Snake and Rocks of Raven Rock State Park

This is my second blog about my and Judy's

day trip to Raven Rock State Park.  Be sure to

 view the preceding one if you haven't already.

As we descended toward the Cape Fear River

on the Raven Rock Trail, we followed and

criss-crossed Little Creek.

Signs of coming attractions

(I hope you're reading this, Liz!)

Though the park map designates this trail as

"Easy," and Judy and I had no difficulty with

it, most people would not call this 100-step

wooden stairway "easy."

I always love the anticipation of first sight

of a river or waterfall.  Here's the majestic

Cape Fear River, integral to North Carolina's

history from the early years to now.

The formation known as Raven Rock is as

 high as 150 feet and stretches for about a mile

 on the eastern shore of the Cape Fear River.

I guess this "End of Trail" sign is to prevent

over-zealous hikers from marching right off

into the river.

Now it's time to introduce the marvelous

specimen that made my day.  Someone in

the crowd of law enforcement officers there

that day pointed out a large snake in the water.

When it approached the bank, I was able

to verify that it was a black rat snake, my

perennial favorite (for all its good qualities).

Though these pictures give you nothing to

reference its size, please take my word that

this snake was at least seven feet long, the

largest that guide books say it attains.  I've

handled plenty of 5 to 5 and a half footers,

and this one dwarfed them.

Please take time to enjoy these two videos

of our time with this ruling reptile of the river.

Judy and I both felt that God had timed this

appearance just for me.  The snake was fully 

cooperative, posing and performing as if on cue.

Please note that the snake disregarded the

"End of Trail" sign that had halted us bipeds.

The "slippery slope" of the bank would have

made it treacherous indeed for me to get any 

closer. But it was a rare moment to treasure.

The sense of being away from civilization

is what evokes the sense of serenity here.

The next four pictures are of various sections

and views of the massive rock formation.

With the Raven Rock formation stretching

about a mile, I suppose you'd have to be on

the other side of the river to get a nice

panoramic view.  In fact, there are bridle trails

 across the river, but no access from our side.

As the trail looped back toward its beginning,

it ascended to provide a view of the flood plain.

No sign of civilization here.

Lillington is nine miles to the east, but

not visible from this point.

Here we are catching our breath before the

last leg of our journey.

As we neared the picnic area, we had 

one last sight-- a fence lizard on a pine tree.

This week, I have made friends with a 

similar specimen who likes my woodpile.

Pretty good camouflage, eh?

All in all, Judy and I would highly recommend

Raven Rock for any of you who like to hike

and don't live too far away.  We look forward

to doing other trails on our next visit, and will

perhaps go in the fall, when everything will 

look different.

And this is not just the end of the trail,

it's the end of my tale.  Happy Trails!