Crowder's Mountain State Park, NC

Took the three oldest boys to Crowders Mountain State Park for an overnight backpacking expedition. I usually write a journal on our camping/backpacking trips, so instead of re-inventing the wheel, I will excerpt from it.

We arrived at the state park at 12:30 PM on Wednesday April 12th. Headed into the woods at 1:00 PM. Hike to campsite, approximately 1 mile in. Hike was moderate with a few short but steep inclines. Took site #6 at Ranger's recommendation. They have a pit toilet, stacked firewood and a water (pump) nearby. (What luxuries! Seldom do we see this at hike-in sites.) We were the only campers for the night.

We ate lunch and then set up camp. Oldest two sons set up both tents in under 10 minutes. Youngest (of the three) and I set up the rope to hang food during the night. We then hiked over (approx. 1/2 mile) to the group sites. We may want to return with friends someday (soon).

Getting back the boys explored a bit and then began gathering firewood. Number two son arranged and lit fire professionally. Much of the wood was wet (it rained the past couple days postponing our trip), but it started just fine, if a bit smokey throughout the night.

We said the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (remember the Novena) while we waited for the fire to get ready to cook on. Once we had some good coals, we cooked some chicken breast, potatoes, and brown beans. We forgot seasoning which would have helped the chicken and potatoes, but the B&M beans were perfect as always. Besides, we were pretty hungry, so it mattered little.

The park is about 30 miles or so from Charlotte. The Ranger commented to us that they are quickly becoming more of an urban oasis than a wilderness area. He spoke truth. We could hear traffic in the far distance all night long.

We stayed up til 10:00 PM. Number one son commented that you don't realize how much you miss something (it had been a couple years since our last expedition) until you do it again. (I guess this could be applied to the spiritual life also?) We sang some songs (Our Lady of Knock, Pennies from Heaven, etc.); number one son played us some tunes on his harmonica, then we played a duet to the only song I know (Old Folks at Home). I told some stories from memory from one of our books "Giving Up Stealing For Lent"; we said the Rosary, and then off to bed.

I didn't sleep to well-I never do on these trips. I think I need to dig a trench under the tent to fit my body's contour. My best sleep actually came when I should have been getting up: 6:30 - 8:30 AM. But we were in no hurry.

Got a quick fire going in the morning to boil some water for instant oat meal and apple cider (coffee for me.) We packed up everything except one tent and stashed our backpacks inside and then took our water, lunch and my travel pack (first aid kit, book, flashlight, journal, matches etc.) for our expedition to the top of Kings Pinnacle. (See picture above-not mine).

Left at 10:25 and arrived at 11:25 on the dot at the top. It was pretty strenuous, but not too long (guessing about 1.5 miles without the map in front of me). It is a great view to the West. Crowder's Mountain is also in the park. It is not quite so high and looks to the East (Charlotte). The turkey vultures were flying below us. The cliff on the West side is shear. We stayed about 1.5 hours. We ate lunch up there and said the Chaplet. The boys explored and I started re-reading Familiaris Consortio.

I am very proud of the boys. We hadn't backpacked in sometime and they were all troopers both on the trail and at camp. Encouraging to to know some lessons have been learned as they mature.

We left the summit and returned to pack up the rest of the campsite-and left the park at 3:00 Friday.

Mrs. Curley and two daughters have left for EWTN-country (or Mother Angelica's monastery) for Divine Mercy Sunday events. I am left with my four boys and youngest daughter for the weekend. Mrs. Curley left the fridge stocked. We will do a little relaxing, but also get some things finished and fixed around here.

From Bethany, the small holding in Bethune...Oremus pro invicem!