By Anneliese Heyder, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief
In the first and final few months of the school year, NCSSM residents all battle an invincible foe: Heat and its sidekick Humidity. These adversaries use the same tactics each year to challenge students: wading through a swamp-like heat, frizzy hair, red faces, and sweat stains everywhere. Students can be seen holding mini fans, chugging from water bottles with melted ice and practically sprinting to Bryan lobby from Ninth St. where they can gulp in the air conditioning (AC).
Luckily, there is a solution to the relentless problem–one that many students don’t know about. Durham is home to several lakes, rivers, and quarries where students can escape the heat, hang out with friends, and release stress while enjoying nature.
Falls Lake is a 12,500-acre reservoir located in Durham. It offers up to seven different spots around the lake to swim, fish, kayak and enjoy other outdoor activities. Sandling Beach, a popular spot, offers a small beach access with plenty of room to swim, take a nap, or play a game of beach volleyball. Beaverdam and Rolling View also offer access to beaches and safe areas to swim.
Eno River State Parks boasts several hikes, some leading to small swimming holes and quarries. One is Bobbit’s Hole, a popular summer hangout spot for locals. The old-fashioned swimming hole is deep, so a float is recommended. The spot is perfect for a dip on a hot day, and on the weekends it can get busy. Bring durable shoes, as it’s about a 1.2-mile hike to the quarry.
I asked Matt Czar, ‘25 about his thoughts on swimming holes in Durham. Czar lives in Durham and recently made a trip to the Eno. “When choosing where to cool off you should always keep in mind the size of your group and time constraints,” stated Czar. “If you have more time, anywhere between an hour and 2 hours, I would recommend going to Bobbits Hole. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the swimming spot then you would have about 30 minutes to an hour of swimming time.” Czar also suggested going to Coon Rock which he states “provides the most options and is the most overall enjoyable place to swim.”
Connelly Martin ‘25 also expressed her encouragement for students to visit the Eno. She recommended “bringing a towel or something to sit on, something to float on, and a speaker.” Martin had recently taken a trip to the state park, and when asked her favorite part she said, “The weather and the chance to get away from school and relax. It was fun to hang out with friends and take a break from technology and stress.”
The Durham heat can be brutal, and sometimes the best thing to do is wear loose clothes, stay hydrated, and stick close to the AC. However, when you have the time to do so, planning a trip to one of these nearby swimming areas will allow you to cool down while making memories with friends and enjoying the beauty of nature.
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