If we wanted to live on the Sun, we would have moved there. Instead, the Sun apparently has decided to move here. More record-breaking heat is upon us, which would have more more sane people opting to stay indoors. For those of us of hearty, boiling stock, that’s not an option. We just need to play it smart: Instead of going out in the daytime when it’s 102 in the shade, we’ll simply wait until the evening when it cools off to the upper 90s.
Coast
Good riddance — and great light show! you’ll say as you watch the sun set in the west from the highest sand dune on the East Coast, at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. And as you’re watching ol’ Sol melt into the west, learn from a ranger about the dune you’re perched on, the animals who call the dune home and what all you can see from this lofty perch. Meets Friday at 8 p.m., atop Jockey’s Ridge.
Here for more info.
Piedmont
As you know, Saturday night is National Moth Night and —
You didn’t know Saturday was National Moth Night? You didn’t even know there was a National Moth Night?
Your confusion is understandable, considering that Atropos and Butterfly Conservation had agreed to cancel National Moth Night, founded in 1999, this year and regroup in 2012. But apparently rogue elements in the moth community have decided to hold a National Moth Night this year and Saturday is the night. That said you can celebrate this annual (more or less) occurrence at the Falls Lake Recreation Area’s Sandling Beach Saturday night at 8; check out the moths and let trained moth specialist Brian Bockhahn, naturalist extraodinaire, tell you what they’re up to.
Free, but pre-registration is required, by emailing brian.bockhahn@ncdenr.gov or calling 919-841-4060.
Mountains
Saturday may be National Moth Night, but the folks at Gorges State Park will have salamanders on their minds when they head out Saturday night at 8:30. “We will venture out into the forest at night to observe salamanders and seldom seen nocturnal denizens of the park going about their business.” Well, that sounds intriguing.
Bring a flashlight and camera and pray for rain (the little amphibians love it). Meet at the Frozen Creek Trailhead. If you need to find out where that is call 828.966.9099.
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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.
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.
Great post do you do this each fri? I need to keep this in mind. Always looking for family activities
Every Thursday, James. Gives you a little more of a chance to plan.