shoreline. At first, their mother looked on in alarm, but the sound of their laugher on the breeze calmed her fears. In another second, she was gone, running after them. My son and I watched them go, enjoying the sight of my family having fun. Life is good.

At the bottom of the dune, where a small sand beach had carved out a place of its own among the reeds of the marsh, we took our first break. The girls ran up and down the dune, the dog running after them like he was herding sheep. When they tired of that they made sandcastles at the water’s edge. My son crawled among the driftwood apparently searching for that perfect stalk of dry reed. Flights of Loons flew by in formation, their wingtips barely above the water at times, while gulls cried over head. Here we did tarry; moments like these are not to be hurried. My wife sits back in the sand and takes it all in. Our eyes meet; In them I read, “Thank You.”

After a snack for us and water for the dog, we are off once more. The trail has changed. Now it follows along the shoreline, moving in and out of the maritime forest of wind blown scrub trees and cedars. The shoreline is a microcosm of our world. A place of beauty and life, but mixed in with the sand fiddler crabs, marsh grass and driftwood are other things. Things not so pretty: The lid off a cooler, the occasional tire, a plastic milk bottle, even a coil of the biggest rope I have ever seen, at least 5” in diameter. I can only imagine what this beach must look like in the summer when the drunken hordes are making traffic jams with their boats. All heading for the exact same places, parking 3 boats deep and throwing their trash to the wind. Thankfully, this is winter, and the trash level is low. We continue on.

This is the part of the trail the girls really like. There are several wooden bridges and walkways that carry us over the marsh bays and channels that line a coastal shoreline. Sand fiddlers, not nearly as numerous as they are in the summer, scurry away as we approach. On the bridges the girls kneel and stare into the water, pointing out minnows and snails, each trying to find more than the other. My son is banging me on the head with a rattle as if to say, “give me Juice, Daddy.” He has been a good trooper, reaching out for everything as we pass, wanting to create a leaf collection, I suppose, but now he is growing restless again. Good thing mommy is there. She takes care of his needs while we sit on the edge of the walkway. After a few minutes, we are off again.

As we walk, we watch a small two-mast sailboat tacking into the wind, heading for the park marina just ahead, our next destination. The trail turns back into a forest that reminds us of the Wizard of Oz. My wife looks for a talking apple tree, but alas, they must live in a less populated area of the park. Exiting the forest, we find ourselves in a large parking area. We are at the marina and boat landing. We play on the rocks of the harbor entrance, then get an ice cream from the marina store and head back into the woods. Here is where the dilemma comes in. The last ½ mile of the loop trail is closed. It has been closed ever since the hurricanes of a few years ago, and do to budget reasons has not been re-opened. We can either follow the trail back the way we came or walk along the road for a mile back to the parking area. Or, we can just take the closed trail. I always choose the closed trail. It is more scenic, passes through a swamp area and takes us straight back to the van. I know, I know. Bad Hyway.

The trail IS beautiful, all the more so because it is so little used. Finally, back at the van, we are all in great spirits. The girls pile inside, so used to the packs on their backs, that they have to be reminded to take them off . It has been a wonderful day. A day to put away into our Memory Bank to pull out later and relive on rainy days stuck in the house.”

“My writing must suck or maybe its just too long. Either way, it is falling down the page faster than the cash withdrawals from sadam's bank account.”

“It was a great read, hyway. Good to see that there's a man getting out with his family.

I didn't answer earlier because I was ashamed.....lol....”

“sounds like a great trip. It's alot of fun to get the little ones out.”

“Everyone is just jealous...they just don't know how to reply!

What an awesome day :)”

“Great adventure sounds like you had a good time and everyone enjoyed the hike... some days the easy hikes are the ones to take.”

“That's a wonderful report, Hyway! I'm looking forward to taking my little one out. Problem is she always falls asleep.”

“Thanks for reading folks. I enjoy the hikes with my kids. It keeps me young.

Treebait, how old is your little one? It's tough to hike when you're sleeping.”

“great report!”

“Anybody got a nail. I am gonna tack this thing to the top.”

“I'm glad you did!

Great report. I cannot wait to show Abby the secrets found underwater and how to run full tili down a dune! She'll finally be big and old enough to be introduced to hiking, instead of riding, this summer. =)”

“This place has a lousy wallboard. won't even hold a nail.”

“Try tape...or putty!”