Go Team Friedman: Backpacking 2: Raven Rock State Park in October

Hiking to camp

We were less conservative for our second backpacking experience. Equipped with better packs, we again headed off for a cousin adventure to Raven Rock State Park. This was a much more traditional experience; the hike to the site was 1.7 mi (via an actual trail and not the flat, wide trail at Falls Lake), and we stayed in the canoe camping site, which had only 6 sites. The end result was a much more primitive (and quiet!) experience. We were right on the Cape Fear River, which is slightly misleading because the bank is so steep, it was a 5-min walk to the actual river. Again, Gabe did really well. He walked somewhere between a half mile and a mile on the way in (which was good considering that we got there after his dinner time), and we got to the site in time to set up camp and start a fire. I was impressed to see Gabe actually devour his dinner (a rarity in our house), but bedtime was not so easy. After we were all settled into our tent, Gabe decided that he wanted to sleep "at home in my own bed right now!". Not an easy feat when you're 1.7 mi from the car and an hour from home beyond that. Luckily, some Thomas videos on the iphone calmed him down, and we all had a good sleep.

Home sweet home

Daddy and Gabe relaxing

Sunday was a lot of fun. The kids spent some time exploring the site, relaxing with the dads in the hammocks, and playing card games. We had a leisurely breakfast and relaxed until it was time to tear down camp and head home via Raven Rock (you can't not see a namesake!). The actual rocks were on the river bank, which was 150 stairs down from the trail. Gabe (who hadn't been so eager to hike on his own) eagerly trekked down (and back up) all 150 stairs! However, between that, the mile hike to the rock, and the fact that it was past his naptime, he rode the last mile to the car on Mike's shoulders (and fell asleep in the process).