Carolina Towns and Trails: February 2008

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park--Goldsboro, NC

Cliffs of the Neuse is located about thirteen miles south of Goldsboro on Hwy 111, just west of Hwy 70 (which is the road between Goldsboro and New Bern.) The "cliff" that provides the park with its name was created when the fault line that runs along the Neuse River shifted, causing part of the earth to eventually drop about 90 feet. The resulting precipice provides a picturesque view of the Neuse River, and a stunning contrast to the flat lands in this region.

There are four trails at Cliffs of the Neuse: Bird Trail, Galax Trail, Spanish Moss Trail, and the aptly named 350-Yard Trail. Bird and Galax are to the right of the parking lot and trailhead, at the end of the gently sloping, sandy 350-Yard Trail that leads to the river's edge. Spanish Moss Trail branches off to the left of the trailhead. All the trails together add up to 1.7 miles.

Having taken the 350-Yard trail on a quick scouting expedition last year, we opted for the Spanish Moss trail on this trip. I absolutely love Spanish Moss, and miss seeing its tattered tails fluttering from the boughs of tall oaks in the Lowcountry breeze. Unfortunately, we saw only a handful of what is apparently a member of the pineapple family during our short hike.

Unlike the easygoing 350-Yard trail, the Spanish Moss trail descends to river level via a series of steep stairs built into the hillside. At this time of year, dead oak, maple and other leaves from deciduous trees litter those steps, hiding small indentations in the sand. I turned my ankle ever so slightly after taking one step, but caught myself on the wooden railing provided to assist hikers on their descent. As with all outdoor destinations, if you decide to visit the park, please watch out for hidden as well as exposed obstacles that may put a quick end to your fun and adventure.

According to the NC Parks site, Cliffs of the Neuse has approximately 750 acres within its boundaries. According to Classifications of Natural Communities in North Carolina, much of those acres are an example of a Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest:

Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forests generally occur on sites that are sheltered by topography and moisture from fire. Fires were probably much less frequent and intense than in most of the Coastal Plain uplands. Fire was probably an important factor in confining mesic, fire-intolerant vegetation to these sites.
Associations: Usually bordered by Coastal Plain Bottomland Hardwoods, Cypress-- Gum Swamp, or Small Stream Swamp at slope base and Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest, Dry Oak--Hickory Forest, or Pine/Scrub Oak Sandhill above. May grade to Nonriverine Wet Hardwood Forest on flats. *

me·sic
Pronunciation: \me-zik\
: characterized by, relating to, or requiring a moderate amount of moisture**

Indeed, we did spot shallow water pooling around some cypress trees and noticed the dirt beneath some mulchy groundcover was damp. One would say of course, after all, the park includes a river. But in these drought stricken days, that doesn't mean much.

We searched for blooming objects as we walked, and while we saw a few bits of green, including ferns struggling to survive on a dry hillside, we saw only one type of blossoming shrub. ID TBD. Lady Slippers and Trillium reportedly bloom in the park during the spring. ETA TBD, but I can't wait.

Cliffs of the Neuse is a great day-trip destination. If you prefer an overnight trip, camping sites are available. In addition to hiking and camping, consider kayaking or canoeing down the tranquil blackwaters of the Neuse (byob--bring your own boat.) Swimming is available as well. From what I understand, the park has an eleven-acre lake, though we've yet to see if.

*Classification of Natural Communities in North Carolina, pg 41 and 42
** Merrian Webster online at www.m-w.com

Conway, SC

We took a quick trip south of South of the Border to visit friends in Conway, SC. The original plan was to spend Friday at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, but when chilly rain intervened, we opted to explore the historic district in Conway. A trip that turned out to be more interesting than I anticipated.

Fast Quips:

Conway is situation on the Waccamaw River, which, I learned, is the only river that originates in a Carolina Bay (Lake Waccamaw in N.C. For an interesting description of the Waccamaw River, check out SC's DNR Heritage Preserves site.) Once used for vital commerce, the river is now the place to go for recreation. A wide, paved walkway, park benches, and an inviting grassy belt make up the Riverwalk, which residents use for exercise, weddings, or just to meander over while enjoying the exotic Lowcountry beauty created by moss-laden trees reflecting in the blackwaters of the Waccamaw River.

The term "blackwaters" refers to rivers that originate in the coastal plains. These waters are high in tannic acid, which seeps into the water from the leaves of cypress trees. This gives rivers such as the Waccamaw a glossy black color, like the water at Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner, SC. Oddly enough, though black in color, the water is actually clear.

Information on Carolina blackwater can be found at the following sites:

www.fws.gov/nwi/bha/SandT/download/SCWetlands.pdf (pg 20)
www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/cede_blackwaterriver/1)
Classification of the Natural Communities in North Carolina (pg 141)

Originally named Kingston, Conway was founded around 1733 or 1734, which makes it one of the oldest communities in the state (www.cityofconway.com/departments/visitors/history.html)

Conway LOVES the multitude of live oak trees growing throughout the city, which plays host to the ashen gray moss that shrouds the historic district in long, tattered sheets like no other Lowcountry city I've seen. Our friends told us the mighty oak, some of which date from the 1700's, is protected in Conway, so much so that city fathers built several roads around a few of the trees. Imagine driving down a typical unmarked two-lane neighborhood street only to find a rather large tree in your path. You wait as an oncoming car passes by, then you steer into the left lane and circumvent the island built around Conway's honored resident. These trees are magnificent, and they create a hauntingly beautiful picture, but we were told accidents often occur when people (inebriated or unfamiliar with this phenomenon) jump the curb and hit the trees at night.

To our delight, Conway is beginning to bloom. In addition to Camellia bushes, we found blooming tulip trees, flowering bulbs such as daffodils and what may be Snowbells or snow drops, and buds on several azaleas throughout the city. Spring is just around the corner, so if you're near Conway in the next few weeks, stop by the historic district to enjoy what is sure to be a brilliant display of color. But if you opt to drive instead of walk through the downtown area, watch out for the trees.

North Carolina Habitats and Ecosystem

A discussion on my hiking group list recently turned to the subject of natural habitats. While doing research to augment my poor knowledge on the subject, I came across the following publication. I thought it valuable enough to pass it along to readers of this blog. To access the PDF version of Classifications of Natural Communities of North Carolina, go to:
www.ncnhp.org/Images/Other%20Publications/class.pdf

In this book, authors Michael P. Schafale and Alan S. Weakley break North Carolina into regions (high mountain communities to nontidal coastal fringe wetlands and marine systems) and then list the natural communities such as bogs, mesic pine flatwoods, Streamhead Pocosins and more in each of those regions. They then provide a ton of information about individual communities including soils in the system, rare plants known to grow there, sites, etc. It's extremely informative. Though I can't understand everything in it, I can certainly can learn a lot from it.

In addition to the free online version, you can order a bound copy through the NHP at http://www.ncnhp.org/Pages/publications.html

Also, I recently learned my readership has extended beyond the North American border. To those of you outside the US, welcome to my blog! I hope you enjoy this small peek into the beautiful Carolinas.

Kimberli

Battle Park, Part II

We headed to Rocky Mount to introduce my husband to Battle Park. I won't rehash the report I posted last week, but I will say I saw more of the area including the falls, which I somehow missed on my first trip (I mentioned the falls in my previous report, but I had become aware of its existence only through research. I'd apparently been too entranced by the view of the glossy black waters of the Tar and the massive boulders beside the river to notice.)

Winter in Rocky Mount

While walking down the path to the rock-strewn banks of the river on this visit, I was again struck by the peace and serenity of this place. The old cotton mill is a bit unsightly, but it was a big part of this town for nearly two centuries. On the way to the park that morning, I had slowed long enough to read the historical marker outside the mill and learned that construction on it began in 1818. It was burned down by the Federals in 1863, rebuilt, and used until the late 1990's. For more information on the mill, go to www.historync.org/RockyMountMill.htm and www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/r/Rocky_Mount_Mills.html

These links solve the mystery behind Battle Park's name. One of the first owners of the mill was Joel Battle, and the Battle family owned the mill from 1825 to 1883. I'm sure we'll visit this park again, if only to investigate the trail that winds along the river.

Scouting Mission to Battle Park, Rocky Mount, NC

We had just a few hours to explore today, so we headed to Battle Park, a short, half-hour drive from where we now live. Rocky Mount is located off Highway 301, just south of Hwy 64, east of I-95, and about 60 miles east of downtown Raleigh. The Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce website states Rocky Mount is the halfway point between Florida and New York. I couldn't let a statement like that go unchallenged, so I pulled up Mappoint and placed pushpins at the northeast edge of Florida, the southern tip of New York, and Rocky Mount, and did some quick calculating. By George, they're right.

I found Battle Park while reading through The Official Travel Guide: North Carolina that we picked up in New Bern shortly after our arrival in this state. In addition to providing articles about various NC destinations, the guide breaks NC down by Mountains, Piedmont, and Coast, and lists activities for each city in those regions.

From the guide and from the Chamber website, I learned Battle Park is a 54-acre park situation along the Tar River near Rocky Mount Mills Historic Mill Village. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to look around. But what I saw was enough to make me want to go back for more. Tall loblolly pines scattered along the ground sheltered a forest floor covered with pine straw and fallen pinecones. A gazebo, built near the river, overlooked what I think is an old mill, the still waters above the Falls of the Tar, and the boulders that all information claims are the source of the Rocky Mount's name. We stopped at an old cemetery at the rim of the park and examined the headstones stretched across a slightly sloping hill. The park is reportedly the original site of the city of Rocky Mount, and the old Post Office is somewhere in the vicinity.

But how did Battle Park earn its name? I assume it's derived from one of the battles fought in this section of the state, a supposition that seemed to be confirmed by the existence of a tall marble monument commemorating Confederate soldiers, which stands near the entrance to the park. I'll have to stop by the local library on our next visit. I'm also interested in the history of the Tar River, such as the source of its name and its role in the wars fought near its banks, and the names of the wildflowers that grow in that area.

Directions to Battle Park are somewhat confusing. We traveled north on 301, then headed south on 48-43. The park is a mile or so down the road on the left. However, the road divides shortly before the turnoff. We had to turn around a block or so past the area where we thought the park was located and then drive north to reach it.

View Larger Map | Get Directions | View Bird's Eye

To see my notes from our return trip to Battle Park, go to carolinatrails.blogspot.com/2008/02/battle-park-part-ii.html

For more information on Rocky Mount, go to www.rockymountchamber.org/recreation.html