Trek for Connectivity: Segment 9 ~ Roadways and Waterways
With the Falls Lake and Eno River ecosystems now behind me, I turned my focus onto the roadways before me. My appreciation for prolonged time within nature deepened greatly through Segment 10 but I knew what I signed up for when deciding to hike the Mountains-to-Sea Trail; A 1,175 mile long trail where over 500 miles of it is alongside roadways. By this point, I had become so used to walking along the sounds of a traveling public, I had almost become numb to the feeling of 18-wheelers passing me by. Mile by mile seemed the same until I finally spotted my entryway into a journey back into nature, beside the Haw River.
I observed the meandering river’s water rush through large, glistening stones while songbirds graced me with their melodies. Just a few minutes before soaking in these sounds, I was enveloped in the sights, sounds, and smells of motorists whizzing by me without a look in my direction. With a heart filled with gratitude to be back where the wild things were, I journeyed alongside the beauty of this habitat, where I enjoyed wildlife-spotting with camera in hand.
As I hiked along a bluff above the river, I heard what sounded like chattering noises below, accompanied by small splashes. I peered over a small rock ledge and spotted three river otters swimming and hunting together near large rocks within the river. One of the river otters left the trio to head closer to the banks of the river. In a split second, he snagged a large fish and proceeded to proudly swim his catch of the day in front of the other two otters with the large fish wriggling from his jaws. Observing this type of wild behavior is one of the greatest rewards for getting out in nature. This is what captures my heart, what reminds me of why these places need protection, and why it’s so important to show places like this to my own children.
After I left the Haw River area, I walked alongside a mixture of roadways and green spaces until I merged into the greenways of Greensboro. These paved paths travel through a mixture of neighborhoods, parks, and natural spaces which brought me to the edge of a large reservoir that would begin Segment 8 of the MST. After the 60.8 miles were complete, I couldn’t help but think about the three river otters. Wild North Carolina is awe-inspiring and worth every cent and second spent to restore, protect, and connect our ecosystems. There may not be a more gregarious, dramatic display of instinct, personality, and wild behavior than that of river otters. To observe them in the wild is to observe the purpose of nature. Their family dynamics, personalities, hunting prowess, full reliance of both land and water for their survival points to why a healthy ecosystem is so important. Healthy ecosystems support all that encompasses the world of river otters, which encompasses the world of wildlife and nature. Nature in its purest form, is interconnected and each inhabitant points to the blueprint of life. This is worth protecting.
Stories & Images by: Cassia Rivera