Raven Rock State Park (2 of 41)

I went to college at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. It is in the middle of nowhere, nestled about halfway between Raleigh and Fayetteville. When I was a student there pursuing my Music Education degree, I would often head into Lillington (mainly to get Bojangles - a southern tradition) and I would see Raven Rock State Park Signs all over the major highways. In my mind for some reason, that park was far away and not worth my time.

Since It's a state park on my list and relatively close to home, I decided to head out and pay a visit with my camera backpack slung over my shoulders and a water bottle. I knew it was going to be a little hot and a little humid the day I went, but even as the sun broke through the trees at 9:00am, I was already drenched in sweat. I have never been someone to go hiking. Sure as a kid I would go play in the woods until the sunset like every good southern American boy, but never a 6 mile hike like Raven Rock offers if you take the full loop, and in my mind it seemed easily achievable

I passed the main bridge and headed left. Following the bank of the creek,I snapped away at whatever peaked my interest. The monsoon of rain we had been receiving had flooded out part of the path, so I opted to truly go in the woods to get around those sections. Snakes would slither in front of me or swim in the water next to me, but they didn't bother me. I have never understood people and their fear about animals that are near them but not a threat to them. I'm sure the snakes were more terrified of me anyway, so I let them be and did not try to photograph them. I did stumble upon a box turtle (I think) sunning next to the trail who was exceptionability calm and nice. He let me get about a foot from him without reacting so I took a few close ups (this was disappointingly before I had bought my 100mm Macro Lens, those shots would have been fantastic.)

The real fun was when my hubris caught up to me. Man, I have been hiking forever, I bet I have almost looped back around. It was when I saw that I had 2.6 miles left that a mild panic sat in. Look, I am not the most in shape. Covid-19 definitely has not helped that fact as I have spent most of the last three months sitting on my couch eating junk food. My calves ached. My clothes were soaking wet with sweat, and I had already drink a liter of water, and was out.

The problem with seeing 2.6 miles left is that even if you turn around, it's the same distance back. So I pushed on. If I am being completely honest, I did not take many pictures on the second half, I just wanted out. I took frequent breaks, stretching my calves, sometimes sitting on the wooden bridges and enjoying the creeks (and the shade). I stopped sweating with about a mile left to go, and a headache set in for the last half mile. It sounds dramatic I am sure, but I know the signs of heat stroke when I see them, so when rounded the corner and saw the parking lot I felt like those survivors on stranded islands being rescued that you see in movies.

The park is beautiful though I did not expect the terrain to be so borderline mountainous. The Cape Fear river part was inaccessible that day from the rain, so that was a bit of a disappointment, but anyone who enjoys hiking should absolutely check it out, I just suggest being a little more prepared than I was.