May 2, 2011 (Updated February 20, 2023)

I Heart Hiking

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

29 comments

Yesterday was so much fun!

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Matt is going on a big hiking trip with friends in a few weeks and wanted to break in his new boots, so we headed south about 10 miles to Haw River yesterday for a little hiking along the riverside trails!

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We’d never been there before so it was fun to explore. Very peaceful! 

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I loved how this part looked like an infinity pool with the water just dropping off over the dam!

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We also found the remains of some fun rope swings and tree forts:

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This close-up photo of a cicada came out SO cool:

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That was taken with my point and shoot, too, not my DSLR! I just put it on the macro setting (the little flower) with no flash. (I wrote a post a long time ago about taking better point and shoot photos, btw, check it out!)

At the end of our hike, we settled in for lunch! I packed us a bunch of stuff to enjoy:

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Carrots, grapes, and some trail mix — but the real star was this fun quinoa bean & spinach salad!

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YUM! I’ll share the recipe tomorrow 🙂

This was the view we enjoyed along with our lunch:

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Check out this awesome panoramic shot Matt got on his phone:

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We also had a friend dine with us:

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Heh. We couldn’t believe he didn’t run away immediately when we got this photo!

Matt and I spent the rest of the day outside kicking around the soccer ball and relaxing. Such a nice day 🙂

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I’m off to yoga now and then it’s time to start studying once again — my last final exam, Medical Nutrition Therapy, is early tomorrow morning! I’m excited though because right afterward, all the girls and I are heading out for lunch, shopping, and shenanigans. 🙂 We only get the rest of the week off, though; we start back up with summer school/internship stuff next week! Our real break — 3 weeks — is in August.

Have a great day!

p.s. Check out my latest Attune Foods blog post! This one is all about hidden sources of gluten — we did a project in my Medical Nutrition Therapy class this year on this topic and I was SHOCKED at how many places gluten lurks when you wouldn’t expect it. Go check it out! I also share 4 of my favorite gluten free recipes 🙂

- anne

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29 comments
  • Valerie @ City|Life|Eats
    What beautiful pictures. Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday :) I really liked your gluten-free piece over at Attune - as someone who follows a gluten-free diet I appreciate that there is increased awareness that there are many hidden sources of gluten out there.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I was seriously SHOCKED at all the weird hidden sources. I had no idea before that class project I had to do!
      Reply
  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun
    Good luck on your exam!!! Gorgeous hike. I can't wait to go on a hike with my family. Little B is still a bit on the small side for a real hike because he can't sit in our packs yet. I'm ready to get out there though!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Thanks! Welcome to the blog :)
      Reply
  • Kristin @ FoodFash
    I wish we had a lush place to hike in Tampa, it would sure make summer cardio a tad more tolerable!
    Reply
  • Meri
    What a fun hike! I wish we had critters like that salamander/ lizard guy around here!
    Reply
  • DHP
    Good luck with the final exam, Anne. And sure looks like a wonderful hike! Loved the old swimming hole! Can't believe you didn't swing in!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Haha we were tempted! Sadly the rope was gone, though!
      Reply
  • Renie
    Anne, your photography abilities are awesome. Beautiful. I can just see you swinging in to the swimming hole. Good luck on your exams.
    Reply
  • Gena
    I had my first backpacking overnight ever this weekend, and loved it. Great photos!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Look at you, all outdoorsy! :) How fun!
      Reply
  • meg @ pinkgiggles
    This is amazing! My boyfriend and I just decided to go gluten free as of yesterday! Thanks!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      YES! I love the Shenandoahs for hiking in VA. Closer to DC, the Billy Goat Trail in Great Falls (the MD side) is awesome!
      Reply
  • Lauren @ Sassy Molassy
    Awesome place to hike! I always enjoy hearing about all your test taking and studying as I'm interested in going back to school for a Masters in Public Health or R.D. And I love that you girls always celebrate these hard tests with some fun shenanigans. That's how it should be!
    Reply
  • Jessica @ Stylish Stealthy and Healthy
    beautiful photos, I could not be happier that nice hiking weather is back :) (I don't like to go when it's cold and muddy, I just don't enjoy it as much.) I live in PA and the scenic hiking trails are actually one of the perks. Plus it's my pups favorite excercise too. Some day I will email you about becoming and RD and ask you a zillion questions...so there's something to look forward to... (you've been warned.)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Haha, okay! Check out this post first, it will probably answer most of your questions :) http://www.fannetasticfood.com/health-tips-favorite-posts/so-you-wanna-be-an-rd/
      Reply
  • Katie G
    Wow, the cicada photo is awesome!!!
    Reply
  • Jen
    Ahhh, so peaceful!!! Looks like a perfect day :)
    Reply
  • Emma (Namaste Everyday)
    that's the life of a student! We never really have breaks, do we. Thank god for hiking with our partners!
    Reply
  • Katy (The Singing Runner)
    Aw looks so amazing!!! :) And such a fun day! I'm planning on heading up to Chapel Hill this summer to check out UNC and the MPH- Nutrition program. :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      That's great! I'm sure you'll love it here :)
      Reply
  • Jenny @ FItness Health and Food
    what a beautiful hike and such amazing photographs! I am going to have to try out my point and shoot's macro setting I didn't even think to try that. thanks for the tip! :)
    Reply
  • Leila @ Spinach and Skittles
    Wow, what a gorgeous lake! I can't wait for our weather to stop being bi-polar so weekend hikes can become the norm.
    Reply