Trip North - Kinston, NC - Neusway Nature Park

Traffic on the back roads to Kinston

It's only a 2 hour trip

I didn't want Gary to have to drive 5 hours to OBX so a County Park in Kinston was half way.

There is a nature park with a campground on the Neuse River

$20 a night for full hookup.  I called earlier to make sure there was room and told lots of spots.  When we got here several were out of service but fortunately there was one that was open that we fit in. 

There were some Bird Cages outside the nature center

There is a Nature Center, Planetarium and Train Ride at the Park

 

 The train doesn't start until next month

 

 

We did go into the Nature Center 

Oliver the resident cockatiel greeted us

This guy wasn't so friendly looking

We were told not to miss the Cave down below

 

 Penelope the Opossum likes belly rubs

 

 

Various reptiles

They save the most dangerous creature for the end

Scarier than an accidental selfie!

The planetarium offers 4 free shows a day

Downstairs is filled with various childrens' educational fun stuff, like this supersized heart tunnel They had an oversized heart with a tunnel that kids can climb down (via a ladder), then crawl under the floor to an exit ladder at the other side, a life sized Operation game, some dress-up costumes, and a pupe tshow stage. 

There is also a big mouth you can enter and travel down the digestive track to the other end.

 

 

Upstairs is the Planetarium

We sat through about a 20 minute presentation of our solar system

 

 

Outside there are a couple fishing ponds

Some swampland

and Kayaks available to rent.

A great little stop for 2 nights.  Next Stop - Outer Banks