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“Hiking Haw River”

By N. R. Tucker

Searching for a new-to-us trail that didn’t require a long drive, my daughter and I discovered Haw River State Park. This park has two entrances, and they do not connect within the park itself. You must drive to get from one set of trails to the other. The day started out rainy, but we persevered, and the sun finally put in an appearance.

We began our outing at The Summit to check out the Welcome Center and put boots to mud on the Wetlands Boardwalk. It’s a short but lovely walk over the wetlands to the headwaters of the Haw River. Leaving the boardwalk, we continued on the Piedmont Loop Trail, which included a floodplain swamp that was made more interesting by the elevated water levels. Following weeks of rain, an abundance of lichen and moss put on a show. As expected, the marked paths boasted standing water and even running water in a few places. Attention to foot placement in the slippery mud was a priority. The oak and hickory forest made for a peaceful walk, though the birds were rather boisterous once the sun came out.

We left The Summit and drove to the Iron Ore Belt Access in another section of the park. There we ate lunch and walked the Great Blue Heron Loop Trail. This path meanders through more wetlands and forests.

All total, we hiked 5.6 miles on the well-marked trails. There are no mountain top views but, the reasonably level terrain gave ample opportunity for enjoying nature. The trails provided picnic tables and benches if you wanted to hike to a picnic destination, just be sure to clean up after you eat.

If you make the trip, and I highly recommend you do, be sure to check a map before you go. Don’t rely on GPS. Though mine is current, it failed both going and coming. Since I had taken the time to look over a map of the area, it wasn’t a problem, but if I hadn’t, I would have been driving around the county with no clue where I was or where I wanted to be.

“Intimacy”

By Julie Terry Cartner

They stroll down the mall

His hand behind her back

She, slightly ahead.

Their footsteps, like a waltz,

Bodies moving, a well practiced dance,

From navigating the crowds,

to the escalator, to the first floor

they move with intrinsic grace

Silent communication, two halves of a whole.

They converse without words,

The intimate talk of two who know each other well,

Who share unbroken dreams.

Their steps, perfectly in sync

Their mutual trust

Almost palpable.

I, the silent observer, almost miss

The sunglasses, the cane,

The sightless eyes,

So perfectly does she see for both.

“On Church Street”

By Linda Barnette

Recently I posted on Facebook that with the passing of Mrs. Jim Wall that I was the last of the original Church Street residents. Several people suggested that I might want to write the story of my street, so I decided to do just that. I hope you enjoy getting to know the people and the way of life back in the day!

My Dwiggins great-grandparents originally lived in the area between Green Hill Road and Boone Farm Road on land that was part of the original John Boone land grant.  However, at some point, they decided to move from the country into town. Between Sept. 6, 1919, and Jan. 13, 1920, my great-grandfather, William Joel Franklin Dwiggins, and my grandfather, W. N. Smith, purchased nine lots on Church Street, now W. Church Street.

In 1920 both families built homes on this street right beside each other, connected by a mutual driveway.  It was convenient for my grandmother to be close to her parents as they aged, and in those days people took care of their elderly family members. I assume that both men tired of farming and wanted to do some other kind of work. I have heard that the wood for both houses came from their land in the country.

My grandmother’s brother, Marsh Dwiggins, also built his home across the street from them as did my parents after World War II.  All of the homes are still here although no longer in my family.

My purpose in writing this series is to share with others a little bit about the neighbors who lived close by during my childhood and adulthood on this, my street.  I will also share how we lived during those times.