sprout below towering pines and hard- woods where evening sidelight pierces the shade. Heights of land overlook tight valleys—the perfect place to stage a battle. Add the early morning curl of mist in swales below silent cannons and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is a walk into history.
Take a Lake Break Amid lime green leaves and warming
sunlight, Greensboro’s Lake Brandt Wa- tershed is a “golden pond” hiking experi- ence. Head out Lawndale Avenue, make a left into the Lake Brandt Marina, and another left to the Nat Greene Trail—an informally named tribute to Continental Army General Nathanael Greene—the larger-than-life stone guy on a horse you met at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Walk the lakeshore path through
golden sun and scintillating lakeshore scenes. Grab a map at the marina office (or rent a kayak). The entire system of city lakes is ringed by hiking and (mountain) biking trails—one of the state’s exemplary urban natural settings. Want a similar experience in High
Point? Check out the Piedmont Environ- mental Center near Penny Road, where you can start a shoreline hike with a walk over a monumental map of North Carolina. In Winston-Salem, Salem Lake is the destination. Make the 6-mile loop with a hike or bike. Or explore Bethabara Park, for history hiking and wildlife view- ing that includes colonial wagon roads and one loop that crosses a wetland on a boardwalk.
The Arboretum—and a Bog Greensboro’s Arboretum is an ex-
plosion of spring blossoms, with paved paths and easy ambling just off Wendover Avenue via Market Street. The place just keeps getting better. For a woodsy walk, take in the Woodland and the Wildflower trails on the wooded bluffs above the roadside gardens. Or step into the natural enclave of
Greensboro’s Bog Garden, just off Hobbs Road. Enter from Starmount Farms at the kiosk and dip away from traffic sounds into an instant Eden. Squirrels scamper and birds of all sorts flit about (112 re- corded species). The lower loop encircles a clean creek and explores the wetland shore of Benjamin Lake on boardwalks with observation decks. Bald cypress trees send up knees and yellow flag iris and other lush plants create an almost subtropical scene for a Piedmont city. Wander farther afield if you like.
There are bonafide Piedmont summits nearby—Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock state parks are like being in the mountains. Best of all, the paths above are per-
fect places for parents to take tiny hikers and begin a lifetime of appreciation for the outdoors. Let them dictate the pace, maybe even lead, and you’ll find yourself making wonderful family memories. Just hop into the car, head for these
truly special spots, and revel in the return of spring. And don’t forget the digital camera.
Randy Johnson’s bestselling trail guide Hiking North Carolina has just been re- leased in a new, expanded 2nd, edition (FalconGuides, Globe Pequot Press). Join Randy at Greensboro’s new REI store for a slide program and book signing on March 22, and at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports on May 2nd. Visit www.randyjohnsonbooks. com.
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