Merchants Mill Pond Park

Yesterday was a wonderful 34 degrees and my daughter and I head south to North Carolina's Merchant Mill Pond state park to hike with the group we belong to. Well due to getting turned ( read as lost) around a few times( 3x's) we miss the group be hiked it on our own.

It was amazing to see the dark and dankness of the swamp hold such brilliant greens from the algae and moss growing on the Bald Cypress. Spanish moss hung like the delicate hair of a well polished lady from the trees. Bald Cypress rose from the water with wide strong trunks and cove Like openings which housed giant spiders and bats which I had the great pleasure of not meeting. The water reflected the beauty of the scene like a perfectly polished mirror.

Crossing the foot bridge over the swap you emerge into shades of brown and green. The older trees in there glory stand with the green of young pine trees first years. Moving up the path the younger trees take dominance some standing a little higher than five five. Leaving the bright green of new trees you cross bridges still laden with the dusting of snow from the day before.

The trees here don't seem as old or as majestic as the cypress but they have an aura all there own. Energetic energies of youth seem to be abound in the bright green needles as they line the trail. Moving along the trail you pass into Beech trees which hold the white paint marks guiding you along the trail. Crossing other small bridges you make your way along and over streams That seem to be cut from the ground. Fallen trees lay covered in mushrooms and moss and ferns.

It's getting late and racing the setting sun back to the trail head we pause and sit on a memorial bench built along the bridge and in the waters of the Lassiter Swamp. Sitting there only mere seconds an eeriness comes over us from sitting over the water with only our feet on the bridge. Jumping up we shake of the feelings while laughing and race back to the visitor center. Checking out the visitors center before we go we find out about the gators, bears and bobcats as well as other inhabitants of the park.

Looking back the best lesson learned from this day is hit the visitor center first. 

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