If COVID-19 weren’t a thing, I highly doubt Justin and I would be spending so much time exploring Raleigh’s parks, trails, and greenways.
In fact, I have been spending a lot of time lately reframing my mindset and thinking about all the things this global pandemic has given me instead of taken from me. Thoughts I hope to share on Dammit, Hali soon.
The fact that we’ve spent more time outdoors since moving to Raleigh than we ever did in Charlotte, however, has not escaped me. And I fully attribute the global pandemic and social distancing guidelines to that. As a work-from-home mom, I desperately desire to get out of the house and thanks to COVID-19, running to Target with my baby in tow simply isn’t something I desire to do.
Born out of a critical need to not be inside our house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Justin and I started spending more time outside, in nature, with Jack. Mentally, I have not been in a good place lately. Feeling chained to my work computer, not having any kind of buffer or transition between work life and home life, and working all hours of the day and night is no way to live.
So, we’ve been enjoying finding different spots to explore in our new city, and this past weekend we ventured over to Hillsborough (about 40 minutes from our house) to check out the historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail.
The trail, which sits on the banks of the Eno River, is home to the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’S inaugural 1949 season.
It is such a cool piece of North Carolina history. Plus, the trees that line the old speedway make for a beautiful and shady retreat from the hot southern summer sun.
We got there mid-morning, around 10 a.m., which seemed like a good time to arrive. There were plenty of parking spaces in the gravel lot at the head of the trail and not many people out were out.
Walking along the trail, everything feels frozen in time. My favorite part, though, was the old stands.
Can you just imagine sitting up here, under these trees, during a race in 1949?
I also really enjoyed the trail that leads to the old concession stand. It sits at the top of the stands, so race attendees would walk past it on their way to their seats from the ticket booth.
The trail was a little bumpy for a stroller, but we made it work.
It was such a beautiful day spent outside as a family, and it was certainly what my heart needed. We’ve already said that we will go back to Occoneechee as soon as possible.
