Haw River is place for family fun, fishing

"There are people up there that don't even know what it's like," river-goer Wilson Seymour said.

Devyn Read said he knew what life on the river is like – "relaxing, hanging out, away from everybody else."

Between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, off U.S. 15-501, a trail from a simple gravel parking leads down to the Haw River.

"I figured why not bring my family out here and enjoy the wilderness and the natural vibes of mother nature," father Donte Mitcell said.

"It's beautiful out. It's a really nice area to be in, relaxed," his wife, Amineh Mitcell said.

Read was happy to see the parents and sons join him at his favorite river.

"Most kids these just inside and play video games. It's becoming more rare for kids to come out and play," he said.

Children and adults who stay inside or just drive by the Haw River are missing out, Read and Seymour said.

"I've seen a lot – lots of birds, lots of fish, a lot of insects," Read said.

"We get along just fine catching our own fish and eating those," Seymour said.

Summer lasts only a few weeks each year, and the Mitcell parents know they can't afford to pass it over.

"We were kind of cooped up for a long time with the rain and coldness, but now it's nice. We get to enjoy some family time outside," Amineh Mitcell said.