Eno River in Spring

The Few's Ford entrance off Cole Mill Road. The river runs brown and gentle over smooth stone. The Cox Mountain Trail is three miles of moderate climbing — oaks, beeches, tulip poplars with trunks proving the forest predates the university down the road.

Spring is when it peaks: dogwoods bloom white against green canopy, hepatica, bloodroot, and trout lily light up the forest floor. The river pools and riffles with a rhythm that matches your walking pace. Great blue herons work the deeper pools with the patience of fishermen who've never heard of a schedule. Kingfishers rattle the percussion.

Free, dawn to dusk. Summer is swimmable — locals know which pools are deep enough to jump. Weekday mornings the heron will let you watch as long as your patience holds.