After 2 months of fruitlessly watching the weather for a stretch of consecutive weekdays with sunny skies, we headed off to Merchants Mill Pond State Park near Gatesville, NC on the Friday of Veterans Day weekend with our tent, canoe, and gear.
Although the canoe campgrounds were full on Saturday night, the family campground where we stayed was half empty, and we spent 3 peaceful days, paddling, enjoying AM and PM campfires, and soaking up the daytime sun.
While we did not spot a lot of wildlife, there was a variety: turtles, deer, racoons, beaver lodges but no beavers, geese, flickers, pileated woodpeckers, crows, daddy longlegs, and a kingfisher. The resident alligator was nowhere to be seen.
Campsite.
Reflections on the pond.
Favorite lunch spot on the mill pond.
Highlight of the trip: paddling up Bennet's Creek at the east end of the pond.
Tight spot on Bennett's Creek.
Beaver Lodge.
Very nice! Did you see our photos of Okefenokee swamp? We went camping this weekend also. Maybe y'all would join us for that trip one year.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see this idyllic test posting before your departure for your next big tour.
ReplyDeleteSusan, Thanks and yes I saw the Okee photos - swamps are very cool paddling spots, no?
ReplyDeleteCrash, Yep, warmin' up blogger.