Elon Color Run

I decided to take advantage of all the fun activities Elon had to offer this semester.  Even though I realized I could participate in all of them, I tried my best to do the things I could.  One of my favorite events that I went to this semester was the Elon color run.  Everyone wears white and runs through the intramural field where they have people throw colored powder at you.  Altogether the run was under three miles, which made it easy for me and my friends.  There were even people walking throughout the course and everyone was still having an amazing time. 

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock is a national park located in North Carolina.  It is a little over an hour from campus.  I went to Hanging Rock last semester and would still like to go back if I have the time.  I went camping on their grounds, which are available for anyone who likes to camp or enjoys the outdoors.  They have many different hiking trails available.  I love camping and the view from the park is beautiful, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to camp.

The best part of Hanging Rock, however, is the view.  The park has a path, which is only a mile long that leads to Hanging Rock.  The path is steep and takes about an hour to hike to the top, but once you get there, it was definitely worth it.  There are three giant rocks that overlook the entire park.  It’s an amazing view and people travel to the state park just so they can see the trees bud.

Company Shops Market

Company Shops Market is a grocery store that opened in downtown Burlington two years ago. 
Even though it has been in Burlington for awhile, I had never been until this year.  The Co-op is a healthy grocery store that supports local farms and communities.  Almost all of their produce is from local farms and their meat and eggs come from the farms as well.  In this way, consumers know exactly where the food they are consuming comes from.  The store is quite small.  It consists of a couple aisles of food, a produce section, a hot lunch bar, bakery, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Even though it is small, however, the Co-op has a lot to offer their customers.

One of my favorite things about the Co-op is their peanut butter.  I am a huge fan of peanut butter and eat it too often.  At the Co- op they have freshly ground peanut butter where you can push a button on a machine and choose how much peanut butter you want.  The peanut butter does not have all the chemicals and oils of the peanut butters available in the grocery store, which makes it perfect and delicious.  My other favorite part of the Co-op are their almond croissants.  They have a small bakery located within the store that sells baked goods and fresh bread and everything is amazing.  Every time I go I always get an almond croissant and devour it within minutes.

The Co-op also offers many opportunities for socializing.  I went to a beer and wine tasting there at the beginning of the semester with a couple of friends.  They had local brewers come in and anyone over the age of 21 was able to sample the different types of beer.  I really enjoyed this experience because I have never sampled beer in a grocery store.  The Co-op is full of surprising and interesting experiences for all.

http://companyshopsmarket.coop/

 Almond Croissant:

Guilford-Mackintosh Park

Guilford-Mackintosh Park is located in Alamance County and has many different activities available to the community.  The park is less than twenty minutes from Elon University, and I have been to the park multiple times throughout the semester and have enjoyed myself every single time.  My favorite activity at the park is hiking.  They have multiple trails available to the public and they have maps showing the different trails and their overall mileage.  The trail I have hiked is only three miles and it to spend the day enjoying nature.  There are multiple benches along the way for people to stop and look at the scenery or to take a break from the hike.  The trail also has a gazebo that overlooks Lake Mackintoch.  I would definitely recommend hiking at Guilford-Mackintosh Park because the people are friendly and there are many different things to see.

Lake  Mackintoch is also located within park.  They offer canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rental by hour or day.  When I went with my two friends, Sarah and Katie, we rented kayaks and explored the lake.  The lake is beautiful and we paddled to explore the surrounding area.  We ended up eating our packed lunch under a bridge and watching nature.  Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely do it again before the semester ends!

For more information about the park and the other activities available:

http://www.burlingtonnc.gov/index.aspx?NID=240

Zack's Hotdogs

Everyone I have talked to that resides near Elon has raved about Zack’s hotdogs.  I like hot dogs and decided this past weekend was the perfect opportunity to try one from Zack’s.  Zack’s is a small restaurant located in downtown Burlington.  The setup is like most fast food restaurants, consisting of many booths and a register to order from.  The only difference is that people order at the register and a server brings them their food.

When I went on a Saturday at lunch time, the place was packed.  The majority of the booths were filled with families and people enjoying hot dogs and other variations of the menu.  There are many different combinations of hot dogs on their menu, such as bacon cheese hot dogs and chili hot dogs.  Ultimately, I ordered two hot dogs with everything on them except chili.  I watched them quickly put onions, mustard, lettuce, and tomatoes on the hot dogs and hand them to me.  I brought them back to my apartment to try them.  Typically, I eat hot dogs over the summer solely with ketchup, so this was a new experience for me.  I was pretty turned off by the smell of the onions on the hot dog, but had to try it.  Even though the smell was pretty strong, the hot dogs were amazing! 

Zack’s definitely lived up to my expectations.  The people were friendly and the hot dogs were delicious.  Although my apartment still smells of hot dogs, it was worth it!  I would recommend it to others who enjoy hot dogs and I will be back next time I have a hot dog craving.  

 

More information and menu options can be found on their website:

http://www.zackshotdogs.com/portal/Home.aspx

Step One: Create the Bucket List

Throughout the three plus years I’ve been at Elon University, I have been told many different things I need to accomplish before graduation.  Now, with only a little over two months left before I leave Elon, I have not completed anything.  Therefore, I have made a list of all the things I want to do before I graduate.  The list consists of both things I’ve done and would like to do again, and things I have never done, but have always wanted to try.  Also, I plan to do things within the community outside of Elon, so that I can fully experience North Carolina.  I’m excited to start this adventure and to learn more about Elon University and the surrounding community before I graduate. 

Here is what I have come up with:

Elon University Bucket List

1.  Go to one game of every sport’s team

2.  Go in a fountain

3.  Feed the geese at one of the lakes

4.  Steal a brick

5.  Volunteer for Safe Rides

6.  Festivus

7.  Play an intramural sport

8.  Go to a movie on the lawn

9.  Go to the JR Outlet

10.  Elonthon (for any period of time)

11.  Go to art performances

Outside of Elon Bucket List

1.  Go to Raleigh

2.  Eat a hot dog at Zack’s Hot Dogs

3.  Explore Greensboro

4.  Go see a movie at the Graham Cinema

5.  Go to Hanging Rock State Park
6.  See a movie at Graham Cinemas
7.  Tour Red Oak Brewery

These are my bucket lists so far.  I hope to complete all of the things on my lists before graduation because it is manageable.  However, I may add more or blog about things not on the list that I decide to do within the next couple months.  Let the adventures begin!