Duke Gardens (Duke University Durham, North Carolina)

One of the places that Ashley and I had the opportunity to visit and hike at was the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham. This is a beautiful area to explore and relax and the walking trails here are top notch. Duke Gardens is often spoken of as "the crown jewel of Duke University" and is a beautiful place. Duke Gardens occupies 55 acres in the heart of Duke's West Campus and is recognized as one of the premier public gardens in the United States.

Directions to Trailhead: There are several options to reach Duke Gardens. From Chapel Hill and points southwest via 15/501: Take 15/501 North toward Durham, merge right onto the 15/501 bypass, exit onto Hwy. 751 (a.k.a. Cameron Blvd.), turn right at bottom of exit ramp onto Hwy. 751, proceed on Hwy. 751 to third stop light, turn left onto Duke University Road, follow Duke University Road to second stop light, turn left onto Anderson Street, after first intersection, main entrance is 150 yards up on the left (a half-circle drive with stone walls).

From Raleigh and points south and east via I-40 & Hwy. 147 (Durham Freeway): Take I-40 west to Hwy. 147 (Durham Freeway), follow Hwy. 147 to the Swift Avenue exit, turn left onto Swift Avenue, pass one traffic light and proceed to Campus Drive (a four-way stop), turn right onto Campus Drive, proceed to first stop light and turn right onto Anderson Street, main entrance is 150 yards on the left after the intersection (a half-circle drive with stone walls).

From Greensboro and points west via I-85: Take I-85 North to Durham, exit onto Hillandale Road, turn right at the top of exit ramp onto Hillandale Road, continue on Hillandale, which will merge with Fulton Street at the Hwy. 147 overpass, proceed on Fulton Street to the Erwin Road intersection, turn left on Erwin Road, proceed to second stop light,  turn right onto Anderson Street, entrance is about one-half mile up on the right (a half-circle drive with stone walls).

From points north and east via I-85: Take I-85 South to Durham, exit at Hillandale Road, turn left at the top of the exit ramp onto Hillandale Road, continue on Hillandale, which will merge with Fulton Street at the Hwy. 147 overpass, proceed on Fulton Street to the Erwin Road intersection, turn left on Erwin Road, proceed to second stop light, turn right onto Anderson Street, entrance is about one-half mile up on the right (a half-circle drive with stone walls).

Note, there is a fee for parking at Sarah P. Duke Gardens during these hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. They have automated machines to pay at. The current fee is $1 per half an hour for parking. For more information click Here. A map of the area can be found by clicking Here, as well as the Google Map below.

Description of Hike: This is not so much a true hike, but more of an outdoor adventure. When you visit Duke Gardens you will see many people out enjoying the serenity in this area. For an interactive map of the different sections within Duke Garden you can click Here. In reality the elevation gain while exploring Duke Gardens is minimal and you can make your hike/walk as long or as short as you would like. The paths and trails are well maintained. The Google Map below provides the path of where we visited at Duke Gardens. We spent a couple hours here and that was not enough time to visit all sections of Duke Gardens.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed our visit to Duke Gardens. We enjoyed taking our time and exploring the different sections of Duke Gardens. The trails were well maintained and the best thing was all the plants were labeled so we knew what we were looking at. The amount of care that has to go into the upkeep for Duke Gardens is amazing. It is really tough to capture the beauty and diversity of the plants that are found at Duke Gardens in a blog post. The best way to see the diversity of plant life that is at the gardens is to visit Duke Gardens.

Rating: Elevation Gain: Minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 1 - 2 Miles Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 1 - 2 hours.


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Fort Macon State Park

Ashley and I also had the opportunity to visit and explore was Fort Macon State Park, near Emerald Isle North Carolina. Ashley and I both loved visiting Fort Macon and learning about the history of the fort during the Civil War and its use in World War II. The area surrounding the fort was newly renovated when we visited and it was very nice and we both highly recommend a visit to Fort Macon especially for history buffs.

Directions to Trailhead: Fort Macon State Park is located in Carteret County on the eastern end of Bogue Banks. From I-95, take US 70 east to Morehead City, and turn south on Atlantic Beach Causeway. Cross the bridge to Atlantic Beach, and turn left on NC 58. The fort is located at the tip of the island. For a map of the area click Here. For a specific map of the Fort Macon State Park click Here.

Description of Hike: This is not so much of a true hike, but is more of an outdoor adventure in Coastal North Carolina. There is currently no cost to enter and explore Fort Macon State Park. Visiting Fort Macon is well worth the visit and will take you back to a different period in American History. There is minimal elevation gain to exploring the fort. However, there are stairs at the fort and some of them are rather steep (Fort Macon was designed for war, not tours, so be careful when using the stairs). Your walk will be under a mile to explore the fort, however a majority of that time will be outside so make sure to use sunscreen, inspect repellent, and maybe bring water on a hot day. A couple of the rooms at the fort are air conditioned/heated, which will provide relief from summer heat and winter cold. For the state park brochure on Fort Macon click Here. For a map of Fort Macon State Park click Here.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed our trip to Fort Macon State Park. We loved exploring the fort and learning about the rich history of this area in Coastal North Carolina. Fort Macon State Park offers public access to the surf, sun, and sand of the Crystal Coast. It is located at the eastern end of Bogue Banks, one of a series of barrier islands along the North Carolina coast, the park is surrounded on three sides by water—the Atlantic Ocean, Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Sound. This area of undisturbed natural beauty is the perfect place to explore salt marshes and estuaries vital to the coastal ecosystem. But the best thing to explore is Fort Macon itself. Here, is a little history on the fort to continue reading more about the history of the fort click the link below:

The five-sided Fort Macon is constructed of brick and stone. Twenty-six vaulted rooms (also called casemates) are enclosed by outer walls that average 4 1/2 feet thick. In modern times, the danger of naval attack along the North Carolina coast seems remote, but during the 18th and 19th centuries, the region around Beaufort was highly vulnerable to attack.

Blackbeard and other infamous pirates were known to have passed through Beaufort Inlet at will while successive wars with Spain, France and Great Britain during the Colonial Period provided a constant threat of coastal raids by enemy warships. Beaufort was captured and plundered by the Spanish in 1747 and again by the British in 1782. To continue reading about the history of Fort Macon click Here. Additionally, if you are looking for a list of activities click Here.

Ashley and I both highly recommend a visit to Fort Macon State Park. It is very educational and is something that the whole family will enjoy doing together and best of all it is Free!

Rating: Elevation Gain: Minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 1 Mile Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 1 - 2 hours.


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Durham Museum of Life and Science

One of the places that Ashley and I have visited and explored on multiple occasions is the Durham Museum of Life and Science. The Durham Museum of Life and Science has a little bit of everything and is a great place to visit for the entire family. It is a place the entire family will enjoy. There are a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor adventures at the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Directions to Trailhead: The Durham Museum of Life and Science is located at 433 West Murray Avenue Durham, NC 27704. Here are some driving directions. From the East, including Raleigh (via I-40) and Fayetteville Take I-40 west from Raleigh to Highway 147 North (Durham Freeway). Take Highway 147 to downtown Durham and take the Duke Street exit (Exit 12C). Drive north two miles on Duke Street. After crossing over I-85, turn right at the third traffic light onto Murray Avenue. As you proceed on Murray Avenue, turn left into the Museum parking lot just past the Mercury Redstone Rocket.

From Raleigh, Highway 70: Take Highway 70 west from Raleigh. Merge onto I-85 south. Go south on I-85 and look for the Museum signs. Take exit 176 (Highway 501 North/Duke Street). Take a right onto Duke Street, go up the hill, and turn right onto Murray Avenue. As you proceed on Murray Avenue, turn left into the Museum parking lot just past the Mercury Redstone Rocket.

From Chapel Hill: Take 15-501 Bypass north. Merge onto I-85 north. Take exit 176B (Highway 501 North/Duke Street). Go up the hill, and turn right onto Murray Avenue. As you proceed on Murray Avenue, turn left into the Museum parking lot just past the Mercury Redstone Rocket.

From the West, including Greensboro: Take I-85 north to Durham and look for the Museum signs. Take exit 176B (Highway 501 North/Duke Street). Go up the hill, and turn right onto Murray Avenue. As you proceed on Murray Avenue, turn left into the Museum parking lot just past the Mercury Redstone Rocket.

Description of Hike: This is not so much a true hike, but is more of an outdoor adventure in Central North Carolina. There is no cost for parking, but there is a cost for admission into the Durham Museum of Life and Science. Admission prices are as follows: $14.00 Adults, $11.00 Seniors (age 65 and older) and active military with ID, $10.00 Children ages 3-12, and members and children under age 3 are admitted free. There are additional charges for some attractions at the Museum of Life and Science as well as more discounts and group rates available. For more admission charges and ride costs click Here. The neat thing is you can make your walk/hike around this area of the Durham Museum of Life and Science as long or as short as you would like to.

The Durham Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top attractions and is situated on 84 acres of land. The interactive science park includes a science center, a butterfly conservatory which is one of the largest in the world, a beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits which are safe havens for rescued black bears, lemurs, and endangered red wolves. You want to make sure you get a chance to see the red wolf exhibit as well as the other animals that call the Durham Museum of Life and Science home.

The Museum's Dinosaur Trail, which is great for kids, takes visitors on a journey through the late Cretaceous period. Other attractions include a Farmyard, Ellerbe Creek Railway, Contraptions – a hands-on exhibit for older children and adults, a sailboat pond, The Lab, Play to Learn – an exhibit for children under six, more than 60 species of live animals and so much more. For information on daily programs at the Durham Museum of Life and Science click Here. Bottom-line is there are so many exhibits and things that everyone in the family will find something that interests them.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed our visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. We had the opportunity to look at the butterfly conservatory which was amazing. It was cool to see so many butterfly's in one room. We also enjoyed the explore the wild trail. This trail goes through the museum's wildlife exhibits. They have black bear, lemurs, the endangered red wolf, and much more. The trail meanders through some beautiful parts of the outdoor property the Museum of Life and Science sits on.

Inside the museum there are even more things to do. They have an exhibit with indoor animals that has snakes, otters, alligators, owls, and other wildlife. Additionally, they have exhibits on space travel, flight, and so much more. There is much to do at the Museum of Life and Science and you would likely need a couple of days to do it all at a pace you would enjoy. If you are interested in information on how to become a member of the Durham Museum of Life and Science click Here. This is fun that the whole family can enjoy together.

For more pictures of animals at the Durham Museum of Life and Science click Here.

Rating: Elevation Gain: Minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 1 - 3 Miles Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: Variable depending on how many things you look at, from a couple of hours to all day.


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Wright Brothers National Memorial

Recently, Ashley and I had a chance to visit and explore the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. This was my second time here and it was her first. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is a must see for those who love history and like exploring where history was made.

Directions to Trailhead: The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located at mile post 7.5 on U.S. Highway 158, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Here are driving directions to the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

From the North - Follow I-95 South to Richmond, Va. Take I-64 East toward Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. Take I-64 or I-664 to Chesapeake, Va. From I-64, take Exit 291B to Route 168, the Chesapeake Expressway.* Once in North Carolina, Route 168 turns into U.S. 158 East. Follow U.S. 158 through Kitty Hawk to Kill Devil Hills, N.C. *Chesapeake Expressway is a toll road which costs $2.00 each way.

From the West - Via I-95 into North Carolina. Take U.S. 64 East toward Rocky Mount. Follow U.S. 64 east through Williamston and Plymouth. From Plymouth, continue east to Nags Head and the junction of U.S. 158 through Nags Head to Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

From the South - Coming from South Carolina, take I-95 to Wilson, N.C. Take US-264 East through Greenville and Washington. From Washington, take State Route 30 to Plymouth, and follow U.S. 64 east to Nags Head. Continue on U.S. 158 through Nags Head to Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

Description of Hike: This is not so much a true hike, but is more of an outdoor adventure. The Wright Brothers National Memorial has a number of walking trails on the memorial grounds. The trails are well maintained. Your walk can be made as long or as short as you would like. You can even drive to most of the places on the memorial grounds. The only elevation gain is on Kill Devil Hill, which is where the Wright Brothers Monument is located. The hill on which the Wright Brother Monument stands is 90 feet tall. The cost to enter the Wright Brothers National Memorial is $4 per person. An annual pass is $20 per person. For more information on fees click Here. Additionally, for a schedule of events at the Wright Brothers National Memorial click Here.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed our visit to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. It is always amazing to visit a place with such amazing history. It is even more amazing that from the first flight here at Kitty Hawk, it took only 66 years for us to put a man on the moon. When you go to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, there is a chance that it will be crowded, especially during the summer time. There is additional parking located close to the entrance, as well as close to Kill Devil Hill, where the Wright Brothers Monument is located.

The Monument is amazing to see. The Monument is 60 feet tall and sits atop Kill Devil Hill which is 90 feet tall. The Monument honors the Wright brothers and marks the site of the hundreds of glider flights that preceded the first powered flight. From this location you have great views of the surrounding area as it is one of the taller locations on the outer banks.

The visitor center and the first flight centennial pavilion are worth a visit. Inside both, there are historical exhibits about flight and the Wright Brothers. Additionally, if you are looking for a souvenir or a drink that is the place to go. Furthermore, the buildings are air conditioned and let you get out of the heat on a hot day.

Outside, there is the reconstructed 1903 hangar and quarters/workshop. One building depicts the hangar the wright brothers used for their 1903 flyer and the other building is similar to their workshop and living quarters. Right next to this area is where the first flight actually took place. There is the First Flight Boulder which marks the start where all the flights originated. There are a total of 4 more markers which mark the end point of each of the 4 flights. The first flight lasted 12 seconds and went 120 feet. The second flight lasted 12 seconds and went 175 feet. The third flight lasted 15 seconds and went 200 feet. The fourth flight lasted 59 seconds and went 852 feet.

Ashley and I would highly recommend a visit to the Wright Brothers National Memorial because there is so much history associated with this location.

Rating: Elevation Gain: 180 ft. (Easy), Distance: Variable (0.25 - 2) Miles Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 1 - 2 hours.


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Bodie Island Lighthouse

One of the places that Ashley and I have had the opportunity to visit and explore on several occasions is Bodie Island Lighthouse on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Bodie Island Lighthouse is 150 tall and is a beautiful sight to see as it stands sentinel over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a short nature walk by the lighthouse that gives you amazing views of the surrounding scenery.

Directions to Trailhead: Bodie Island Lighthouse is located off of North Carolina 12 between Nags Head and the Oregon Inlet. Bodie Island Lighthouse is located eight miles south of the US 158 and US 64 intersection, west of NC 12. As you are driving down to Bodie Island Lighthouse from the north, you will see thick vegetation on both sides of the highway. Since it is a National Seashore, no structures are allowed to be built in the area, which makes it a nice peaceful and serene drive. Ashley and I saw several deer while driving here. You will be able to see Bodie Lighthouse from a good distance away before you actually get to the entrance. As you approach the lighthouse, look for the entrance to the lighthouse on your right. The entrance may sneak up on you quickly, even though there are signs warning you of the turn, so be on the lookout for it. There is plenty of parking at the lighthouse and it is usually not too crowded. Additionally, there is no cost for parking.

Description of Hike: This is not so much a true hike, but is more of an outdoor adventure. The grounds of the lighthouse are well maintained and kept. There is a visitor center with books and information on the history of the lighthouse. The lighthouse is not open for climbing, but you can walk all the way to its base. There is a short nature trail that is by Bodie Island Lighthouse, in addition to a couple of other trails. The nature trail is well maintained and offers great views of Bodie Island Lighthouse. There is minimal elevation gain to the trail and the total length to the observation deck and back is just under a half mile.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed visiting the Bodie Island Lighthouse. This was my second trip to Bodie Island Lighthouse and it was her first. We had perfect weather when we visited it. During the summer months make sure to wear sunscreen and use bug spray when you are here. When you get to the observation deck, make sure to look down into the water because often you can see fish, blue crabs, and other ocean wildlife in the area. When we were there, there were a number of blue crabs in the water. Additionally, this a good place for bird watching. Here is some history on the lighthouse:

The black and white horizontal striped Bodie Island Lighthouse is the third lighthouse of that name to stand guard over this stretch of coastline. The first Bodie Island Lighthouse underwent construction in 1847, but due to poor design and engineering, the tower ended up being a foot taller on one side than the other. Instead of attempting to salvage the 54-foot structure, plans were made for a second Bodie Island Lighthouse.

This second tower was begun in 1859 and upon completion, the white brick lighthouse stood almost 90 feet, was fitted with a 3rd order Fresnel lens that cast a beam that could be seen for 15 miles. This lighthouse met its fate during the Civil War. Retreating Confederate troops feared that the advancing Union Army would use the Bodie Island Lighthouse as a lookout and consequently destroyed it.

Unlike its predecessors, the present day Bodie Island Lighthouse was built on the north side of Oregon Inlet. The 156 foot sentinel was placed in service in October 1872. It was automated in 1954. The 1st order Fresnel lens gives two flashes (160,000 Candlepower) every 22 seconds that can be seen for 19 miles. Currently (2011) the lighthouse is undergoing a renovation. To read more about the renovation to improve the structure of the lighthouse click Here.

Rating: Elevation Gain: Minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 0.5 Miles Roundtrip (Very Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 30 minutes - 1 hour.

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