At the coast, we start with a Wellness Walk intended to get you off the couch and moving about. In the mountains, we finish with one of the most taxing events around, the half ironman. And in the Piedmont, pick up a paddle and explore a river you may not know.
Coast
You have to walk before you can, well, run, hike, skip … . Walking leads to a lot of things, which is why we’re recommending Saturday’s Wellness Walk on the Summer Rest Trail in Wilmington. Sponsored by New Hanover County Parks & Gardens, Brian McKeever, Physical Therapist and owner of Lumina Wellness & Physical Therapy, will lead the 1.4-mile walk, which will be at a casual pace. No age restrictions.
Curiously, the hike begins at the trailhead by Port City Chop House.
Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m., Summer Rest Trail, 1981 Eastwood Road, Wilmington. Free. Go here for more information or call 910.798.7622
Saturday forecast: High of 74 at walk time, with a chance of thunderstorms developing later in the day.
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Looking ahead: Too hot to paddle during the day? Then try it at dusk, with the Masonboro Island Sunset Kayak Trip on August 26, departing from the Trails End Park Boat Launch in Wilmington. $35-$45, contact Halyburton Park here or by calling 910.341.0075 to sign up.
Piedmont
Some places you’re comfortable paddling on your own. You know the water, you know the access. Some, however, you feel more comfortable being part of a guided group.
We’re guessing that’s the case with the Mayo River, which you may have heard of, but that’s where your familiarity ends. Saturday, let a Mayo River State Park ranger guide you down a stretch of the river that will start at the public boat access at Old Anglin Mill Loop Road and end at the public boat access on U.S. 220 Business. Expect to be on the water about six hours.
No boat, no problem. Be among the first 11 to register and the park will supply a canoe, paddle and pfd, free of charge.
Logistics: Saturday, Aug.8, 10 a.m., Mayo River State Park. To register and learn more, call 336.427.2530.
Saturday forecast: High of 85, sunny.
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Looking ahead: Start next weekend early with a Sunset Canoe Trip Friday evening (Aug. 14) at Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville. $5 per person, $10 per canoe. For more info: 919.460.3390
Mountains
This weekend is the Lake Logan Multisport Festival, which means …
Not up for the full half iron triathlon (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, 13.1-mile run)? Then check out the international tri (1,500-meter swim, 24-mile bike ride, 6.2-mile run). Or perhaps the sprint (500-meter swim, 12-mile bike ride, 3.1-mile run). They make it hard to say, “I can’t.”
The half tri is Saturday, the international and sprint are Sunday.
Logistics: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and 9, Lake Logan Episcopal Center. Find all your pertinent registration and race information here.
Weekend forecast: Highs reaching the low 80s, mostly sunny.
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Looking ahead: The Blue Ridge Breakaway, starting from the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, rides of 106, 76, 50.8 and 25 miles, Aug. 15. More info here.
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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 coastal 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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