The Most Amazing Outdoor Day Hiking Adventure

My wife and I love being outside. The weather tries to stop us here in the foothills of North Carolina, but we always find a way to make it memorable for the both of us. We love all seasons, but for us the winter season makes it tough to get motivated about spending any amount of time outside. Hiking is a great way for us to spend some quality time together. I'm not talking about just walking the dog around the property. I'm talking about our favorite hiking boots, a cool t-shirt, a water bottle, the preferred trekking pole(s) and miles of trail to cover. I tend to want to prep a pack of some type every time we venture out, and then my wife lovingly asks, "What are you doing?" Packing a bag for a one hour hike? Do we need all that stuff?

High Shoals Falls Loop Top View

So this is where the proper planning prevents poor performance mantra should kick in. What will it take to ENJOY the hike? Do you really want to carry that just in case? Are we going to need that? These are all questions that we adventurers should ask ourselves. We spend countless hours looking up trailheads, weather forecasts, closest foodie places and distance between before we even step out the door. Mother nature is unpredictable and in our experience we want to be ready just in case, rather than get caught without simple gear. Keeping certain items handy during the season can become routine when items like umbrellas, ponchos, and device charging packs are included in everyday outings. Currently there are numerous resources out there to get you outfitted and on your way to the next great adventure. The Carolina's offer every outdoor enthusiast the chance to experience everything from the crested mountains to the salt of the ocean.

High Shoals Falls Upper Meadow

Day hikes are a great way to plan an activity that breaks up the monotony of the average everyday routine. Spring, summer and fall all have advantages and disadvantages when discussing potential dayhikes or outings. During the winter we stay cooped up like our chickens (unless you enjoy no permit required camping October-May). When the temperature start to break in February we've already started planning what to do when it really turns nice outside. We crave outdoor day hiking adventure. Hiking boots should be checked for visible wear or damage. Backpacks and tents should be dried prior to storage. Coming sunny days are a great way to lay out and inspect bulky gear that has been stored. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are a must for me, although it really comes down to hiker comfort. The majority of our local journeys do not require anything more than a water bottle and appropriate attire for the season. We have local nature preserves with parking and community gathering spaces with covering picnic areas and such. They are a common gathering place when the season changes in late March. Pack it in, pack it out also applies when in community areas. They offer trash cans and bathrooms, so let's make sure and take advantage of that resource. The majority of these places, especially the newly established, are handicap accessible as well. The parks generally offer a playground of types and sizes, but the typical swings and slides is very common in our area.

High Shoals Falls Top View

The local parks start getting busy on warm weekends during the school year. Lakes and rivers see a dramatic increase in recreational traffic. All the local greenways are full again. Within two hours of our homestead, we can access local parks, lakes, state parks, national forests, major rivers, countless campgrounds and some tucked away camping experiences for the real solitude seekers! Our closest state park (20 minute drive) in this part of North Carolina is Lake Norman State Park on the very northern end of the lake nestled between Catawba and Troutman. It has many public tent sites, RV hookups and campsites of varying sizes in between. Many of the trails are paved to offer a safer experience for adventures of all ages and mobilities. Many of the trails in this area are also designated to be either bicycle or pedestrian trails. Our local park is Mountain Creek Park in Sherrills Ford, NC. Both parks offer a variety of hiking and biking trails that meander through the gulleys and foothills surrounding the man-made Lake Norman. There is no shortage of marinas and boat slips to get your vessel underway exploring and fishing this great lake of ours. There are many other options for recreation on and around all the other surrounding lakes as well.

These are all great activities to do with a little bit of planning and driving. One could take the next step to up the experience and stay overnight. You maximize your time on-site, and worry less about having to rush back home. Consider that a one night stay could become a camping trip with the right amount of preparation, but camping is an activity that gets mixed reviews in our household. Our 11 year old daughter would prefer the comfort and solitude of her bedroom over a sleeping bag and tent in the middle of nowhere. We are still in the process of planning a proper overnight excursion that wouldn't spoil her appetite for natural adventure!

I spent a lot of time backpacking and skills training in my younger years. Lugging 60 pounds of gear into the middle of nowhere was my idea of roughing it. My 2 person "solo" tent and rain fly was my preferred shelter. Naturally that led me to wilderness camping, backpacking, and outdoor survival skills experience that sticks with me to this very day. Linville Gorge Wilderness Area is not for the faint of heart or skill. The Great Smoky Mountains have everything a beginner or a seasoned expert would want. With enough gear you could cater to any comfort level (if you're willing to carry gear). Currently I am 45 years old, and the idea of sleeping on anything except a mattress makes my back hurt. During our most recent trip, my wife and I went tent camping and vowed we would never again sleep on the bare ground. I know camping is not for everyone. I will tell you that there are aspects of every outdoor adventure, no matter how insignificant, that can make the whole event worth the while.

I could go on and on about the greatness of nature or how peaceful it is. You should get as much outside time as you can, no matter how much. Check on that old backpack and dry out that old musty tent. The backyard is calling for a test drive. Check out our website and grab your new favorite t-shirt. Strap on your boots and grab some sticks. We're going outside!!!