I Do Stuff…

Sunrise at Pinckney Island

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It is becoming a regular affair for me to take a vacation in winter to warmer weather.  For the longest time I thought this was something only old people did, but I am starting to like it.  Last year Nancy and I went to Honolulu and we missed a snow storm while gone.  This year we headed to Hilton Head for a short family trip.  My aunt and uncle, Rose and Mike, flew in from LaCrosse and along with my Dad and Pat we headed down for some fun in the sun.

Nancy and I got a rental car and drove down on Saturday.  We couldn’t afford to fly and neither of our cars are good for long haul driving, so rental it was.  I got  a Dodge Caliber from Enterprise, not a very impressive car, but it got 30 miles per gallon and was comfortable to drive.  After the 10 hour trek down to Hilton Head we were very happy to get out of the car and do a little partying.  When we arrived the rest of the family was already there and waiting for us.  They had brought with them some wine and beer, but we had the food!

After unwinding from the long trip and catching up into the wee hours of the morning, it was time for bed.  Nancy and I as the odd couple on the trip, got stuck with the pull out couch.  But considering room was free and a lot of the food and drinks were paid for it was still a hell of a deal.  The biggest thing was just getting there.

Sunday we stayed pretty close to the hotel and got our bearings straight.  We hit Harbour Town for a few hours and stayed for lunch.  Well it was actually a bunch of appetizers as we bellied up to the bar.  I had a great opportunity to walk around the harbor and get some pictures of the water, the boats in the harbor, and lots of water fowl.  We also hit Coligny Beach for our first taste of sand and sea.  Unfortunately the water temperatures was way to cold to enjoy it, but the perfect late afternoon weather made it fun to walk around.  We also got our first ice cream from a local shop near the beach.  Over the entire trip we got ice cream 3 or 4 times total.

River Street in Savannah

Monday was a rain day.  We checked the weather the night before and it was not looking good.  When we got up it was absolutely pouring outside and we planned accordingly.  We got a late start and headed to the outlet malls just off the island for a little shopping.  Here I got some stuff from Banana Republic, I love that place, and of course some more ice cream.  On the way back to the island we stopped at the only winery on the island to taste some wine.  We knew they didn’t grow their own grapes, come to find out they get them from Virginia.  We drove all this way to sample Virginia wine.  After sampling we stopped at the Hilton Head Brewing Company for happy hour beer and appetizers.  The place was empty and the beer was nothing to write home about.  Fortunately the pub was in a mecca for restaurants.  We ate at One Hot Mama’s which had excellent BBQ and our night cap at Reilly’s Grill and Bar, an Irish pub next to that.  Having happy hour drinks, dinner, and after dinner drinks at three different place and not having to drive any where was great.

Pinckney Island

Tuesday was an early morning for myself.  I wanted to do a little hiking while on vacation and picked Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge as my place to explore.  Four thousand acres of marsh land, this collection of islands is protected land just over the bridge from Hilton Head.  When I arrived it was just after 7am, the sun was peaking over the horizon and provided some great shots.  The sky was bright orange and the calm water reflected the orange color from the sky.

I hiked for several hours around the island and had a blast.  Birds provided the sound track for my hike and kept me company for most of my hike.  Time didn’t allow me to walk deep into the island like I wanted.  We where headed to Savannah for the day and I wanted to catch up with everyone as soon as possible.  Just as I was leaving the park I sent a message to my Dad and Nancy letting them know I was on my way, and not a moment to soon.  I got a reply back from Nancy saying they where just about to leave but would wait for me to arrive.  After a quick shower we were off to Savannah with our own personal guide Nancy who lived there for many years.

The short drive through back country roads dumped us right in the heart of old town and the tourist district.  We walked along Market Street which is several blocks of open air restaurants, bars and tiny shops selling all sorts of goods.  It was lively, if it was summer and later in the evening the place would have been packed with people, filled with noise and a breath of life.  We then walked down some steep steps to River Street and the water front.  Here we did some shopping at some crazy little boutique shops and ate at the Shrimp Factory for lunch.

small park in Charleston, SC

After several hours we headed back to the car with a quick stop at the Lady and Sons restaurant.  Rose is a big Paula Deen fan so we stopped by to snap a few pictures.  Being early in the afternoon we headed to Tybee Island on Nancy’s recommendation.  We saw the light house they have there, and promptly got kicked out because of a private event.  Oh well, we didn’t want to see your stupid light house any how.  Then it was off to the beach and a walk along the pier with another scoop of ice cream for the drive back to the hotel.

Wednesday and our last full day on vacation, this time we had to blow it up like it was 1999.  Another day trip, we headed to Charleston and some more old house and water front property.  Getting there was much longer and we actually got lost getting downtown, once we made it to the parking garage things fell into place.  We walked along a water front park and the pier taking in the spectacular view.  Then along the city streets to get a better feel for the old city.  Everyone wanted to take a carriage ride which Nancy and I elected to skip.  We didn’t get all the history of the city, nor the guided tour.  We just walked up and down the streets checking things out on our own guided tour.

Savannah's Waving Girl

We hit Washington Park, a  small park with a monument to different confederate Civil War battles, kinda odd to me, but then again this is the deep South.  We also hit several art museums to check out some local work.  Only a few of the pieces we saw were worth buying, but not at the prices they wanted.  We where also on the look out for a restaurant for lunch when we meet backup with everyone else.  There were a ton of great places but most didn’t open till 4 or 5 in the afternoon.  We eventually found an old church that was turned into a restaurant and bar.  We kept joking about how we where all going to hell and that it was probably the Catholic’s that sold the church, to make a buck.

As the day wore on the weather turn for the worse.  The clouds moved in adding a chill to the air and soon rain would start falling.  We made one final stop at Market Street to check out what local vendors had to offer, unfortunately not a lot.  A short walk back to the cars as it started to drizzle and then we where off.  When we arrived back we relaxed and cooked our last meal together, none of us felt like going out for dinner.  We did head out for a night cap back at Reilly’s Irish pub and closed the placed down.

again from Pinckney Island

The next morning everyone was up early to see Nancy and I off.  The rest of the crew was headed to Williamsburg for a few days of history.  We wish we could have joined them, but I needed to get back by 7pm for my DB class and we both had work to catch up on Friday.  It was fantastic spending the five days with my family in Hilton Head.  First time there, I would consider going back again.  Maybe next time when it was a little warmer so we could enjoy the ocean a little more.

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hang on little buddy, spring is coming

Another Saturday and another giant snow storm.  Fortunately this time around the accumulation was not 22″, but a much more manageable 6-7″.  Just like before it snowed all day on Saturday so I was stuck in my house trying to keep myself busy.  On Sunday the snow was easy to remove thanks to my new shovel, no more bucket for me!  After a lazy morning I decided to go for a hike at Prince William Forest while the snow was still hanging in the trees and the ground was not to disturbed.  I also thought it would be a great opportunity to take some pictures.  I have been to the park in spring, summer and fall of course, but never after a winter snow fall.

Compare the same bridge as seen during Spring and Winter.

When I arrived I found the park was indeed open but the visitor center was closed and the gate leading into the park interior was closed.  It made sense, who knows what the roads looked like inside the park, near the entrance they where at least plowed.  My bright idea of visiting the park was shared by many others that day as the lots had over a dozen cars.  I expected some people to be there, just not this many.  While hiking I ran into several people on the trail, most of them on cross country skies.  We don’t get much good snow fall in the area so they where taking every opportunity to get some skiing in.  Getting a relatively late start, the skiers and other hikers packed the snow pretty well so I didn’t have to hike through 6″ of virgin snow.  I was actually hoping to find a little that I could hike through, but as far as I went into the park someone had always been there before me.

great shot of the river, trail, trees and sky

For a couple of hours I walked several miles through the park.  I was amazed at just how quite the park was, very tranquil and serene.  There was no noise form other people, or cars and most of the animals were hunkered down for the day because of the snow.  Actually it was kinda fun at times I would see loops of animal tracks in the snow, but for the most part there was no sign of life.  The trails I took eventually dumped me off at the main road.  I thought taking the road back to my truck would be easier and shorter than walking back through the forest.  When I was able to look at a map it was the furthest from the truth.  I should have just backtracked on the trail.  It would have been much better scenery and I could have avoided all the cars that started to flood into the park when the main gate was opened.  Most of these genius didn’t take the time to drive slowly on the icy roads.

Having hiked in the snow only once before, this was definitely a lot of fun.  The last time there was only a dusting on the top of Robertson Mountain.  Sunday in Prince William Forest was 6″ of wonderful snow and a heck of a lot closers to my house.

it's art!

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I normally don’t hike places back to back.  But after last weeks hike with Nancy to Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge I thought I would hike it again and spend a little more time here.  So I grabbed a cigar and my camera and set out for my hike.  Again the lot was pretty empty.  This time around the weather was back to an average 40 degree for February.

I wanted to do a little exploring so I started by hiking the back trails first, eventually working my way to the new observation building.  I could see on the map that at the furthest point south there was another “observation deck” and wanted to see what it had to offer.  According to the map it over looked another portion of the marsh with more of an cove.  When I got there I was a little disappointed by what I found, it was not an observation deck at all.  Mearly a bench that over looked the marsh, not even a good section of the marsh.

With a little exploring I found the trail continued on into the marsh.  This portion of the trail has long sense been abandoned, but the foot path makes it obvious it once went this way.  This section takes you right up to the edge of the marsh, much better view than the bench provided.  From this spot you were eye level and I got some really good shots from here.  At one time it looks like the trail might have crossed over the marsh to the other bank.

an over cast day at the marsh

I have a feeling that when the Bald Eagles numbers started to recover they closed off portions of the park to protect their habitat.  Part of the loop is actually cut off because of nesting Bald Eagles, glad to know they take this stuff seriously.  I love that I can visit this park and walk around, but I wouldn’t want to “kick out” nature for my personal enjoyment.  Closing off sections of the park is acceptable to me if I know the Bald Eagle has a better chance of recovery.

Back to my hike.  After getting some good shots at the bottom of the loop I headed north to the observation building.  I wanted to hang out here with my camera for a while and just relax.  Since the park was empty I also wanted to relax with a fine cigar and just enjoy nature, take in the beauty and sounds of the wildlife refuge.  I spent over an hour at the new observation building taking photos, chilling, and smoking my cigar.  I even ate lunch while I was there.

After a lot of time in the wildlife refuge it was time to head back to my truck.  It was a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.  I didn’t really get much done, but I felt good doing it!

incoming Snow Geese

a view of the marsh

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Had perfect weather over the weekend so of course that means hiking!  In the middle of February we had 60 degree highs on Sunday so Nancy and I went to Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge for a quick hike.  I have been to Mason Neck once before to hike the State Park, but not the wildlife refuge.

We got a late start on Sunday so I was afraid the tiny parking lot would be filled, on such a nice day there were only 5 other cars in the lot.  We started down the Great Marsh loop trail headed towards the observation building.  The trail was muddy as hell, even though it had not rained for about a week, but that’s what hiking boots are for.

When we made it to the observation building that over looks the great marsh it was a great surprise.  This was a brand new building, so new you could still see wood dust from all the boards used to make it.  A covered building about 10′ square, it has a great view of the Great Marsh.  The building has some benches so it’s a great way to spend a little time with nature without roughing it to much.  On this day the water level was pretty low with not much activity.  All that was in the marsh were a few Canadian Snow Geese, just hanging out, sleeping in the mud.

After some time spent at the observation building we walked further down the trail making a big loop back to the parking lot.  There is not much variety in the refuge, but as a short easy hike near my house it is a winner.  I would love to see this place during migratory season.  I can only imagine how many bird species would amass in the marsh at that time.  I would also love to come back for a cigar and a little solitude.

duck blind in Belmont Bay

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With the new year I decided to check out a new place to hike, someplace local.  There is this peninsula jetting out to the Potomac River in southeast Fairfax Country.  This little peninsula is a wealth of wilderness in an otherwise densely populated county.  On this little piece of land, about 8,000 acres, 5,000+ of those acres are for parks and wildlife refuge: Mason Neck State Park, Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, Gunston Hall, and Pohick Bay Regional Park.  There are probably others, these are just the ones I know of.

Surprisingly enough, I have never been to any of these parks after living in the area for 30 years.  So I decided to start with the Mason Neck State Park.  From some quick research online it is a good place to see bald eagles.  However, I could not have picked a worse day or season for my first bald eagle hike.  The weather turned out to be below freezing, windy, and over cast all morning into the afternoon.  I later found a guide to bald eagle activities in the park and during Jan/Feb the resident birds are rebuilding their nests, so not a lot of activity.  I will have to return in spring and summer when nature comes alive in the park.

small bird

On this day I hiked the Bay View Trail and Eagle Spur Trail.  When I spoke to the nice young lady at the park entrance she said the Bay View was the best trail if I wanted to see the bald eagles.  I didn’t see any on my hike, I couldn’t even find a nest in a tree.  I have a feeling the weather played a part in me not spotting any bald eagles.  I also think most of the bald eagles are deeper in the forest and wildlife refuge.  If I was a bald eagle that is where I would be, furthest away from noisy people.  But I look forward to trying again when the weather warms up.

The Bay View Trail was a nice mile long circuit hike.  It takes you along the coast line, over a couple marshes and through the hardwood forest.  Farthest away on the trail is a small bird blind that over looks a big marsh and pond area.  I would imagine that when migratory birds are passing through this area comes alive with activity.  But today it was not much, mostly small birds that stick around for the winter.  I couldn’t even enjoy the peace and quite walking through the woods.  The constant and sometimes gusting wind made all sorts of noise through the trees.

full of holes

Being a little disappointed with the Bay View Trail and plenty of daylight left I hiked a second trail, Eagle Spur.  This is a 1.25 mile out and back trail right in the middle of the woods.  When you reach the end there is another blind that over looks a bigger pond.  Here I was able to see about two dozen ducks swimming around looking for food.  Being the adventurous type I hike off the trail into the marsh land.  Here flying high above me I think I spotted my first bald eagle.  Standing on a log looking straight up proved difficult in getting a good look, or a good pictures.  Even with my 300mm lens I could barely see anything, let alone have enough time to focus properly and get a good shot.  But if asked, I will say I did see a bald eagle that day.

One word of caution about this trail, it is not clearly marked.  The markers are silver and don’t provide a good contrast to the drab forest background in winter.  They are also spaced far apart and don’t provide any indication when the trail turns back on itself.  With all the leaves on the ground I couldn’t just follow the worn foot pathl, so the markers were that much more important.  Sometimes the only indication of a trail I could find were small foot bridges in low valleys.  Fortunately with my ninja like skills I found the blind at the end of the trail and the road on my way back to my truck.

bald eagle...I think

My first impression is I like the park.  It is close to my house and provides several miles of hiking trails with great scenery of Belmont Bay and the natural forest available in Norther Virginia.  There is plenty of benches and grills for summer bbq along with a good sized play area for the kids.  Next time I will plan a better time of year to hike around to get a better look at the bald eagles that inhabit this small parcel of land so close to my house.