In early November, when the overly warm weather took ahold of the area, our family squeezed in as many outdoor adventures as we could! We visited Allen Pond Park twice, as well as Downs Park, Historic Linthicum Walks, and Walker Mill Park. As long as the weather stayed nice, we were going to be outside! The Monday after Rainbow’s birthday weekend, while she and Stormy were in school, my folks and I took Pebble and my parent’s dog, Bella, to Piney Orchard Nature Preserve. It was gorgeous outside, we were all in shorts and tees in November! We made the turn onto Sandy Walk Way from Patuxent Road, and parked in the lot on the right side of the road. This is how we often access the Preserve as Pebble doesn’t always have the energy to make the walk into the Preserve from the WB&A trail. Once we parked, we crossed Sandy Walk Way onto the Lone Wolf Trail, the Preserve’s one paved trail.
Pebble quickly ran ahead collecting fallen acorns and giant leaves! Bella was happily sniffing everything, and trying to make sure Pebble didn’t get too far in front of her. We didn’t take the boardwalk down into Red Maple Swamp this time as there wasn’t a swamp. It was just dried leaves and a little mud. Instead we continued on until we reached the trail that led to Duck Cove Pond. There are some giant boulders at the entrance to the trail that Pebble loves to climb up on! After she climbed each one and then jumped off them, we walked down the path to the pond. Other than squirrels, we didn’t see any other wildlife, not even birds, surprising. Of course, with no birds to scare away, Pebble was free to throw as many rocks into the water as she could.
At the other end of the pond, we made the left onto a trail called Wood Duck Way. There is another swamp to view along this trail, but that one, too, was also dried up. You could easily see the water marks on the trees, and how high the water level had once been. From Wood Duck Way, we took Piney Path over to Fox Den Loop and circled the marshes there. By the time we finished Fox Den Loop, Pebble was done! She’d found a ton of small rocks, leaves, and other nature treasures. Now she was ready for snack time! We returned to Duck Cove Pond, wound our way around it, back to the Lone Wolf Trail and our car. It wasn’t a long or strenuous hike, but the fresh air was wonderful! Both Lizzy and Bella were happy to sack out for a bit once we got back to the house. Whenever I need a dose of nature, this Preserve is an excellent place to go, and it is truly beautiful any time of year. Happy trails!
