David Freeze

By David Freeze

United Way’s Run for the Mountains and More

   Due to finishing up my tour of the North Carolina state parks, I’m a little late on sharing information about the October races. The wonderful temperatures of the past week beckon runners and walkers while the charities that organize the races need your help.

    Saturday’s Dolphin Dash 5K and Fun Run takes place at Sacred Heart Catholic School with the county’s only cross-country course used for an open (any age) race. It’s all grass and dirt with no pavement at all, starting and finishing on the school’s soccer field. An extra bonus is that the fourth annual race is part of the school’s Octoberfest.

    Sunday has the brand-new Run for the Mountains 5K, benefiting the United Way’s western North Carolina disaster relief programs. A fun run for kids starts at 1:45pm and is followed by the 5K race at Salisbury Community Park on Hurley School Road. Plenty of parking is available, and the forecast looks great for runners and walkers of any ability to enjoy the park setting. Some of the course is on pavement and some of it is on gravel. No awards will be given so that 100% of the proceeds will benefit those in distress. All participants will get an official time and a certificate to pick up a commemorative short sleeve dri-fit shirt 10 days later at the United Way office. Novant Health will donate the refreshments.

    Here is a statement from United Way Executive Director Jenny Lee concerning how her organization is helping those western NC residents. Lee said, “While most of Helene’s physical damage occurred in Western North Carolina, the impact of this devastation is being felt far and wide. The Salvation Army of Rowan County, for example, has been deployed to the western part of the state and has served a total of 21,900 mass feedings, with an additional 12,150 served via mass drops. As those impacted by the storm relocate, other local nonprofits, such as Rowan Helping Ministries and One Love Community Services, will also face additional challenges. Rowan County United Way is committed to supporting our local nonprofits by surveying our community partners to gain a better understanding of their emerging needs. We are also monitoring NC 211 disaster response calls to collect more data. This information will help us better assess and understand the needs of Rowan County, our local nonprofits, and our neighbors from the West who are relocating here.

     Additionally, the United Way will be at the event continuing their effort to find cold weather clothing, either new or gently used, to send toward the mountains. Items needed include coats of any kind, sweaters or sweatshirts, winter socks and gloves. UW’s Ali Edwards said, “Just about anything warm will help. I will be there to collect any donated items.”

      Then we move on to the St. Matthews 5K at the church located at 9275 Bringle Ferry Road on Saturday, October 26th. This rural course uses country roads while the race benefits several community and church members with severe medical issues.

     The next day, Sunday, October 27^th, brings Halloween fun at the long-running Spooky Sprint 5K and Fun Run. Held at Catawba College’s Shuford Stadium, the 5K will use a new course that includes the soccer/softball complex and the greenway out to the Crescent area and back. Runners, walkers and fun runners can all compete in a festive costume contest following the race and just ahead of the awards ceremony. This race benefits Rowan Rotary community projects with an emphasis on youth.

    November races include the Clean Water 5K on the 9^th at Grace Lutheran Church, then the Girls on the Run 5K at Salisbury Community Park on the 16^th. We close out the month with the fast-growing Butterball 5K at The Forum on Thanksgiving Day, November 28^th.

    Look for more information on all these races at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

By David Freeze

The Final State Parks Spark Plenty of Memories

  On September 17, I drove north to Hammocks Beach State Park near Swansboro. Established in 1961, this park includes 1,611 acres. I was excited by the description of the park and its three islands just offshore, but especially by the ferry service to the biggest of the islands. Just offshore is the Intracoastal Waterway.

     The visitors center has a panoramic view of all that water off its back deck. In fact, I couldn’t remember another visitor center with such an outstanding view. The visitor center also had lots of displays about the park and its history. I got my passport stamp and asked the attendant about the ferry to Bear Island. Many visitors have taken their beach chairs and other gear to spend a day at Bear Island on the ocean. A bathhouse, restrooms, concession stand and 14 primitive campsites on the beach and inlet. The beach front is almost four miles.

     The ferry has been closed this year as the island aquifer couldn’t handle the traffic. I was told by the desk attendant that the ferry should return next year. The only swimming and camping in the park is on Bear Island. In retrospect, I should have asked about canoe, kayak or paddle boat accessibility to the island, but regardless I plan to return to spend a day here. 

    The park includes 225-acre Huggins Island, an undeveloped maritime swamp forest with significant Civil War history. Dudley Island, a remote marshland with some beach front, and little James Island, another remote marshland. Nesting birds and marine life use these islands. There are four easy to moderate hiking trails near the visitor center and all are connected in the upland coastal forest.

      My 42^nd and last state park was one I had visited before during a bike ride on the inner and outer banks of NC. As a history buff, I love Fort Macon State Park near Atlantic Beach. Fort Macon was the second state park and was added to the system in 1924. Bought for one dollar from the US government with agreement that it could be taken back if needed, the park’s 424 acres were restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

     The fort itself is the centerpiece of the park, but the large visitor center is the place to start for information, a map and a wonderful movie about the Fort. I decided to take the free tour given by a volunteer this time. Not on a time rush, I decided to learn all I could about the fort. The five-sided fort faces the Atlantic Ocean and sits next to both Bogue Sound and Beaufort Inlet, and it receives one million visitors a year, exceeded only recently by Jordan Lake State Park. On the Fourth of July, most of the cannons in the fort are fired by Civil War reenactors.

      Fort Macon was built in 1834 as part of US coastal fort system. In 1861, Confederate troops took the fort and held it until the Union troops took it back in 1862. It served as a federal prison from 1867 to 1876. It was used again for coastline protection during WWll. Much of the fort living quarters and storage areas have been redone in galleries depicted the various time periods of the fort, with displays of weapons, clothing, and so much more. 

      Swimming, picnicking and fishing are available with lifeguards and a refreshment stand during summer months along with outdoor grills, drinking water, a pavilion and restrooms. I especially enjoyed watching the boats of all sizes using the Beaufort Inlet. For me, so much history and all the beautiful waterfront makes Fort Macon my favorite state park. No doubt, I could spend a day here easily.

          This ends my summer tour of all 42 state parks, another exciting way to cross the state. I ran across the state and had two bike trips that crossed the area. Prior to these visits, I had seen less than 10 of the beautiful parks. A friend told me at Food Lion the other day that he had no idea about all there is to do at the parks. Honestly, neither did I!  Already, I can’t wait to return to at least six of them for things I couldn’t do this summer. I want to hike over Stone Mountain, see the view from Mt. Mitchell without clouds, spend a day on the beach at Fort Fisher, ride the ferry to Bear Island at Hammocks Beach, go canoe camping on the New River and run at Lake James.

       Few parks charge for admission, but that includes all the huge lakes for recreation and Chimney Rock. Low-cost camping is available everywhere and bicycles, canoes and kayaks for rent at most of the parks with water. Wonderful hiking trails are free and can be as challenging as you want. Rich history is abundant throughout the system. I visited all the parks during the summer and didn’t feel crowded anywhere, and I talked to a friend the other day who is on her second tour of the parks. Three new ones are in the works, and I will visit just as soon as they open.

     Finally, the North Carolina State Parks Passport book with all the stamps inside is a special possession. 

By David Freeze

Cliffs and Plenty of Water at Coastal State Parks

   The Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is near Seven Springs and covers 1,097 acres. The park, named for the Neusiok Indians, opened in 1945 and is known for the high banks along the Neuse River. The river is 250 miles long. I visited early on the morning of September 11^th and found the visitor center locked at 8am, the listed opening time. I found a maintenance man who opened the door just long enough for me to get my passport stamp. Maps were on a rack outside.

    I took the 350-Yard Trail and the Bird Trail to get great views of the Neuse River and the 90-foot cliffs high above it. Near the highest point, a fence blocks visitors from falling over the edge but soon the paths from the trails are open to unprotected banks. The highest point of the cliffs extends for about 600 yards and layers of sand, clay, seashells, shale and gravel form a multi-colored cliff face. The cliffs were formed when a fault in the earth’s crust shifted millions of years ago, and the river followed the fault line. A bend against the bank allowed the erosion that slowly carved the banks. The park has seven hiking trails, all rated easy or moderate.  

    The beautiful 11-acre swim lake has a sandy beach, diving platform and a large bathhouse. Canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and paddleboards are available for rent. Private boats aren’t allowed on the lake as swimming is very popular with a concession stand and a large parking lot.

     Fishing is popular on the Neuse banks with bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. Shad migrate upriver in the spring. The park has 30 campsites but only 12 have water, electrical and sewer for RV’s. The park has three camper cabins, all with water and heating and air.

    On September 16, I drove to Carolina Beach as the tropical cyclone came ashore that morning. I checked the forecasts, and all signs pointed toward a better afternoon after heavy morning rains and winds. I don’t think anybody realized that up to 20 inches of rain would fall. Severe flooding was everywhere and gained national attention.

    I drove to Carolina Beach State Park and found most of the park closed, even though many campers in tents had survived the rain onslaught and were still there. A ranger supplied the passport stamp, but she made no promises whether the park would be open on Tuesday. I then drove toward Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and found the roads blocked due to flooding. I retraced my route and tried to figure my way around the flooding. I gave up and got an overpriced room on the high side of the worst flooding.

    On Tuesday, I drove to Fort Fisher and found the roads open but with plenty of damage from the flooding. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, opened in 1986 and near Kure Beach, didn’t miss out on damage, but much of it was still undetermined as I beat the first park rangers and staff to the parking lot. Once they opened the nice visitor center, I got my stamp while talking to the ranger in charge. I had already walked out to the huge beach area and saw sand piled high on the boardwalk. Blown sand and water were everywhere and the park’s only trail was flooded. The Basin Trail will be something I do when returning later, as it ends near one of Fort Fisher’s batteries and includes a WWll bunker.

    Fishing and swimming in the ocean are popular. The beach is pristine and has nothing commercial for seven miles. Loggerhead turtles nest along the shoreline. There is no camping on site. The NC Ferry, the NC Aquarium and the Fort Fisher Historic Site are adjacent to the recreation area.

    I then drove back to Carolina Beach State Park and found the visitor center open but most of the park remained closed. I wanted to see the marina and the Cape Fear River at the back of the park. The small park has just 761 acres and was established in 1969.  The park is unusual in that it has five different carnivorous plants, including sundews, bladderworts, butterworts, pitcher plants and Venus fly traps. All are displayed at the back of the visitor’s center. The park is also popular for animal life with some of the most notable being alligators, brown pelicans, ospreys and several varieties of fox. Birding is very popular.

    The 54-slip marina was a high point for me. I was determined to see it and talked another ranger into letting me walk there on a partially flooded road. I told her I needed the photos for a newspaper article. About to have to walk through knee-high water in my bare feet, I heard a horn behind me and caught a ride with a wildlife officer named Bill checking on his boat. We saw three white-tailed deer for a great photo.

   No swimming is allowed in the park due to dangerous currents. A beautiful picnicking spot is beside the marina. There are nine hiking trails ranging from a quarter mile to 3 miles and all are rated easy. Camping is big here, with 70 tent/trailer sites with no hookups and nine RV sites with full hookups. The park also has four very nice camper cabins and two group camping areas, good for 26 and 40 people.

    The fun continues with 40 parks visited and two remaining.  

By David Freeze

More State Parks Starting with the Black Water River

  Last week on Labor Day, I was able to visit four parks and had grand ideas about including all of them in last week’s article. Only three made it, with the Black Water River left out because I ran out of available space. This week, we start with the Lumber River, full of beautiful black water.

    Named for the huge amount of timber harvested and transported during the late 1700s, several towns were settled along its banks. The upper river was designated as the state’s first recreational water trail in 1978, then a national canoe trail in 1981, then the state canoe trail in 1984. In 1989, the Lumber River was established as a scenic river and as a state park.

    The second town in Robeson County, Princess Ann, was established in 1796 near where the park’s headquarters are now on a bluff that was safe from flooding. The town gradually disappeared and only a few signs of it remain.

    The park now has 11,250 acres and is nearest Orrum, NC. The park has five designated sections and 24 primitive campsites, plus multiple paddle launch points. The Princess Ann section is where I visited. I found the office door locked but passport stamps in a box outside. I also found a wonderful, shaded section of the river with extensive picnic areas. This was one of the coolest and most peaceful sites I have seen under the huge trees with a light breeze. No canoe or kayak rentals are available so bring your own.

    Fishing is reported to be excellent with bass, catfish, black crappie, bluegill, chain pickerel and redbreast sunfish. The 1.5-mile Princess Ann Trail follows the river and visits the area where the town once existed. Other parts of the Lumber River State Park include Buck Landing, Piney Island, Pea Ridge and Chalk Banks Access. 

    I started another trip east on September 9^th. My first stop was Haw River State Park, but it was very different than any I have seen before. The park is centered around the Summit Environmental Education and Conference Center. Conference guests use eight indoor meeting spaces, 47 motel style guest rooms and 10 cabins. Other amenities include planned meals, hiking trails, athletic fields, gymnasium, outdoor pool, a 6-acre lake for fishing and paddling, disc golf, and two amphitheaters.

    Summer camps and the very popular Grand Camps are also offered. Grand camps are for grandparents and grandchildren and meant to enhance their connection. Programs are also available on animal adaptations, wetland ecology, soils, orienteering, wilderness survival and team building.

     After seeing all of this, I was not exactly sure what to expect when I stopped at the visitor center. I got my passport stamped and picked up a map, then asked about available walking trails. They have three available trails of .4 miles, .6 miles and 1.4 miles. I walked the Wetlands Boardwalk trail which has the boardwalk suspended over extensive low growing plants and sometimes flowing water. I was told at the desk that this trail ends at an overlook of the headwaters of the Haw River, somewhat disappointing in size. I remember thinking the same thing when I first saw the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

    The park opened in 2003, a newer member of the state park system, and is still developing. The park has 1,485 acres and is closest to Browns Summit. The Haw River flows 110 miles to the Jordan Lake Reservoir. Farther downriver, the Haw River is rated as the most popular for whitewater paddling in the Piedmont. There is also a six-acre lake for fishing called Robin’s Nest Lake.

      My next park was the Medoc Mountain State Park, 2,893 acres and nearest Hollister. The park was established in 1973 and is a remnant of a mountain range from the Paleozoic Age. The highest point of the park is only 325 feet, so no mountains remain.

      There is wonderful hiking in the park through hardwood and pine forests, and a beautiful creek called Fishing Creek. There are nearly 11 miles of biking trails, 7 hiking trails that total 29.85 miles and 10 miles of equestrian trails. Next to the visitor center is the Habitat Adventure Trail, .75 miles with for the whole family with educational signs. The campground has 34 sites, 12 of those with electric hookups and a nice bathhouse. There is a large playing field for games, a wonderful playground and a large pavilion. Kayaks and canoes have two areas of access to Fishing Creek.

By David Freeze

Three Bay Lake State Parks and a Black Water River

  Labor Day Monday, September 2 seemed like a perfect day to visit some more parks. I headed southeast to see Jones Lake State Park, the first of what is called bay lakes. Bay lakes are not deep, usually topping out at about 11 feet although walking in most of them well away from the shore probably won’t reach waist deep water. Also, the water is more tea colored, due to the acidity in the water.

   Jones Lake State Park is closest to Elizabethton and covers 2,208 acres. Salter Lake is also in the park but is undeveloped, even though it is the same size as Jones Lake. Because of the depth, only canoes, kayaks and small boats with 10 horsepower motors can use the lake.

    The visitor center has lots of information on how bay lakes developed and how they were purchased by the federal government before the Civilian Conservation Corps developed the parks with buildings, trails and pavilions. Jones Lake opened in 1939 as the first African American state park in North Carolina. A large pier juts out into the lake for fishing and a good section of sandy beach is roped off for swimming. Another pier is attached to the boat house.

    There are 20 camping sites, six of them good for RV’s with full hookups. The park also has three walking trails, all to do with the lakes. When I was there, the Cedar Loop Trail was closed for flooding, so I walked part of the Bay Trail out to the fishing pier.

   The area is rich in history since being settled in colonial times. Farming, including timber, turpentine and cotton, overused the land and the government then decided to purchase submarginal land for the parks.

     Less than 20 minutes away was Singletary Lake State Park. On the same day in 1939 that Jones Lake opened, Singletary Lake was leased to the state. Singletary Lake became a group camp for Boy Scouts and 4-H clubs which extends today to many church groups. Any verifiable group of 20 or more can rent the camps. There are two large camps with multiple buildings, with Camp Loblolly Bay built of logs in 1984 and accommodating 48 campers. Camp Ipecac, all red structures and built in the 1930s, is open year-round and houses 84 people. Visitors are only allowed in the park from 8am to 5pm. Canoes are provided for campers, but others can bring their own or other watercraft.

     Singletary Lake also has a beautiful 500 feet long wooden pier on the deepest of the local bay lakes. The lake isn’t fed by streams but relies on rainfall and runoff from the surrounding land along four miles of shoreline. Besides Jones Lake, Salters Lake and Singletary Lake, other bay lakes in the area include Lake Waccamaw and White Lake.

     Hiking trails are limited to the CCC Loop Trail that is easy and stays close to the lake. A short trail goes from the central area between the two group camps and on to the lake and pier. The two camps share a volleyball and basketball area, horseshoes and grilling. Fishing in the bay lakes is limited to only a few species, with yellow perch being the best suited to the acidic water.

     Next was Lake Waccamaw State Park with 2.398 acres and closest to the town of the same name. The state park began in 1976, and fronts on the eastern bank, a small part of the 9,000 acres of water and 14 miles of shoreline. At first glance, I thought of driving all the way around the lake and back but didn’t have an hour or more to spare.

     I did drive to the lake access point after finding no one in the visitor center, except a large stuffed bear. I expect they were short-staffed and closed for lunch. The very small Lake Singletary and Jones Lake Park offices were open. I found passport stamps and maps for pickup. The busiest and biggest park of the day, I didn’t see any rangers or maintenance staff either.

    Boating and fishing are popular, both interesting in their own way. There is no boat access inside the park, but the park does have an access point outside the park. The water, even though still acidic, must be less so because bass, bluegill and sunfish can be found here. The water has a red tea tint, but clear enough to see the bottom. Camping has only two options, one being five primitive group areas. The other is a 16×20 foot wide yurt tent. It is attached to a 16 by 32-foot wooden platform.

    There are four hiking trails, the longest being the 4-mile Lakeshore Trail. This would be a great trail to do at a later date, as it follows the lake from the visitor center all the way to the Waccamaw River and dam.

     The Lake Waccamaw Overlook was the best spot of the day for me. From a parking area at the end of the park road, there is a trail, then a boardwalk and then a pier out to benches and steps down into the water. Full grown adults in the water several hundred feet out were still only at waist deep. From this viewpoint, the lake is huge with lots of waterfront homes.

      28 state parks visited, and 14 more to go.  

By David Freeze

Raleigh Area Parks in One Day!

  I had three parks to visit on Wednesday, August 28th, and the Raleigh area had three close together. My first stop was at the Falls Lake State Recreational Area with 5,035 acres. The lake itself is 38,000 acres and has several access points at Beaverdam, B.W. Wells, Highway 50, Holly Point, Rolling View, Sandling and Shinleaf. Falls Lake is about 10 miles from Raleigh and 12 miles east of Durham. Prior to 1978, regular flooding caused extensive damage to public and private properties. The Falls Lake Project included the construction of a dam that was completed in 1981, thus harnessing the Neuse River for water supply, flood control and fish and wildlife conservation.

    Fishing, boating and swimming are the main activities, but the park has over 300 campsites. Tent, trailer and RV camping are first class with centrally located bathhouses. I saw the expansive sandy swim beach at Sandling, and two more are at Rolling View and Beaverdam. To enter the swimming and boating areas, a fee of $7 per person is charged, but only $5 for seniors. One lady said, “If you are over 62, it is only $5.” She deserved an extra $5 for saying that. The fee is charged daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with additional weekends in April, the rest of May and September. 

    A nice visitor center has exhibits on area wildlife and a separate map for each access point. Fishing and boating are allowed, but some of the access areas are limited to non-gasoline motors. Kayak, paddleboard and canoes are available for rent.

     William B. Umstead State Park in Wake County between Raleigh and Durham is also home for three man-made lakes. Big Lake is 55 acres, and Sycamore Lake and Reedy Creek Lake are about 25 acres each.  Fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and a boat launch are available. Umstead has 21 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of multi-use trails that allow mountain bikes, horses, runners and hikers. I walked about half of the Sycamore Trail which follows the creek of the same name. Many of the trails here overlap and I found myself following the blue markers often to make sure I was on the right one.  

     The early park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and opened its doors in 1934, named for North Carolina’s 63^rd governor known for his conservation efforts. The park itself is surrounded by busy highways, so this peaceful place seems shielded by massive trees from the city sprawl not far away. The land was bought and preserved as the cities crept closer. The park now totals 5,579 acres, part of it the former Reedy Creek Park, an African American park.

    Tent and trailer camping is available at 28 sites and there are 50 more sites within the park for primitive camping. Groups camps are also available for 60-120 people. The nine hiking trails, varying in distance up to 7.2 miles, are all well-kept and rated easy or moderate. Each state park in the passport book has a landmark item to be seen and not missed. I asked at the visitor center where I could find the Sycamore Bridge, an arched stone bridge over Sycamore Creek. The information desk person told me there were in fact two of them. I was happy to finally spot the CCC constructed one noted in the passport book.

       Authorized by the US Congress, the B.Everett Jordan Lake Dam was completed and filled in 1981, again for flood control, an adequate water supply and to promote conservation and recreation. Then Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Apex on US 64 opened in 1982 and now has 12 different access sites. It is again an area dominated by water sports and the almost 14,000-acre lake. The Jordan Lake State Recreation Area itself encompasses 4,558 acres and has boating, group and tent camping, fishing, swimming and picnicking.

    The large visitor center has a wonderful exhibit area, much of it about the area’s history and the bald eagles that frequent the lake. I asked the receptionist where the best chance was to see an eagle in mid-afternoon. She said that the eagles normally feed morning and early evening but are often seen flying over the Seaforth Day Use area during the afternoon. I watched and didn’t see one, and still have only photographed one in all of my running and cycling travels.

     The Seaforth area had a beautiful beach and a wonderful trail, according to the attendant. I found the trail immediately and noticed that it was closed with a sign and caution tape. The reason given was the trail area was subject to flooding. I ducked under the tape and started on the trail and quickly noticed that the area had dirt and sand on the tops of all the knee-high undergrowth, noting the high-water mark of recent flooding. The flooding probably had something to do with the most aggressive mosquitoes I have yet discovered in a state park. The beach area was spectacular with dozens of shaded picnic tables under massive pines. The same $7 day use fee, $5 for seniors, is charged at Jordan Lake too.

    On a day dominated by beautiful lakes near big cities, I have now visited 25 state parks. 17 still to go!

By David Freeze

Unusual finds at more state parks!

     On Sunday, August 18, I headed east to get three parks about as close together as any group in the state. The first stop was at Raven Rock State Park, known for a large rock facing toward the Cape Fear River. Stretching for more than a mile and as high as 150 feet, the rocks were sculpted and carved out by water over millions of years. Ravens used to roost in the rocks, but no longer do. An Indian legend says that a Tuscarora Indian named Raven was captured by another tribe and confined to the high ledge, only able to survive because Indian maiden White Fawn supplied him with food. They were later allowed to marry.

    The park is located closest to Lillington and has 4,810 acres. The park was busy early on Sunday with lots of hikers, many of them on the same Raven Rock Loop Trail of 2.6 miles that I used. The Raven Rock site is more spectacular than I expected. Hiking trails in the park total 11 miles, most of it easy and moderate except for the long stair steps down to river level. Bridle trails total eight miles, and mountain bike trails add another 32.

    Interesting fish caught in park waters include oddities like longnose gar, American eel, chub, shiner, darter and pirate perch. There are backpack and paddle-in campsites, camper cabins and 15 campsites for tents and trailers, plus nine for RV’s. There is also a first-class motion activated exhibit hall and a Native American exhibit. This is a wonderful park with lots to see and do and was one of the busiest I had seen on any early morning.

     Carvers Creek State Park is one of the newest state parks, and currently it has little development. The park has 4.530 acres and is nearest Spring Lake. The entrance road is next door to Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg, and the sound of large and small round firing was a constant while I was there. However, the signature item in the park is the Long Valley Farm which was the retreat of James S. Rockefeller. The 1,240-acre farm site includes a large millpond where fishing is allowed. The two trails in the park include an easy, flat walk to the farm from the park welcome center called the Rockefeller Loop Trail. The other trail is the Cypress Point Loop Trail, good for closer viewing of the large millpond which actually sits in front of the Rockefeller house.

     The house is fenced off pending future work, as is some of the property behind the house. A springhouse is on the property, as is another old house, a grist mill and a small shed. A sign says Long View Farm used scientific farming methods early on. The Rockefeller family purchased the farm in 1927, and the house was built in 1938. The 100-acre millpond was created around 1850. The livestock and crops supported many tenant farmers and their families. The farm was donated to the Nature Conservancy of North Carolina and then shown to all as part of Carvers Creek State Park when opened in 2013. Plans are in place to eventually make the house the park office and meeting center. The park plans to purchase additional land and to add camping and other recreational facilities.

      Weymouth Woods State Park and Sandhills Nature Reserve includes 915 acres and is nearest Southern Pines. The largest part of the park, once the Weymouth Estate, was donated to the park by the Boyd Family in 1963. The park’s main focus are stands of tall longleaf pines throughout the park. Many of these trees are 250 to 400 years old.

     The visitor center has lots of interesting activities planned for school and family groups. Throughout the three sections of the park are eight hiking trails totaling 4.7 miles and one equestrian trail of 2.6 miles. All walking trails are rated easy.

     Advertised in my guidebook and on the park map is the oldest living long leaf pine in the world. When I stopped at the visitor center, I asked about the tree and how to find it. The visitor center is in the Weymouth Woods Track of pines and walking trails. The desk attendant told me to just put the Boyd Tract in my GPS, and I did, finding Den Road as a dirt road with large homes and equestrian jumping farms. I parked in an open spot next to the Round Timber Trail. Very sandy and obviously frequented by ridden horses, I saw that the oldest tree would be on the left of the trail. I saw huge pines yet couldn’t find my tree. I turned and headed back downhill to look again.

    There was my tree! I had missed the famous tree on the way by, but this time noticed a small path had been worn to and around it. The huge tree was just as the attendant described, especially the odd-shaped base of it. The top has unusual, small and curved limbs and a strange butt that is misshapen. The tree has been tested to be 476 years old, and for many years remained in second place to a longleaf pine in Florida that reached 499 years before its death.

     Now with 22 state parks complete, I will soon head for 19 more.

By David Freeze

Piedmont Region

   Back on the road, I had a wonderful visit to Morrow Mountain State Park on Monday, August 12^th. Nearest to Badin, the park of 5,881 acres was established in 1939. At the opposite end of the parking lot from the visitor center, I found a wonderful heritage museum that contained plenty of facts about the area’s history and the park’s early years. With interactive displays, the museum is unmanned but still first rate.

     The park has plenty to see and do, including an Olympic size pool, 30 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. An old quarry where Civilian Conservation Corps workers took argillite rock for the park’s buildings, walls and bridges can be seen on the Quarry Trail. My favorite trail was the Fall Mountain Trail. Moderate and 4.1 miles long, much of the trail is along a beautiful segment where the Yadkin River becomes the Pee Dee River and then Lake Tillery. The river is wide and reminds me of the great rivers I have cycled past. With plenty of hardwoods along the trail, this would be a phenomenal fall color hike.

     With 54 miles along 11 hiking trails and 33 miles of bridle trails, I was very impressed. The Mountain Loop Trail around the top of Morrow Mountain offers fantastic views of the river and the surrounding forest below. Also, most notable were the reconstructed Dr. Francis Kron house, office and greenhouse. Dr. Kron was the first formerly trained doctor in the piedmont and also supplied veterinary services while making his own medications. He bought his land in 1834, established his practice and then played a big part in establishing Stanly County where the park is located.

      My first visit very early on the morning of Wednesday, August 14^th was the Eno River State Park. The river is the star of this 4.319-acre park. With plenty to see and I do, I kept hanging around for more on a morning when time was short for me. I stopped at the old visitor center first and found a map and immediately walked most of the 1.5-mile Buckwater Creek Trail that followed the river upstream. I met a local who told me what to see as he walks this same river trail every morning. While challenging over rock steps and stairs in a few areas, I enjoyed the river trail and a nice section of rapids past some big rocks. Just before leaving, I noticed a large group of kids loudly enjoying the water around the rocks and the rapids.

       I next found the new visitor center near Few’s Ford and talked to a very interesting attendant who gave me the park stamp and asked if I had seen the suspension bridge. I had not and immediately headed that way, then found the impressive piece of engineering. I watched a man walk across it fast and the thing was jumping up and down, but when I walked across it was steady and only slightly moving. Very cool!

      Another unusual find not far from the visitor center was a cabin built in the early 1800’s, yet a very well done and unusual “cabin” it is! Usually in this historic era, a cabin was very small and rustic. Located near the popular Few’s Ford crossing, the large Piper-Cox cabin is still going strong after 200 years.  Before bridges were common, travelers usually crossed rivers at places where the water level was low while the underlying surface was rocky to lessen the chances of getting wagons stuck.

    Water powered milling was popular along rivers during that era and 32 mills operated along the Eno. Several including grist, flour and sawmills operated at one time in the Few’s Ford area. Full of history, the park also has canoeing, kayaking and rafting along with fishing from its banks. Camping is only in back country sites and requires a permit. Other river access points within the park are Pleasant Green, Cabe Lands, Pump Station and Cole Mill. The park has an extensive and varied list of 18 hiking trails of lengths from .5 miles to 7.5 miles.

     My final visit this past Wednesday was the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, but still on the list of 42 state parks. It is managed by the nearby Eno River State Park where I got the passport stamp. Rising more than 350 feet above the Eno River, the mountain summit is said to be the highest point between nearby Hillsborough and the Atlantic Ocean. The park is the smallest I’ve seen at 190 acres and is named after the Occoneechee Indians who lived on the Eno in the early 1600s. Many of their descendants remain in the area. The park does not have its own office but does have two metal boxes with trail maps and other information.

     The park has four hiking trails between .10 and 2.2 miles. All are rated moderate to easy, and most have something to do with the mountain summit. There are abundant flora and fauna, much of it usually found on higher mountains. Rhododendron and mountain laurel, as examples, are usually found at much higher altitudes, as are brown elfin butterflies. Two well-stocked fishing ponds are on-site.

    19 state parks done, 23 more to go.

By David Freeze

   We have another Prediction Run on Saturday, August 24^th at 8:30 am at City Park. Free to SRR members, prediction runs are open to anyone. Any non-members who pay the registration fee become members for a year. No watches, no phones and you’ll guess your total time prior to walking or running 3.1 miles. Closest to the predicted time wins and the top three get nice prizes. Everyone gets refreshments and plenty of fun.

     September has the new Hugh Bost Memorial 5K in Rockwell on the 7^th, honoring the long-time police chief and raising money for Rowan County K9 programs. Next comes the Run for the Word 5K in Landis, now in its third year, on September 14^th. Proceeds go for the South Rowan Bible Teachers Association since the state does not fund those teachers. New this year, Landis special police officers, Sheriff Andy and Deputy Barney have offered to make sure everything goes well in their favorite town. And the 21^st brings the Town of Spencer’s Race to the River 5K. Formerly an afternoon event, the race moves to a 9am start that includes very fast miles 2 and 3 downhill to the river finish. 

     October has the new Back Creek Church Harvest Run 5K on October 5^th. This is a totally rural course starting and finishing at the historic church in the western part of our county. Next up on the 12^th is the Dolphin Dash at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The race benefits the school and is our only cross-country 5K with the entire course on grass and dirt. Then we go into Halloween mode for the St. Matthews 5K on Saturday, October 26^th. Another rural race benefits church members or area residents with significant health concerns and expenses. Sunday, the 27^th, has the long-running Spooky Sprint 5K where all proceeds go to Rotary programs. New this year is a course that includes the Catawba College Shuford Stadium track, softball area and the Salisbury Greenway.

     Also, in the fall will be our regular races at Grace Lutheran Church with the Clean Water 5K on November 9^th and the fast-growing Butterball 5K on the 28^th. December has the Freeze Your Buns 5K on the 7^th and SRR’s long running Santa Run for Hunger 5K on the 14^th.

     All of these races have a fun run except the Butterball, and all are on Saturdays except the Thanksgiving Day Butterball and the Sunday Spooky Sprint.

     Our fall Beginning Runners Class will begin on Thursday, September 5^th. As usual, 8 weeks of classes at the Salisbury PD building at Lee and Liberty. If all goes well, I hope to participate in the class as a returning runner following my back injury in May.

     I love these classes and it’s always fun to meet the new people who take them. These classes have been offered for more than 20 years and the Salisbury PD is a wonderful host. We start with a half mile distance on the first night and we’ll finish with running a 5K on the last evening. Eight weeks, all on Thursdays, beginning on September 5^th at 6pm. Participants will learn about topics including shoes and equipment, stretching and strengthening, nutrition, injury prevention, safety and running form.

     Just a quick note about my back. I no longer have to wear the back brace, and I have less restrictions. My back is healing and if all goes well, I should be able to try running again in a couple of months. I have been cleared to ride a stationary bike but not a real one. Thanks for the incredible prayers and support!

     Remember the feeling you get from a good run is way better than the feeling you get when sitting around wishing you were running! I know this for sure.

By David Freeze

  After seeing a long-distance view of Mt. Mitchell in the clouds the night before, I was still hopeful of reaching the summit in time to see the July 24^th sunrise. Still 16 miles away at my motel, I left on the dark and damp morning at just after 6am. I followed the Blue Ridge Parkway to the entrance road for Mt. Mitchell State Park and found most of it socked in by clouds.

    Mt. Mitchell was the first NC state park in 1915 and is one of the smallest at 1,855 acres. Named for Elisha Mitchell who explored the mountain and determined it the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet. A railroad once operated on the mountain for logging purposes.

   Highway 128 is the entrance road, and I drove to the summit parking area while waiting for more daylight and a hopeful break in the clouds. I realized the area was enveloped in a cloud, so I walked the Balsam Nature Loop as suggested by the owner of Albert’s Lodge the evening before. What I found was sort of an enchanted alpine forest, well worth the effort. At the far end, I walked briefly for the first time on the Mountains to Sea Trail which crosses North Carolina.

    Back at the trailhead, I walked up the paved but steep Summit Trail to the observation area, I’m sure a real treat on a clear day. I was last here as a small child but couldn’t see more than 200 feet currently. A small museum and gift shop, plus restrooms are in the area too. The museum has a life-sized figure of area explorer Tom Wilson and his cabin.

   On the way back down, I stopped at the park restaurant that came highly recommended, but it didn’t open until 11am. Last was a stop at the visitor center for my passport stamp and a map, plus an interesting conversation with one of the attendants. I will return to see the views that offer parts of four states and are so spectacular maybe even Russia, according to Van at Albert’s Lodge with a smile.

    My next park was South Mountains State Park, listed as nearest Connelly Springs and the largest state park at over 20,000 acres. The park has elevations of 3,000 feet and has 47 miles of hiking trails, 35 miles of equestrian trails and 17 miles of bike trails. Opened in the 1970s, the park has primitive camping. The Cherokee Catawba Indians once hunted and fought in the park area and settlers came in the late 1700s. Gold was found in 1828, and 26,000 acres were logged before the state established the park.

   I asked at the visitor center about the most popular hiking trail in the park. The High Shoals Fall Trail is the signature trail and although the desk attendant suggested easier ones, I told her I wanted to see the falls. More than a mile to the falls, the second half was mostly wet rock steps. 400 of them this time, added to that a huge amount of people coming and going including what looked like kids’ day camps. I just stepped aside and gave everyone else plenty of room.

    The park has an extensive mix of 11 hiking trails varying in distance from .2 miles to 5.2 miles and with varying degrees of difficulty. Many of the trails can be combined for even longer efforts. All of the trails leave from one of the three trailheads.

     High Shoals Falls was one of the best I had seen on the state park trails, definitely again worth the effort. This was my 15^th park and the most challenging waterfall trail yet. On the way back, I took another trail to Big Bear Falls with a much easier effort.

     My next park was Lake Norman State Park, the closest to my farm, on July 26. The park opened in 1962 after Duke Power built the Cowans Ford Dam and then donated land for the park to the state. Lake Norman was created from 1959 to 1964, but the area is full of long-ago history. The Catawba Indians had a population of about 5,000 but they left the area after it declined to less than 100 because of disease and warfare with any of the eight other tribes close by. There is an interesting collection of arrowheads that have been carbon dated to before 2000 BC.

    With 17 miles of shoreline on Lake Norman, the park has campgrounds, a public swim beach, hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and pavilions, a community building, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier on its 1,328 acres. There is quality fishing in Lake Norman and the park lake. Kayaks, canoes, pedal boats and standup paddleboards are available in one of the smallest yet one of the best parks. There is a 30.5-mile Itusu mountain bike trail. I did the Lakeshore Trail, which is listed as six miles on the park map but closer to 5.6 miles. Two other shorter trails including one that is wheelchair accessible start near the visitor center. The beach is free except for a small charge to swimmers but boats can launch free on Boat Launch Drive. Campground sites are numerous with a bathhouse and restrooms nearby, while six new two room cabins which can sleep six have water, sewer and electricity also available. Everything is free with lots to do!

     16 parks visited, and 26 more to go!