Editor’s note: David Freeze is a runner, running coach and long-distance cyclist from China Grove in Rowan County. He is visiting all 42 state parks in North Carolina. Contact him at david.freeze@ctc.net.

By David Freeze

On Aug. 18, I headed east to get three parks about as close together as any group in the state. The first stop was at Raven Rock State Park, known for a large rock facing toward the Cape Fear River. Stretching for more than a mile and as high as 150 feet, the rocks were sculpted and carved out by water over millions of years. Ravens used to roost in the rocks, but no longer do. An Indian legend says that a Tuscarora Indian named Raven was captured by another tribe and confined to the high ledge, only able to survive because Indian maiden White Fawn supplied him with food. They were later allowed to marry.

The park is located closest to Lillington and has 4,810 acres. The park was busy early on Sunday with lots of hikers, many of them on the same Raven Rock Loop Trail of 2.6 miles that I used. The Raven Rock site is more spectacular than I expected. Hiking trails in the park total 11 miles, most of it easy and moderate except for the long stair steps down to river level. Bridle trails total eight miles, and mountain bike trails add another 32.

Interesting fish caught in park waters include oddities like longnose gar, American eel, chub, shiner, darter and pirate perch. There are backpack and paddle-in campsites, camper cabins and 15 campsites for tents and trailers, plus nine for RVs. There is also a first-class motion activated exhibit hall and a Native American exhibit. This is a wonderful park with lots to see and do and was one of the busiest I had seen on any early morning.

Carvers Creek State Park is one of the newest state parks, and currently it has little development. The park has 4,530 acres and is nearest Spring Lake. The entrance road is next door to Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg, and the sound of large and small round firing was a constant while I was there. However, the signature item in the park is the Long Valley Farm which was the retreat of James S. Rockefeller. The 1,240-acre farm site includes a large millpond where fishing is allowed. The two trails in the park include an easy, flat walk to the farm from the park welcome center called the Rockefeller Loop Trail. The other trail is the Cypress Point Loop Trail, good for closer viewing of the large millpond which actually sits in front of the Rockefeller house.

The house is fenced off pending future work, as is some of the property behind the house. A springhouse is on the property, as is another old house, a grist mill and a small shed. A sign says Long View Farm used scientific farming methods early on. The Rockefeller family purchased the farm in 1927, and the house was built in 1938. The 100-acre millpond was created around 1850. The livestock and crops supported many tenant farmers and their families. The farm was donated to the Nature Conservancy of North Carolina and then shown to all as part of Carvers Creek State Park when opened in 2013. Plans are in place to eventually make the house the park office and meeting center. The park plans to purchase additional land and to add camping and other recreational facilities.

Weymouth Woods State Park and Sandhills Nature Reserve includes 915 acres and is nearest Southern Pines. The largest part of the park, once the Weymouth Estate, was donated to the park by the Boyd Family in 1963. The park’s main focus are stands of tall longleaf pines throughout the park. Many of these trees are 250 to 400 years old.

The visitor center has lots of interesting activities planned for school and family groups. Throughout the three sections of the park are eight hiking trails totaling 4.7 miles and one equestrian trail of 2.6 miles. All walking trails are rated easy.

Advertised in my guidebook and on the park map is the oldest living long leaf pine in the world. When I stopped at the visitor center, I asked about the tree and how to find it. The visitor center is in the Weymouth Woods Track of pines and walking trails. The desk attendant told me to just put the Boyd Tract in my GPS, and I did, finding Den Road as a dirt road with large homes and equestrian jumping farms. I parked in an open spot next to the Round Timber Trail. Very sandy and obviously frequented by ridden horses, I saw that the oldest tree would be on the left of the trail. I saw huge pines yet couldn’t find my tree. I turned and headed back downhill to look again.

There was my tree. I had missed the famous tree on the way by, but this time noticed a small path had been worn to and around it. The huge tree was just as the attendant described, especially the odd-shaped base of it. The top has unusual, small and curved limbs and a strange butt that is misshapen. The tree has been tested to be 476 years old, and for many years remained in second place to a longleaf pine in Florida that reached 499 years before its death.

Now with 22 state parks complete, I will soon head for 19 more.