E4: Trails & Treats | Palmer McIntyre and Hollis Oberlies
Summary
In this episode, I talk to Palmer McIntyre and Hollis Oberlies about their book, Trails and Treats – A Hiker and Runner’s Guide to Great Trails and Good Eats in North Carolina. Written by a female hiker and runner duo, the guide is designed for both seasoned hikers and trail runners, as well as first-time explorers. A recipient of the Southeast Non-Fiction award from the National Indie Excellence Awards, this wonderful trail guide combines their passion for the outdoors and good food by offering a collection of exceptional trails alongside a curated selection of delicious local eats, the guide also includes historical, cultural, and geological highlights. We hear about their process of creating the book, what they learned from it, and what has inspired their love and passion for the outdoors.
Full Bio
Long time friends and nature lovers Palmer McIntyre and Hollis Oberlies have collaborated on a wonderful outdoor guide, Trails and Treats – A Hiker and Runner’s Guide to Great Trails and Good Eats in North Carolina. This unique, first-time guide, written by a female hiker and runner duo, is designed for both seasoned hikers and trail runners, as well as first-time explorers. In combining their passion for the outdoors and good food by offering a collection of exceptional trails alongside a curated selection of delicious local eats for pre- or post-trail hunger and thirst, the guide offers 30 different trails and more than 70 treats, plus additional options for extended hikes.
The beautifully designed guidebook is a thoughtfully curated collection of hiking and running trails from among four regions of the state of North Carolina: the mountains, the Triad (which includes Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem), the Triangle (including Raleigh, Durham, and Cary), and the Charlotte area. The trails they have chosen showcase diverse regional landscapes, range in popularity, and are managed by a variety of agencies and organizations. Many of the featured trails include interesting attributes such as historical, cultural, and geological significance. The guide is sprinkled with inspirational quotes, and great recipes for treats you can make yourself to bring along on your adventures!
And congratulations to Hollis and Palmer – their book won a Southeast Non-Fiction award from the National Indie Excellence Awards!
I spoke with Palmer and Hollis at site number 18 in their guide, the Occoneechee Speedway Trail, located in Hillsborough, North Carolina. On a beautiful summer evening, we sat in the lush pine forest among the songs of birds and cicadas and against the background sounds of walkers and runners on the trail. The historic NASCAR speedway is now a wooded 4-mile hiking and running trail within Eno River State Park, and is part of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The trail is named for the Native American Occoneechee Band of the Saponi Nation, who lived and roamed this area through the early 1700s along the Eno River.
Related Links
Where to purchase Trails & Treats
The Great Trails State website
Piedmont Land Conservancy website
LeithCars: Our State Magazine - Historic Occoneechi Speedway Trail
Occaneechi Band of the Sponi Nation
Historic Occoneechee Speedway Added to Eno River State Park
Credits
Feature photo credit: Scott Pope at Scott Pope Photography
Many thanks to singer-songwriter Abigail Dowd for permission to use her song, Beautiful Day, as theme music for this episode. You can find Abigail and her music at:
Daydreaming by LNDO; Last Straw of Summer and A Breath Away by Alsever Lake used by permission via Soundstripe.
The main entry path from the parking lot which leads into the Occoneechee Speedway Trail is flanked by a wide variety of trees and vegetation.
An old race car rests along what used to be the oval race track in the Occoneechee Speedway Trail.
The restored flag stand which sits along the old oval racetrack at Occoneechee Speedway Trail.
A partially restored structure at the Occoneechee Speedway Trail
Part of the original concrete bleachers where race fans sat and stood during races
Vroom vroom! Can you imagine racing this heavy steel race car around the dusty oval track back in the day?
Another sample from the guide, showing one of the great easy-to-use maps and other very useful tips and information
My guests and I recorded our podcast at this table, which sits next to the path which was originally the oval race track.
Speaking of trails and treats, yours truly stopped off for a pint at The Wooden Nickel in downtown Hillsborough, North Carolina, after another visit to the nearby Occoneechee Speedway Trail. Random trivia: the blue building that is blurry in the background is home to Yep Roc Records.
A sample of one of the trail sites in the Trails & Treats guide
Trails & Treats featured with a treat, made using one of the great recipes included in the guide!
Entrance to the Occoneechee Speedway Trail in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The site is now part of the Eno River State Park.