Bettie to Stacy, eastbound
April 12, 2025. I had hoped to hike two days in a row and finish up Section 17, but there was severe weather in the forecast for the first day, so we did some birding along the way to Carteret County, and on Saturday I hiked 17.5 miles.
The Prothonotary Warbler at the Kinston Nature Park in Lenoir County sings:
“Spring is here! Who wants to be my lady-friend?!?”
After a comfortable night at Dj’s “Revival Retreat” Airbnb in Gloucester, my shuttle driver dropped me off at Woodville Baptist Church, where I had finished up back in late January.
It’s 6:30am, and a little nippy–in other words, perfect hiking weather!
That’s my driver (and husband), heading off for a great day of birding!
The route down east is perfectly flat, but there’s lots of interesting views and sights.
I stopped every hour or so for a drink/snack break, including here at the gate to the wetlands preserve where Loren was birding.
The sun only shone for about 30 minutes, and then it got cooler and windy, so the jacket went back on for the rest of the day.
Tell me you’re down east, without saying you’re down east….
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
Oh, what you find when you duck into the woods to pee!
The Scouts were doing a community service project, picking up trash.
At 10 miles I took my long break (10-15 minutes) at the convenience store in Davis. It felt great to sit in a chair for a bit.
I carry a pair of fresh socks to change into at this point. By now the grass in the road shoulders has dried out, so my feet will stay comfortable for the last 7 miles.
There was always some traffic, but it wasn’t super-busy, so I could read my Scriptures all along the way.
Some hikers like to listen to podcasts or audio-books to help the miles go by, but I keep a bird-list going, so I don’t want any audio distractions. Also, I want to hear when cars are coming–either from behind me, or towards me around corners.
My shuttle driver was in place when I arrived at Lighthouse Community Church just past Stacy.
From here it will be 14 miles to the FERRY!
How exciting!!!
My.Bird.Walks. 
Hey! Thank you for the excellent “travel logs”. We, Diane and I, both look forward to each new adventure.I’m a big fan of your mid-day rest st
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I always thought that “Down East” referred to places further north (and east).
Thanks for taking us along.
Lorraine Boyd
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