OK, so perhaps summer is overstaying its welcome. It’s still dry out, which means you have at least one more weekend to get out and savor the warm weather. Remember, in another couple months, you’ll be pining for its return.

National Public Lands Day, Saturday, nationwide. Saturday is National Public Lands Day, “the largest single-day volunteer effort for America’s public lands.” Related events are planned at five North Carolina State Parks (Crowders Mountain, Pilot Mountain, Lake Norman, Grandfather Mountain, Morrow Mountain); you can find specifics here. You can find additional events in the state by going to the National Environmental Education Foundation web site and clicking here.

Still Hike, Saturday, 2 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. “Still Hike” — isn’t that a contradiction of terms? I mean — Let’s cut you off right there. “Still” — as in apparatus once used to concoct various adult beverages designed to knock you on your butt. Stone Mountain is in Wilkes County, once home to some of the best off-the-books distilleries in the state (to get to Stone Mountain, you’ll likely drive on the Junior Johnson Memorial Highway, honoring one of the best grain alcohol distributors of the day). On this hike, you’ll bushwhack to one of several stills that reside in the park. Hike begins from Garden Creek Baptist Church. Learn more here.

Take A Child Outside Week kicks off Sunday with events at Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Norman State Park, and Mount JeffersonNatural Area; find details on those events here. And since the event was founded in our state, by the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, it should be a surprise that there are a whole lot more TACO events planned throughout the state. You can find a rundown of those events here.

GetHiking! this weekend

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

GetHiking! Charlottesville: Humpback Rock,Saturday, September 28, 8:30 a.m., Fontaine Research Park, Charlottesville. Moderately Strenuous. 8-miles. Hike highlights: Humpback Rock Trail, Appalachian Trail, three additional vistas. Learn more here. GetHiking! Charlottesville: Bike Ride on Virginia Capital Trail,Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m., Sticks Kebob Shop, Charlottesville. Moderate. Bike ride of up to 23 miles along the Capital Trail. Learn more here.

Live the video

Horton Grove Nature Preserve in northern Durham County is our James Taylor destination: winter, spring, summer or fall, here’s a place you can always call … for a good afternoon (or morning) of hiking. Learn more about paying a visit here.

More weekend options

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