Bob Wallace Jaycee Kiddie Park in Smithfield to Stewart’s Chapel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church in Four Oaks (Segment 11)
June 26. My most ambitious hike yet–an out-and-back for a total of 17 miles.
And did I mention the heat?
Since I knew it was going to be a scorcher, I was at the starting point by 6 a.m.
The first mile was through this very quiet residential neighborhood.
In the early 1900’s Joseph Rich placed 358 metal tablets between Virginia Beach, Virginia and San Fransisco, California, to honor Daniel Boone and his travels. Although some of the tablets were at locations actually visited by Boone, many were simply placed wherever Rich could collect the necessary donations from schools and communities to erect a monument.
Like here in Smithfield!
Four miles of busy Brightleaf Boulevard was not a lot of fun, but usually there was a grassy shoulder to walk on.
I passed by many local businesses, including this huge indoor and outdoor flea market venue.
And a fond farewell to Smithfield, continuing south on Brightleaf Boulevard.
There were four bridges to cross: Neuse River, Holt Lake, a railroad, and I-95.
All four bridge crossings were a little nervous-making.
- Traffic, including large trucks
- Very narrow shoulder
- Narrow concrete edge and very low rail
The concrete edge was safest concerning traffic, but it put my center of gravity well above that rail. Very vertiginous.
It was a great relief to turn onto Devil’s Racetrack Road, but I won’t get all the way to Howell Woods on this hike.
No shoulders for 3 miles, but traffic was very light.
And here comes the sun!
I bought a solar umbrella that is supposed to give you ten degrees worth of shade. But with the heat index over 100 degrees, that means it’s still 90+ under that umbrella!
I had 48 species of birds on this hike! Devil’s Racetrack Road was especially “birdy”, including a Bobwhite and a Wood Thrush.
It was only 9:30am when I reached the turnaround point, Stewart’s Chapel Church, but from here on out it was going to be a battle with the increasing heat.
Stewart’s Chapel Church had a wonderfully shaded area that I took advantage of for my rest break.
4 miles later, back at the intersection with I-95, I stopped in a Sunoco for their restroom, their air-conditioning, and my first MST-related purchase, this delightfully refreshing drink.
And with 4.5 miles to go, I was really beginning to feel that heat stress.
I stopped in every patch of shade.
I kept drinking.
And I began pouring water over my head.
But my water supply was running out….
At my 16th mile I searched E.J. Wellons Park in Smithfield and found what I had been hoping for….an available, functioning water spigot.
I dropped my backpack and stuck my head under that lovely, lovely water.
I basically SHOWERED under that spigot!
And after ten minutes of sitting there, continually dousing my entire self with water (and drinking), I completed the last 1.5 miles easily.
My.Bird.Walks. 