IT’S NATIONAL RIVER MONTH! CELEBRATING THE NEUSE’S PAST AND PRESENT
What’s a 2-million-year-old site you can visit without leaving Raleigh? The majestic Neuse River! The Neuse is one of the oldest rivers in North America and hosted its first human settlers more than 14,000 years ago. Today, it remains a source of beauty and recreation for countless North Carolinians. In honor of National River Month, we want to share the history behind this incredible natural resource and some of our favorite spots to visit.
The Neuse River was named after the Neusiok, Indigenous Americans who lived in the area during the 1500s. It remains one of the three oldest locations in the U.S. that still has the name given to it by English colonists. North Carolina established its first capital city, New Bern, at the river’s mouth in 1710. Today, the Neuse connects the state’s original capital to its current one in Raleigh. The area surrounding the Neuse Basin has 48,000 acres of state parks and 58,000 acres of national forest. That’s a lot of nature for us to enjoy! Here are a few of the best places to visit along the river’s 250-mile-long path. HORSESHOE NATURE FARM Along the Neuse River Trail in Raleigh, Horseshoe Nature Farm is a preserved piece of land surrounded on three sides by the river. The area contains river swamps and wetlands, and while most of the site remains wild and undeveloped, visitors can explore multiple short trails. A few times a month, the onsite farmhouse opens for visitors to explore, but there’s plenty of the great outdoors to see every day! MILBURNIE DAM While most of Milburnie Dam was torn down in 2017, remnants still mark a particularly beautiful portion of the river. The area is home to river rapids now that the water can flow freely, and it’s a prime spot for picnicking and wading, surrounded by rocky beaches and lush trees. However, visitors should avoid entering the river above their calves, as conditions may be dangerous. CLIFFS OF THE NEUSE STATE PARK If you’re up for a day trip, you can’t do much better than this gem. Slightly more than an hour outside Raleigh. Visitors can stand 90 feet above the river and take in breathtaking views across the riverbank. There are also opportunities for hiking and kayaking at the park. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of native otters and bald eagles during your visit!
TAKE A BREAK
INGREDIENTS • 1 ripe banana, frozen • 1 cup cubed butternut squash, cooked and frozen • 1/4 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk Chai-Spice Butternut Squash Smoothie
• 1 tbsp almond, cashew, or pecan butter (do not use peanut butter, the flavor is overpowering) • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1/8 tsp cardamom • 1/8 tsp ground ginger • 1/8 tsp allspice
1. In a large, high-powered blender, add all ingredients and blend on high for 1–2 minutes or until all ingredients are well combined. Add more milk if necessary to thin and blend again. 2. Serve and enjoy! Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com DIRECTIONS
PATRIOT WEALTH | 919.322.4113 | P3
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