White Pines Preserve (near Pittsboro, NC)

White Pines Preserve (a Triangle Land Conservancy property) is a fantastic setting for a winter hike. Situated at the confluence of the Rocky and Deep Rivers, the enormous eastern white pines (Pinus strobus) -- giants leftover from the last glacial ice age -- steal the scene. These 200 year old tree-titans were so large that my husband and I could barely reach eachothers hands as we tried to hug them. Other interesting tree species include sugar maples (Acer saccharum) and some good sized river birches (Betula nigra). We also encountered a few winter birds, including the hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus).