beachbites
Hanover Stables
With 46 experienced and trusty steeds
waiting to bear riders through the pines
and down to Topsail Island, Hanover
Stables provides trail and beach rides for
riders of all skill levels. Trial rides wind
through the woods and around the
stables, then turn to the east to journey
to the ocean’s edge. In season, vibrantly
blooming yellow jessamine, low-hanging
dogwood flowers and sky blue lupines
cover the underbrush. At Topsail Island,
sea oats, yucca plants and fiery gaillardia
prevail. Once on the beach, trot along the
water’s edge and breathe in the sweet
salt air of springtime. This month is the
last chance to take advantage of beach
rides until October. To schedule a trail ride
phone 910-675-8923.
Abbey Nature Preserve at
Poplar Grove
Nature lovers can spend a warm spring
day wandering among the ecosystems
that comprise Poplar Grove Plantation’s
Abbey Nature Preserve. The wispy boughs
of longleaf pines offer ample shade along
the forested paths. Regal oaks, dogwoods,
cedars, magnolias and red maples dot the
forest, adding diversity and distinction to
the piney landscape. Whitetail deer, cottontail
rabbits and Bobwhite quails bound
along the forest floor, while just overhead
the “teakettle-teakettle-teakettle” of the
Carolina wren breaks the silence. Weaving
around the old millponds, trails are furnished
with trash receptacles, benches and
maps. The Abbey Nature Preserve is also
pet friendly and parking is free.
10
WBM march 2012
Brunswick Nature Park
Located on the banks of the Cape Fear
River, Brunswick Nature Park is a sprawling
900-acre park with a combination of biking
and hiking trails that wind through open
meadows, pine and hardwood forests, and
over the meandering creeks and intertidal
marshlands. Those wishing to paddle
down the quietly flowing creeks can set off
from the kayak and canoe launch located
directly on Town Creek. While exploring
this vast parkland, visitors can expect to
encounter whitetail deer, box turtles and
blue herons. Although the hiking and
biking trails are well established there is
no signage to mark their boundaries. The
park is open year-round from dawn till
dusk with free parking at the entrance.
Directions and further information can be
found at www.ncbrunswick.com.
By Land
By Air
Wilmington Air
Up for new adventure?
Conveniently located directly
beside the Wilmington
International Airport, one of
Wilmington Air’s Cessna 172s
will carry passengers above
Wilmington and the surrounding
beaches. From the airport
to Wrightsville Beach, the sun’s
glimmer off of the Atlantic glows
steadily brighter. The land drops
off into the blue-green of the
Intracoastal Waterway; the meandering
creeks in the intertidal
marshes twist and bend; a solitary
sailboat comes into view parked
in Banks Channel; finally, the
deep blue vastness of the Atlantic
Ocean unfurls toward the horizon.
Gliding above the shoreline,
it’s possible to observe schools
of red drum that pepper the surf
line and low bands of swell that
crest and roll over sandbars and
channels. To schedule a chance
to experience these dynamic
features of the lower Cape Fear
that can only be fully appreciated
from the air, phone 910-763-0146
or visit www.airilm.com.
Taking in the fresh
air, Ella Hunter
enjoys horseback
riding lessons at
Hanover Stables.