Tuesday 3-1 A Beautiful Day of HIking

 

Hello March

We had another beautiful day with sunshine and a lite breeze. It started out in at 34 degrees and got to 71 degrees. 

After breakfast we went on a three hour hike for 6.25 miles. We started at the same place as yesterday on the Chinquapin Trail. Where it Y's off we went to the left instead of the right. We wanted to hike the section we didn't do yesterday. We hiked to the nature center, which was about 2 miles. Then we walked across the picnic area to the trailhead sign for three different trails (Lobiolly trail .2 mile nature, Chinquapin trail and Dogwood trail of 1.8 miles). We hiked the Chinquapin trail to the headwater boardwalk, where there were a couple of trails (Chinquapin trail and Prairie Loop trail for 1.8 miles). We rested on a bench and hiked the prairie loop trail to the Prairie Branch Camping Area, which was about a mile. As we hiked the trails we hiked through the forest of Lobiolly pines and other trees. We hiked over creeks using bridges and the swampy areas using boardwalks. The prairie loop trail runs along the banks of Lake Raven. There were a couple of fishermen and a lot of ducks on the lake. When we walked by the ducks a big flock flew away. They didn't go too far, just far enough away where they felt safe. The lake was flat. When we got to Prairie Branch Camping Area we walked through it to get to the Raven Lodge, which was built by CCC Company 1823 in 1942. As we walked through the camping area we walked by the screened shelters. The shelters had power and water for RVs, usually they don't have any hook ups for RVs. We walked by the boat ramp and the day area. As we were walking to the lodge I had to stop because there was a couple of construction trucks moving rebar to the lodge. I waited for them to go by. When we got to the lodge we saw they were doing major work around the bank of the lake, the boat rental building and the docks. The lodge was gorgeous, the screen doors were unlocked so you can look inside. It had a lot of wood shelving. You can rent the lodge out for gatherings. They had a beautiful patio out back. The outside of the lodge needed maintenance, some of the wood planks needed replaced and the roof also needed replaced. The day area was right by the lodge and it was huge. It had picnic tables, grills, playground, beach and boat rentals. After walking around we headed back to the Minnie, it was about a mile and a half to get back. We took the main road and part of the Chinquapin trail. We had another outstanding hike.

A few of the shelters to rent

 

An egret in flight on Lake Raven

 

Moving rebar through the camping area

 

Beach on Lake Raven

 

Raven Lodge built by the CCC 1942

When we got home it was time for lunch. After lunch I played my computer games. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and Event: Hard Road Mini of 5 games. It took me 18 minutes and 44 seconds, which put me in 1st place in my group.

We spent the rest of the day reading outside. I finished reading Death At La Fenice and started reading the second book in the series called Death In A Strange Country. Larry finished his book and started another one. He is a fast reader he has read a three books already, which means he read a book a day. 

I walked around for a couple of hours to get my steps. I ended up doing 27,000 steps, which put me in 3rd place in my group.

In evening we continued reading and I baked sugar cookies. We had another wonderful day.