Today I joined a Meetup group to work on a new trail in Dishman Hills Natural Area.

After lunch with my cousin, I had time to visit the Morrison Motor Car Museum.

After my morning pilgrimage to the Kure Beach Pier, I drove back to Charlotte stopping for lunch with a friend in Wilmington and family and in Durham.

In case you’re wondering, salt water is not an effective sunblock.

This morning I visited the pier before heading up to Carolina Beach for lunch at The Dive.

I took the beach route back to the hotel, then continued on to Fort Fisher.

I checked out the exhibits at new Visitor’s Center.

“100 Summers of Style: A Century of Swimwear at Carolina Beach” is a special exhibit honoring Carolina Beach’s centennial.

I walked around the fort before heading back to the hotel.

On my walk I saw several Donax clams, also known as Coquina clams and witnessed “the dance of the coquina.” They surface when a wave comes in and as it goes back out they burrow into the sand before it washes them out to sea. I wish I could have gotten a video. (Here’s one.)

After dinner I made my evening pilgrimage to the pier. It’s 71° but the breeze may be why so few people were out tonight.

Yesterday I flew to Charlotte and had dinner at Rock Store BBQ before checking into my hotel. Built in 1936, it was the only gas station for miles around. It later served as a convenience store, hence the name.

This morning I headed for Kure Beach. I took a detour through historic downtown Wadesboro. Wadesboro is the birthplace of Blues guitarist and singer Blind Boy Fuller.

I also stopped in Hamlet, birthplace of Jazz legend John Coltrane. It’s also known for it’s Queen Anne style train depot built in 1900 and still serving as an Amtrak station.

My next stop was Southport. They were hosting a plein air festival this weekend.

I crossed the Cape Fear River aboard the Southport/Fort Fisher ferry to reach Kure Beach.

First stop: Kure Pier – the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic coast.

Good night!

“Spokane’s iconic annual 12k race” is scheduled for May 4th and I am going to be out of town. So, I signed up for the virtual walk which I did today. Most of my route was along the Centennial Trail.

I joined my Meetup group for our monthly walk through the arboretum. Most of the trees are getting leaves and several varieties of cherry are in bloom.

We saw daffodils and an early rhododendron.

The 100-year-old willow is not going down without a fight.

This seemed an appropriately named hike for my first serious venture out as I continue recovering from my cold.

I got a late state, but I was able to work in my bay-to-breakers hike.

I started the day with a Frontrunners walk.

Then I walked downtown with Hands Off.

I flew to San Diego this morning and was able to join my Meetup group with seconds to spare. We had a nice walk to the Coronado bridge and stopped for lunch on the way back.

Today I joined a Meetup group for a hike through the woods. It sprinkled some, but we had a good outing.

This morning I walked with my Meetup group. The “springs” are fed by water from the Rathdrum aquifer.

I started the day with a walk in Peaceful Valley with Frontrunners.

Then I visited Finch Arboretum since I missed the March visit with my Meetup group. No snow!

Today I joined a group for a stocking shift at Zilch Market – one the food bank resources provided by Second Harvest. Donated food is placed in a small store and qualifying organizations can come “shop” for free.

I joined a Meetup group for a hike at Glen Tana – a 1,060 acre reserve that is being held in trust before becoming part of the Washington State Park system. The reserve includes nearly two miles of land along the Little Spokane River.

Today I joined a Meetup group for a hike on the Emerald Necklace trail up Antoine Peak.

Today was the first “official” Frontrunner event for 2025. It was a beautiful day and we had a good turnout.

Today I joined a Meetup group for lunch and a visit to the Jundt Art museum.

The permanent collection includes several pieces by Dale Chihuly.

Today I did a food-packing shift at Second Harvest. We started with four 1800-pound bags of oats and ended with several pallets of 20-pound boxes. The oats will repackaged at distribution centers into packages for individuals or families.