MST-29

Stewart’s Chapel PFWB Church in Four Oaks to C W Flowers Store in Bentonville (Segment 11-Segment 12)

June 28. Out-and-back for a total of 18.6 miles. My longest ever, and because for some odd reason I chose my heavier boots which aren’t quite broken in–my first blisters!

I contacted the church for permission to park in their lot, and I was ready to hike by 5:50am. I heard a Chuck-will’s Widow right here!

Beat the Heat strategy #1: Get an early start

And an early start means I got to enjoy the sunrise!

Devil’s Racetrack Road was fairly quiet traffic-wise all day, and with the long straight stretches you can see cars coming a long ways off and step aside to safety.

I’m already regretting those boots, but oh, well.

This section of the MST aligns with the Bentonville Battlefield auto tour route.

Every North Carolinian recognizes this crop: TOBACCO!

Howell Woods is owned and operated by Johnston Community College. I’ve birded there before, and they have a small visitor center.

AND this is the official end of SEGMENT 11!

Woo hoo!!!

Continuing right on to Segment 12

It’s actually been a while since I had a hill to climb!

Near the top of the hill was the Bentonville Community Center.

I was on the lookout for. . . .

Yay!

Beat the Heat strategy #2: Drink plenty of water

Beat the Heat strategy #3: Dowse head with water

Along Bentonville Battlefield Road I was totally surprised to hear a Kentucky Warbler.

“Remains of breastworks on this hill mark a line built by the Confederates to protect Mill Creek Bridge.”

Final mile to my turnaround point was along Harper House Road, passing by the Smithfield Grain elevator.

Very refreshing!
I rested for a bit and listened to farmers chat about tractors and pulling pig weed.

The sun was in full force by 10am, but my precautions were helpful.

Beat the Heat strategy #4: Solar umbrella

Beat the Heat strategy #5: Walk on the shady side of the road whenever possible

I employed all five Beat the Heat strategies, re-filling my numerous water bottles at the Bentonville Community Center spigot, and a few miles later, at Howell Woods.

Success!

It was a terrific day until traffic on I-40 screeched to a dead halt and my Google maps added 30 minutes, then 60 minutes, then 90 minutes to my trip home, and then it said “Road closed, this route is no longer available…” and THANKS A LOT President Biden for your motorcade closing the freeway because I really really REALLY need to pee!

But that’s another story…