Triangle Reading and Nature Walks

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About us

This Reading and Nature Walk Meetup takes walks in a group and then stops someplace scenic along the way to read in nature (or journal, meditate, make art, etc.). Everyone reads what they want, no preparation required. Then we walk back. Along the way participants can talk about what they're reading, or anything else. Anyone who likes nature and reading, and who will listen as much as they talk to others, is welcome!

This group is a great way to meet and get to know people who both enjoy walking in nature and reading and talking about books and ideas. Groups are usually small, and there are a good number of "regulars" so it's easy to get to know people.

Hikes are typically on weekends, late afternoon or early evening, though sometimes we'll do morning ones too. Lately our locations have mostly been on the western side of the Triangle (closer to Durham/Chapel Hill/Hillsborough) though we're open to doing more on the Raleigh/Cary side too - send your suggestions!

Events usually have relatively small limits on participation (15-30 people), partly because of limited parking at the hike locations, and partly to keep the groups small enough to foster conversation and not feel like an army marching through the woods! Because of this, there will often be waitlists after the registration limit is reached. If you do sign up for an event and later find out that you can no longer participate, please change your RSVP so your spot will become available for someone on the waitlist. And if you're on the waitlist, keep an eye out for late cancellations that might open a spot for you.

Participation in any of the events organized by this group are at your own risk. These hikes are on public and well-used trails, but there may be dangers like tripping over tree roots, snake or insect bites, poison ivy, or other unpredictable risks. By joining this event you agree not to hold the organizers responsible for any injuries, and that you understand that you participate at your own risk.

These hikes are for humans only. We know some participants would like to bring their dog along, and that you consider your dog to be well behaved, but we'd like to keep a focus on the comfort and safety of all the people on these walks, so please leave pets at home. Thanks!

Upcoming events

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Bluestem - walk, read, and connect
Sun, Jun 7 · 3:00 PM EDT
Bluestem, 1900 Hurdle Mills Rd, Cedar Grove, NC, US
Join us for a Sunday afternoon walk at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery in the Cedar Grove community north of Hillsborough. Wait a minute - we're going for a walk in a cemetery? Yes, but this is a special one - it's a former farm now used for natural burials in a wildflower field or in the woods, with some preserved farm buildings and nature trails. You won't see any headstones or other large markers of graves, but you will walk along a pond and stream and through tranquil woods and fields.

We'll walk for about 2.5 miles, and stop in the natural sanctuary (a clearing in the woods with some benches) for about 30 minutes to read, talk, meditate, write, draw, birdwatch, or other quiet activity. The plan is to walk the meadow trail and inner circuit trail (black and yellow trails on this map https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/map.html ) with a possible side-trek along the gravel road to the historic cemetery.

The participant limit has been set very low for this hike because of limited public parking at the site, and at the request of the organization that manages this cemetery (they have asked that we bring groups of no more than 12 people). So please only sign up if you are certain you can participate, and if you end up on a waitlist, keep an eye on it up to the day of the event, as a slot may open up for you. I will post this location again later in the year - it's a little more complicated than the ones we usually do because it requires permission from and coordination with the cemetery managers, so our visit doesn't overlap with a burial.

We'll meet at 3:00pm on Sunday June 7 at the barn near the Bluestem parking lot: 1900 Hurdle Mills Rd, Cedar Grove, NC 27231 https://maps.app.goo.gl/WKLd7iSzmEBUGeFw5

Note that we'll be walking through fields and woods. The trail is pretty flat and an easy walk, but it can be muddy in places, so wear hiking shoes, and it can be buggy, so use insect repellent to avoid taking any ticks or bugbites home with you.

We'll get started a few minutes after 3:00pm and aim to be back at the parking lot by 5:00pm.

We hope to see some of the "regulars" there, and to meet new folks! This group is a great way to meet people who both enjoy walking in nature and reading and talking about books and ideas. It's a fun group, with friendly people.

A couple of other notes:
- If you sign up and later realize you can no longer come, please change your RSVP to indicate that, so it will open up your space for someone on the waitlist, and so we know not to wait for you at the trailhead.
- If you're on the waitlist, check Meetup the day of the event, because often people drop out late and spaces open up at the last minute.
- We’ll still plan to walk if it’s drizzling or raining lightly. But if there’s heavy rain or extreme heat or cold in the forecast, we’ll reschedule and send a notice by the morning of the event to people who have registered.
- Participation in this hike and any of the events organized by this group are at your own risk. These hikes are on public and well-used trails, but there may be dangers like tripping over tree roots, snake or insect bites, poison ivy, or other unpredictable risks. By joining this event you agree not to hold the organizers responsible for any injuries, and that you understand that you participate at your own risk.
12 attendees