Sunday marks the beginning of N.C. State Parks week, a perfect opportunity to get out and experience the beauty of the state. We include two state park events in this week’s offerings; for a rundown of more events go here.
Coast: Bear Island Eco-Hike
Happy Valentine’s weekend! Whether you are married to a human or the outdoors, this weekend is full of festivities surrounding the holiday of love.
Coast: ‘We LOVE Frogs!!!’
For everyone who is either boycotting the spirit of this weekend’s holiday, or who is single and ready to mingle, hop on over to Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, and take part in the kick-off event of the Disappearing Frogs Project. This new project is aimed at raising awareness for the alarming disappearance of frogs and other amphibians. Various DFP observances will be held at Weymouth Woods through February; this event will focus on learning about the different species of frogs (and toads) of the Sandhills.
Reduce your bucket list with a mountain polar plunge, get up to speed on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, or run for chocolate: they’re all options this weekend in North Carolina.
Mountains: 4th Annual Polar Plunge
One of the iconic winter sporting events that might be on a bucket list or two is the polar plunge. If you find the prospect of immersing your already cold body into cold water intriguing, check out this weekend’s 4th Annual Polar Plunge Benefit-t-t-t-ing Kids in the Creek and Youth Education at Lake Junaluska benefitting Kids in the Creek and Environmental Education.
So much snow fell in the mountains last weekend — including a record 66 inches at Mount Mitchell — that not only is it now possible to snowshoe in the the Southern Apps, in some places it’s the only way to get around. Take advantage of this windfall snowfall on guided trips this weekend at Grandfather Mountain State Park.
About the only thing this weekend won’t be good for: skiing. Temperatures could hit the mid-70s across much of the state, weather suitable for, say, a 5K at Wrightsville Beach. Or a plant ID hike in the mountains. Or maybe hanging out after dark and watching the sky spark with the Geminids meteor shower.