Just A Hop, Skip, and Jump From Campus… Lake Johnson!
Post by Cait Boyce
Anyone who follows my NC State Twitter account (@NCSU_CSizzle) knows I talk about the weather a lot. I mean, A LOT. I think it started during my childhood… Growing up in Utah, the weather is a serious issue. I heard it best explained the following way… Utah has four seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and allergy season.
North Carolina has far more moderate weather, which makes things like going outside that much more exciting for me! My favorite place near campus, and the subject of this blog post, is Lake Johnson.
Here you see the bridge where people fish and some pedal boats are available to rent.
Lake Johnson is a mere 3 miles from campus. The Lake Johnson Park features a 150+ acre lake and nearly 5.5 miles of trail. It’s a perfect place to go walking, running, biking, canoeing, fishing, picnicking or goose-chasing. You can rent a Jon boat, pedal boat, canoe, or kayak from the boathouse on the Avent Ferry Road trail at a low hourly rate. You can check out those rates at the Raleigh Parks and Rec website. Some boats are available to rent year around. Others are only available in the warmer months.
This goose chased me after I took its picture. It apparently did not want to be featured on this blog.
Avent Ferry Road divides the lake. On one side, the trail is paved. That’s where you see the most cyclists and runners. I am only sharing this next part because I’m so nice… the other side is way better for adventuring. My fellow intern Sharon and I decided to check it out during a run a couple months ago and found ourselves on unpaved dirt trails that required some hiking skills!
Here you see my friend Assir running on the Lake Johnson trail.
I dislike cold days. But it’s nice to look forward to warm days I can spend jogging or walking around Lake Johnson! Lake Johnson is my favorite place close to campus to clear my head and get moving. Maybe it’ll become your favorite place, too!
Hanging out on the trail!
I just headed down to Lake Johnson after we got out boat out of http://www.fullservicestorage.com/ and made sure it was in good tip top shape for the summer! I absolutely love that lake.