A Trip to Raven Rock State Park

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This isn't the 'best' picture I took yesterday, but it is one of my favorites, and it expresses the true character of any trip to Ravn Rock State Park at least with the kids along for the hike.  They love climbing on the large rocks along the Cape Fear River shoreline.  It's dusty, and so getting your butt dirty becomes quite humorous.  They also loved to test out the echo chamber the rocks create.

 We did the Raven Rock Loop Trail which takes you to an awesome view of the Cape Fear River and rocky shoreline as well as to a scenic overlook which I really enjoy.  The map says it is 2.6 miles.  I am sure we walked at least 3.

Map

The park has a new visitors center, and it's a good idea to talk to the park ranger to make sure you get on the trail you intend to see the views you want to see.  I have walked the 5 mile trail to the old dam area before, and that is gorgeous too.

The kids know this is a looooong walk, and they weren't necessarily gun ho about it, but they loved getting their feet wet in the creek, getting dirty on the rocky shoreline, posing for pics, and oh ice cream at Sunni Skies on the way home.  I plan another trip in October with the promise of ice cream then too:-)

I wanted the exercise and photo ops both nature and kid portraits. The light coming down through the newly open leaves was gorgeous as well as the dogwoods that are now blooming.

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We saw a very large rat snake and several varieties of pretty wildflowers too.  Johnny delighted in taking a bath in what he termed a natural shower where water was dripping down from the rocks.  It was near 80, so that really cooled him down.

Scenic Overlook view.

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Anoter view of the huge rocky area.

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Water dripping off rocks.

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Echo Video

Natural Shower Video

Tulips of the JC Raulston Arboretum

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The kids and I went to the JC Raulston Arboretum near/on the NC State campus yesterday.  This is only my second trip there in 15 years, and the first time was with my friend Judy to their annual plant sale.  I really didn't get to enjoy the gardens the first time because they were swamped.  I'm not sure why it took me so long to go back.  The gardens are very nicely done and filled with lots of interest in the hardscape as well as the plants.  You know me, I was wanted to take tulip shots, and I did find some to take...way at the back of the gardens off the beaten path...about 15 in all but surrounded by many lovely daffodils for which I was able to create a lovely backdrop.  The boys enjoyed their visit as well as any kids their age enjoy visits to gardens:-)  This arboretum has a lot of shade and a lot of benches, so it worked out well.  I sweltered in the sun with my straw hat taking pics while they wrestled each other for prime seats under trees.  Yet I know they took away some things from their experience that can't be measured in the time of one trip.  A love of pants and nature.  The joy of spending time with mom.  An appreciation for art, beauty, and the smells of the garden.  Joey even said he enjoyed himself and that we should go back sometime:-)

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Fiddlehead

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Taken in my yard yesterday.  Ferns are very prolific in this area, and we have several varieties and hundreds of clumps of them around the house.  Amazing how someting so tiny can turn into such a large and beautiful frond.

Here are a few more shots.

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Rainbow Background Tulip

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Taken at the entrance to an office complex near Whole Foods in Cary yesterday.  I don't know what variety these tulips are, but I'm betting they are triples.  They were incredibly full and ruffled!  The background color generated by the pansies was a particularly colorful mix.

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Pretty in Pink

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Taken in front of a business complex sign not far from home yesterday.  Part of the sign had brick and the rest had white placards waiting for new business names.  It was sprinkling and 45 as I took the shots...not a nice day.

Here's the original.  I am not totally happy with my pp'ing, but generally like the white background for contrast.

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Here are some runner up shots.  I removed 5 black spots from this one but did not alter colors or anything else.

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I removed all the color from the background and blurred the stem a bit to help it blend smoothly.

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Used Color Variations to take the original shot and tint the background green.  Blurred the stem a bit too.

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The original of the above two shots.  I suppose I could have just posted it but I thought the brown background was a tad distracting.

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And finally.

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Sun Bathing Tulip

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Taken at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park earlier this week.  What a unique tulip in such pretty light!

L

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A handrail bracket taken at the NC Zoo earlier this week and pp'ed with Nix Color Efex Pro.

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An alternate back-up L also taken at the zoo.

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