Heritage Day
Saturday MARCH 29th, 2008
9:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Guided tours
Self-guided walking tours
Tours, crafts and games for kids
Seed and plant giveaways
Displays, exhibits and other activities
Learn about the pioneer ecologist and early botanist of North Carolina by visiting his retirement home at Falls Lake. Learn about 19th century farm life; take a walk to look at the geology or wildflowers; hike to Zeagle’s Rock; participate in an activity about plants; learn about B.W. Wells through ecological games; look at his book and other literature while enjoying the displays, games and exhibits.
Rock Cliff Farm is open for guided tours only, so don’t miss this opportunity! Entire event is FREE!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Registration is required for all tours at 919-676-1027. Full hike descrtiptions and details at the bottom of the page.
B.W. Wells History Tour - every hour on the hour
Zeagle’s Rock Loop Trail Hike - self guided
Geology Walk - 10, 12, 2, 4
Wildflower Walk - 9, 11, 1, 3
Hog Farming Tour - 2 p.m.
Bird Hike on Zeagle's Rock Trail
8:00 a.m.
Canoe Tour of Rock Cliff Farm
9:00 am and 1:00 p.m.
Space is limited, registration fills up fast
Family ecology hikes - 11 and 3
Displays, exhibits, childrens activities and games
9:00 to 5:00
NC Botanical Gardens booth will have free seed packet giveaways and free hourly plant raffles
For mapquest use 2201 Bent Road, Wake Forest NC 27587.
B.W. Wells Association
Wake Forest Garden Club
Master Gardener Volunteers of Wake County
NC Botanical Gardens
NC Native Plant Society
Wake Audubon Society
Paddle Creek
Wake County Parks and Open Spaces
Length: about ½ mile on easy terrain
Time: about 45 minutes
This short history walk leads you around all the main features of the Rock Cliff Farm home stead. You will hear about the history of B.W. Wells and the farm itself.
Geology Tour – 10, 11, 12, and 2
Length: about 1 mile loop on hiking trail with some steep sections
Time: about 45 minutes
This tour leads you down to the lake shore to discuss the unique geology that caused the shape of Rock Cliff Farm. You will visit a rock outcrop along the lake shore and then return uphill along the same trail. You can opt to continue along the trail adding another ¾ of a mile.
Wildflower Tour – 9, 11, 1 and 3
Length: about 1 mile loop on hiking trail with some steep sections
Time: about 45 minutes
This tour leads you along a series of north facing slopes where spring wildflower can be spotted. Plant ecology and history will be discussed as you meander along the trail. The trail returns uphill back to the farm, you can opt to continue along the loop trails in either direction adding another ¾ of a mile.
Hog Farming Tour – 2:00 p.m.
Length: about ½ mile of easy terrain
Time: about 45 minutes
This tour takes you back to 1950, when hog farming was the livelihood of area residents. We will explore the old time techniques of hog farming by visiting a pen and smokehouse.
Family Ecology Hike – 11, 1 and 3
Length: about 1 mile loop on hiking trail with some steep sections
Time: about 45 minutes
Join a naturalist for an exploration of the different plant communities at Rock Cliff Farm. Just like B.W. Wells did throughout North Carolina, you will look at these different communities with an ecologist’s eye. The hike will end along the lakeshore, with a return uphill or option to continue the loop trail in either direction.
Canoe tour – 9 and 1 (SIGN UP REQUIRED)
Length: about three miles of leisurely paddling
Time: 2 ½ hours
After a brief orientation to paddling, participants will walk about 1/3 of a mile to the lake shore to board the canoes. From there it is a leisurely paddle along the narrow lake making a few interpretive stops of the Rock Cliff Farm shore line. After a unique photo opportunity and view of Zeagle’s Rock, you will turn back and return to the launch site. There will be a 1/3 of a mile return hike up the trail with some steep sections. Participants must be at least 12 years old and know how to swim. Sign up is required. Canoes, life jackets and paddles provided courtesy of Paddle Creek.