So, there’s a bit of rain in the forecast this weekend, which means you just might have to strike while the sky is dry. Thus, flexibility and spontaneity may be the keys to adventure this weekend. Still, it doesn’t hurt to have a plan …

Canoe the Scuppernong, Saturday, 9 a.m. – noon, Pettigrew State Park, Creswell (which is just down the road from Plymouth, which is east Williamston … it’s a ways out of U.S. 64). Years ago we paddled five miles on the coastal Scuppernong River, one of the most intimate paddles we can recall. A lush canopy overhead made the summer paddle less steamy, the dense vegetation crowding both banks giving the impression of a journey in the tropics. Saturday, sample a stretch of the very same Scuppernong with a park ranger on this 3-hour float. What’s provided, where to meet, what to bring, what not to wear — it’s all here.

Still Hike, Saturday, 2 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park. Still hike? Don’t you have to be moving to hike? A little history puts this event in perspective. Stone Mountain State Park is in Wilkes County. Wilkes County is the birthplace of stock car racing. Stock car racing grew out of moonshiners whisking product from the production facility to the consumer. The production facilities of the time were stills — and there are plenty of ‘em in Wilkes County. Sample a piece of Wilkes County’s colorful history (if not it’s former chief export) on this adventure, which begins at the Garden Creek Baptist Church. More info here.

Canine Versus Feline, Sunday, 4 p.m., Mount Mitchell State Park. We’re always looking for an excuse to visit Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet the highest point west of the Black Hills. And what more incentive could you need than the chance to learn about the “unique and mysterious canines and felines that can be found here in the mountains of western North Carolina.” Our big question: has the catamount mounted a comeback? Find out at 4 p.m. Sunday. More info here. 

GetHiking! This Weekend

What are our GetHiking! groups in North Carolina and Virginia up to this weekend? Plenty, thanks for asking …

GetHiking! Charlottesville: Dog-Friendly History Hike: Court House to Rotunda, Friday, 6 p.m., Albemarle County Court House, Charlottesville. Mellow 4-mile downtown hike, with optional dinner/drinks to follow. Learn more here. GetHiking! Charlottesville: Jeremy’s Run and Neighbor Circuit,Saturday, June 8, 8 a.m. 4105 Lewis and Clark Dr, Charlottesville. Very Strenuous. 14.7-miles. Hike highlights: Appalachian Trail, Neighbor Mountain Trail, Views of Neighbor Mountain Trail. Learn more here. GetHiking! Charlottesville: Bike Ride on the High Bridge Trail,Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m. Sticks Kebob shop, Charlottesville. Ten-mile out-and-back bike ride along a section of the High Bridge Trail above the Appomattox River. Learn more here.   Upcoming events GetOriented! Finding Your Way in the Woods, Two sessions: Tuesday, June 11, 5:30 p.m., Haw River State Park/Iron Ore Belt Access, Greensboro; Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m., Eno River State Park, Durham. Love the trail but uncertain about your wayfinding skills? This three-hour session goes over basic map and compass skills, then hits the trail to offer key tips on how to follow and stay on the trail, how to find it again if you stray, and how to explore off trail. We’ll start with a 30-minute map-and-compass introduction, then use that map and compass — and some Daniel Boone skills — to find our way in the woods. We’ll also do some off-trail exploring, with the goal of purposefully venturing off trail, then figuring out how to rejoin the trail. Our goal is to make you confident hiking alone or taking a novice friend on the trail — and a little bit off! Learn more about the Triad session here, the Triangle session here.

Live the video

This week’s video comes from last weekend’s GetBackpacking! trip to the Wilson Creek area (where we’ll be headed at least two more times in the next several months). Learn more about exploring the Wilson Creek area here.

More weekend options

Looking for more options for weekend adventure? Check out our GetOut! Find An Adventure resource page here.