Lets have a group hang …..Merchants Mill Pond Swamp 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: 11 Friday, 12 Saturday and 13 Sunday April 2014
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 different rigs.
How: Sign Up Sheet
Note..This is a family friendly event. No alcohol is allowed per Park rules
Link to ecology of park....http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/memi/ecology.php
Link to park history..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 East Corner of eastern North Carolina. This would be convenient to hangers in eastern NC and VA
My wife and I have visited and or camped here several times over the years and have discussed doing a group hang at this park for over a year now and decided it was time. We stopped by the park office and told them what was planned and they said OK as long as we do not put nails ect into the trees. Told them not a problem as we practice LNT.
At the drive in Group Camp Grounds
Site # 1 is reserved for Friday and Saturday night
Site # 2 is reserved as over flow for Sat night
Site # 1 can handle apporx 20+ hangers
Site # 2 can handle aprrox 10+ hangers
Each site is allowed 40 campers
Each site has 2 fire rings and 3 picnic tables
Water is available at Site # 1
Parking is available next to Site # 1
There are rest rooms and showers and water
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
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.
GPS for gate to groups sites... N 36 25.542 W 076 41.928
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. Donations accepted. I am paying for the sites upfront. It will cost $150 for the camp sites. If we collect more that that then we can use the excess for fire wood, food and or as a deposit for another group hang in the fall or next spring. You can pay via Paypay to [email protected]
Activities...
Canoeing and Kayaking ( the park rents canoes if you do not have one )
Fishing (you must have a NC fresh water fishing license)
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
Telling tall tales and or out right lies ( not sure if there is a difference )
This is an isolated State Park... there is one Convenience/Gas Store by the park. The town of Sunbury, about 5 miles east of the park has a small grocery store, Dollar General, a couple of gas stations and a restaurant. The closest towns, Ahoskie and or Murfreesboro are about a 35+ minute drive
I do not plan for a raffle unless someone wants to take it on to solicit items for a raffle.
I would like to encourage that we have a gear trade/swap ect Saturday.
Group Meals.....
A chance to break out those trusty Dutch Ovens and make your favorite...
(Open to discussion)
Friday lunch....on your own
Friday Dinner....?????
Saturday morning breakfast...meat candy, hash browns, sausage, eggs, corn bread...
Saturday night dinner...Frogmore Stew, cobbler...
Sunday morning breakfast...what ever is left
If anyone can bring fire 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 site 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 # 19 and 20 are the best sites for hanging hammocks at the family camp sites
(The Terminator and I used site # 19 this past Labor Day). 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.
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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