Living in town with a sporting dog makes me get out to some local hiking trail two to three times a week, especially since Willow has never taken to walking in the neighborhood. We usually go to nearby Duke Forest which has a good variety of trails, some along New Hope Creek, but whatever the trail, I’ve discovered that winter is actually the best time for walking in the woods.
Pests, like ticks and snakes, are less common. The creeks have more water. Underbrush has died back, improving visibility and opening up otherwise overgrown trails. No crowded parking lots or trails, except on New Years Day.
And as demontrated by the ferns in this photo from the Eno Rivier, there is plenty of green around.