Coast

Since this is a special weekend, extending to Wednesday for many of you, we’re throwing the 4^th into the mix — and one of the best displays of brightness lighting up the sky that you’re likely to see: the Cosmos & Cocoa display on Bald Head Island.

Take advantage of Bald Head Island’s removed location and minimal nighttime light pollution to catch the night sky ablaze. “Use our sky charts and scopes to enhance your stargazing experience while viewing constellations and planets,” says the sponsoring Bald Head Island Conservancy.

Logistics: Cosmos & Cocoa, Tuesday, July 4, 8:30 p.m., Bald Head Island, $10 for BHI Conservancy members, $15 otherwise. More info and sign up here.

Tuesday evening forecast: Mostly clear skies with a temperature around 80 in the evening.

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Looking ahead: Sharks Tooth Island Full Moon Kayak Trip, Aug. 7, Halyburton Park, Wilmington. More info here.

Piedmont

The first weekend of every month, something special happens at Hanging Rock State Park:

Vade Mecum!

Yes, it sounds ominous. Like vampires emerge to handle things if you aren’t out of the park by closing. Rather, it’s an opportunity — to explore the trail network that became part of the park in 2014 when the 716-acre former Camp Sertoma 4-H Education Center — also known as Vade Mecum Springs — became part of Hanging Rock. Until the land is fully incorporated into the park, the 5-mile-or-so trail network only opens on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month — which would be this weekend.

Check in at the former lodge for maps and directions; hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Logistics: Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2, 9 a.m. To 5 p.m., Trails Open at Vade Mecum, Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury. More info here.

Weekend forecast: highs both days around 90, chance of thunderstorms Saturday.

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Looking ahead: Beginner Canoe Paddle Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Seven Springs, Aug. 1, 2 p.m. More info here.

Mountains

No fishing license? No problem on Independence Day.

In North Carolina, you don’t need a license to fish in your county of residence. Elsewhere, you do, except on July 4, when the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission says you can fish on all public waters, from the salt water of the Atlantic to the clear mountain streams of the high country. We highlight the mountains because of the trout opportunities — brook, brown, rainbow — in these higher, cooler waters.

Logistics: License-free fishing, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. For more info, go here.

Tuesday forecast: Mostly sunny, highs in the 80s.

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Looking ahead: Moonlight Paddle, New River State Park, Laurel Springs, Aug. 4, 9 p.m. More info here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below. 

Coast

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Coast

Rarely do we recommend a spectator activity, what with GetGoingNC being about active, adventurous living and all. But today’s recommendation is spectating that could lead to sweating.

Saturday, it’s the annual running of the Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon. That’s a 2.4-mile swim (in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach), followed by a 112-mile bike ride out to the White Lake area and back, followed by a marathon. We’re not necessarily suggesting that watching an Ironman will make you want to do an Ironman, but it likely could inspire you to, initially, do a shorter tri (they come in in a variety of smaller sizes; to learn more, visit here).

And then, who knows?

Logistics: Beach2Battleship Ironman Distance Triathlon, Saturday, Oct. 22, 7:15 a.m. into the evening, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 65.

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Looking ahead: Surf-to-Sound Challenge, stand up paddleboard race, Nov. 4, Blockade Runner Resort, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.

Piedmont

We love physical activity that doesn’t seem like physical activity. An activity, say, where you walk for two hours, then say, “Wow! I just walked for two hours!”

That would describe Saturday’s Ghost Walk of Davidson, a two-hour ramble through the town of Davidson, learning about the town’s history and ghostly past. It’s a family-oriented activity, a good way to jump-start the clan’s plans to be up and about.

Logistics: Ghost Walk of Davidson, Saturday, 7-9 p.m., Davidson. $10 for adults, $5 for the 7-12 set. More info by calling 704.896.7743.

Saturday evening forecast: High in the mid-50s, darkening.

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Looking ahead: Canoe Hike, Saturday, Oct. 29, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. More info here.

Mountains

A river runs through Stone Mountain State Park — actually, several do. Combined, they include 20 miles of designated trout waters, making the park a great place to fly fish. And, not coincidentally, a great place to learn to fly fish.

Sunday, check out Beginner Fly Fishing, a two-hour class led by Ranger Michael Wood that covers rules and regulations, stream sampling, knot tying, casting, and actual fishing instruction. It’s a great introduction to the sport, and it’s free, though pre-registration is required (the class is limited to 10, so don’t dawdle).

Logistics: Beginner Fly Fishing, Sunday, Oct. 23, 1-3 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park. Free, but preregistration is required, by emailing Ranger Michael Wood at michael.wood@ncparks.gov.

Sunday forecast: Sunny skies, high of 63.

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Looking ahead: Senior Trek Hike to Laurel River Trail, Nov. 2,Oakley Recreation Center, Asheville. More info here. .

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

The post Your weekend: It’s not just about fall hiking appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast / Coastal Plain

A lot of folks like the idea of going on a group hike or walk. Trouble is, the vast majority are long and geared toward more advanced hikers. The opportunities to test the trail waters on shorter, friendly hikes are few.

That’s why we like Saturday morning’s Wellness Walk at Smith Creek Park in Wilmington. It’s a friendly distance (1.3 miles) on a friendly surface (pavement) in a most friendly environment. Enjoy the woods and lake, hike with others who aren’t heck-bent on setting a speed record, and discover why walking/hiking is the most popular — and one of the most beneficial — forms of exercise.

Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 13, 9 a.m., Smith Creek Park, 633 Shenandoah Street, Wilmington. Sponsored by New Hanover County Parks and Gardens. More info by calling 919.798.7275.

Saturday forecast: Sunny with temperatures in the low 80s at hike time.

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Looking ahead: Paddle the Millpond, Saturday, Aug. 27, Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville. More info here.

Piedmont

We all have that one adventure on our list that, for no good reason, we’ve yet to try. Nope, hard as we try, we can’t figure out why it’s yet to be checked from our list.

If fly fishing is that thing for you, then check out Saturday’s Stone Mountain Trout Fishing Guide, at — Anyone? Anyone? — Stone Mountain State Park. A ranger will discuss trout species in the park’s designated trout waters, and will also discuss seasons, creel limits and bait restrictions. The program is just 45 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to explore Stone Mountain’s scenic — and challenging — 23 miles of trail.

Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 13, 1:30 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park. For more information, go here.

Saturday forecast: High of 79, chance of thunderstorms.

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Looking ahead: Ascent of the Century, climb Mount Mitchell with N.C. State Parks and the N.C. Museum of Natural Science, Aug. 26-28, $75. More info here.

Mountains

Are you having a stellar season on the bike? Riding three or four times a week, putting in the miles, crushing the climbs?

Then you’re probably up for a good challenge. Such as Sunday’s Race to the Rock, at Chimney Rock State Park. It’s a 25-mile bike race that gains 900 vertical feet in the last three miles alone (the grade ranges from 7 to 9 percent), finishing at the base of Chimney Rock. Part of the Lake Lure Olympiad.

Logistics: Sunday, Aug. 14, 7:30 a.m., Chimney Rock State Park. $45. More info here.

Sunday forecast: Race time temperature of 81, chance of thunderstorms.

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Looking ahead: Asheville Duathlon, 10K off-road run, Sept. 11, 8:30 a.m., Biltmore Estate. More info 828.684.0812, or go here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

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Coast

Perhaps you’re conflicted about what to do with Dad this weekend. On the one hand, he likes a good challenge. On the other, he likes to kick back and relax. What to do, what to do?

What to do, is sate both sides of Dad by entering him in Saturday’s Good Hops 5K Beer Run at Carolina Beach State Park. Dad gets to run 3.1 miles through this enchanting (and flat!) coastal state park, then kick back and enjoy the fruits of the sponsor’s thirst-slaking labors (which will happen outside the dry state park, we presume), for not only does Dad score a t-shirt, he also gets — provided he’s over 21 — a coupon for a pint of brew. Live music, food trucks and door prizes as well.

Logistics: Saturday, June 18, 8 a.m., Good Hops Brewery/Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach. $30. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Race time temperature of 73, slight chance of rain.

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Looking ahead: O’Neill/Sweetwater Pro-Am Surf Fest, July 15-17, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.

Piedmont

Remember when Andy and Opie would go fishing, usually in a row boat, sometimes in a row boat that leaked? Didn’t that look like the ideal Dad/Kid activity?

Even if you’ve never touched a rod, you and Dad can capture some of that Mayberry magic Sunday (Father’s Day, btw) at Falls Lake State Recreation Area. And not just fishing, fishing and crafts. Equipment is limited, participation limited to the first 15 kids who sign up.

Logistics: Fishing with Dad, Sunday, June 19, 1-3 p.m., Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Wake Forest. Free, but preregistration is required, calling the park office at 919.676.1027.

Sunday forecast: High of 80, sunny skies.

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Looking ahead: Fort Mill Bootlegger 5K, Saturday June 25, Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, S.C.. More info here.

Mountains

A triathlon typically isn’t something you decide to do at the last minute. But if you’re in reasonable condition, you’re prone to whims and you find you’re calendar blank this weekend, then you might consider Saturday’s Enka Triathlon at Biltmore Lake in Enka. It’s a sprint — 750 meter swim, 17.8-mile bike ride, 3-mile run — which, even without a boatload of training, might seem doable — especially with the great weather forecast for the weekend.

Intrigued? You can sign up on site; details below.

Logistics: Saturday, June 18, 8 a.m., Enka Triathlon, Biltmore Lake, Enka, fees range from $80 to $115, depending on how you appoach the event (individual, team, aquabiker). Add another $15 for a one-day USAT license if you aren’t a member.  More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 79, sunny.

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Looking ahead: Naturalist Niche: Big Basswood Hike into a hidden cove where the state’s largest basswood tree lives, July 16, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Chimney Rock State Park. More info here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

The post Your weekend: Make a date for Adventure with Dad appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

High on the list of many reasons we enjoy the adventure life in North Carolina is the opportunity to paddle a swamp. Does any location scream adventure more than a swamp? Slowly making your way through the tupelo gum and cypress weeping Spanish moss, paddle in hand, wary eye cast into the jungle beyond … throw in a bottle of gin and a dame and it’s “The African Queen” in our own backyard.

A bit of hyperbole, perhaps. But really, what a great adventure and what better place to have it than in the Great Dismal Swamp, the swamp that sets the swamp standard.

And what better way to explore the swamp of swamps than on a ranger-led tour, where all the key equipment — save bug spray — is provided. The adventure begins at 1 p.m. Saturday from the boat launch at Dismal Swamp State Park.

Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m., Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills. Free, but space is limited; preregister by calling 252.771-6593.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 84.

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Looking ahead: Of the many times we’ve been told to go jump in a lake over the years, we’ve never been offended by the suggestion. Rather, we’ve heeded the advice, always to our delight. So we see no reason to believe you’ll be offended by the Sept. 6 Go Jump in the Lake 5K, 10K & Fun Run at Springs Lake Park in Boiling Springs Lake. More info here.

Piedmont

It’s like a mountain paddle without having to drive to the mountains. Actually, you do drive to the mountains, but in this case, the Uwharrie Mountains, conveniently located in the heart of the Piedmont.

Saturday, Morrow Mountain State Park on the west edge of the Uwharries offers Introduction to Canoeing on Lake Tillery, which includes a lovely mountain backdrop. Learn something new and learn it in a scenic setting. Hard to beat that.

Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 29, 9-11 a.m., Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle. Free, but space is limited; reserve a spot by calling 704.982.4402.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 89.

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Looking ahead: UGG: that’s the onomatopoetically appropriate acronym for the Umstead Gravel Grinder mountain bike races of 50 and 100 miles at Umstead State Park in Raleigh on Oct. 31. More info here.

Mountains

Fly fishing: you’ve likely been intrigued by the notion, but have had no idea how get into — or at least sample — the pursuit. Perhaps you’ve been intimidated by the perceived cost as well.

Sunday, South Mountains State Park offers the opportunity to wade and sample the sport with Fly Fishing 101. The class will be taught by Jeff Newton and Bob Tupper, both instructors with Project Healing Waters, both members of Trout Unlimited. All materials provided. Learn a thing, then test your new skills on Jacob Fork. (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission fishing regulations apply.)

Logistics: Sunday, Aug. 30, 2 p.m., South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs. 828.433-4772 to reserve a spot.

Sunday forecast: High of 83, chance of thunderstorms.

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Looking ahead: Why the Southcliff Black & Blue Classic trail race on Sept. 19? Because the race organizers promise “the best prizes and post-race party of any [race] in the area including a catered lunch and beer.” Details here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

The post This weekend: Water rules appeared first on GetGoing NC!.