If you need to walk off a heavier lunch than usual, I recommend taking a walk around Lake Junaluska. It’s around two and a half miles, give or take. This time of year it’s not too hot, so it’s well worth your time–if you like roses, kids, and dogs.
The first or last stretch of your jaunt, depending which direction you take, is called the Rose Walk, for obvious reasons. It is lined with roses. There are red ones and orange ones and white ones and ones that are orange with white stripes and ones that are white with orange stripes. A few are just past their prime, but most of the roses look in much better shape than me, for what that’s worth.
All along the path, people are walking dogs. The dogs come in all shapes and colors too, but once again I don’t know the official names so I refer to them as “Scrubby Little Yapping Dogs,” “Barrel-Chested Water Hounds,” as well as “Loping Panters.” Most seem happy. One old dog had the benefit of a step-stool to help him get back in the car. Two Yappers were sharing a baby stroller and they were panting anyway. Since many of them seem like Rose Walk regulars, they were all extraordinarily well-behaved.
There are lots of kids out on the Rose Walk too. A few are walking, but many have the benefit of a stroller. The kids seem a lot more active than the dogs. And the roses.
One mom was pushing a stroller filled with twins, with an infant in a wraparound sling. That’s a great way to stay in shape while enjoying the roses!
People on the Rose Walk are friendly. A wave or a simple “Hi!” are the usual greetings. Oddly enough, I didn’t hear many local accents, leading me to believe most are here as vacationers, out enjoying Lake Junaluska at the close of this summer.
There are enough ups and downs on the path around the lake to keep us all honest. So if someone at NOAC tells you to take a hike, they’re really making a friendly suggestion. Take them up on it!
— Frank Ramirez is a retired pastor and frequent contributor to Church of the Brethren communications.
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