Back by popular demand...
Just when you thought it was safe to go to a group hang again....
First came the FAT BUTT HANG.... Now The Sequel.....
THE HUNGER HANG !!!
The group that showed up for the Spring hang ( renamed the Fat Butt Hang ) agreed that we should make this a Spring and Fall event.
This hang location is very convenient for those of us living in Eastern NC and SE Virginia. No driving all day to get to a group hang.
Who: Hammock Hangers and or hammock hanger wantabes who just want to learn about hammock camping. No age restrictions. Spend one or two nights or just come by for the day to visit.
What: Hammocking in the woods...
When: Friday 24th, Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October 2014. The sites have been reserved and paid for.
Where: Merchants Mill Pond State Park
176 Millpond Road, Gatesville,NC 27938-9440
GPS: 36.437105,-76.701585
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/memi/main.php
Why: Why not...do we really need a reason to camp in our hammocks.Also a chance to meet up with fellow hangers, check out differentrigs. Eat good food.
How: Sign up sheet is here ..... https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...rive_web#gid=0
Note..This is a family friendly event. No alcohol is allowed per Park rules
Link to Google park map..
https://www.google.com/maps/preview#...51!3d36.433127
This park is located in the North East Corner of eastern North Carolina.This is very convenient to hangers living in Eastern NC and South East VA
At the drive in Group Camp Grounds
Site # 1& 2 are reserved for Friday and Saturday night
Site # 1 can handle apporx 20+ hangers
Site # 2 can handle aprrox 10+hangers
Each site is allowed 50 campers
Each site has 2 fire rings and 3 picnic tables
Water is available at Site # 1 and the Bathhouse
Parking is available next to Site # 1
There are rest rooms ( hot and cold water ) and a shower ( the shower stall is huge, larger than most home showers)
Water next to bathhouse
Bear Fortune Cookies ( tents ) are welcomed. Come on down and learn about hammocks. I usually bring my extra gear to share.
Getting there, check with Google maps using Park Address
We will be staying at the drive to Group Campgrounds. They are located in the South West corner of the park.
The entrance to the Group Sites is located on the Left if heading North or on the Right if going South on Mill Pond Rd and is South of the turn to the Rangers Station. I will post a sign again to mark the turn off. Even knowing where it is, I have driven by the turn off several times.
GPS for gate to groups sites... N 36 25.542 W 07641.928
drive down the dirt road about 500 ft.... parking to the Left.
How much.. $15 per person for the weekend to cover cost of campgrounds and related costs. I am paying for thesites upfront. It will cost $200 for the camp sites for the weekend.If we collect more that that then we can use the excess for firewood, food and or as a deposit for the next hang. You can pay via Paypay to
[email protected]If you attended the Spring Hang and made a donation then, we raised enough in donations to pay for the Spring Hang and most of this Hang, so I am considering those of you who attended the Spring Hang and made donations paid up for this Hang. Of course if you still want to make a donation towards the hang it would be appreciated. Think of it as a group PIF ( pay it forward )
Activities...
Canoeing and Kayaking ( the park rents canoes and kayaks if you do not have one )
Fishing (you must have a NC fresh water fishing license,they are not sold at park)
Hiking.. several trails with the longest being 7 miles.
Photography opportunities
Spot the alligators (yes there are gators here)
Afternoon hammock studies(taking a nap in your hammock)
Check out other hangers setups (please ask the owner's permission before getting into their hammock)
Telling tall tales and or out right lies ( not sure if there is a difference ) and bad jokes
This is an isolated State Park...there is one Convenience/Gas Store by the park. The town of Sunbury,is about 5 miles east of the park and has a small grocery store,Dollar General, a couple of gas stations and a restaurant. The closest towns, Ahoskie, Murfreesboro, Edenton, Elizebeth City NC andFranklin VA are about a 35+ minute drive. There is a Walmart located at Ahoskie.
Raffle...........
Will try and get some items for a raffle( and raffle tickets ) for this hang. If you have anything to donate for a raffle then please do so. If you are friends with any of the cottage vendors please let me know. I will contact some vendors and see if they are willing to donate anything.
I will donate a DIY 11 foot camo Dbl Hammock with cinch buckles &straps and an Aluminum cook kit to get us started. I recommend that any $$$ raised in excess of the cost of the hang be donated to the“Friends of Merchants Mill Pond State Park” ( Friends of the Millpond is a 501 (c) (3) group that supports Merchants Millpond State Park, especially its environmental education program) This can be discussed by the group and voted on at the hang. Figure raffle tickets will cost $5 each and will be sold at the hang.
Any interest in a Gear Swap …..???
Group Meals.....
A chance to break out those trusty Dutch Ovens and make your favorite...
(Open to discussion, ideas ect...Halloween Theme...)
Friday lunch....on your own
Friday Dinner....?????
Saturday morning breakfast.....???????
Saturday night dinner...Something ghoulish like Zombie Stew ??
Sunday morning breakfast...what ever is left ?
If anyone can bringfire wood it would be a help.
For the truly hardy individuals,you can hike or paddle to a remote camp site to camp out.
These sites do not have water. This would not be part of the Group Site and you would have to reserve and pay for this yourself.
There are family camp sites if any one wants to come early or stay Sunday night ect. Site # 18 and 20 are the best sites for hanging hammocks at the family camp sites
(The Terminator and I used site # 18 and # 20).Bathhouse with hot showers are available.
This Park does have lots of poisonous snakes and ticks so be aware. Hopefully it will be cool enough that it not be an issue. Only one snake was reported at the Spring Hang and there were several ticks getting friendly with some of the hangers.
Drive Times to park (approximate )
From Norfolk VA.................1 hr
From Morehead City NC....3 hrs
From Raleigh NC..................2.5 hrs
Directions...........
Merchants Millpond is located in northeastern North Carolina in Gates County near the community of Gatesville.
The park may be reached from US 158, NC 32 and NC 37.
It is approximately 30 miles from the North Carolina cities of Ahoskie, Elizabeth City and Edenton and is also 30 miles from Suffolk, Virginia.
From I-95, take US 158 east. Travel north on US 13/US 158 and turn right to follow US 158 east. Turn right on Millpond Road, go approximately 1/2 mile and turn in at the picnic area entrance.
The Visitors Center will be on the right.
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Man, I'd need someone to drive me back home if it's anything like the original... LOL.
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