Hiking and Outdoor photography with Capt. John – March 17, 2020

With our GPS set to Baylor Park Nature Trail, Capt. John and I set out to start our days adventure.   Although to be honest, what is an adventure without a detour or two?  We were quick to spy our first ‘brown state sign’ - Simonson Landing.  A quick ride through showed us a great public boat ramp, but no trails.   Our next detour was the Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve.   Folks let me tell you, this is a HIDDEN GEM!  So many trails to choose from, at least 10 different ones with varying degrees of difficulty and even an educational trail (titled Henry Bashore Educational trail (.3 mi)).  Something for everyone and benches too throughout for an opportunity to rest or bird watch.  We used them for snacks 

Capt. John and I spent about 2 hours walking and talking and exploring Hickory Hollow.   We covered 5 trails:   White, Blue Ridge, Purple (you know I had too!), Great Mill Swamp Trail, Red Overlook Trail.  Capt. John did the tree limbo on the Blue Ridge trail, along with “walking the plank” on an old fallen tree that connected two small hills.  Plenty photos to be had while he explored – check out his limbo, the reverse limbo (climbing over instead of under) and his tree climbing skills.  We, really I, had high hopes of capturing some bird or wildlife photos on the Great Mill Swamp trail, but…. Capt. John is not necessarily the quietest hiker around – think elephant running through the Sahara – so we chose to enjoy our Snickerdoodle popcorn on the bench instead of bird watching.   

After lunch, we stopped at the Baylor Park Nature Trail.  We started out on the trail and literally within feet we were COVERED with gnats – entirely!  We decided to try and brave it, so we walked to the water’s edge – again think ELEPHANT running, and as we approached the water – two wood ducks took to flight.  I did get a quick photo, but they are fast.  Here’s where I need to mention my favorite Capt. John‘ism for the day was – “Oops did I do that?”  We didn’t last long there at the Baylor Park Nature Trail, as we were both totally grossed out by the gnats.  

Life is about side roads, and the road less traveled and all that  - so as we approached the Merry Point Ferry road sign again on the way back, we knew we had to it.   Especially when John said he’d never been on a ferry!  Let me just tell you this Ferry is just the best ya’ll.   It holds 2 cars, it’s FREE – yep you read it right, it’s FREE – the ride is short, and crosses the western end of the Corrotoman River.  The Helmsman (I had to look that up – I kept calling him the Pilot Capt.) was super friendly and knowledgeable too.   It was so cool, we had to ride it twice.  This also happens to be where we were blessed with 3 eagles flying, diving, and swooping over the ferry boat, check out my eagle photos below!  

From Merry Point Ferry, we headed to Belle Isle, our last hiking stop of the day.  This is another gem.  We started out on the beach where Capt. John left his mark – literally, he wrote in the sand – “John was here”.  How many of us have done that??  Brough back great memories for me as a kid growing up on the Potomac.  We decided to walk the Porpoise Creek Trail, which ran alongside the creek - again me hoping for some bird photos.  They even have a blind right on the creek for bird watching, although nothing was stirring.  Capt. John decided at this point he wanted to branch out on his own and make his own path instead of following the trail.  He says, “Can I?”  Well, I’m all about making your own way, so I told him “Have at it!”.  As I’m following him on the trail, I’m taking photos of his struggle to make his own path.  Did I mention he choose to make his own way through a huge briar patch?  And nope I didn’t warn him! LOL. I’m thinking he forged ahead and didn’t scout the area – but hey isn’t that what we all do sometimes?    Let me paint the picture for you:  walking stick in hand, shark backpack on, face determined, briars as tall as him.   Shortly in, he starts making these hysterical faces, the briars are getting him.  He says, “what do I do now?”.  Now isn’t that a life question?  I told him to finish what he started – and I tell you truly, he looked at me like I was crazy.  LOL.   As he starts to pass a tree, he loses his balance and into a briar bush he fell, laughing the whole way down.  Thankfully (for he and I both), the tree caught him from totally hitting briar bottom. Check out the briar photos below!   After some finagling, and high leg lifts, he was able to get out and meet up with me on the trail.  I couldn’t resist a little life lesson analogy at that point… it’s good to make your own way sometimes, just be prepared for the road to be bumpy and to stick with it when the going gets tough.   As we finished up the trail and started on way back, we heard a huge splash.  John was the first to figure it out - diving Ospreys!   Now - picture me as the one hopping over briars and rushing to the creek’s edge!  I got some amazing photographs of the Ospreys diving in the creek.  It was a great end to an even more amazing day with my friend Capt. John.  

Have I told you I love my adventures with Capt. John?  

Thanks for coming over and reading my blog; I hope you enjoyed reading about our adventures yesterday.   Keep an eye out for the next one!