TATC Urban Hike 1-22-13

30 hearty hikers showed up at the Newtown Rd Tide station on the coldest day in over two years – wind chill in the teens. But never mind that, it was sunny and we were enthusiastic.

We rode the Tide light rail to Harbor Park to begin our urban hike. The bonus activity was free ice cream for the hiker who could spot all the mermaids on this 8-mile hike.

We followed the Elizabeth River, passed Waterside, Towne Point Park and climbed up to the observation deck of the Half Moone Cruise Center for the best available panoramic view of the harbor. Passing the Battleship Wisconsin, we entered the Pagoda Gardens. The octagonal, two-story Pagoda was a gift from Taiwan, complete with all the Taiwanese workers to build it in 1989 on the former industrial site that was previously home to a 500,000-gallon molasses tank. The garden and koi pond is a real downtown gem.

We saw the house where Robert E Lee slept in Freemason (1870) and crossed the Brambleton St Bridge into what was Atlantic City in the 1800s. We found the trailhead of the Elizabeth River Trail on Southampton St, paused at Plum Point Park for more river views and a look at the major wetlands restoration surrounding it. We then headed north on the trail through West Ghent, past the Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary and over to Colley Av. for a delicious Middle Eastern lunch at Azars.

After briefly checking out Green Life Adventure Sports on 21st St. (discount for TATC members), we wound our way through Ghent and Stockley Gardens to the Hague (Smith’s Creek) on Mowbray Arch and across the footbridge into Freemason again. On the bridge, one hiker received an unwelcome greeting from a flying sea gull – though fortunately not on her head! Oh S—T!

Passing several historical homes (Hunter, Taylor-Whittle, Selden, Cary, etc.) and the original Norfolk Library (donated by the Carnegies), we headed for Granby St and ice cream at aLatte Café. Margaret J. was the only one to guess the correct number of mermaids – 14 – and seemed to enjoy her double scoop prize.

The hike ended at MacArthur Sq where some took the Tide back to their cars, and others looked around the new MacArthur Visitors Center or other downtown points of interest.

Steve & Stephanie

Bill B's great picture album: https://picasaweb.google.com/b.billings/TuesJan222013UrbanHikeNorfolkSteveAndStephanie?authkey=Gv1sRgCNXz-cu1zaS_lgE&feat=email

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