Guide to New River State Park | Floating Down the River 

Yes, it was relaxing.

Yes. That is one of a few river themed state parks in NC. I would love to do a cruise on the Mississippi.... one of these days when we can do it again

Yes - Green for us in the southeast is common, but red rocks, for example is beautiful since we don't see it much. For people from Utah, pine forest is probably "beautiful" compared to red rocks.