Our state’s glorious summer is almost over, seize the day with these local hikes
Celebrated 20th-century philosopher Ferris Bueller reminded us that life moves pretty fast. For most of us, it moves even faster during the summer. When winter comes, we will dream of donning our shorts and hiking boots for a trek on a mountain trail, of silently slipping a kayak onto the glassy surface of a still mountain lake, of getting outdoors and enjoying North Carolina’s natural beauty. Around Memorial Day, we vow to take advantage of every gorgeous summer day, creating our individual summer bucket lists of every outdoor activity we swear we’ll get around to.
But don’t worry, there’s still time to squeeze a few drops of sweet nectar out of our state’s glorious summer.
And if you didn’t create a summer to-do list, you’re in luck. Blue Cross NC has detailed a number of options for you. So take some inspiration from our blog posts while there’s still time to get outside, North Carolina!
5 Amazing North Carolina Places to Take Your Dog
Have you ever been relaxing on the couch only to be disrupted by your dog staring at you with those sad eyes? He is trying to tell you to get off that couch and head outside for an adventure. As if you need any more convincing, here is a list of the five best places to take your dog in North Carolina.
Jordan Lake, North Carolina: Where Eagles Dare
On most summer days, the water on the lake is perfect for kayaking. In the coves that ring the edges of the lake, the water is particularly glassy and serene. Great Blue Herons are common on Jordan Lake. Keep your eyes open for green herons, egrets, kingfishers, ospreys, hawks, deer, turtles and a host of other wildlife
Hike the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (1,175 Miles) in One Day
Go to the MST in a Day home page. Scroll down to the map, pick a segment you’d like to explore, and click. You’ll then be presented with descriptions of the legs in that segment, including location, distance, difficulty. Pick a favorite or two (you can hike more than one leg, by the way), then click “Sign Up Now.” The MST passes through 37 of the state’s 100 counties (and connects 10 state parks)
5 Short and Easy Hikes on the Eno River
Pump Station Trail is tricky to find and is usually little less crowded than others. There are some cool ruins of an old pump station and it’s great for catching frogs. Find out more great trails on the Eno River Association’s website, and the NC Parks website.
