Bentonville Battlefield

Friday morning, we took Alex to the beach for a weekend of camping and hiking in the sand.  Our first stop was at the Smithfield Community Park for hike 25 from the #MST40hike - Smithfield Neuse Riverwalk from the Community Park to Jaycee Kiddee Park.

It was raining on the drive out but was just a drizzle by the time we arrived.

But with the dreary weather, we were the only ones on the trail.  The first 1.5 miles was very wooded and then we crossed under Buffalo Road.

After crossing Buffalo Creek, that trail wrapped around the water treatment plant and past a boat ramp on the Neuse River.

The trail passed by Smithfield Commons and under the Market Street bridge.

From here, the trail followed Spring Branch up to Jaycee Kiddie Park and the other end.  Riverside Cemetery was right next to the little park here.

The trail ended here and we turned back.  On the hike back, we saw a very large slug on one of the trees.

By the time we made it back, the rain had ended.

From here, we continued south and made our next stop at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.  This would be Alex's 12th hike for #MST40hike - hike 26.

Parking at the visitor center, we crossed the road and picked up the History Trail, which is part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.  There was a cannon right at the trailhead.

The trail headed into the woods and passed by the remains of trenches built for the battle.

The trail switched between woods and open fields passing through the area where the battle was fought.

We started on the Union side and hiked northeast to the Confederate side.  We hiked as far as Cole Plantation, where there was a small cemetery.

Then we made the hike back, stopping for a couple pictures of Harper House.

Then we got on I-40 and headed to the beach.

We drove through Wilmington to Carolina Beach State Park, our home for the weekend.  After checking in and setting up camp, we headed into Carolina Beach for dinner at Havana's.  The food was excellent and they are very dog friendly.  Back at camp, I headed for an evening hike around the park.  Campground Trail led from camp and then I got on Sugarloaf Trail towards the marina.

It was too cloudy for a colorful sunset, but the river was pretty in the evening light.

I picked up Snows Cut Trail heading back to camp.  There were nice views of the waterway from bluffs along the trail.

Finishing up the trail, a path led back to camp.

It was a little chilly at night but we built a nice campfire to stay warm.