This was a quick overnight trip to make up for the disappointment of missing James and Elizabeth the previous weekend (pouring rain and selling our camper)
The location? Merchants Millpond State Park in northeast North Carolina.
An "enchanted forest," primitive species of fish relatively unchanged over millions of years, towering bald cypress trees with massive trunks, luxuriant growths of Spanish moss, this is Merchants Millpond State Park. Here, coastal pond and southern swamp forest mingle, creating one of North Carolina's rarest ecological communities. Together with upland forests, these environments create a haven for wildlife and humanity alike.
We camped at the park's campground, and it was great, secluded and small, only 20 total sites, and all too small for the huge RV crowd. (PS site 20 is about the longest driveway if you have a trailer)
After the long drive, we couldn't wait to get on the water and start "the hunt"
Lots of turtles, a water snake, birds, but no alligators.... we kayaked in and out of the coves and around Cypress trees, but I really started thinking this might be a snipe hunt.
A wonderful night, a warm fire, meat pie, birthday cake and cards with the family before we turned in for the night. It was cool overnight (low 40s) but we slept great, ie about 10 hours, before we got up and tried our new to us Coleman oven.
It worked great and just like at home, if you are cold, stand in front of the open oven after cooking.
We slowly packed up and headed back to the swamp and continue "the hunt"
Even the turtles were not playing nice....
After paddling about 2/3 of the swamp, I decided that others in this group must of bought the postcard and scanned it.... there are no alligators.
It was a wonderful birthday weekend, the park, paddling, and campground were awesome. There is a lot more to do that we didn't have time for. Lots of hiking trails, another creek for paddling, an easy 5 mile mountain bike loop and some historical sites in the area.
The location? Merchants Millpond State Park in northeast North Carolina.
An "enchanted forest," primitive species of fish relatively unchanged over millions of years, towering bald cypress trees with massive trunks, luxuriant growths of Spanish moss, this is Merchants Millpond State Park. Here, coastal pond and southern swamp forest mingle, creating one of North Carolina's rarest ecological communities. Together with upland forests, these environments create a haven for wildlife and humanity alike.
We camped at the park's campground, and it was great, secluded and small, only 20 total sites, and all too small for the huge RV crowd. (PS site 20 is about the longest driveway if you have a trailer)
After the long drive, we couldn't wait to get on the water and start "the hunt"
Lots of turtles, a water snake, birds, but no alligators.... we kayaked in and out of the coves and around Cypress trees, but I really started thinking this might be a snipe hunt.
A wonderful night, a warm fire, meat pie, birthday cake and cards with the family before we turned in for the night. It was cool overnight (low 40s) but we slept great, ie about 10 hours, before we got up and tried our new to us Coleman oven.
It worked great and just like at home, if you are cold, stand in front of the open oven after cooking.
We slowly packed up and headed back to the swamp and continue "the hunt"
Even the turtles were not playing nice....
After paddling about 2/3 of the swamp, I decided that others in this group must of bought the postcard and scanned it.... there are no alligators.
It was a wonderful birthday weekend, the park, paddling, and campground were awesome. There is a lot more to do that we didn't have time for. Lots of hiking trails, another creek for paddling, an easy 5 mile mountain bike loop and some historical sites in the area.
