Four Hours in the Triangle: Al Buehler Trail and Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

10 a.m. Arrive at the Al Buehler Trail, maintained by Duke Forest. While there may not be an exact address to plug into your GPS, head down Duke University Drive towards Wallace Wade Stadium. Take a right onto Cameron Boulevard, and a small parking lot will be on your left, .3 miles down Cameron Boulevard.

Walk the main loop of the gravel trail, which is just under 3 miles. Though the trail borders the edge of the Washington Duke Golf Course, it is still heavily wooded and scenic. Eastern Towhees, woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and different raptor species are present all year round, and the fall and spring seasons bring a host of migrating warblers. The path crosses a marsh and other riparian areas, so no runner, jogger, or walker will ever be bored on the trail.

11:30 a.m. Head to the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Drive, Durham. Browse the entire museum, but make sure to check out amazing nature scenes photographed by Ansel Adams, Alen MacWeeney, and Hong Lei. The paintings and drawings in the museum’s American collection contain beautiful representations of artists’ portrayal of American landscapes, including work by Charles Burchfield, John Sloan, Albert Bierstadt, George Inness, and John Frederick Kensett.

Note: The Nasher Museum is open from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

1:00 p.m. End the tour with lunch at the Nasher Museum’s on-site café. The café’s menu changes seasonally, and features produce and products from local favorites Blue Crown Farms, Chapel Hill Creamery, Cliff’s Meat Market, Elodie Farms, Joe Van Gogh Coffee Roasters, and many others. Enjoy a Fattoush salad featuring romaine hearts, tomatoes, carrots, radish, bell peppers, scallions, pita triangles, sumac, and lemon vinaigrette ($10), or try a tasty Smoked Salmon Omelet complete with smoked salmon, arugula, capers, onions, tomatoes, dill cream, mixed greens, and home fries ($13).

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About the Author:

Garrett Johnson