New Quarter Hike 2/21/2012
The Tuesday Group celebrated Mardi Gras with a hike at New Quarter on this spring- like winter day. No beads, but plenty of enthusiastic revelers met at the outer parking lot for some exercise, fresh air and perhaps a chance to spot the elusive “Manderhund” reported to inhabit this part of Virginia. Gathering for the hike were: Sandra and Dylan, Jea, Tom, Judy, Stephanie, Bruce, Brian, Bob A, Bob S, Bob S, Carl, Diana, Bill B, Dottie, Marti, Ellis, Don, Ken, Joe, Angie, Carol, Juliet, Phyllis, Dale and Aubrey. Sunshine and cool temperatures in the 50s prevailed for most of the hike as we walked the trails and visited the overlooks. We saw several deer and a bald eagle at “Bonfire Point” and learned a little bit about moss reproduction! The skies clouded up and it cooled off a bit for our early lunch break at the Point where Queen’s Creek and Cub Creek meet to join the York River. But there was no rain and we enjoyed our lunches and assorted shared treats. On the way back, we checked out some needed trail repairs on Loop 9. Ellis desperately searched out mud puddles for Dale but unfortunately there weren’t very many. She wanted to run off leash and did get a short break to do just that. Aubrey enjoyed meeting new friends and discovering all sorts of new things: leaves, sticks, pebbles, etc. What a wonderful world! Dylan devoted himself entirely to his beloved pink ball. He almost lost it down the ravine--and almost dragged Sandra down into the ravine too!
We took a short detour to the canoe launch where Brian took aim at hidden spies across the creek at Camp Peary. Do you think the CIA has a file on the Tuesday Group? Do you think they have a file on Brian? Bet they do now! Maybe they’d like to come out with us sometime?
It was pretty windy out there on the floating dock and the current was really strong! Bill decided to try out his Jolly Roger kite which eventually caught the breeze and flew happily above us.
We started the trek back and by now the skies had cleared and the sun had come out. It was warming up and we were ready for ice cream! Our next stop was the Queen Anne Dari-Snak where we filled up on Banana Splits and Hot Fudge sundaes. Ken and Bill had outrageously big ice cream cones!
Unfortunately, we never had any confirmed sighting of the Manderhund. Maybe next year?
Another great day for the Tuesday Group!
Phyllis