State and National Parks offer exercise, fun and relaxation
Posted by The Skyliner on April 15th, 2009Kyra Alexander
Staff Writer
Many students enjoy going to state parks such as Caesars Head during the warm months to relax. (Web Photo)
Looking for somewhere to go when the weather finally gets warm? A lot of people around here like to go hiking or exploring in the waterfalls.
Mark Robertson, sophomore elementary education, loves to hike with his friends. Some of his favorite places to explore are Pisgah National Forest, Caesar’s Head and Table Rock Park.
Pisgah National Forest, which is roughly 45 minutes away, has beautiful trails, waterfalls and a fish hatchery.
Raven Cliff Falls and Bald Rock are on Caesar’s Head, which is 25 minutes away. Caesar’s Head provides beautiful waterfalls that are well-worth the six mile hike.
“It has a beautiful sight towering over Lake Lure,” Robertson said about Table Rock Park.
Alan Dry, senior broadcast media, loves to go to Pretty Place.
“It is about one hour away but it’s worth it! It has a beautiful view,” Dry said.
Lance Skipper, junior outdoor leadership, loves to go to three different places.
First is Rainbow Falls, which is about thirty to forty minutes away.
“It has an awesome waterfall and has a pretty easy hike,” Skipper said.
Second is Poinsett Bridge.
“The bridge is really cool and there is an awesome cave to check out,” he said. Poinsett Bridge is about five to 10 minutes away. It is said at night that there are ghosts out on the bridge. Unless you like really scary places, you shouldn’t go there at night.
The last place he recommends is White Water Falls, which is about 45 minutes away.
“There is a trail to a big waterfall called Foothills Trail. It is near [Lake] Jocassee,” Skipper said. You can also camp there with a big group on the weekends.
Jason Lockaby, senior English, likes to go to Double Falls near Jones Gap. It is about 35 minutes away. He says it is the best waterfall around. A lot of people get married under the waterfall there.
So if you’re bored and itching to get out and do something in the spring warmth, go to one of these great places with your friends and go hike or take a picnic and look out at the waterfalls. You could also go hang out in the cave at Poinsett Bridge. Whatever you do, go out and have some fun and take a study break out in the warm weather.