Mulberry Madness Mystery Hike #1 (Rating: C)

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.

(Nature/exercise hike up to 8ish miles on largely flat dirt trails.)

MULBERRIES. THOUSANDS OF what is arguably the YUMMIEST OF OUR NATIVE BERRIES! Come to the National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park to pick some to eat yourself along our hike and possibly to entice some hungry goats with delish mulberry leaves. They are just some of the human-loving colonial-era farm animals that dwell along the Potomac River. (I expect that it should be peak mulberry season.)

There are TWO PARTS to this MYSTERY HIKE. The main mystery is how far we will go, depending on hikers' desires and what we'll find along the way, and we'll visit some trails that haven't been recently scouted. FIRST: a foray with multiple stops around the farm and along the Potomac River to taste some native red and non-native white mulberries, eyeball birds and critters chowing down on the sugar-sweet berries, to meet colonial-era farm animals (such as sassy Hog Island sheep, awesome Ossabaw hogs, and perky turkeys), and to ogle the views of Mt. Vernon, across the river. (This protected National Park Service property exists to protect the views from Mt. Vernon!)

We'll hike at a 2.5 to 3-mile an hour pace while moving, but we'll DAWDLE A LOT to enjoy the other birds (such as sunflower-yellow prothonotary warblers and blindingly blue indigo buntings), skinks, lichens, and anything else that we stumble upon.

PART TWO is optional. We'll hike as close as we can get to Mockley Point, a farther-flung part of the park at a pace of around 3 mph with fewer stops. Near the river we'll dally a bit more to enjoy the views before returning to the start.

**MUST-READ/IMPORTANT NOTES: The end time is just for planning purposes. We'll likely end earlier, especially if you only attend the first part of the hike. Adults only. No pets, not even pet prothonotary warblers. Heavy rain cancels. Some of our route has NOT been scouted recently. The water in the restrooms may not be potable so bring plenty of your own water to drink and enough to wash off your mulberries. We can only pick roughly a pint of berries each so if you bring a container, keep it small!

WEATHER POLICY: Heavy rain cancels. Forecast will be posted here by 5 p.m. on Saturday.

MEET 10 am, VISITORS CENTER, NATIONAL COLONIAL FARM / PISCATAWAY PARK:
3400 Bryan Point Rd., Accokeek MD
https://www.nps.gov/pisc/planyourvisit/ncf.htm
USE THIS GPS: 38.694773, -77.065278 . Park in dirt parking lot on the RIGHT, not at the farm buildings. Walk toward the river for the visitor center. It's NOT the building in the parking lot.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/L5ryrJdoGXtv6bGC7

BRING: Mandatory water, sense of awe, and sense of humor, snack/lunch. Optional: hat, sunblock, bug spray, container and ice chest for your berries, fully-charged cell phone, and camera. (Long lenses also welcome.) On the Mockley Point leg, we may hike on one or two trails that haven't been mowed enough so long pants are recommended. (The leader will wear shorts though.) Binoculars or camera are also recommended.

RESTROOMS: At start.