Post Labor Day blues got a hold? Chase ‘em away on a standup paddleboard, in a kayak or on a trail.
Coast
Volleyball used to be the thing to do at the beach. And people still play volleyball, it’s just been supplanted as the thing to do. The new the?
Standup paddleboarding (or SUP, as those in the know call it).
The place to do the thing this weekend: the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin and Marina, site of Saturday’s Carolina Beach SUP Challenge. Both a three-mile race and a one-mile family fun challenge, both benefitting Ocean Cure.
Logistics: Saturday, Sept. 5, Carolina Beach Yacht Basin and Marina, Carolina Beach. 919.539.3490, sandy_mitofsky@yahoo.com for more information.
Saturday forecast: High of 83, chance of thunderstorms.
Piedmont
The heat lingers, the desire to be active diminishes. Must we wait for the revitalizing dry breezes of autumn for motivation to move?
No. Not when you can take a kayak tour on the cool waters of Mountain Island Lake in Huntersville. This guided paddle includes all pertinent equipment — kayaks, paddles, pfds — you bring the appropriate clothes, sunscreen, water and snacks. Easy, no?
Logistics: Saturday, Sept. 6, 1 p.m., Mountain Island Lake, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, Huntersville. $15 per boat, $20 for a tandem. Ages 6 and up. More info: 704.875.2312.
Saturday forecast: High of 90, chance of thunderstorms. 704.875-2312
Mountains
Sunday, the Carolina Mountain Club leads a past-into-present hike along the Appalachian Trail straddling the North Carolina/Tennessee line.
This trek begins from Jones Meadow and follows the original path of the Appalachian Trail north past Blackstack Cliffs. On the return, the hike will follow the current AT path, completed by the Carolina Mountain Club in 2003. Lunch at Jerry’s Cabin. Total distance: 7 miles.
Logistics: Sunday, Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m. For more info contact hike leader Lenny Bernstein at 828.450.1325, lennybernstein41@gmail.com.
Sunday forecast: High of 75, chance of thunderstorms.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed 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.
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
Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.
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.
U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.
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