AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD 2

The following are pictures taken from around my neighborhood by getting up and off the couch and going outdoors.

Rainbow

Morning dew on some roses

Morning dew on some roses

Empty and misplaced bird nest

Morning dew on some bushes

Butterfly

First four leaf clover in 20 years or so.

Tree line

Deer and her fawn

Snail desperately trying to cross the road

Lonely mushroom

Blue Heron

Garden spider spinning a web

Centipede racing the snail

DEEP CREEK NEAR BRYSON CITY

Deep Creek is a cascading mountain stream flowing out of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Deep Creek Recreation Area is an area known for great fishing, natural swimming holes, well-maintained hiking trails, dancing waterfalls, and a mile or so of the best whitewater tubing. The one-mile stretch of Deep Creek in the National Park set aside for tubing is divided into two section: The upper section is narrower and offers the most white water. It also provides the most thrilling tubing. The lower section is wider and a bit calmer. It's perfect for younger kids and less-adventurous adults. Many people continue tubing all the way back to the campground, just a half-mile downstream. Between the two sections you'll find one of the best natural swimming holes around. Our family has been enjoying this area for years. This time we reserved a picnic shelter to celebrate the fact that my brother-in-law completed his Doctrine. Everyone helped set up the smorgasbord of food while Dad and I maintained the grill. Filled with hamburgers and Nathans' dogs everyone scattered to the creek for some tubing and fishing. I decided to follow the well-marked trail up to Juneywhank Falls and then loop back around to the shelter. Deep Creek has a total of three waterfalls: Juneywhank Falls (80 ft), Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls (20 ft). The Tom Branch Falls splashes over 80 ft into Deep Creek and the one-mile tubing section. I could never find the Indian Creek Falls. The campground is open from early April until late October. Group camping is also available. There are several designated backcountry campsites along Deep Creek Trail but by permit only. Deep Creek Recreation Area has all the amenities you need for your next mountain vacation. 

Juneywhank Falls (80 ft)

Old Bear Trap

JORDAN LAKE STATE PARK

Jordan Lake State Park was my final destination for the weekend after visiting Mayo River State Park and Haw River State Park earlier part of the day. Jordan Lake State Park operates nine recreation areas on and around the lake -- Crosswinds Campground, Ebenezer Church, Parker's Creek, Poplar Point, Seaforth, Vista Point, Robeson Creek, New Hope Overlook, and White Oak Recreation Area. After talking to the lady at the visitor center she recommended Parker's Creek for a non-electric tent site. Jordan Lake State Park offers over 1000 campsites. The hard part is deciding which campsite of the 250 sites at Parker's Creek to choose from. Loop A had the fewest campers and some great waterfront sites. Sweltering in the heat, Bailey and I took advantage of small sandy beach in front of our site and cooled off swimming in the lake. Jordan Lake was nearly as crowded as a NY sidewalk. Waves crashing onto the banks like a mini ocean. Bailey was chasing every wave. The hour or so rain shower dissipates nearly all activities on the lake. Bailey and I retreat to the tent. Once the rain stops and dinner is cooked I pulled up a camp chair to the edge of the lake, scarf down dinner and watched a gorgeous sunset. Daylight brings ham and eggs breakfast, a walk around Loop A, and observing deer tromping around in the woods. I would definitely visit Jordan Lake State Park again.

HAW RIVER STATE PARK

After visiting Mayo River State Park for a few hours I drove about 30 minutes down the road to Haw River State Park. Never visited Haw River State Park before I assumed it would be similar to all the other State Parks I visited in the past, not the case. Haw River State Park was a Retreat and Conference Center originally owned by the Episcopal Diocese. Catering more toward the Environmental Education and Conference Center and not really to the public, Haw River State Park is a unique facility. However, Haw River State Park has acquired a vast amount of land for developing a more traditional park with the amenities we are accustomed to for a State Park. The park does offer several small hiking trails and a 6-acre lake for fishing and canoeing. I took my chances and hiked some of the trails; the Lake Loop Trail, River Overlook Trail and the Piedmont Loop Trail. The River Overlook Trail is a mile out-in-back boardwalk trail through the wetlands. This trail was a surprise for me to see the wet marsh, plant-life, and an abundant amount of colorful fire-flies swarming around. Haw River State Park will be a park I'll wait to visit again after the development of the new section.

Hike: 2.2 Miles

MAYO RIVER STATE PARK

Upon my quest to visit all 41 NC State Parks, I visited Mayo River State Park yesterday. Although the park is in its' infancy stage of the parks masterplan Mayo River State Park still has a lot to offer including two fishing ponds, picnic areas, a picnic shelter with a huge fireplace, restroom facilities, a .5 mile short loop trail (red) and a 1.8 mile longer loop trail (blue). The longer loop trail is an easily marked trail that takes you deep into the woods along a well maintained ATV style trail. The forest has very little underbrush creating a nice picturesque hike. Early into the hike you will see an old abandoned homestead on the left of the trail. Underneath the blanket of canopy are massive tree trunks stretching high toward the sky fighting for the suns' attention. The trail eventually follows the creek that feeds the two fishing ponds before closing the loop. Bailey enjoyed chasing the frogs and turtles back into the ponds. The Mayo River, which is not in the park itself, has been a draw for paddlers alike. Eventually the Mayo River State Park will encompass sections of the Mayo River offering even more amenities. The NC Division of Parks and Recreations has pictures of two scenic waterfalls posted but I couldn't locate them. I believe they are on the Mayo River and the future section of the park.


Hike: 1.8 Miles