Wildlife, exercise draw visitors for First Day Hike

Reprinted from Daily Advance

SOUTH MILLS — Unlike past First Day Hikes at Dismal Swamp State Park, Wednesday’s didn’t include a guided tour by a park ranger.

But that didn’t seem to matter to the couples, families and friend groups who showed up for the annual Jan. 1 event designed to showcase state parks and get more people outdoors to enjoy them.

John Wray and Jennifer Chavez, both of Virginia Beach, Virginia, said they were visiting a friend in the area when they remembered that the First Day Hike is an annual event at Dismal Swamp State Park.

Because they enjoy visiting state parks in Virginia, they decided to explore the park just below the state line.

“We’ve visited First Landing (State Park), Kiptopeke (State Park)” in Virginia, Chavez said. “We’re trying to get to as many as possible. We are trying to visit all 42 or 43 state parks in Virginia. This is our first time here at this park in North Carolina.”

James and Amy Kermitz of Tyner also enjoy visiting state parks. They said they were participating in their second straight First Day Hike.

“Last year we went to Merchants Mill Pond Park” in Gates County, Amy Kermitz said. “We haven’t been on this one in quite a while. We like to hike a couple of times a year when the weather is nice. We walk a lot.”

Terry Hutson said he showed up for the First Day Hike because he wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet and the amazing sights and sounds in the park. In addition to the exercise he gets from hiking, park visits also allow him to practice his photography skills, he said.

He participated in last year’s First Day Hike at Dismal Swamp Park and has kayaked the Dismal Swamp Canal during the summer.

“It’s good to get out in nature — nature does you a lot of good,” he said. “A nice casual walk, nothing too strenuous. To get out here, soak it all in — it’s calming. … It’s my goal to do more of that this year.”

Lauren Ross brought along to Wednesday’s First Day Hike her 3-year-old son, 10-month-old daughter, her sister and brother in-law.

“We’ve come every year since my son was born so now we are bringing the newest one to get her First Day Hike sticker like (my son) got his in his first year,” Ross said. “We’re going to save them in their memory boxes.”

Ross’ sister, Kaitlen Holman, of Chesapeake, Virginia, was busy scouring the scavenger hunt sheet that visitors were issued at the park’s visitor center on Wednesday. The list contained a list of clues that helped visitors complete a self-paced scavenger hunt in the park.

She said park visitors who passed up the scavenger hunt just to enjoy a morning of exercise missed a good event.

“They are missing the beauty of everything, getting out on the first day of the year and starting off on the right foot,” Holman said.

Tim Aydlett, president of Friends of Dismal Swamp State Park, greeted visitors as they arrived at the park’s visitor center. The all-volunteer group was serving free hot chocolate as well as passing out the scavenger hunt lists. Park officials estimated about 150 people took part in the First Day Hike at the park.

“All of our 41 state parks in North Carolina are having a First Day Hike today,” he said. “I’ve been involved in several of them in the past. The goal is to get people outdoors and enjoy our naturally wonderful state park.”

Aydlett shared a few tips for hikers who hoped to see examples of the park’s wildlife on their trek.

“I’ve seen some wildlife on other days much farther away in the park, farther away from here (the visitor center),” he said. “What I’ve heard lately is the prothonotary warbler, that little yellow bird that makes a lot of racket.”

It’s also important to speak in a low voice — or not at all — when you’re hiking.

“If you’re hoping to see wildlife, you must be quiet when you’re walking,” Aydlett said. “You can’t talk and laugh loud and expect to see wildlife.”

The Daily Advance is a newspaper based in Elizabeth City that serves Chowan, Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. Coastal Review is partnering with The Daily Advance to provide readers with more stories of interest about our coast.