Make February go faster by getting out this weekend

Coast

February: on paper the shortest month, in your mind, the longest. Forced to bridge the gap between dread, post-holiday, dreary cold January and the start of spring in March, February can seem interminable. The best way to escape the February doldrums? Jump into an icy cold Atlantic Ocean.

OK, maybe not icy cold — as of Tuesday the water temperature off Johnny Mercer’s Pier in Wrightsville Beach was 48. But cold enough to get your attention (especially if you go in up to your waist). And that’s what hundreds of hearty souls will do Saturday from 3-3:30 p.m. as part of the Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for New Hanover County Special Olympics. Anticipation starts to build at 11 a.m. when the gates open at Carolina Beach’s boardwalk. Entertainment begins at 11:30 a.m., there’s a costume contest, then at 3 everyone gets to sprint into the Atlantic. Whether you stay in the water until 3:30 is, as far as we can tell, optional. But you’ll earn only partial bragging rights if you don’t go completely under at least one wave.

Taking the plunge isn’t cheap: $30 for “student plungers,” $50 for “adult plungers.” You must sign a rather comprehensive waiver.

Sound good? Follow up here.

Piedmont

Maybe jumping into the frigid Atlantic isn’t your idea of how to enjoy a February weekend? How about a guided hike?

Sunday, from 1:30- 4 p.m., Ken Moore, assistant director emeritus at the N.C. Botanical Garden leads a “Late Winter Walk at Mason Farm — in the Footsteps of John Terres.” Terres, according to the NCBG, was a naturalist who “explored the roads and trails of the Mason Farm Biological Reserve, day and night” from 1961-1968. His treks were the basis for his book, “From Laurel Hill to Siler’s Bog: The Walking Adventures of a Naturalist,” and the hike’s timing “is perfect for taking a closer look at nature in the lingering days of winter and the early awakening days of spring.” $10, $5 for botanic garden members.

From 1961 to 1968, naturalist John Terres explored the roads and trails of the Mason Farm Biological Reserve, day and night. The resulting journal of his adventures, From Laurel Hill to Siler’s Bog: The Walking Adventures of a Naturalist, remains a classic of natural history writing. Join Ken Moore for a nostalgic stroll in the Reserve to note changes and recall some of Terres’s adventures observing local flora and fauna. Late February is perfect for taking a closer look at nature in the lingering days of winter and the early awakening days of spring. Fee: $10 ($5 NCBG members). Inclement weather date: Feb 27

Learn more about Mason Farm Biological Reserve here. Directions here.

Mountains

Another thought on how to kickstart your heart in February: the 19th Annual Park Ridge Health Frostbite 5K, 10K and 1-mile Fun Run/Walk in Hendersonville. The race starts at 2:30 in the afternoon, when the chances for actual frostbite will be lowest. Walk-up registration is $35, a healthy jolt to the system guaranteed.

Specifics here.

* * *

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.

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.

Todd’s Calendar

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.