.Triangle

Here are some of our recent activities; Earl Smith usually guides hikes in the area around the University of North Carolina (Monday nights) but we have other members who help when they know the area especially well.  Linda Vanaman usually guides us around the Duke University campus, a place she has a great affection for since she is a graduate of that esteemed college.

2006

Your webmaster has been visiting the town of Morrisville and planning a trip for the Morrisville Ale & Trail Association.  We will start at the Town Hall and hike the streets to The Orchid Trail.  There John Stanton and his assistant will give us a tour of his facility for taking care of many people's collections of orchids.  So be ready for a semi-tropical environment there in the middle of January some time.  This will be a wonderful photo op and a chance to purchase an orchid of your own.  Next we will proceed down Church Street to the old Church of Christ, another photo op.  We will see a number of historic buildings including some of the many typical small mill workers' houses built in the 1910s for employees of Samuel Horne's knitting mill.  Along the way we will investigate the old antique shop and return along Cedar Street to the Town Hall.  We will lunch at the popular Neomonde Bakery and Deli on route 54 where we can choose from lots of Mediterranean dishes.  They have ales and beers available.  After lunch we will visit the Innovative Winery just next door.  This small winery specializes in exotic wines which they make onsite.  For example, they list 32 wines made from fruit such as raspberry, blackberry, green apple, passion fruit and apricot.  This is going to be a great return to the namesake of our hiking group and something to look forward to in January of 2006.

Our tour of Morrisville came off pretty much as planned.
Jan. 8th
We return to our namesake town - "Heart of the Triangle"
I make MATA trudge through the bushes.
Carolina Street
We arrived at The Orchid Trail.  John Stanton and his assistant give us the tour of the greenhouses.
10:20 am
John tells of acres of orchids.
When we entered the semi-tropical greenhouses, our glasses fogged up.
Ann, Earl and Nancy
I don't know their names but they are gorgeous blooms.
11:00 am
Nick's friend explores orchids.
Pat was inspired to join this hike.
Christ Church
Williamson and Mary Page House was built before the Civil War.
The last cavalry charge of the Civil War took place here.
Read about the efforts to preserve this battlefield.  Goodbye Battlefield
We ate at the Neomonde Bakery and Deli.  Rave reviews for the best Arabic food

2005

Duke Gardens with daughter Deb
Dec. 10th
Linda, Shang Ti, and Deb with his walking stick
Warming up in the Visitor's Center
Washington Duke GC undergoes transformation
Nov. 19th
New plaque
Starting the discussion
The crane is restoring the wetlands.  We cross the bridge and new dam.
Fall color
Bolin Creek Greenway
Oct. 15th
Gathering at Foster's
Claudia joins us again after a long hiatus and a trip to Peru.
Washington Duke Golf Course
June 4th
The MIB stop us at the gate.
They add another few minutes to our hike.
Mary, Earl, Bill and Darrah
Duke Gardens
April 23rd
MATA cruises around East Campus
Entering the front gate
Lovely Azaleas
Gazebo draped with
Wisteria
Washington Duke Golf Course
Feb. 12th
Really bright sunshine is
the bane of the photographer.
Jeannie with her new pup
Catherine and Australian sheepdog, Andy
Bolin Creek
Jan. 10th
Starting out
Detour through the rose garden

2004

Washington Duke Golf Course
Dec. 15th
Leslie got into the Christmas spirit as usual.
Santa and fireman at the Inn, I guess.
Christmas Party
Dec. 11th
Earl sports a new tie!
Getting the drums ready!
Leading the caroling
Bolin Creek
Nov.13th
Small group starting out at Foster's restaurant
One of the fine old houses along Franklin Street
WDGC
Sept. 25th
There's a football game today at Duke
We just ignore the traffic and start hiking.
We hike and they PARTAY!
Washington Duke GC
Aug.28th
And we were supposed to hike Wake Forest...
but the GC again!??
Deb smiles from under her hat. Note the construction in the background.
John, Deb and Nancy
Bill and Earl
John, Sam and Jane
Where would we be without Sam's GP locator?
Washington Duke Golf Course
Aug. 7th
Visiting an old favorite hike!
Ken with coffee; Jill with snake; Earl with professional hiking sticks
Bill and Sam with his geopositioning locator in hand
Richard and Michelle near viaduct
The sun beams on a perfect day for a hike.
Happy Birthday to Earl, Linda and Ken
Cedar Falls, Chapel Hill
June 19th
New trail, previewed and mapped by Jane!
Jane explains the trail to Linda and Leslie.
Nick, John, Jill, John and Stuart
Havin' fun despite the heat.
We'd be lost without Jane's guidance.
Overlook - One day will return to see the brook that runs through it.
We certainly earned lunch at Foster's
WDGC
June 12th
Bill tries out his raingear.
Mary, Bill and Linda in front
The golf course is one of our favorites.
Crossing the bridge
Jane and Richard
The fountains at the golf course
Can you tell which photos were made with Photoshop CS?
Duke Gardens
March 21st
Combining the group hike with a family picnic
Linda and sister Sharon
Ava enjoys her first visit to Duke Gardens with aunt Sharon
Horace Williams Tract
Mar. 6th
The weather was fair...
when we gathered for the hike.  But...
the weather didn't cooperate...
so we hurried to Foster's for early lunch.
Portrait of Paul, new hiker
Washington Duke Golf Course
Feb. 21st
Going clockwise around the loop
Linda and Ann
Leslie and Stuart
A short movie of our hike!
American Tobacco Trail, Durham
Feb. 7th
Linda and Leslie talk about weaving
Linda and Leslie keep a blistering pace.
Sam keeps track of our every inch by sattelite.
At 3.6 mph we complete the 4 mile loop.
Bringing up the rear
We meet John and Diane as we head back.
 John and Diane starting out
Horace Williams Tract
Jan. 25th, 2004
Setting off from Portsmith Place
Even the neighbors joined us.
Pauline (Jill) being harassed by 3 "Oil Can Harrys".
Diane and John
Soon to be memories - UNC grows apace
The true story of Horace Williams

2003

Washington Duke Golf Course
Dec. 13th
New hikers, Al and Victoria
New hiker Al
New hiker Victoria
John, Linda and Ann leading off
Santa and his helpmate
Washington Duke Golf Course
Nov. 28th
John, New hiker Victoria, Earl
New hiker, Victoria
Just about freezing cold...great day for a hike
Gilda leads
Ted and daughter Susanna
Duke Forest
Nov. 27th
My Birthday, as it happens
Ken leads the hike
Gang follows
Picture opportunity
Fiora, Ann and Stuart
WDGC
Sept. 27th, 2003
 Elaine's cap shows all of her pins. A talkative group of hikers, as usual Ann's souvenir of Orchard Beach in Maine I guess Ann didn't mind my taking a butt picture...she's smiling. The cooling-off-spot in mid-hike
Couch Mountain, Gate 11, Duke Forest
Sep. 6th, 2003
Gathering at Gate 11
Setting off!
Linda, Ann and John, Gilda
Diane conquers the 2nd highest point in Orange County!
Couch Mountain (tsk) is 2nd highest in Orange County.
Washington Duke GC
Sep. 1st, 2003
 Gathering at the WDGC parking lot John and Anne Marie join us for the hike today. Dianne and Joanne also join us today. Chowing down at Foster's, our favorite restaurant
Somewhat muggy today but no rain
Washington Duke GC
Aug. 9th, 2003
 Setting off again at the GC. Straggling out along the trail Everybody, including Gilda, gets a drink at the second bridge. And soon the rest arrive for a rest.
Got a nice hike in between the showers.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
July 12th, 2003
Starting our stroll into Duke University campus
The underpass of the graffiti artists at Duke
Lovely the garden now...Angle Amphitheater
Entrance down the Grand Staircase
Friends on the Japanese bridge
Washington Duke GC
June 14, 2003
Familiar, happy faces set forth
New faces in the sunbeams
Velma acts up during the break.
On the way home
Citysearch rates the Washington Duke Inn
Bolin Creek Greenway. Chapel Hill
May 3rd, 2003
 Starting near Foster's on Airport Road A beautiful day... for a hike in the woods... Boardwalks make it easy.
Washington Duke Golf Course track
Apr. 5th, 2003
Starting out on a lovely spring morning
We were the splinter group going clockwixe.
We met Jeannie and Jean in the teaming rain.
Some of us were prepared for rain.
Sorry for the fog on my rain soaked camera lens.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Mar. 22nd, 2003
Hiking past the soccer fields, East Campus, Duke U.
Relaxing in front of the Doris Duke Center
We had to share the gardens with walkers for cancer research.
Earning beads by walking rings around the garden
The Angle Amphitheater panorama below
Newly constructed Angle Amphitheater
New Hope Firehouse, Whitfield Road
Mar. 8th, 2003
 Old friends and dogs gather for the hike. Mary Mudd tries the garbage bag booties...they fail. Dry your feet quickly from the 40 degree water. Stragglers...struggling. Yep, that's how you spell 'em. Stuart and Leslie passing the brook in the beeches.
Washington Duke GC
Feb. 15th 2003
 Prepared for the rain... John and Earl trudge along. Linda, Ken, John, Leslie gab after the hike.
Woodcroft paved paths
Feb. 8th, 2003
 A little announcement before the hike then we're off! Paved trails were easy except for a little ice. Crossing the bridge Photographer at rest in the Pub
School of Math and Science, Durham
Feb. 1st, 2003
Panorama of the School of Math and Science, former Watts Hospital, is interesting architecture.
Nancy wears his hallmark hat while Earl enjoys the coffee.
Old West Durham website
Friends of South Ellerbe website
Feb. 1st, 2003
Jill and Richard planned this hike.
A merry band of hikers
Holly joins us again...
into some of the rough terrain.
The sun finally came out making it very pleasant.
New Hope Creek, Gate 23 Mt. Sinai Rd.
Jan. 25th, 2003
 Dog can't wait any longer. Finally their off on a brisk winter day with Margaret Wainwright leading. A wonderful hike flanked on either side with steep hills with a view of the creek The sun was perfect for our group picture Rarely seen ice on New Hope Creek
BuckQuarter Creek, Eno River
Jan. 15th, 2003
Climbing over trees is fun?
Down the steps
The bridge was closed at this point.
Isis guided us on this trip but fallen trees kept us from visiting her homestead.
 Heading back on a chilly day

2002

Washington Duke GC, Durham
Dec. 28th, 2002
Linda's son, Rand, joins us, on the left. New hiker, unknown, on the right.
Brisk day for the clockwise hike
Rand always scares us with his stunts.
Rand always hikes the trail least travelled by.
Near the aqueduct
American Tobacco Trail, Durham
Dec. 14th, 2002

Embarking again on the American Tobacco Trail

Mary a newbie from Raleigh joined us - to the right of Earl

Going under the overpass

Shambling along behind are...

Going home!
New Hope Fire House
Oct. 12th, 2002
 A newbie (Ann) ducks when she shouldn't. You are my subjects. Going down the trail with Precious Ken, Margie and Charles discuss at the bridge We had to ford the bridge while the kayakers portaged. Putting the boots back on after walking through high water from Kyle.
Chapel Hill Museum
July 13th, 2002
The other arts of Michael Brown, Chapel Hill's muralist
Raleigh on DATA
April 27th, 2002
Waiting for the bus to arrive
Acting it up before visiting the City Market
We saw artists at work before going to see Shackleton at the Imax in Exploris
Hike leaders smiling for self portrait
Happy bus riders going home with Tibetan rugs
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Apr. 20th, 2002
Hiking under the graffitoed underpass
Azaleas flame on the horizon
Cherub overlooks the fish pond
Negotiating the bridge in the Japanese Garden
Absolutely lovely day in spring
Duke Golf Course
Mar. 23rd, 2002
Ken getting fit for the Appalachian Trail
Trotting behind the aqueduct
Overlooking the greens
Nancy visits form New England
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Course Link
Graham Memorial Hall, UNC Campus
Mar. 13th, 2002
Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence
Fossil is related to alligators and crocs.
We visit on our Monday evening hike.
Pictures from Sam Weinstein
Durham Rauisuchian- late Triassic, 221million yrs.
Bolin Creek
Feb. 9th, 2002
Ken always starts with his mug of coffee.
Leslie and friend
Jack and Di Anna
Doing some kind of timely ritual at the sundial in front of the Planetarium
Sunny but cool day.
Duke Gardens
Jan. 26th, 2002
Girls gab before the hike.
Walking the grounds of East Campus of Duke U.
Under the overpass
Portrait in front of the visitor's center - photographer on the right
Grand entrance

2001

Bolin Creek backwards
July 28th, 2001

Over the ivy-covered sidewalks of Battle St., stone walls of Chapel Hill

The group acting up on-stage at the Forest Theatre

Crossing over Bolin Creek

Community Center (2/3rds of the way) is a convenient water and restroom break.

Arriving at the Foster's on Airport Road

Paul Green's home, Chapel Hill
Apr. 7th, 2001

Hiking along Battle Creek below Chapel Hill

Mike salutes...

Gimghoul Castle, John Randall tells the legend again

Paul Green's home
Steve delivered papers on this street as a boy.
Duke Campus & Gardens
Mar. 31st, 2001

Graffito tunnel where students post their messages

Grand entry to the Sarah P. Duke gardens

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Walking the bridge in the Japanese garden
Followed by brunch at George's Garage
Earl's Chapel Hill Tour
Feb. 3rd, 2001

Group at Gimghoul Castle overlook

One of the gargoyles from Big Ben

Earl in front of South Building

Sweethearts!
Virtual tour of UNC Campus
New Hope Firehouse
Jan. 13th, 2001

Dawdling at the bridge

The gang on the bridge

John goes out for every hike. Look how much weight he lost.

Charles and Leslie
This group  didn't go to Carolina Beach
American Tobacco Trail
Jan. 6th, 2001

Starting the American Tobacco Trail

Mummers Ken & Linda

Hiking group from on high

Group with dog

Further down the trail, we lose a few

Bolin Creek Greenway, Chapel Hill
Nov. 19th, 2000

Dorothy visits before returning west

Ken, Stuart and Sam

John and Leslie
The mysterious Gimghoul Castle
Bolin Creek map
NC Ghost Stories
Washington Duke Golf Course trail
Nov. 12th
 Long, green visitor hiking the trail Mike waves Bill smiles John completes the trail this time! Congratulations! Steve and friend
New Hope Fire House Again
August 26th, 2000

Ralph and Dee, our authors

Margie, Precious, Charles

Gang crosses the bridge

Horse crossing the bridge with us
Downtown Durham 
August 19th, 2000
 Earl and Ann lead the hike Marv and Michael converse Joan buys at the Farmer's MarketJean, Jeannie and Earl Our gang regroups in the shadeVisiting King's Sandwich Shop Earl tries out the throne at FJ's Emporium
Company Mill Trail, Umstead
July 8th, 2000

Two new girls

Crossing the bridge

Taking the shortcut

Group picture
Fanny's Ford Trail, Eno River
May 13th, 2000
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Duke Gardens during March Madness
March 25th, 2000
 Grand entrance Still more of the Grand entrance Dogwoods and Eastern Redbuds And now class, plie!
New Hope Fire House Again
March 4th, 2000
 Gathering to hike while the firehouse hosts a ham & eggs breakfast. They say that people and their pets resemble one another. Crossing the bridge The group heads home.
The Forest at Duke, Employees Lounge
May 16th, 1999
 The mural at the Forest at Duke
Mike Brown continues to create wonderful murals.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
March 6th, 1999
 Bridge in the Japanese garden Group around the cypress tree Gathering in front of Duke Chapel
Duke Garden web sites:
Triangle City Search
Duke University
Duke Forest, New Hope Fire House
July 25th, 1998
 This big dog gets all of the attention These are the lead hikers We hike past the watering of the horses
Recreation in the Duke Forest
NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill
Jan 17th, 1998
 Nancy packing it up the stile over a fallen oak tree Dorothy reads a tale of a demon king
Mason Farm
We hiked the Botanical Garden's trails despite the rain.
Lake Crabtree, Raleigh
May 24th, 1997
 Hiking around the lake Lake Crabtree We visited Morrisville
Lake Crabtree County Park