Travel NC With Kids: 2018

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Holly Discovery Trail at Lake James State Park - Educational & Interactive

Holly Discovery Trail at Lake James State Park © Katrena

Lake James State Park, located at 7321 NC Hwy 126 in Nebo, North Carolina, was a quick stop for my family to break up the ride to Cherokee as we headed west on I-40.

Lake James State Park TRACK Trail © Katrena

We managed to find the park without incident by following directions from the web site - there were several signs along the road as well.

Hiking Trail for Families © Katrena

Entrance into the park is free. I particularly like the free parks in North Carolina! For me, enjoying the beauty of nature is a great family activity for all ages and abilities.

Beautiful Hiking Trail in NC © Katrena

After getting our NC state parks passport stamped in the welcome center at the lake, this trail was recommended by an employee.

NC State Park Family Interactive Hiking Trails © Katrena

Employees at the North Carolina State Parks are often a great resource and can offer advice for folks who are looking for activities that will fit within a time frame or particular abilities within the group.

Shaded Hiking Trail in North Carolina © Katrena

On the day we visited, the lake area had a well-kept, sandy beach with several lifeguards on duty. There is a fee for swimming.

Hiking Trail at Lake James State Park in NC © Katrena

The trailhead for Holly Discovery Trail is right by a large bridge with a parking area off to the side. This is a TRACK trail, designed with families in mind.

NC State Park Hiking Trail © Katrena

The trail is 0.75 mile and loops back into a circle in which hikers can choose either direction for navigating.

Interesting Hiking Trails for Families © Katrena

We opted to start on the left side of the trail and circle back to the right side. We visited in late June. I would highly recommend bug spray if you are visiting during mosquito season.

Lake James State Park in NC © Katrena

Water Activities for Families in NC © Katrena

This trail is quite shaded and near a body of water. You can see the stream from the bridge but not easily from the trail.

Interactive Hiking Trail at Lake James © Katrena

When we visited, the trail was well-maintained and clearly marked throughout the loop. The terrain is flat and paved with gravel.

Free Hiking Trail in NC © Katrena

I believe someone with a scooter designed to navigate gravel would be able to do this trail as long as it is dry.

Fun Family Activities in North Carolina State Parks © Katrena

This trail was loaded with interactive displays. The displays are colorful, interesting, and educational. They often encourage hikers to explore further with multiple senses or to learn more about the ecological system of the area.

Interact with Nature in NC © Katrena

Several areas beckoned visitors to stop and explore, but my hikers focused on finishing the trail because the bug spray was in my backpack in the car.

Unusual Hiking Trails in NC © Katrena

One of my kids was wearing flip flops, not exactly hiking attire, but she was able to hike the trail without any problems.

Free Park with Hiking Trails in North Carolina © Katrena

This park is large with 25 miles of hiking trails, many of which are open to mountain biking. Those who enjoy water activities may wish to swim or rent a boat or kayak at the lake. Picnics are another option while visiting a state park.

Learn About Nature © Katrena

Find detailed information about Lake James State Park on the NC State Parks official web site.

Educational Hiking Trails © Katrena

Thanks for checking out my Travel NC With Kids blog! You may wish to read more of my articles, such as:

Shaded Hiking Trails © Katrena

Friday, July 6, 2018

Mingo Falls in Cherokee - It's Still Beautifully Majestic 40 Years Later

Mingo Falls in Cherokee NC © Katrena

My parents were brave souls. They took all four of us kids camping in various locations in America and even Canada. Some trips were more memorable than others. For me, one such trip was going to Cherokee, North Carolina.

About forty years ago, my family headed to Cherokee with a pop-up camper, sunscreen, and lots of food. We camped at Mingo Falls Campground, and I particularly remember hiking to see the waterfall located there on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Visitors are still welcome to come and enjoy the natural beauty of the waterfall without charge.

Waterfall in Western North Carolina © Katrena

In 2018, I took my kids to Cherokee. Although we stayed at a local hotel, I wanted to see if I could find that beautiful waterfall again. As we grow older, sometimes those old memories pale. The high things aren't really all that high when peering from an adult's perspective. Would Mingo Falls be one of those memories that was bigger in my imagination as well?

We found a map at our hotel, and the receptionist had grown up in Cherokee, so she was very helpful in giving us directions. We turned onto Big Cove Road off Hwy 441 and signs for Mingo Falls Campground were very easy to spot. Big Cover Road is quite curvy - those with children who get carsick may want to bring emergency supplies! Thankfully, the drive on Big Cove Road was pretty short. There is a small parking area at the trailhead.

Free Hiking Trail in NC © Katrena

I noticed right away that a few things had changed in forty years. When I was a young girl, I remember walking up a dirt trail with lots of roots. The trail now has a sign to mark its start. The 0.4 mile trail now includes 161 steps. One of my kids looked up and called it the Kung Fu Panda trail, but this trail is much shorter than the trail at Stone Mountain State Park. Those with mobility challenges would find it difficult to navigate the steps, but you can hear Mingo Creek as it meanders right by the parking area.

Mingo Falls Hiking Trail in Cherokee Indian Reservation © Katrena

Mingo Falls rises to about 120 feet. Another addition since my previous view of the waterfall is the addition of a viewing bridge that traverses the creek at the base of the waterfall. We visited in late June, and I think the waterfall was beautiful. The wonder of waterfalls is they assume different personalities depending on weather patterns. The same waterfall might be much bigger and louder after many rains or delicately peek out from behind an early morning fog.

161 Steps Look Better from the Top of Mingo Falls Trail! © Katrena

Was it worth going back to to a nostalgic waterfall after all those years? For me, that answer was yes. I hope this impressive cascade thrills future generations who scale those 161 steps in search of Mingo Falls!

Mingo Falls is Still Beautiful 40 Years Later © Katrena

Visit the Cherokee web site for more information about Mingo Falls. Thanks so much for visiting my Travel NC With Kids blog! You might also wish to read some of my other articles such as:

Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee - Nice Free Park Downtown

Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee NC © Katrena

As often happens on our road trips, there are times when you just happen to see a pretty park that is not on the itinerary that beckons the family to stop and explore. The Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee, North Carolina was one of those places.

Fun Things to do in Cherokee NC © Katrena

We visited Cherokee in June 2018. As we traveled to the outdoor drama, Unto These Hills, and to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park nearby, we drove by this park in the center of town. Each time, I looked out the window and decided this would be a good place to check out.

Park in Downtown Cherokee, North Carolina © Katrena

This free park offers beautiful scenery and a shallow river area where many children and adults were able to wade. Many visitors were also moving the rocks to create their own artwork within the ripples of the water. The river splits upstream, and there is a deeper area on the farther side. We saw several people tubing in the center of the shallow part.

Fishing in Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee NC © Katrena

Several people were fishing while we walked the trail. Ducks and geese were sleeping, eating, and swimming, and it was fun to watch the geese separate as they approached one fisherman and then converge again as they got downstream. My dad was an avid trout fisherman - I think he would have loved this stream.

Free Exercise Options in Cherokee, NC © Katrena

The trail was paved and a wide bridge joins one side of the river to the other, which is especially nice for people who have mobility challenges. Bathrooms are located on that bridge. Another bridge is located upstream, and it also appeared to be ADA accessible. We also noticed an exercise area close to the river.

Fun Family Activities in Cherokee © Katrena

Picnic tables abound, and many areas were shaded. Several flowers added a pop of color. This park would be an ideal spot for having a picnic with the family.

Storytelling in Cherokee NC © Katrena

A rustic seating area is near the bridge with the bathrooms. This area was empty when we visited, but apparently they sometimes offer storytelling right by the river. Christy71198 from Kentucky on TripAdvisor wrote a review about the storytelling and included a load of great pictures of the park and storytellers that were at the park on her visit.

ADA Trails in Cherokee NC © Katrena

I love the unassuming, free parks that dot North Carolina's landscape. These are the times when families can come without an agenda and just soak in sights and sounds of nature and enjoy the serenity of the present.

Bridge at Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee, North Carolina © Katrena

Thanks so much for visiting my Travel NC With Kids blog! You may wish to also read some of my other articles, including:

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Ellis Park in Salisbury Now Has ADA Accessible Playground!

Ellis Park ADA Accessible Playground © Katrena

Hold your hats - you are in for a ride! If you haven't visited Ellis Park lately, you might be surprised. Ellis Park, located at 3541 Old Mocksville Road in Salisbury, North Carolina, has upgraded their playground in a big way. Very big. Their new playground is ADA accessible and packed with a wide variety of activities for kids to enjoy.

Cool New Playground at Ellis Park in Salisbury NC © Katrena

Although the official ribbon cutting ceremony for this "All Can Play" area will be held on Thursday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m., the playground is already open and ready for children of all abilities to enjoy. The playground was made possible by one of 18 projects awarded grants in North Carolina by the Connect NC Bond Program and the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Authority.

Best Playgrounds in Rowan County © Katrena

This playground is similar to the one at Dan Nicholas Park. A wide ramp welcomes children up and center to enjoy activities at a height.

The playground has a variety of slides. The slides are made of thick plastic, which won't get as hot as the older style metal slides. The slides are fairly low to the ground.

A favorite of my kids was the inclusive orbit. This is a spinning feature that accommodates children who wish to stand but also has a bench for those who wish to sit. The parent can get a great workout spinning this one, but the kids can also spin themselves.

Swings are always popular with my kids, and this playground features a nice variety of swing options. In addition to traditional swings for little ones and older ones, there are large, wide swings and also a swing in the style of a tire swing turned sideways.

My youngest grabbed a blanket, lined the swing, and loved lying down and would have gladly stayed in this feature for the entire time we visited.

This playground features a set of monkey bars that are fairly low to the ground, which is helpful for kids who are learning to navigate that challenging arm exercise.

Climbers will find a short climbing wall, steps, and lots of ways to enter the playground from the ground up. Shade can be found under many of the features as well.

Children who are musically inclined will find drums and an outdoor-type xylophone. There is also a wind chime type musical instrument. The birds were singing along with the music my family made.

Several panels are incorporated in the playground, including braille and sign language panels, a tic-tac-toe board, and a small kitchen style area, encouraging imaginative play.

Several large metal buddy benches surround the play area. This previously shaded smaller playground is now in full sun, but they have planted a few trees around the playground with the hopes of generating shade in the future.

If you are looking for some shade, there is a small shaded walking trail that starts just to the left of the picnic shelter. That trail also includes a disc golf (commonly known as Frisbee) course.

If you follow the trail behind the ball fields and to the left, you'll find a workout station with pictures offering various exercises as well as horseshoe pits and a large adult swing. A small basketball area is also in this area.

The park also features a shaded volleyball area, large gazebo, and picnic shelter. The walking trail at the front of the building has some pretty landscaping and interesting features. Bathrooms are located on the side of the main building. The playground is a smoke free zone.

Ellis Park offers programs throughout the year, including the popular Senior Games. Adults and children can easily stay active at this park! Click here to read an older article I wrote that shows more of the landscaping and other activities and also gives you the opportunity to see the old playground to compare with the new one.

Visit the official Rowan County Parks and Recreation web site for more information.

Thanks for visiting Travel NC With Kids! Here are some additional articles on my blog you may wish to read: