Because

“Our volunteers play a critical part in delivering our mission to the girls throughout our Council areas,” said CEO of Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Jennifer Wilcox.

This award recognizes a registered Girl Scout adult who has delivered outstanding service and contributions to the achievement of the Council’s goals in two or more scout geographic areas.

Rendezvous Mountain

Where Nature & History Present Themselves

WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER J.Dwaine Phifer

Rendezvous Mt State Park (1956 Rendezvous Mountain Rd, Purlear, NC--336-667-5072) became the newest addition to the NC state park system in January, 2022.

The park is just one of the seven divisions of the NC educational forest system. (https://carolinaoutdoorsguide.com/educational-state-forestsin-north-carolina/). Purlear is northwest of Wilkesboro off HWY 421. The winding, scenic country roads in and around the Rendezvous Mt. are delightful.

The park had its beginning in 1926 when Judge Thomas B. Finley of North Wilkesboro donated a large tract of forested land to set up a historical park. His goal was commemorating the role the area played in the American Revolution. Because the mountain itself may have served as a meeting place for Wilkes County Revolutionary War soldiers before the Battle of Kings Mt., the name “Rendezvous”...French for “present yourself”...stuck.

Over the years, due to the logging industry’s influence in the region, the park developed as an educational/recreational area devoted to the history of the NC timber industry. The “Talking Tree” Trail is a unique educational experience. Visitors can view specific specimen trees along the trail, press a button on a device below the tree’s identity marker, and hear information about the tree. The Logging Demonstration Trail is devoted to forestry education. The sheltered exhibits along the trail give visitors historical examples of machinery and methods used by loggers in the past. The life-sized display of two mules patiently waiting to pull a large log affords viewers an impressive, surreal time-traveler’s glimpse of days gone by.

For the seasoned hiker, the four-mile Amadahy (Cherokee for “forest water”) Falls trail follows the picturesque Purlear Creek. The trail has its share of ups and downs with a few spots requiring a bit of dedicated physical resolve and wherewithal. This trail is certainly one for seasoned hikers. Hiking boots, insect repellent and bottled water are important. For viewing a fire tower up close and seeing the original CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) cabin, the .2-mile trail behind the log office/educational building offers a short but steep jaunt. Give oneself a few catch-your-breath breaks on this trail and enjoy the beautiful vista views across the valley below. There are other shorter less demanding strolling paths that wind through the rhododendrons in and around the impressive picnic pavilion. The two beautiful stone fireplaces and numerous picnic tables under the pavilion’s vaulted roof are welcoming and dry even if it rains. The pavilion can be booked for group events. Next to the picnic pavilion is a small open-air amphitheater, with seating, that is also available for group activities.

Along the paved roadway from the parking lot to the pavilion and amphitheater are individual picnic tables with small, box-like BBQ grills at ground level. The site engineers strategically placed each picnic spot among the rhododendrons and large trees. The dense rhododendron evergreen foliage serves as a privacy wall and offers a feeling of separation from one’s picnic neighbors. The large canopy trees shade the picnic area from late Spring into Fall. The Rhododendron’s April blossoms are the perfect celebratory decoration for the picnic area. Neat restroom facilities are found adjacent to the large parking lot.

The only downside to visiting Rendezvous Mt. State Park is the steep unpaved road winding around the side of the mountain. Because of numerous sharp twists, turns and ditches wash out during heavy rains, the roadway has a few spots only wide enough for one vehicle. Careful, considerate negotiation between folks going up the road and those coming down, however, ensures both vehicles can move forward.

Interestingly, as of March, 2023, apparently plans are underway for making the roadway more user friendly. There were prominent survey stakes evenly placed along both sides of the current gravel roadway. Their placement seemingly indicates, with work, the road will be wider at some future date.

Outdoor educational workshops and ranger-conducted classes are available at various times during the year. Contact the main office for information about learning events, booking the picnic pavilion or the amphitheater, and current roadway conditions.

Hours: March 1—October 31, Tuesday-Friday 9a to 5p.

Saturday & Sunday 11a to 6p.

November 1 through end of February,

Tuesday-Friday 9a to 5p. Saturday & Sunday closed. The Park is also closed for all recognized NC state holidays.

Dogs are welcome in the park as long as they are on a sturdy leash and completely under their human’s full control. As with any natural area where Mother Nature is boss, it is also important to be alert for possible encounters with poison ivy, thorny plants, ticks, mosquitoes, bees and native animals particularly snakes. Too, good stewardship dictates visitors leave trails and picnic areas orderly and free of debris. Per the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared!”

Historic Bethabara Park

Hands-on-History Day, July 15, 1:30 to 4:30.

What was life like in the 18th century Bethabara? Find out by visiting with our potter, blacksmith, or woodworker; tasting some freshly prepared food, playing Colonial games and touring the 1788 Gemeinhaus and 1834 log house and exploring archaeological ruins.

In August, on Saturday, the 5th, 11a to 4p, participate in A Celebration of Cultures with Indigenous Peoples and Moravians.

Learn about the connections between the Indigenous Peoples and early Moravians by visiting with the Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian; examining NC Native American Artifacts from the Lam Museum. Of Anthropology; and taking an informative tour of the Park grounds.

Phone: 336­924­8191

Address:2147 Bethabara Rd. Winston­Salem, 27106