What we’re about
This Reading and Nature Walk Meetup takes walks in a group and then stops someplace scenic along the way to read in nature (or journal, meditate, make art, etc.). Everyone reads what they want, no preparation required. Then we walk back. Along the way participants can talk about what they're reading, or anything else. Anyone who likes nature and reading, and who will listen as much as they talk to others, is welcome!
This group is a great way to meet and get to know people who both enjoy walking in nature and reading and talking about books and ideas. Groups are usually small, and there are a good number of "regulars" so it's easy to get to know people.
Hikes are typically on weekends, late afternoon or early evening, though sometimes we'll do morning ones too. Lately our locations have mostly been on the western side of the Triangle (closer to Durham/Chapel Hill/Hillsborough) though we're open to doing more on the Raleigh/Cary side too - send your suggestions!
Events usually have relatively small limits on participation (15-30 people), partly because of limited parking at the hike locations, and partly to keep the groups small enough to foster conversation and not feel like an army marching through the woods! Because of this, there will often be waitlists after the registration limit is reached. If you do sign up for an event and later find out that you can no longer participate, please change your RSVP so your spot will become available for someone on the waitlist. And if you're on the waitlist, keep an eye out for late cancellations that might open a spot for you.
Participation in any of the events organized by this group are at your own risk. These hikes are on public and well-used trails, but there may be dangers like tripping over tree roots, snake or insect bites, poison ivy, or other unpredictable risks. By joining this event you agree not to hold the organizers responsible for any injuries, and that you understand that you participate at your own risk.
These hikes are for humans only. We know some participants would like to bring their dog along, and that you consider your dog to be well behaved, but we'd like to keep a focus on the comfort and safety of all the people on these walks, so please leave pets at home. Thanks!
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Hollow Rock and Piney Mountain nature walk and readHollow Rock Nature Park, Durham, NC
[ Note - this event has been full for several weeks and already has a long waitlist, and a location with a very limited amount of parking. So it's not taking new registrants anymore. Since this location appears to be really popular, we'll offer it again soon. There will also be plenty of other opportunities to walk with this group at other locations! ]
Join us for a Sunday afternoon walk starting at the Hollow Rock Nature Park between Durham and Chapel Hill. We'll follow a path along New Hope Creek under Erwin Road and into Duke Forest, do a loop at Piney Mountain, and return along Mrs. Brown's Foot Trail, for a total of about 3 miles - approximately the route shown here. We'll stop along the creek around mid-way to read, talk, meditate, write, draw, birdwatch, or other quiet activity for about 20-30 minutes before heading back.
This trail can be muddy, and there is a short section where we'll have to scramble over large rocks, use stepping stones for a creek crossing, and navigate a steep climb when we go up and down Piney Mountain, so it will be more challenging than the hikes we usually do with this group.
You can see some photos from last time we did this hike to get a sense of what it's like: https://www.meetup.com/triangle-reading-and-nature-walk-meetup-group/photos/34854422/
We'll pass some historically significant sites along the way, so if you're interested in local history, read the info at these links before joining the hike. One of the earliest European naturalists to explore the Carolinas, John Lawson, passed right through here in 1701 and recorded what he saw in his journal, including describing some hollow rocks we'll see on this trail. He also describes the Native Americans who lived along this creek (there was once a town called Adshusheer somewhere near here) and some curious things they did with these rocks. You can read more about this in these blog posts by journalist Scott Huler who retraced Lawson's trek a few years ago and wrote a book about it: The Hollow Rocks and The Hollow Rocks Redux. There's other information at these links about the nature and history of this site as well as some colonial roads that intersected right near here.
We hope to see some of the "regulars" there, and to meet new folks! This group is a great way to meet people who both enjoy walking in nature and reading and talking about books and ideas.
We'll meet at 3:00pm on Sunday January 12 by the old Hollow Rock Store in the parking lot of Hollow Rock Nature Park: 692 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27707 https://maps.app.goo.gl/YoeBjQWKqXB252Ku8
If the parking lot at Hollow Rock is already full when you get there, you could try around the corner on Pickett Road (a gravel road nearby - approximately here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dLM4pJpdU4YP3Hch9 ). I don’t know if it’s officially allowed to park here but I didn’t see any signs saying not to!
We'll get started a few minutes after 3:00 and aim to be back at the parking lot before it gets dark. It might be useful to bring a flashlight or headlamp in your pack in case we get delayed - it gets dark early this time of year!
Setting a low limit on attendance for this one because parking is limited at the site. If you're able to carpool with someone else, that would be great! And if you sign up and later realize you can no longer come, please change your RSVP to indicate that, so it will open up your space for someone on the waitlist. If you're on the waitlist, check Meetup the day of the event, because often people drop out late and spaces open up at the last minute.
Disclaimer:
- Participation in this hike and any of the events organized by this group are at your own risk. These hikes are on public and well-used trails, but there may be dangers like tripping over tree roots, snake or insect bites, poison ivy, or other unpredictable risks. By joining this event you confirm that you understand that participation is at your own risk.
- Eno River Eagle Trail: walk, read, and connectWest Point on the Eno Park, Durham, NC
Join us for a Sunday afternoon walk along the Eno River to spend some time in nature, make new friends or catch up with old ones, and read in a scenic place.
We'll start at West Point on the Eno, and take the Eagle Trail toward Sennett Hole, where we'll stop for a while and read on the rocks before heading back. It's about 2 miles out and back, on a gentle and scenic trail. If the weather is too cold to sit and read, or we just feel like walking more than reading, we can continue on as far as Guess Road and then loop back, making it closer to 4 miles total.
You can see some descriptions and photos of the trail here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/eagle-trail
We'll meet at 3:00pm on Sunday January 26 near the grist mill by the river, in the West Point on the Eno city park, 5101 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704. Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/obZuzZCYDemYAGDU8 There is plenty of parking available in this park, though some of it might be a few minutes walk from where we're meeting, so try to get there a bit early in case you can't park near the meetup spot.
We'll get started a few minutes after 3:00 and aim to be back at the parking lot before it gets dark. Wear hiking shoes for the trail, and it might be useful to also bring a flashlight or headlamp in case we get delayed - it gets dark early this time of year!
A couple of other notes:
- If you sign up and later realize you can no longer come, please change your RSVP to indicate that, so it will open up your space for someone on the waitlist. If you're on the waitlist, check Meetup the day of the event, because often people drop out late and spaces open up at the last minute.
- Participation in this hike and any of the events organized by this group are at your own risk. These hikes are on public and well-used trails, but there may be dangers like tripping over tree roots, snake or insect bites, poison ivy, or other unpredictable risks. By joining this event you agree not to hold the organizers responsible for any injuries, and that you understand that you participate at your own risk.
See you soon!
