Add chairs to the list of what trail runners stumble upon. By chairs, I mean the relaxing kind, the back-porch-on-a-Sunday-evening kind in which slowing down is possible. Last summer, some gracious soul(s) left two of these chairs overlooking Lake Brandt just steps away from the City of Greensboro’s Palmetto Trail. I had made my run beginning on the Nat Greene Trail, connecting to the paved portion of the Atlantic and Yadkin (A&Y) Greenway and then to the end of the Palmetto. Walking back along the Palmetto felt like only a slight run recovery. It was
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The Piedmont Triad region is host to a fast-growing array of biking trails and areas that cater to all skill levels and abilities. Whether you want to spend the weekend exploring the vast expanse of the Uwharrie National forests, or just sneak off during your lunch break for a quick ride on some slightly more urban trails, there are plenty of options to get out and ride your bike in the area! Rich Fork Preserve (High Point) – A hidden gem, tucked right in the middle of the city, Rich Fork Preserve has 2.2 miles of well marked,
Disc golf is one of my favorite leisure sports to play when the weather is nice. It gives me the opportunity to get some sun, get out in nature, and exercise while walking the course. It is very approachable for beginner’s so I love to bring in people who have never played before as well. I have been playing disc golf since I was around 10 or 11 years old. I used to go out with my family and play at our local park in Charlotte. It was one of the activities we would do if it was a
The Yadkin River has seen usage since the earliest settlements in the Americas, being utilized not only by the settlers in the early 18th century but also before this time period by the indigenous peoples of North America. In fact, we can still see remnants of its use by these groups of people still today. Evidence of these early settlements are still able to be seen today in the form of weirs found all over the Yadkin River, however, it is important to remember not to damage or change the weirs if found. Historical information like this and more can
You have likely heard or read the phrase regardless of how frequently you hike, kayak, or camp in the NC Triad. You might have even read the 7 Leave No Trace Principles (LNT) from the nonprofit organization of the same name that are promoted nationwide by the National Park Service. But to what extent does everyone enjoying the outdoors understand how we are impacting an area? In my experience leading trips for various organizations domestic and international, I often find that awareness of LNT is not the issue – it’s more about effort and convenience. In short, people
Most dog owners know the feeling of spelling out the forbidden word around their pet. We spell out w-a-l-k for if the forbidden word is spoke, chaos ensues and does not fade until that dog gets their well-deserved walk. However, sometimes going on a walk can be mundane, whether it be after a long day of work or on a day where it’s hard to have the motivation to go outside. Often, when I have days like this, I go out of my way to look for a fun trail to go on. One that is perfect for a w-a-l-k. Finding
What do publicly accessible trails and greenways mean to us? The answer undoubtably took on new meaning and importance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, even if the question has always been vital. A group of forward-thinking and outdoor-minded stakeholders framed the question at a state scale to see what can happen when attention, advocacy, and funding can come together around trail development. Several trail organizations, including the Piedmont Legacy Trails, formed the Great Trail State Coalition (GTSC) to increase awareness of the benefits of trails and advocate for State funding. The idea was to build on the increased
The Sauratown Mountains sit along the northwestern most part of the Piedmont Triad region in Surry and Stokes Counties, but are just a short trip away. Named after the Saura Indians that once inhabited the area, these mountains are some of the easternmost in North Carolina and represent the leading edge of the larger Appalachian Mountain Chain. With open, sweeping vistas and peaks that seemingly jut out from nowhere above the relatively flat Piedmont, their sheer beauty and natural splendor are unsurpassed in North Carolina. Consequently, two of the crown jewels of North Carolina’s state park system, Pilot Mountain State
Battleground Avenue, Greene Street, Cornwallis Drive. These are not just random street names, but reminders of the immensely important events that occurred in the heart of the Piedmont Triad nearly 250 years ago. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse which was fought in what is now northwest Greensboro was one of the pivotal and defining moments that birthed our nation. In March, 1781, General Nathaniel Greene, Greensboro’s namesake and George Washington’s most trusted general, lead Continental Soldiers and militias from North Carolina & Virginia against the infamous British general, Lord Charles Cornwallis, across the Piedmont region of the North Carolina Colony.
The reality is that Oak Ridge, N.C., resident Jonathan Beaver doesn’t need much extra incentive to hike or run on the many trails in the NC Triad. Since his days as a track and cross-country runner at Western Guilford High School, he’s enjoyed wearing out shoes on trails from Pilot Mountain to Pleasant Garden and routes in between. But now that he’s settled into a career and fatherhood in the Triad, having fun reasons to stay on the trail helps. He’s found two: the North Carolina Trail Mega Medal Series and the fact that his 9-year-old son, Everett, routinely outpaces