Lynches River County Park and Canopy Walk in Coward, South Carolina

My crew stopped at Lynches River County Park with the hopes of finding the canopy walk in the summer of 2020. This park is located at 110 Ben Gause Road in Coward, South Carolina. We were in the midst of a pandemic, but outdoor areas were opening back up at the time we were traveling.

This is a county park that hugs the Lynches River in the Pee Dee region. We had traveled several hours southeast, and the ecosystem was noticeably different compared to the Piedmont areas of North Carolina.

The park offered a playground, several picnic tables, and a few picnic shelters. We saw several paddlers putting kayaks in at the back of the gravel parking area. One paddler mentioned participating in a boating race on the river each year. A nice boardwalk offered an interesting hike along the river's edge. Several people were out fishing. We saw quite a few butterflies and dragonflies in this area, so photo opportunities abounded.

A main building in the front that was closed due to the pandemic. A walkway from the back of the parking area led to the Environmental Discovery Center behind the main building, which was also closed. However, visitors could walk around the deck of the discovery center to the start of the canopy walk. I believe there were also steps at the back of the Discovery Center if people wanted to climb up the steps rather than to walk across the deck.

I had seen an article about the canopy walk and my crew was ready to check it out. This canopy walk is like a couple of swinging bridge between several trees. The bridges have platforms on which to stand at the tree trunks. The canopy walk is one-way. We only saw one or two other families in this area while we were in the canopy walk area.

If you are visiting this park with small children who are afraid of heights, the canopy walk might not be a great choice because the boards do move when walking on them and the bridge is fairly high. The first section of the canopy walk is like a long deck walkway that does not move, so parents might have kids try that area out first and judge their comfort level before attempting the swinging part. My kids are always up for roller coasters and activities with somewhat of a sense of danger to it, so this activity was right up our alley...or canopy.

I noticed a large display of different types of knots that appeared to be an Eagle Scout project. This was beside the trail from the front building to the discovery center building. Ropes were available for practice for those who would be interested in practicing.

We drove over three hours to get to this park - it was a stop on the way to Huntington Beach State Park. We had to drive a little out of the way to get to the park, but I think it was worth the extra few miles, and it was a nice break for the long drive to the beach. 

I was impressed with the boardwalk and the canopy walk. Both were well maintained and several educational signs offered information about various plans and animals. People at the park were friendly, but we all stayed our distance due to pandemic precautions.

This park also offers camping, an archery range, educational sessions, and a splash pad, but we didn't see any of those areas because we only planned to stay a short while at this park. For more information on the park hours, a video, and reservations, visit the Lynches River County Park official web site.

Thanks for visiting Love 2 Travel with Kids! Find more articles at my site map or feel free to read about more of my family's trips below:

• Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya Castle in South Carolina
• Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina - Great Family Vacation!
• Carowinds - Practical Tips for Enjoying NC/SC Amusement Park with the Kids

Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya Castle in South Carolina

The summer of 2020 proved to be full of unusual twists and turns due to a pandemic and numerous restrictions across the globe, but my crew was delighted to get out of the house and head to the beach along South Carolina's coast.

Huntington Beach is one of many South Carolina state parks located along the eastern shore. This park caught my eye because it houses the Atalaya Castle, which was the homestead for Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. 

When we visited, the castle tour was self-guided and interesting. My youngest even saw a few bats hanging around. Nearby Brookgreen Gardens features a lot of Anna's sculptures, so people who love art may be particularly drawn to Huntington Beach State Park. South Carolina also has a Hunting Island State Park located farther south - these are two different and amazing parks!

Our family camped at one of their 173 campsites. Our site had a picnic table, water, electricity, shade, and bunnies that visited every day. Only a small wooded area and a nearby boardwalk separated us from the sand and waves. 

The sand was plentiful and people enjoyed swimming, walking, flying kites, playing with dogs, and more right along the shore. Several beach entry areas were available that had spigots and showers, which is very helpful if you don't want to carry a lot of sand back to camp or to the car.

We were tent camping and shared the bathhouse with other campers. The facilities were cleaned regularly and air conditioned, which was a step above bathhouse facilities in some of the North Carolina State Parks we have visited. There is a fee to visit the park, but if you have camping reservations, you do not have to pay an extra fee to enter the park. The castle tour is a separate but reasonable charge.

I would suggest booking a campsite well in advance. Campsites often fill up quickly months ahead of time, but sometimes you can book a site for a single night and move to another site if one site is not available for the full time you wish to stay.

I love to see birds, and I was not disappointed at this park. A large variety of birds regularly visit and live in the area. Birds were flying, swimming, walking, and preening as we watched and admired their beauty. Visitors may see bald eagles, spoonbills, swallow-tailed kites, and more of the 300+ bird species in the area. 

Many excellent photographers, including Phil Lanoue and Steve Ellwood, have take great shots at this park. When we were near the castle, our crew saw a painted bunting, a bird that I have wanted to see for years. I would have loved to have stayed at this state park for a week if only to see the beach and birds.

When we went to the causeway and onto the boardwalk to the edge of the water, we could see an alligator below. As we were walking back, a water moccasin decided to slither across the boardwalk, so we decided to hang back and keep our distance! For this reason, I recommend that adults always watch children carefully and discuss safety issues before venturing out.

So, you might be wondering if it is safe to visit a state park during a pandemic. Our family stayed for a couple of days and nights fairly early in the pandemic and we never had any problems with health or safety issues. When we visited, households overall were thoughtful in keeping their distance outdoors and when using the facilities. As with any outdoor nature activity, be prepared with sunscreen, athletic shoes, beach shoes, and bug spray as needed. We were grateful to have packed a canopy to go over the picnic table, especially when a storm cropped up.

I give Huntington Beach State Park a definite thumbs up and would like to go to this one again. Visit the Huntington Beach State Park official web site for camping reservations, hours, trails, directions, and more.

Thanks so much for visiting Love 2 Travel With Kids! If you like this article, you might also like to read:

• State Parks - Great Family Travel Destinations
• Hunting Island State Park - Great Family Vacation!
• Southern Rose Buggy Tour of Beaufort South Carolina

Cedar Bluff Overlook Park - View the Alps of Tazewell County!

Cedar Bluff Overlook Park in Virginia © Katrena

Cedar Bluff Overlook Park at One Overlook Drive in Tazewell County, Virginia is chock full of history for me. Many of my family members grew up in and around Cedar Bluff. I had the opportunity to take some of my crew to Virginia and visit this park in June 2016. I had seen the flag and balcony from the highway below, but this was my first visit to the park. There is no charge to visit or hike at this location.

Enjoying the View of the Clinch River from the Overlook Park © Katrena

My step-father, Harry Looney, helped to remove rock for the road in this area. Virginia roads often take quite a bit of skill and manpower to build because they are typically chiseled out of the side of a mountain. Harry said that the area on the far side of the four-lane is filled with many of the rocks that were blasted out of the mountain.

View of Highway from Cedar Bluff Overlook Park © Katrena

I can remember when many of the roads in that area were much smaller and when some of the four-lanes were only two-lane roads. Other generations can remember the time before some of the area's roads were paved and when many a school bus had to back up to take the curves in rural areas.

Lower View toward Claypool Hill from Cedar Bluff Overlook © Katrena

Upper View Toward Claypool Hill from Cedar Bluff Overlook © Katrena

Cedar Bluff Overlook Park is conveniently located on Highway 460 West. Simply turn at Claypool Hill toward Cedar Bluff and Richlands. Look for the Cedar Bluff town sign at a stoplight just past Claypool Hill. Continue going straight on the four-lane highway and take the first road to the left after that stop light - if you reach an exit on the right after that Cedar Bluff stoplight on the four-lane, you went too far.

Steps on Cedar Bluff Overlook Trail © Katrena

6 Benches Along the Overlook Trail © Katrena

Immediately after turning left, you'll see a sign to the right. Follow the road on the right up to the parking lot. The road is a bit steep and winding, but it is paved. When we were there, it looked like they may be expanding the parking lot. We had ample parking on the day we visited; however, some reunions are held there, and on those days the parking lot may be full.

Playground and Picnic Area of Cedar Bluff Overlook Park © Katrena

You will find picnic tables shaded by shelters, a playground, and bathroom facilities a short distance from the parking lot. The playground area has a slide, swings, a bench that is cut from rock, and several other areas for the kids. This lower area looks to be handicap accessible and has a nice view without any hiking.

Final Climb of Cedar Bluff Overlook Trail © Katrena

If you want more of a view, you'll have to do a bit of hiking, but you can see pretty far out from the parking lot area. One of my great aunts loved the scenery and likened it to seeing the Alps. The trail is steep and moderately strenuous with a combination of dirt paths, rocks, and wooden stairs. Those who don't want to hike to the top might want to hike to one of the lower overlooks. Some portions of the trail have a hand rail. I recommend shoes with closed toes and heels and with good tread. You might need to help small children navigate a few of the steeper steps. This would not be a trail to hike in icy weather.

Natural Flora at Cedar Bluff Overlook Park © Katrena

When we visited, quite a few thistles and weeds hugged the sides of the trail. I would recommend long pants for that reason. Small children who like to wander probably won't wander far if they straddle a thistle. I recommend teaching the kids about safety issues before and during the hike; this trail is directly on the side of the mountain.

Beautiful Virginia Wildflowers at Cedar Bluff Overlook Park © Katrena

Educational Opportunities on the Overlook Hike © Katrena

Natural flora add a splash of beauty to the area. Virginia wildflowers grow along the trail, and those who pause to look a bit closer will discover a variety of interesting plants. Informational signs are posted along several decks - I learned quite a bit about the area from those signs. Along the top of the ridge, you'll also find several signs that describe specific trees.

Animals at Cedar Bluff Overlook Trail Deck © Katrena

Wildlife flourishes along the trail as well, and six benches are located along the trail. Butterflies added a flutter of color as we climbed. It is fun to watch the animals that blend in with the environment - a great real-life lesson in camouflage. It is always a good idea to be on the lookout for copperheads and other snakes when on outdoor trails. We did not see any snakes on the day we visited, but we did see the cute little guy pictured above.

View of Cedar Bluff from Overlook © Katrena

Close-up View of Cedar Bluff from Overlook © Katrena

If you want to tackle the trail to the top, you will find several decks and six benches along the way. I would recommend bringing water bottles in a backpack, especially if you are hiking on a hot day. I would say that climbing this trail is about the equivalent of climbing to the top of a lighthouse, but the trail is not as predictable as lighthouse steps. It is actually a pretty short trail to get to the top of a mountain. My family has hiked much longer trails to enjoy this sort of view.

Enjoy a Bird's Eye View at Cedar Bluff Overlook © Katrena

Upward View from Upper Deck of Cedar Bluff Overlook © Katrena

The highest deck is the largest one and is 760 feet above the parking lot. Several picnic tables are located on the largest deck, so you might want to pack a picnic to enjoy, ensuring to pack the trash before leaving. I was pleased to see no trash on the trail. My mom mentioned that she has seen an American flag on the top deck before, but on the day we visited, we only saw an American flag in the lower area.

Shaded and Flat Trail Across Ridge at Cedar Bluff Overlook © Katrena

If you continue hiking to the left of the main deck, you'll find a fairly flat trail across the top of the ridge. We hiked across the ridge but didn't continue going down on the other side. The region had gotten some rain earlier that day and a couple of days before - it was muddy but we could hike that area safely with care. My group actually took a left and hiked across the ridge first and saved the top deck for the grand finale.

Learn about Native Trees at Cedar Bluff Overlook © Katrena

The Cedar Bluff Overlook Trail offers a fantastic view! We could see for miles from the summit at 2475 feet. Vehicles looked at bit like matchbox cars as they snaked below us. We could see the Clinch River winding in and out of sight as well as a crazy quilt pattern of railroad tracks. It was interesting to see the buildings in Cedar Bluff from above, and I was able to zoom in on a few with success.

Old College Hill School in Cedar Bluff, VA © Katrena

Those who have grown up in the area could probably point out each hollow and rural areas like Raven's Nest Branch, where I loved to visit my grandparents, great-grandparents, and many other relatives when I was growing up.

Great View of Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia © Katrena

If you are traveling in southwestern Virginia and are looking for a park with a great view, this park does not disappoint. The hike was definitely worth it for us! Find more information about this trail at the official Cedar Bluff Overlook Park and Trail web page.

Beautiful Hiking Trail in Southwest Virginia © Katrena

Additional articles by Katrena

• Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Virginia
• South Mountains State Park in NC - Great Hike, Beautiful Scenery, and More!
• Hanging Rock State Park Upper Cascades Hiking Trail in Danbury, NC

Natural Beauty in Tazewell County VA © Katrena

Thanks for visiting my Love 2 Travel With Kids blog - I hope you'll visit my site again to see other places my family has visited!

Carowinds and SCarowinds October 2016 Calendar

Those who are looking for some cooler weather and fun autumn family activities can find Carowinds and SCarowinds open on weekends in October, 2016. In some previous years, Carowinds was open some days in November, but in 2016, October is as late as it goes on the schedule according to their official web site.

If you have small children or folks in the family who are easily frightened, note that SCarowinds could cause some to be quite frightened. The park decorates several areas throughout the park for SCarowinds, so there are a few areas that might be a bit scary in daylight hours, but the daytime hour activities are pretty tame in October. By October, there is usually some relief from the heat, and lines for rides may be a bit shorter at this time of the year.

Carowinds October 2016 Calendar

Open @ 10 a.m.	Close @ 5:30 p.m.	October 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
Carowinds Closed	Carowinds Closed	October 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31

SCarowinds October 2016 Calendar

Open @ 7 p.m.	Close @ midnight	October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23. 28, 30
Open @ 7 p.m.	Close @ 1 a.m.	October 15. 22. 29

Additional articles by Katrena

• Carolina Balloon Fest in Statesville - Great October Fun for All!
• Land of Oz in Beech Mountain, NC - There Really is a Yellow Brick Road!
• North Carolina State Symbols Trivia Game

Thanks so much for visiting my Love 2 Travel with Kids blog!

Carowinds, Carolina Harbor and SCarowinds September 2016 Calendar

As school gets back into full swing, Carowinds begins to shorten their schedule, but the fall season often offers the benefit of shorter lines and perhaps cooler temperatures. Below are the dates and times for Carowinds, Carolina Harbor, and SCarowinds for September 2016. Carowinds may change their dates and times without warning; however, these were correct on the date I published this article.

Carowinds September 2016 Calendar

Open @ 10 a.m.	Close @ 8 p.m.	September 5, 10, 11, 18, 25
Open @ 10 a.m.	Close @ 10 p.m.	September 3, 4
Open 10 @ a.m.	Close @ 5:30 p.m.	September 17, 24
Open @ 5 p.m.	Close @ 10 p.m.	September 2
Carowinds Closed	Carowinds Closed	September 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Carolina Harbor Waterpark September 2016 Calendar

Open @ 11 a.m.	Close @ 6 p.m.	September 3, 4, 5, 10, 11
Carolina Harbor Waterpark Closed	Carolina Harbor Waterpark Closed	All other dates in September

SCarowinds September 2016 Calendar

Open @ 7 p.m.

Close @ midnight

September 16, 17, 23, 24, 30

Additional Articles

• Autumn at Oz in Beech Mountain - Where Yellow Brick Meets the Road!
• SCarowinds: Are You Looking for Ghosts, Skeletons, and Frightful Fun?
• Carolina Balloon Fest Night Glow - When Tongues of Fire Light the Night!
• Carowinds Flying Ace Balloon Race Ride in Planet Snoopy Review

Thanks for visiting my Love 2 Travel With Kids blog!

Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark August 2016 Calendar

Carowinds and Water Park August 2016 Calendar

Although many schools start back to class in August, summer is not over yet. Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark still have plenty of dates for folks to come and enjoy the rides, slides, and more.

The dates I have provided in this article are accurate on the date of publication; however, Carowinds can change dates/times without warning. For example, August 12 had been scheduled to close earlier, but I see they've changed the close time to 10:00 p.m. recently.

Below are the dates and times for the 2016 season:

Carowinds August 2016 Calendar

Open @ 10 a.m.	Close @ 8 p.m.	August 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28
Open @ 10 a.m.	Close @ 10 p.m.	August 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,  12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 26, 27
Carowinds Closed	Carowinds Closed	August 29, 30, 31

Carolina Harbor Waterpark August 2016 Calendar

Open @ 11 a.m.	Close @ 6 p.m.	August 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
Open @ 11 a.m.	Close @ 7 p.m.	August 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Open @ 11 a.m.	Close @ 8 p.m.	August 5, 6, 7
Carolina Harbor Waterpark Closed	Carolina Harbor Waterpark Closed	August 29, 30, 31

Additional articles

• Favorite Moderate Thrill Coasters and Rides at Carowinds
• Greensboro Science Center - Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo All in One
• North Carolina State Symbols Trivia Game

Thanks for visiting my Love 2 Travel With Kids blog - my family has had lots of fun at Carowinds over the years and hope your family does too!

Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark July 2016 Calendar

Carowinds and Waterpark July 2016 Calendar

July, the month that many children enjoy freedom from school. This article features dates and times that Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark are open in July, 2016. This is the simplest month of schedules for both parks. Carowinds can change schedules at any time, but this information is correct when published.

Carowinds July 2016 Calendar

Open @ 10 a.m.	Close @ 10 p.m.	All other dates in July
Open @ 10 a.m.	Close @ 11 p.m.	July 4

Carolina Harbor Waterpark July 2016 Calendar

Open @ 11 a.m.	Close @ 7 p.m.	July 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28
Open @ 11 a.m.	Close @ 8 p.m.	July 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31

Additional articles

• Carowinds Aggressive Thrill Steel Coaster Reviews
• Walt Disney World Trading Pins - Fun Way to Preserve Memories!
• NC Zoo Aviary - So Much Beauty Under One Roof!

Thanks for visiting my Love 2 Travel With Kids blog. I try to provide useful information that is quick and easy to find; it gives you more time to do something you enjoy.