Merchants Mill Pond State Park NC GroupHang April 2014
Lets have a group hang …..MerchantsMill Pond Fat Butt Hang
Who: Hammock Hangers and or hammockhanger wantabes who just want to learn about hammock camping. No agerestrictions. Spend one or two or three nights or just come by forthe day to visit.
What: Hammock Hanging in the woods
When: 16, 17, 18, 19 April 2015
Where: Merchants Mill Pond State Park
176 Millpond Road, Gatesville, NC27938-9440
GPS: 36.437105, -76.701585
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/memi/main.php
Why: Why not...do we really need areason to camp in our hammocks. Also a chance to meet up with fellowhangers, check out different rigs, eat lots of food.
How: Sign Up Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing
Note..This is a family friendly event.No alcohol is allowed per Park rules
Link to ecology ofpark....http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/memi/ecology.php
Link to parkhistory..http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/memi/history.php
Link to Google park map..https://www.google.com/maps/preview#...51!3d36.433127
This park is located in the North EastCorner of eastern North Carolina. This would be convenient to hangersin eastern NC and VA
At the drive in Group Camp Grounds.This site is located in the South West corner of the park.
Site # 1 is reserved for Thursday,Friday and Saturday night
Site # 2 is reserved as over flow forFriday and Sat night
Site # 1 can handle apporx 30+ hangers
Site # 2 can handle aprrox 20+ hangers
Each site is allowed 40 campers
Each site has 2 fire rings and 3 picnictables
Water is available at Site # 1 and atRest Rooms
Parking is available next to Site # 1
There are rest rooms and a shower andwater
Bear Fortune Cookies ( tents ) arewelcomed. Come on down and learn about hammocks.
Getting there, check with Google mapsusing Park Address
The entrance to the Group Sites islocated on the Left if heading North or on the Right if going Southon Mill Pond Rd and is South of the turn to the Rangers Station.
GPS for gate to groups sites... N 3625.542 W 076 41.928
drive down the dirt road about 500ft.... parking to the Left.
How much.. $15 per person for theweekend to cover cost of campgrounds. Donations accepted. I am payingfor the sites upfront. It will cost $250 for the camp sites. If wecollect more that that then we can use the excess for fire wood, foodand or as a deposit for another group hang in the fall or nextspring. You can pay via Paypay to [email protected]. Please note your HF name and that you are donating for the Fat ButtHang.
Activities...
Canoeing and Kayaking ( the park rentscanoes if you do not have one )
Fishing (you must have a NC fresh waterfishing license)
Hiking.. several trails with thelongest being 7 miles.
Photography opportunities
Spot the alligators (yes there aregators here)
Afternoon hammock studies (taking a napin your hammock)
Check out other hangers setups
Telling tall tales and or out rightlies ( not sure if there is a difference )
This is an isolated State Park... thereis one Convenience/Gas Store by the park. The town of Sunbury, isabout 5 miles east of the park has a small grocery store, DollarGeneral, a couple of gas stations and a restaurant. The closesttowns, Ahoskie and or Murfreesboro are about a 35+ minute drive
There will not be a raffle at thishang. If you want we can do a gear swap.
Group Meals.....
A chance to break out those trustyDutch Ovens and make your favorite...
(Open to discussion). Hotlips will bein charge of the main menu and CoryR will be making his cobblers.
Friday lunch....on your own
Friday Dinner....?????
Saturday morning breakfast....???????
Saturday night dinner...???????????
Sunday morning breakfast...what ever isleft
If anyone can bring fire wood it wouldbe a help.
For the truly hardy individuals, youcan hike or paddle to a remote camp site to camp out.
These site do not have water. Thiswould not be part of the Group Site and you would have to reserve andpay for this yourself.
There are family camp sites if any onewants to come early or stay Sunday night ect. Site # 19 and 20 arethe best sites for hanging hammocks at the family camp sites (TheTerminator and I have used sites # 19 & 20). Bathhouse with hotshowers are about 100 feet away.
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This Park does have lots of poisonoussnakes and ticks so be aware. Hopefully it will be cool enough thatit not be an issue.
Drive Times to park ( approximate )
From Norfolk VA.................1 hr
From Morehead City NC....3 hrs
From Raleigh NC..................2.5hrs
Directions
Merchants Millpond is located innortheastern North Carolina in Gates County near the community ofGatesville. The park may be reached from US 158, NC 32 and NC 37. Itis 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 158and turn right to follow US 158 east. Turn right on Millpond Road, goapproximately 1/2 mile and turn in at the picnic area entrance. TheVisitors Center will be on the right.
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