Bluestem - walk, read, and connect

Join us for a Sunday afternoon walk at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery in the Cedar Grove community north of Hillsborough. Wait a minute - we're going for a walk in a cemetery? Yes, but this is a special one - it's a former farm now used for natural burials in a wildflower field or in the woods, with some preserved farm buildings and nature trails. You won't see any headstones or other large markers of graves, but you will walk along a pond and stream and through tranquil woods and fields.

We'll walk for about 2.5 miles, and stop in the natural sanctuary (a clearing in the woods with some benches) for about 30 minutes to read, talk, meditate, write, draw, birdwatch, or other quiet activity. The plan is to walk the meadow trail and inner circuit trail (black and yellow trails on this map https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/map.html ) with a possible side-trek along the gravel road to the historic cemetery.

The participant limit has been set very low for this hike because of limited public parking at the site, and at the request of the organization that manages this cemetery (they have asked that we bring groups of no more than 12 people). So please only sign up if you are certain you can participate, and if you end up on a waitlist, keep an eye on it up to the day of the event, as a slot may open up for you. I will post this location again later in the year - it's a little more complicated than the ones we usually do because it requires permission from and coordination with the cemetery managers, so our visit doesn't overlap with a burial.

We'll meet at 3:00pm on Sunday June 7 at the barn near the Bluestem parking lot: 1900 Hurdle Mills Rd, Cedar Grove, NC 27231 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/WKLd7iSzmEBUGeFw5 ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/WKLd7iSzmEBUGeFw5)

Note that we'll be walking through fields and woods. The trail is pretty flat and an easy walk, but it can be muddy in places, so wear hiking shoes, and it can be buggy, so use insect repellent to avoid taking any ticks or bugbites home with you.

We'll get started a few minutes after 3:00pm and aim to be back at the parking lot by 5:00pm.

We hope to see some of the "regulars" there, and to meet new folks! This group is a great way to meet people who both enjoy walking in nature and reading and talking about books and ideas. It's a fun group, with friendly people.

A couple of other notes:

• If you sign up and later realize you can no longer come, please change your RSVP to indicate that, so it will open up your space for someone on the waitlist, and so we know not to wait for you at the trailhead.
• If you're on the waitlist, check Meetup the day of the event, because often people drop out late and spaces open up at the last minute.
• We’ll still plan to walk if it’s drizzling or raining lightly. But if there’s heavy rain or extreme heat or cold in the forecast, we’ll reschedule and send a notice by the morning of the event to people who have registered.
• Participation in this hike and any of the events organized by this group are at your own risk. These hikes are on public and well-used trails, but there may be dangers like tripping over tree roots, snake or insect bites, poison ivy, or other unpredictable risks. By joining this event you agree not to hold the organizers responsible for any injuries, and that you understand that you participate at your own risk.