National Trails Day is non-denominational: you can celebrate on a paddle trail, a bike trail or a hiking trail. Come one, come all.
Coast
Most ranger-led paddle trips are quick one-hour affairs. This Saturday at Lake Waccamaw State Park you’ll have a full half day to explore this Carolina Bay in the wake of a knowledgeable lead. The paddle starts at 10 a.m.
There are roughly 200,000 miles of trail in the United States, according to the American Hiking Society. Of those that came about over the past couple of decades, the vast majority were created largely by volunteers. And of those that existed beforehand, it’s a good bet they’ve been maintained by volunteers. Without volunteers we wouldn’t have the growing system of trails we now have.
One of the main reasons I do what I do is the people I get to meet. Wherever I go, whatever I do, I always meet active people with diverse stories. And I always come away enriched.
Here’s a snapshot, from a “Backpacking North Carolina” presentation I did a couple Saturdays back at the Mayo Park Environmental Education and Community Center in Person County.
How close is Raleigh’s long-awaited House Creek Greenway from being completed?
One really tall boardwalk.
Rather than words, we’ll take you on a ride so you can get a feel for the greenway and just how close it is to being done. The one really tall boardwalk is at the very south end of the new greenway, where House Creek connects with Raleigh’s Reedy Creek Greenway.
Tour North Carolina’s Central Park, indulge in a three-day mountain sports orgy in Asheville, run a 5K at the coast wearing a life jacket. Talk about options this weekend
Coast
We’re gullible for a good gimmick, especially if the gimmick is for a good cause. Saturday’s Run Around the BLOCK Safe Boating 5K at Fort Macon State Park, for instance. The BLOCK in question is the Coast Guard’s Block Island near Atlantic Beach. There’s two gimmicks here, actually: One, after the race you get to tour the Coast Guard base. Two, runners are encouraged to run in a PFD a k a personal flotation device a k a life vest. (You know, to promote safe boating?) Oh, and it’s a really flat course.