>> IT MAY NOT OFFER THE DRAMA OF A TALL MOUNTAIN PEAK OR A
PLUMMETING WATERFALL, BUT THERE'S A STATE PARK IN EASTERN
NORTH CAROLINA THAT'S NEARLY SURROUNDED BY WATER AND OFFERS A
SPECIAL BEAUTY ALL ITS OWN, AND AS PRODUCER CLAY JOHNSON SHOWS
US, PERHAPS ITS BIGGEST ATTRACTION IS PEACE AND QUIET.
>> I'VE BEEN COMING TO THIS PARK SINCE IT WAS DESIGNATED BACK IN
THE EARLY '70s.
>> LAWRENCE BEHR LOVES TO HIKE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY'S GOOSE CREEK
STATE PARK.
>> I'LL COME OVER HERE MAYBE ONCE A WEEK AND WALK A FEW MILES
AROUND THE WOODS.
THIS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR ME TO COME AND JUST THINK WHEN I'M
WALKING.
>> GOOSE CREEK STATE PARK IS A LITTLE INCONSPICUOUS.
ITS ENTRANCE SITS OFF A QUIET TWO-LANE RURAL ROAD BETWEEN
WASHINGTON AND BATH.
THE TREE-LINED DRIVE IN LEADS TO A 1200-ACRE NATURAL SANCTUARY.
>> IT'S MOSTLY A PINE FOREST WITH COASTAL MARSHES AND
HARDWOOD SWAMPS.
IT'S REALLY A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN COME TO AND JUST EXPLORE
NATURE AND REALLY NOT HEAR MANY OTHER UNNATURAL SOUNDS.
IT'S JUST A VERY QUIET, RELAXING PLACE.
>> THE PARK'S BOUNDARIES INCLUDE GOOSE CREEK TO THE WEST, THE
WIDE PAMLICO RIVER TO THE SOUTH, AND MEANDERING MALLARD CREEK TO
THE EAST.
ALL THE WATER PROVIDES A PADDLING PARADISE FOR KAYAKERS
AND CANOEISTS.
ON THE GOOSE CREEK SIDE THERE'S A PORTAGE.
YOU CAN FOLLOW A TRAIL UP GOOSE CREEK OR VENTURE OUT ON YOUR OWN
TO EXPLORE.
ALL THE WATER PROVIDES PLENTY OF PLACES TO FISH, TOO.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF GOOSE CREEK, THE PARK HAS A BOAT RAMP
WITH A DOCK AND TRAILER PARKING FOR VISITORS WHO WANT TO LAUNCH
LARGER VOTES FOR ACCESS TO GOOSE CREEK, THE PAMLICO RIVER,
INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY AND POINTS BEYOND.
ON THE SHORES OF THE PAMLICO RIVER, THE PARK HAS A BEACH FOR
SWIMMING OR SUNNING.
THE SAND IS NEARLY CARIBBEAN WHITE, AND THE WATER JUST AS
CLEAN.
THOUGH STAINED A TEA COLOR BY THE CYPRESS TREES ALONG THE
RIVER'S SHORE.
THE PARK HAS OVER 7 MILES OF HIKING TRAILS.
THE FLATTY TRAIL OFFERS A VIEW OF AN INLAND MARSH.
>> IT'S ONE OF 13 NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARKS ACROSS THE
STATE.
>> THE PALMETTO BOARDWALK CROSSES A WETLAND.
VISITORS CAN SEE BIRDS ABOVE AND AQUATIC LIFE BELOW INCLUDING
WATER SNAKES, TURTLES AND FROGS.
THE MALLARD CREEK TRAIL LEADS TO A DECK OVERLOOKING THE CREEK.
IT OFFERS VISITORS A QUIET PLACE WITH A BEAUTIFUL VIEW AND A
CHANCE TO SEE OSPREY AND OTHER WILDLIFE.
THERE'S HISTORY, TOO.
THE PARK'S WOODS ARE FILLED WITH REMNANTS OF OLD DIRT KILNS USED
BY EARLY SETTLERS TO MAKE TAR.
>> THERE'S HISTORY HERE BACK 300 YEARS.
THERE'S NATURE.
THERE'S RECREATION.
>> AND THERE'S EDUCATION.
GOOSE CREEK STATE PARK WAS THE FIRST NORTH CAROLINA STATE PARK
TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER.
INSIDE THERE ARE INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS THAT TEACH VISITORS
ABOUT THE PARK'S NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE.
THE CENTER'S DISCOVERY ROOM OFFERS TAXIDERMY EXAMPLES OF THE
PARK'S MANY CREATURES, INCLUDING BLACK BEARS AND BOBCATS.
>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T COME INTO CONTACT
WITH THAT MUCH.
>> THERE ARE CAMPSITES.
THERE'S A GROUP CAMP AND A HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE AREA.
MANY VISITORS ARE FROM EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA, BUT SOME COME
FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE AS WELL.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE OUTER BANKS.
THEY'LL STOP BY AND SPEND THE NIGHT AND CAMP.
>> WHEREVER THEY COME FROM, THE PARK STAFF WANTS VISITORS TO
ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.
>> THE PEACE AND THE RELAXATION THAT YOU CAN FIND HERE.
>> THAT LAWRENCE BEHR FINDS, TOO.
>> TO ME IT'S ONE OF THE PREMIER STATE PARKS.