Goose Creek State Park

Goose Creek State Park is the premiere spot for camping in eastern NC. With campsites right on the Pamlico river/sound you want to make sure you dont leave your canoe home or you will be very disappointed. You can paddle out on the sound for a big water experience or paddle inland for a creek adventure. The park also offers many miles of hiking trails.Wildlife is usually abundant in the park. Kim and I have often spotted deer on our many trips to this great park. Weve also seen a wide variety of birds of prey, snakes, and even saw a bobcat once. The campsites are far apart which provides a bit of privacy not found in most state parks. The close proximity to Little Washington allows for easy access to supplies. The park is also close to Bath, which is a neet-o place to visit also.

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Scuppernong River 8-26-12

The Scuppernong River was a blast. We had a bald eagle lead us down this beautiful blackwater river. A part of the Pettigrew State Park, the Scuppernong River is a pristine wilderness.

Dinahs Landing 8-19-12

Put in at Dinahs Landing and spent the morning canoeing the waters around Goose Creek State park. We went deeper than we ever had in these waters before. The sound was misty and as smooth as glass as we set out and the birds were singing. We forgot our picnic basket.

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Phelps Lake 7-29-12

A great day of canoeing and swimming at Phelps Lake.7-29-12.

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Tar River

Kim and I had a fabulous day trip down The Tar River last weekend. We put in at Old Sparta NC and paddled 19.4 mils back to the Greenville town commons. we set out early and going with the flow we made good time. Seven hours we floated down the old Tar and were accompanied by a curious pair of bald eagles for at least eight miles of the trip.

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Local boob tries to wrassle a gator

Contentnea Creek 5-6-12

Overnight rain storms left us with a full creek and overcast skies as Kim and I set out on Contentnea Creek this morning. The smells of spring filled the air.

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Camping at the Barred Owl Roost camping platform. 4-15-12--4-17-12

We set out from Robersons Marina with a beautiful sky above us and the wind at our backs. The Barred Owl Roost is about a six mile paddle up several of the creeks that comprise the Roanoke River basin. Nature seemed to greet us with open arms. Bald eagles, owls, otter, deer, snakes, and a wide variety of local song birds were all spotted over the three day two night camping trip. The platform earned its name as night fell and the owls started talking.

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Barred Owl Roost camping part two. Snakes!

Kim and I saw quite a few snakes on the camping trip.

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Hidden Lake 3-31-12

Kim and I had a true adventure camping on the Hidden Lake camping platform in the Palmetto Pear-Tree Nature Preserve. Upon arriving in the preserve I was attacked by a sneaky mud hole and got the car stuck. Luckily for us no sneaky mud hole can match wits with my better half and resident Tar River Otter photographer, Kim. The paddle to the platform was more difficult than anticipated. Many fallen trees tested our resolve and tempers as we made our way. Upon reaching the lake we were awed by the beauty of the place but with storm clouds brewin we had to hastily set up camp. A good thing we made haste for as soon as we got set up the sky opened up on us. Oh the dreadful wind and rain! We made it through the night and the following morning was a real reward. A mostly cloudy sky looked down on us as we explored the watery wonderworld of the inner banks of North Carolina.We learned a lot on this trip.

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Tranters Creek 3-25-12

Overnight thunderstorms ruined our camping plans but filled the creeks up right nice.

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Smiths Creek, Aurora NC 2-18-12

The mornings paddle down Smiths Creek started with one of my favorite wildlife sightings, a bald eagle. We also saw a group of swans, lazy turtles, and ducks. The wind through the grass and trees was mesmerizing.

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