As a kid, it was a favorite thing to do: lay in the grass on a lazy weekend and watch the clouds drift by. Where did they come from? Where are they headed? Why is that moose wearing a bowler? Talk about escapism! It was even better than watching Jonny Quest escape the Terrible Turu on Saturday mornings.

Ah, but then grade school started and life became more complicated. Sit and watch the clouds roll by? Who had the time?

Well, by gum, you just have to make the time. Say, Sunday at 4 p.m., at Eno River State Park, where a naturalist will convene the Cloud Watching Club for a session of indulging the afternoon sky and seeing what clouds are passing by and what they might mean. Is it going to rain? Are sunny days ahead? And what about that moose wearing a bowler, what are we to make of him?

Meet at the picnic tables off the last parking lot at the Fews Ford Access, 6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham. Free, but registration is required, by calling 919.383,1686.

Also this weekend:

First Saturday Walk at Swift Creek Bluff Nature Preserve, Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, Swift Creek Bluff Nature Preserve, Cary. Guided hikes are great. But sometimes, you want to stop and look while the group continues to move on. On this First Saturday Walk by the Triangle Land Conservancy, the plan is to hike a bit, then stop for 10 to 15 minutes “to connect with nature through art. All experiences are welcome, and ‘art’ can be photography, writing, painting, drawing, and more.” There’s about a mile of hiking on flat terrain, along the creek. Kids are welcome, crayons and paper provided. Free, but registration is required, by going here.

Birding with Vernon, Saturday, 8:30-10 a.m., Lake Crabtree County Park, Morrisville. Looking for a good introduction into the world of local birds? Then look no further than Vernon, who’s been doing Birding with Vernon at Lake Crabtree for years now. Meet at the Waterwise Garden, first lot on our right as you enter the park. More info here.

Eno Winter Hike Series: Confluence Natural Area, Sunday, 2 p.m., Confluence Natural Area, Hillsborough. This is an especially enticing program in the Eno River Association’s longstanding Winter Hike Series: a chance to explore one of the newest natural areas in the region. On this 2.25-mile hike you’ll visit the confluence of the east and west branches of the Eno River and check out the old Shepherd Mill site, with its “mysterious stone etchings.” Meet at the Confluence Natural Area pavilion, 4214 Highland Farm Road, Hillsborough. 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: Super Bowl Special, Leading Ridge, Saturday, February 1, 7:30 a.m., 4105 Lewis and Clark Dr., Charlottesville. Strenuous. 4 miles. Hike highlight: Jewell Hollow Overlook. Learn more here. Charlottesville: Disaster+Travel+Wilderness First Aid Certification Course, Saturday, February 1-Sunday, February 2, 8:30a.m.-6:30p.m., 20 High St., Farmville. Come away with actual do-it-yourself care-giving skill and confidence, and 2-year SOLO certification. Counts as WFR Recertification, too. No prerequisites. Learn more here. GetHiking! Virginia Beach: Belle Isle, Sunday, February 2, 12 p.m., 300 Tredegar St Lee Bridge 5th & Tredegar, Richmond. Moderate. 5-7 miles. Learn more here. GetHiking! Charlotte: South Mountains, Sunday, February 2, 10 p.m., 3001 South Mountain Park Ave., Connelly Springs. Strenuous. 8-9 miles. Learn more here.

Live the video

Today’s video is from Sunday’s hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, Day-Hike Sections C and D. Learn more about the hikes here.

More Weekend Options

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