Lanier Falls — Attraction in Broadway

Almost drowned here one day last summer. A huge storm came through and the river was the highest I've ever seen. Thought I could cross it and got swept away and pushed almost 15 feet down to the bottom. Helplessly, I scraped along the bed at the rivers command. I kicked and pulled as hard as I could, but the river was much stronger than I. I was immersed in a cold, pitch black void. It was hopeless. I let go and accepted my fate. I've never felt such peace in my life. It was beautiful. But within a single moment everything changed and I could feel the river's grip loosening. It was as if the river no longer wanted my offering. Without even thinking, I immediately began to kick and pull with more force than I ever thought I was capable of. I only had one goal: survive. I could see the color of the water becoming lighter and lighter. I knew I was near the top, but I wasn't sure I was going to make it. The current was still pulling me down; testing my very will to live, and by this point I had almost no oxygen to push through my body. At what seemed like the last possible second, I broke through the surface. My friend's were all standing around the edge of the river screaming. They could not see me below the dark water and were not sure what to do. I've had quite a few close calls with death. But this one was extra special. I don't regret a second of that experience. Within a single, brief moment I felt the deepest peace I've ever known and also had the opportunity of literally fighting for my life. My mind was not occupied by bills, regrets, ex girlfriends, or work. It was as if my entire focus actually belonged to ME for the first time. I could not imagine a more...

This was such a great hike! This was our second time to do this as the first time we didn’t make it all the way, due to me worrying about hiking back in the dark. 😳 We did this with our almost 4 and almost 6 year old. Mind you they have been hiking with us for about a year now. The first time we did the river trail, that would be the easier trail for sure. The second time we did the mountain trail and the kiddos did need more breaks then normal. It was pretty intense. The Lanier falls isn’t like a big waterfall but it’s beautiful and peaceful. It took us longer to get to the falls because of the mountain trail but coming back we went along the creek (small river) and it didn’t take as long. So beautiful. Definitely felt like it got us prep for the mountains to do some...

We hiked down to the falls which are more like a spillway across the Cape fear River. I think the park ranger called them class 2 Rapids. Unfortunately, it was difficult to see it because of tree branches in the way. There were no rocks or benches to sit and just enjoy what we could see of the river and listen to the falls. We hiked about a mile north/left of the falls up a narrow unofficial trail and finally came to a rock to sit on. The Cape Fear River was brown and muddy looking when we were there towards the end of May 2018. Not really very attractive or a place to put your...