October? Already?
Coast
It’s Big Sweep Day across the state, the day each year when paddlers hit their favorite waterways and rid them of the styrofoam, the basketballs, the milk jugs and assorted other detritus that accumulates along the banks. You can find a rundown of events statewide at the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education & Public Affairs. Events such as Big Sweep Columbus County, where a ranger-led canoe caravan will scour the banks of this Carolina Bay beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday. Only two requirements: 1) You must register in advance (by calling 910-646-4748), b) You must know how to swim.
Go here for info on Lake Waccamaw State Park, including directions on how to get there.
Piedmont
Usually, we’re about “doing” here at GetGoingNC.com. Occasionally, though, we’re into watching as a possible prelude to doing. The watching in this case: the 2010 Triangle Paddlefest, marathon canoe and kayak racing at its best, Sunday at Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville. “The style of racing at the Triangle Paddlefest is called marathon racing and it is very popular in Europe,” says Tom Blue with the Triangle Paddle Racing Club, which is sponsoring the race.
Though most of the competitors will be paddling Olympic-style flatwater kayaks, which are intended to go straight, this course includes turns around buoys at opposite ends of the lake, as well as what Blue calls “an interesting twist, an optional portage across a peninsula.” Blue says the portage shortcut is a definite timesaver for those adept at hopping out of their boat and carrying it across land.
“But,” he adds, “the portage is also risky; if the competitor botches jumping out or getting in and swamps the boat, the portage will definitely be slower!”
Competition on the 6-mile course begins at 10 a.m. Blue says the race should last roughly an hour. And if you’re intrigued by paddle racing, there’s this to keep in mind: Lake Crabtree is the site for next year’s US Team Trials, where paddlers will qualify to represent the United States at the World Championships in Singapore. The Triangle as the nexus of American paddle racing: who knew? Visit the Triangle Paddle Racing Club for more info on the race (click on “entry” at the top of the page).
And it’s not like you can only watch on Sunday. After the race, Lake Crabtree is a great place to play, with mountain bike trails, hiking trails, playgrounds and the lake (you’ll need to bring your own boat). Here for details.
Mountains
The latest from the Asheville Fall Color Report is that the trees are starting to turn about 4,500 feet. That means you should plan a hike for one of the state’s higher altitude hiking destinations. Some suggestions from the AFCR: Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Gardens, Mount Pisgah, Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam Knob, Waterrock Knob and the Devil’s Courthouse.
We’ll have an eyewitness report on where to go next week.
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Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.
Know of a good outdoors calendar we should include? Pass it along and we’ll plug it in.
Photo: Maggie Valley near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo by Gene Greene.
Coast
CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.
Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.
Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.
NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.
North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).
This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).
Mountains
Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.
Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.
The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.
Piedmont
Charlotte
Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running
Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triad
GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.
Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triangle
Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.
Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Statewide
Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.
North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”
National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.