Fun places off the beaten path near Raleigh/Wake Forest Area

03/20/2017

03/19/2017

Falls Lake Dam located in northern Raleigh.

Often we forget the gems in our backyard. Falls Lake Dam is a great focal point for a variety of outdoor activities including but not limited to walking, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing and picnicking.

If you use the Falls Lake Dam Parking, you will have easy access to the lower area and a short climb/walk to the upper area. It is always open and some groups night hike on the MST Trail.

The other access is the Falls Lake Visitor Assistance Center (accessed by Falls Management Road. Unfortunately, the Assistance Center is closed on weekends and holidays so you cannot drive all the way in. There is a front parking lot but it's a good walk along the road to get to the dam. If you are picnicking, I suggest using a wagon for your items. Grills are located by many picnic tables.

At the lower area of the dam, you have:
1) a) Access to the Neuse Greenway for biking and walking.
2) b) The trailhead for the Mountain to Seas Trail segment 10 for hiking.
3) c) Public landing access for the Neuse River.
4) d) Fishing along the bank of the river
5) e) Picnic areas in a number of locations.

From the top of the dam you have:
1) a) Walking across the top of the dam to the other side. (Bring a hat if you want some protection).
2) b) Walking to the Visitor Assistance Center and Falls Management Road.
3) c) Multiple picnic areas (both sides).
4) d) Multiple hiking trails and yes if you know how, you can get to the MST Segment 10.
5) e) A dock that extends out into the reservoir by which you may fish or relax.

The area not only changes with the seasons but takes on different personalities with the weather as well. If the reservoir is filled, they will increase the release to where it may flood the Neuse River and accompanying Greenway (I've seen it happen twice). I suggest if you get the chance, go see these events when they occur. You can see, hear and feel the raw power of water.

01/28/2017

Vintage Village located on Durant Road.

When we first moved to Wake Forest, we came upon a slightly different antique market. I didn’t write about it thinking that everyone knew about it already. Located off of Durant Road, It is just next to the train tracks that run up to Wake Forest.

The antiques are mixed between several building haphazardly spread around the property. It gives the place an old southern feel. If you enjoy browsing for that one of a kind item, this may be the place for you.

If the others that come with you don’t enjoy browsing antiques, right next door is a BBQ store called GrillBillies. I’m sure they will happily talk BBQ and distract the remainder of your group while you enjoy yourself.

The parking lot is atrocious and rivals even Michigan roads with the amount of potholes there are. Part of the parking is gravel so come prepared with the appropriate foot ware.

You can spend an hourly minimally browsing the stores. This is a 1-2 hour activity. During the summer months they have a farmers market as well.

05/14/2016

We found this place early on after moving to Wake Forest but haven't taken the time to take pictures until now.

Want to spend an hour or two walking around shopping for that one of a kind thing? This place is called Vintage Village and is located on Durant Road SW of Wake Forest.

A number of antique stores, farmers market and grilling store all kind of wrapped together. This place has character and if you like to browse but don't want hubby to be underfoot send him to the grilling store next door to this place!

06/04/2015

Neuse River Greenway from Soccer Fields to Horseshoe Park.

06/04/2015

A wonderful new section of the Neuse River Greenway has opened. From the soccer field access to the soon to be opened Horseshoe Nature Park this is a 10 minute bike ride or 30 minute walk. The diversity in this section is amazing.

Soccer fields, water rapids, nature, rustic old south homestead, bridges and causeways are all packed in this little section.

Coming from the north i'm not immune to the old south feel. I felt for a brief moment I was at the Henry Ford Museum catching a little part of history.

Certainly this is someones private property but it contains buildings, barns and stables that all look like they been around since the turn of the century.

02/13/2015

One of several small waterfalls along the path.