Merchant Millpond State Park N.C. March 29th-31st
Hello,
This will be the second report on this park. The first was written by our friend Jay ( mtnbike28) who visited the park the week after we did. He decided to stay home warm and dry instead of roughing it out with us. Though I do have to admit that having a hard sided insulated camper can make all the difference in comfort level when the wind blows cold and wet. Our weekend was spent with fellow teardrop campers. We are much obliged to them for their insight to the park as both of these couples consider this to be one of their favorite short distance trips( within 2 hours of their homes).
We planned on doing a trip to Merchants millpond ever since we first learned about it a year ago. Fellow paddling enthusiasts had described a magical mystical wonderland of Spanish moss, cypress trees and duckweed inhabited by ferocious looking alligators. So on the last weekend of march we hauled the CrowsWing out on a shakedown trip down across the state line to see for ourselves. It did not disappoint.
As the weekend approached the weather reports began to look grim.
Rain was forecast for both Saturday and Sunday this resulted in some of our friends to cancel ( missed you Jay, Deb and Sam) . James and I were thinking we may possibly spend the weekend alone. We set off in the early morn, accompanied by a light drizzle.
The rain became wetter as we proceeded south.
After a 3 hour drive in driving rain, we crossed the North Carolina line. The GPS decided we needed to wend our way to the park using small back roads. It apparently thought we were on the lam. Several miles from the park we found ourselves on one of the few dirt roads in the county. By the time we hit hardtop again the trailer was covered with mud ( time to order those Rock tamers we talked about last year). About that time, the rain slacked enough to prevent the dirt from being washed away.
We went to the visitors center to register for the campground, and then proceeded to our campsite. For those of you that want to visit the park , the visitor center, campgrounds and boat launch are all on different roads. We pulled into the campsite and to our delight were greeted by our friends from southern Virginia, Jack and Anna, and Jim and Jamie. ( Its too bad that the Capers couldn’t come too then we would have had a Jim, James, Jack, Jamie and Jay and all that jazz ). They were dressed in their rain gear on their way for a hike around the park. After a chat in which we had to answer the question of where we had found a dirt road in the area, ( Jamie suggested a set of Rock Tamers ) they left us to set up camp. We managed to get the awnings, Kelty tarp and First-up shelter all in place, just in time for the rain to start again.
We climbed in the truck and found the boat launch. The lake was really neat looking, especially for people like us who are unused to southern style wetlands. The parking lot was empty, well not really since we were there. We unloaded the kayaks and donned our dry pants, raincoats, hats and fishing gear. The paddling was easy, the scenery was gorgeous, the fish were not hungry.
We paddled around the northern end of the “pond” for a couple of hours, taking pics and dunking worms in the water.. It was still raining when we arrived back at the launch. We loaded the boats and peeled off our rain gear. That’s when we discovered that our dry pants are merely “water resistant”. Back at camp we changed into dry clothes and started dinner. I made a big pot of seafood chowder and we took it along with a lemon sponge pie down to Jim and Jamie’s campsite. They had a enclosed shelter set up over their picnic table, all dressed up with a cheery table cloth, fresh flowers and a propane heater. We spent a fun comfy evening with our friends, eating, catching up with each other and playing board games.
mmmm... Pie
The next morning there was a change in the weather. A change for the worst. The rain continued but the temperature had dropped about 15 degrees and the wind was windy. James and I lit up the Amazing Campfire in a Can and our shelter warmed up quickly . After coffee and warm granola ( I liked it, James was unimpressed- you know, no meat or potatoes in it) we went in search of our fellow campers. We found Jack sitting outside his T@B trailer reading a newspaper while Anna slept so we invited him back to our camp. We talked for a while and were soon joined by Anna then Jim and Jamie.
Despite the cold, drizzly rain they decided to go canoeing , James and I declined because our rain gear was still wet from the previous day. We decided to go explore the surrounding area to see if we could find an interesting antique shop to spend some time in hopes that the weather would improve by the afternoon. To our chagrin we found that most everything in the area is closed on Sundays ( except the churches) . We did find a Little Caesers Pizza shop for lunch… yummy.
We arrived back in camp about the same time as the canoeists returned. Jack and Anna had to pack up to head home. We said our goodbyes and then Jim talked us into paddling down Bennett’s creek where it exits the millpond . It was the highest water level that they had ever seen, and he thought it would be neat to check it out. So James and I layered up and climbed in the truck.
The launch for downstream portion of Bennetts creek is across the road from the hard launch. We unloaded the boats and the guys parked the trucks . The stream was flowing at a moderate rate through the trees it was over most of the dock..
P.S. This day was Jamie's Birthday her hubby thought a cold wet canoe ride was a great way to celebrate. How romantic. Luckily she is a great sport!
Jim and Jamie next to park bench that is normally 3 feet above water.
We paddled an easy 3 miles downstream, then stopped for a brief respite, loaded back in the boats and headed upstream. By then it was after 4:00 pm I was a little worried that the paddling would be hard and that darkness was approaching ( note to self to put flashlights in kayaks) , however we put our backs into it and reached the landing at 6:30 pm. We were tired but the scenery was so interesting it really was worth it. This time we had used our spray skirts and we stayed much dryer.
We returned to camp, this time I had to change into dry clothing because my under layer was soaked with sweat. I set to work cooking dinner. Tonight that was Bacon Cheesesburgers and “Jay’s dip” and Tostitos.
I asked James to pose for this photo , for some reason he looks demented-I think he was just tired and hungry. The Campfire in a Can provided a warm glow in the shelter while we ate. After dinner we wandered down to our friends camp. Their shelter was homey, warm and inviting. We shared the last of the lemon pie and more conversation then turned in for the night.
After a restful nights sleep, we awoke to blue skies and sunshine. After a shower and breakfast we reconnoitered with Jim and Jamie and went gator hunting. We split up on the lake to cover more ground and started combing the swamp. Less then a an hour into the hunt James spotted something, it was one of the gators, it was about 6 foot long, sunning itself on a log.
We all took turns posing with him/her. What a marvelous creature!!
We left him/her sunbathing and continued exploring. Around noon we circled back to the far side of the millpond and stopped for lunch. Jim found an interesting specimen at the landing area.
Rattlesnake skin.
After lunch we continued back to the launch. Unfortunately we didn’t find any more alligators, there were plenty of turtles, a beaver, various birds plenty to see.
By 2:00 pm we were back at the campsite, we packed up to go. Luckily the sun and wind had dried everything out. We said our goodbyes and hit the road.
We plan on returning to this park soon, next time we’ll bring the offspring. We have heard the gators become much harder to find after April (or if you dis your camping friends). I would recommend a visit to this park for any paddling or nature lover.
and that's that
Dr. CDawg
Hello,
This will be the second report on this park. The first was written by our friend Jay ( mtnbike28) who visited the park the week after we did. He decided to stay home warm and dry instead of roughing it out with us. Though I do have to admit that having a hard sided insulated camper can make all the difference in comfort level when the wind blows cold and wet. Our weekend was spent with fellow teardrop campers. We are much obliged to them for their insight to the park as both of these couples consider this to be one of their favorite short distance trips( within 2 hours of their homes).
We planned on doing a trip to Merchants millpond ever since we first learned about it a year ago. Fellow paddling enthusiasts had described a magical mystical wonderland of Spanish moss, cypress trees and duckweed inhabited by ferocious looking alligators. So on the last weekend of march we hauled the CrowsWing out on a shakedown trip down across the state line to see for ourselves. It did not disappoint.
As the weekend approached the weather reports began to look grim.
Rain was forecast for both Saturday and Sunday this resulted in some of our friends to cancel ( missed you Jay, Deb and Sam) . James and I were thinking we may possibly spend the weekend alone. We set off in the early morn, accompanied by a light drizzle.
The rain became wetter as we proceeded south.
After a 3 hour drive in driving rain, we crossed the North Carolina line. The GPS decided we needed to wend our way to the park using small back roads. It apparently thought we were on the lam. Several miles from the park we found ourselves on one of the few dirt roads in the county. By the time we hit hardtop again the trailer was covered with mud ( time to order those Rock tamers we talked about last year). About that time, the rain slacked enough to prevent the dirt from being washed away.
We went to the visitors center to register for the campground, and then proceeded to our campsite. For those of you that want to visit the park , the visitor center, campgrounds and boat launch are all on different roads. We pulled into the campsite and to our delight were greeted by our friends from southern Virginia, Jack and Anna, and Jim and Jamie. ( Its too bad that the Capers couldn’t come too then we would have had a Jim, James, Jack, Jamie and Jay and all that jazz ). They were dressed in their rain gear on their way for a hike around the park. After a chat in which we had to answer the question of where we had found a dirt road in the area, ( Jamie suggested a set of Rock Tamers ) they left us to set up camp. We managed to get the awnings, Kelty tarp and First-up shelter all in place, just in time for the rain to start again.
We climbed in the truck and found the boat launch. The lake was really neat looking, especially for people like us who are unused to southern style wetlands. The parking lot was empty, well not really since we were there. We unloaded the kayaks and donned our dry pants, raincoats, hats and fishing gear. The paddling was easy, the scenery was gorgeous, the fish were not hungry.
We paddled around the northern end of the “pond” for a couple of hours, taking pics and dunking worms in the water.. It was still raining when we arrived back at the launch. We loaded the boats and peeled off our rain gear. That’s when we discovered that our dry pants are merely “water resistant”. Back at camp we changed into dry clothes and started dinner. I made a big pot of seafood chowder and we took it along with a lemon sponge pie down to Jim and Jamie’s campsite. They had a enclosed shelter set up over their picnic table, all dressed up with a cheery table cloth, fresh flowers and a propane heater. We spent a fun comfy evening with our friends, eating, catching up with each other and playing board games.
mmmm... Pie
The next morning there was a change in the weather. A change for the worst. The rain continued but the temperature had dropped about 15 degrees and the wind was windy. James and I lit up the Amazing Campfire in a Can and our shelter warmed up quickly . After coffee and warm granola ( I liked it, James was unimpressed- you know, no meat or potatoes in it) we went in search of our fellow campers. We found Jack sitting outside his T@B trailer reading a newspaper while Anna slept so we invited him back to our camp. We talked for a while and were soon joined by Anna then Jim and Jamie.
Despite the cold, drizzly rain they decided to go canoeing , James and I declined because our rain gear was still wet from the previous day. We decided to go explore the surrounding area to see if we could find an interesting antique shop to spend some time in hopes that the weather would improve by the afternoon. To our chagrin we found that most everything in the area is closed on Sundays ( except the churches) . We did find a Little Caesers Pizza shop for lunch… yummy.
We arrived back in camp about the same time as the canoeists returned. Jack and Anna had to pack up to head home. We said our goodbyes and then Jim talked us into paddling down Bennett’s creek where it exits the millpond . It was the highest water level that they had ever seen, and he thought it would be neat to check it out. So James and I layered up and climbed in the truck.
The launch for downstream portion of Bennetts creek is across the road from the hard launch. We unloaded the boats and the guys parked the trucks . The stream was flowing at a moderate rate through the trees it was over most of the dock..
P.S. This day was Jamie's Birthday her hubby thought a cold wet canoe ride was a great way to celebrate. How romantic. Luckily she is a great sport!
Jim and Jamie next to park bench that is normally 3 feet above water.
We paddled an easy 3 miles downstream, then stopped for a brief respite, loaded back in the boats and headed upstream. By then it was after 4:00 pm I was a little worried that the paddling would be hard and that darkness was approaching ( note to self to put flashlights in kayaks) , however we put our backs into it and reached the landing at 6:30 pm. We were tired but the scenery was so interesting it really was worth it. This time we had used our spray skirts and we stayed much dryer.
We returned to camp, this time I had to change into dry clothing because my under layer was soaked with sweat. I set to work cooking dinner. Tonight that was Bacon Cheesesburgers and “Jay’s dip” and Tostitos.
I asked James to pose for this photo , for some reason he looks demented-I think he was just tired and hungry. The Campfire in a Can provided a warm glow in the shelter while we ate. After dinner we wandered down to our friends camp. Their shelter was homey, warm and inviting. We shared the last of the lemon pie and more conversation then turned in for the night.
After a restful nights sleep, we awoke to blue skies and sunshine. After a shower and breakfast we reconnoitered with Jim and Jamie and went gator hunting. We split up on the lake to cover more ground and started combing the swamp. Less then a an hour into the hunt James spotted something, it was one of the gators, it was about 6 foot long, sunning itself on a log.
We all took turns posing with him/her. What a marvelous creature!!
We left him/her sunbathing and continued exploring. Around noon we circled back to the far side of the millpond and stopped for lunch. Jim found an interesting specimen at the landing area.
Rattlesnake skin.
After lunch we continued back to the launch. Unfortunately we didn’t find any more alligators, there were plenty of turtles, a beaver, various birds plenty to see.
By 2:00 pm we were back at the campsite, we packed up to go. Luckily the sun and wind had dried everything out. We said our goodbyes and hit the road.
We plan on returning to this park soon, next time we’ll bring the offspring. We have heard the gators become much harder to find after April (or if you dis your camping friends). I would recommend a visit to this park for any paddling or nature lover.
and that's that
Dr. CDawg
Last edited:
.
That's funny right there.