And then, it was summer. 

After a week of overnight lows, at least in our next of the Piedmont, in the low 40s and long-sleeve shirts reappearing during the day, we’re suddenly looking at temperatures as high as the low 90s in parts of our exploring area. 

The Piedmont parts, at least. If you aren’t quite ready for the flop sweat season, you can high-tail it to the high country, where temperatures shouldn’t get much higher than the mid 70s. But if you’re planning to explore in the Piedmont, you should plan to explore around water, or at night.

With our weekend thus framed, here are our thoughts on some great adventures to be had.

Full Moon Hike, Saturday, 9 p.m., Medoc Mountain State Park, Hollister. Perhaps sensing the upcoming daytime heat, the rangers at Medoc Mountain wisely scheduled a hike when the the temperature will have cooled back down into the upper 70s. Then again, maybe the full moon had something to do with the hike’s timing. Learn more and sign up here.

Beginner Kayaking, Sunday, 3 p.m., Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Seven Springs. Is there a kayaker in you waiting to get out? Sunday at Cliffs of the Neuse is a good time and place to find out. All the key paddling equipment and instruction are provided. It’s free, but space is limited so call now to reserve your spot for this great opportunity. One caveat: you must be able to swim. That number: 919.778.6234. Learn more about the program and the park here. And with the temperature expected to hit 93 at put-in time, where would you rather be than on the water?

Assault on Morrow Mountain, Saturday, 8 a.m., Locust. Morrow Mountain, such a nice peak! Why would anyone want to assault it? Because it’s there? Anyway, the third Saturday of every month from April through September, cyclists of all ability levels ride from West Stanly Middle School in Locust to the top of Morrow Mountain and back, a roundtrip of 60 miles. Now, you probably want to be in pretty shape on the bike to do this one (especially with temperatures approaching 90 by ride’s end), but we passed this ride headed up the mountain in April and it looked like they were having a grand time. $4. Learn more and sign up here.

Spring Fling Adult Egg Hunt at Dix Park, Saturday, 3 p.m., Dix Park, Raleigh. Ever wonder what happens to all the leftover Easter eggs from the five & dimes (Google it, junior)? Apparently they’re snatched up by Raleigh Parks & Rec and used a month later for this adult egg hunt at Dix. More than 20,000 eggs (that’s a lot of leftover Cadburys)! You think the hunt for eggs was intense when you were 6? You should see the pics from last year’s Fling. Elbow pads advised. Learn more here.

GetHiking! this weekend

What are our GetHiking chapters in North Carolina up to this weekend? Quite a lot, thanks for asking:

GetHiking! Charlottesville: Appalachian Trail (South District),Friday, May 17, 8:30 a.m. Great Outdoor Provision Center, Charlottesville. 9-mile hike through the southern district of the Shenandoah National Park. Learn more here. GetHiking! Charlottesville: Patterson Ridge and Big Run Circuit Hike,Saturday, May 18, 8:15 a.m. Fontaine Research Park, Charlottesville. Strenuous.  11.2 miles. Hike highlights: Patterson Ridge Trail, Big Run Drainage, Big Run Trail. Learn more here. GetHiking! Triangle: Loblolly Trail, Sunday, May 19, 9 a.m. Umstead Park, Cary. Moderately difficult. 6.2 miles. Learn more here. GetHiking! Virginia Beach: GOPC,Sunday, May 19, 9:30 a.m. Sandy Bottom Research Park, Hampton. Moderate. 5-mile loop around Sandy Bottom Nature Park. Learn more here. GetHiking! Charlottesville: Jones Run and Doyles River Trail,Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m. King’s Gourmet Popcorn, Afton. Moderately strenuous. 6.8-mile hike through several waterfalls in the Shenandoah National Park. Learn more here.

Live the video

This week’s video covers a lot of ground, including the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake (find info here), the Wilson Creek area (go here), Eno River State Park (here), and Brumley Forest North (here).