Hiking in the Creek

This past weekend found us with some fantastic weather.  I helped some good friends move into their new house here in Highland Creek and then Ellie, Ava, and I took off on a hike.  I love that we can actually pull off a legitimate hike from our back yard.  We actually got lost on this hike...nothing a little google maps on the blackberry could not solve though.

We ended up hiking along a protected wetland which borders one side of highland creek.  You see some pretty unexpected scenery in that area of the neighborhood - big hills/vistas and wetland.  We were scaring ducks out of tall reeds, watching geese swim in the ponds....it was really fun.

The highlight for the girls was when we were walking past a big water drain pipe thing and they saw a bunch of toys hidden in the undergrowth.  Ellie was too scared to climb in there and get them, but Ava jumped right up and said "I'll get it!" - no fear in that one.  They ended up bringing home 5 whiffle balls, 4 tennis balls, and wait for it....a full size hockey stick....  yes you read that right.  I guess we have been doing a fair amount of "dumpster diving" lately...  I was out for a run on Monday morning and saw that someone was throwing away one of those hose reel things.  It is now in my side bed :)

Here are some details on this particular protected area:

Clarke Creek Rookery

Cabarrus County

34 acres Fee Title Ownership

The 34 acre Clarke Creek Rookery in Cabarrus County was protected through fee simple acquisition in 1999.  The property provides waterfowl habitat and urban open space area, in addition to 1000 feet of streamfootage on Clarke Creek.