Living in the Piedmont of North Carolina is a special place to be. One positive thing I often hear from my fellow residents of the area is the fact that we are no more than 2- 3 hours from the mountains to the west and the beaches to the east. It’s easy to get far away without going too far. But an even better fact about this area is that you can get away and find some adventure right in your own backyard. In fact, there is plenty to do just up the road from me on the Dan River.
One of my favorite things to do during the summer is kayaking. It’s exhilarating to push myself through the water and experience nature in its element. It makes me feel connected to life like few other things can.
There are plenty of water adventures to find on the Dan River. There are all kinds of wildlife you can encounter as you paddle through the Hammer-Stern Wilderness Preserve, rapids of varying difficulty to ride in many sections of the river, and a large variety of birds you can spot no matter where you are – maybe even a peregrine falcon or two.
Call me a rogue but I like to go my own way and just rent a kayak and see where the water leads me. But if you’re unsure of how to get started or where to go, there are kayak tours you can go on. Places like Three Rivers Outfitters, The Dan River Company, and Dan River Adventures provide guided tours on the water for not much cost. It’s also a great way to get a group together for a trip down the river. You don’t even have to kayak; you can go in a canoe or a tube.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget what’s around us. We live in a state rich with the stuff of adventures. The Dan is no exception. If you’re in the mood for an experience with nature this summer, try kayaking down the Dan. If you paddle long enough, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for.