Outer Banks Off-Road Safari

This trip will take us on grand tour of all the off-road driving spots on the Outer Banks.  This program would appeal to the huge population of truck owners we have here on base and if advertised right should fill up quickly.

There are at least 4 major spots we could explore on the trip, hitting all of them or just the ones we want.  They are Ocracoke Island, Cape Hatteras Point, Oregon Inlet, and Corolla.  Each spot is unique and offers something of interest.  For instance Corolla offers a good chance to see the wild ponies, as well as the option to drive up to Carova.  Carova is a small town with no paved roads (just sand) and no businesses. 

We would allow the participants to team up in groups of vehicles so they could help each other out if anyone got stuck.  And it is always more fun to go on safari with friends.

There are multiple options for camping up and down the banks, so for instance we could hit Ocracoke and Hatteras the first day and camp at the national park there.  The next day continue up to Oregon Inlet and Corolla and then drive home if it was a 2 day weekend trip.  The price for the trip would be low since we would just be paying for camp sites, and the participants would be responsible for most food and gas in their own vehicles.

There are lots of sites that offer tips and directions for driving off road, and here are just a few.
http://www.twiddy.com/outer-banks-4x4-driving.aspx
http://www.outer-banks.nc.us/newsinfo/randr.htm
http://www.outer-banks.com/ecnews/caha_orv_brochure.may08.pdf

South Carolina's Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park is a short 4.5 hour drive from Jacksonville just outside Columbia, SC. It is one of the newest national parks in the USA, since it was just designated in 2003. The reason for it's being is it is the largest contiguous tract of old growth bottomland hardwoods in the United States. The park provides 20+ miles of short backcountry hiking, including about 2.3 miles of boardwalk. There are also many paddling trails (one 20 miles long) and is supposed to be one of the best ways to see the park wildlife, including otters, bobcats, and monster old growth trees. Some of the trees are up to 25 feet in circumference. There is also supposed to be a lot of good fishing.


There are FREE ranger guided canoe trips on most Saturdays and Sundays. There is also both developed campsites as well as free back country camping.

Here are some links to check out:

http://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm
http://usparks.about.com/od/congaree/p/Congaree-Overview.htm
http://www.sciway.net/city/congaree.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congaree_National_Park
Here is a youtube video showing the park:
http://youtubevideo.isgoodness.com/watch/video/id/_gSDsc35xt8

Exploring the Devil's Marbleyard

The Devil's Marble Yard is an interest out and back hike about 5.5 hours from Jacksonville. The marble yard is one of the most interesting and unique hikes in Virginia, and can easily be done in a few hours. The hike to the base of the marble yard is pretty easy, but once there you get to explore a bolder field that runs strait up the mountain. Most of the bolders are the size of a truck. I see sites recommending leaving about 3 hours to explore the yard and have lunch at the top. You can then hike back the same trail to the campsite. So it would be an easy weekend trip.

I hiked it when I was about 11, and it really was one the most memorable things I have seen. One website described the hike: "It is one of the most talked-about natural wonders of Western Virginia if not one of the most-visited."

Here are some good links to check out:
http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/hiking/42909.html
http://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/DevilsMarbleyard/
https://tgaw.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/devils-marbleyard/

Climbing the Cape Lookout Lighthouse

The Cape Lookout Light was recently reopened for climbing, and would be an easy trip to plan and run. It is a short drive away, and the cost per person would be cheap. The ticket to climb the lighthouse is $8, and I called one of the ferry boat companies and it would be $15 for the boat ride leaving out of Harker's Island, or $30 leaving from Beaufort.

The climb to the top might not be easy, since there are a lot of stairs, but the view would be amazing. The trip would also give participants a chance to do something very few people get to do.

More details about the climb can be found here:
http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/lighthouse-climbs.htm
The main page for the Cape Lookout National Seashore is here:
http://www.nps.gov/calo/index.htm

Raven Rock State Park

Raven Rock State Park is a short 2.5 hour drive away. It offers everything, including short day hike loop trails, canoeing, back country camping, fishing, horseback riding, etc. It has some really amazing rock outcroppings and overlooks.

The hikes are from very short up to a 5 mile loop. The major attraction is the 2.5 mile loop trail to Raven Rock and the overlook. Most hikes look to be easy to medium, depending on length.

This would be a very easy trip with a short distance to drive, but would let participants experience a completly different landscape than they are used to on the coast.

The State Park's official page can be found here:
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/raro/main.php
More info can be found on the Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raven_Rock_State_Park

Old Rag - Medium

Old Rag is a medium level dayhike about a 6.5 hour drive north to Shenandoah National Park. The hike itself is usually up to 7 hours, depending on how many people are on the trail. I would say the minimum age for this trip should be about 12 years old if the parent is going to help over any ruff spots.
Check out the short video from the National Park Service here to understand why this hike would be awesome......
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/old_rag.htm
I have hiked it an while it wasn't a walk in the park, it wasn't the hardest hike either. And the payoff for the effort is one of the best out there.
More info can be found on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Rag_Mountain