Weird weather (Friday snow in the mountains?) precedes a mellow, springlike weekend. A weekend good for so many adventures, from heeding the advice of Edgar Winter and taking a free ride to gazing into the night sky.

Coast

A satellite view of the eastern seaboard at night is startling not so much for the artificial light that illuminates the region, but for the one spot that remains dark: far eastern North Carolina. A blink here and there, but mostly darkness. One night around 11, lying on a gravel road just outside Columbia, we saw the Milky Way with nearly the clarity I’d seen it years earlier camping at 9,000 feet in the Rockies.

Which is why Saturday evening’s Night Skies at Pettigrew State Park program is so appealing. Members of the Tar River Astronomy Club, with telescopes in tow, will be on hand to help decipher the brilliant night sky (with only a quarter moon’s worth of light to contend with).

Logistics: Night Skies at Pettigrew State Park, Saturday, April 8, 7-10 p.m. Columbia. Free, but preregistration is requested, by calling 252.797.4475.

Saturday forecast: Clear skies, event-time temperature around 50, so don a wrap.

* * *

Looking ahead: Flight of the American Woodcock, Saturday, April 29, New River State Park, Laurel Springs. More info here.

Piedmont

We once heard someone refer to a bike demo as “cheap fun.”

Ha!

To the uninitiated, a bike demo occurs when a local bike shop teams with one of its bike suppliers to bring in a fleet of demo bikes for folks to take a free ride. “Free” my saddle sores! You take one lap on a bike so superior to yours that you can no longer call what you’ve been doing as “riding” and you wind up the day $3,000 poorer. But with a new bike!

Think it can’t happen to you? Then we invite you to check out Galactic Bikes of Greensboro’s Pivot Cycles Bike Demo Saturday at Country Park. Bring your kit, helmet and shoes (and pedals) — and your checkbook, if you dare!

Logistics: Pivot Cycles Demo Day, Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Country Park, Greensboro. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny with a high of 67.

* * *

Looking ahead: Moonshine Still Hike, Sunday, April 23, Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. More info here.

Mountains

Another good excuse to visit Black Mountain: Saturday’s Black Mountain Greenway Challenge. The Challenge comes in two sizes — 5K and 10K — and celebrates the town’s greenway system with a run to and around Lake Tomahawk.

The Black Mountain News tells us the race is in its 10^th year, and that the town’s greenway ”is now part of a much larger system, known as the Fonta Flora State Trail. That trail will one day connect Morganton to Asheville.” Cool!

In the meantime, we can think of few places we’d rather run than in Black Mountain (especially in a race in which the Pisgah Brewing Company is an active participant).

Logistics: Black Mountain Greenway Challenge, Saturday, April 8, 2 p.m., Black Mountain. $35 for the 5K, $40 for the 10K. More info and register here.

Saturday’s forecast: Mostly sunny with a race-time temperature of 57.

* * *

Looking ahead: 3^rd Annual Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon, Saturday, May 6, Paynesville. More info here.

* * *

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

Coast

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The post This weekend: Free ride?  appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

We checked the forecast before recommending Saturday’s 2(ish)-mile hike on the Bennetts Creek Trail at Merchants Millpond State Park. It’s getting a little late in the season for hiking a wetland forest at the coast: high humidity and temperatures in the upper 80s (and beyond) tend to bring out the worst in any hike (pesky flying things, snakes),  especially in a swampy environment. But Saturday’s forecast (see below) should result in a hike that lets you enjoy and learn without worrying about survival.

Vital Stats: Hike Bennetts Creek, Saturday, May 28, 1-3 p.m., Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville. More information here.

Saturday forecast: High in the low 80s, sunny skies.

* * *

Looking ahead: CFCC Bridge-to-Bridge 4.0 Run, Friday, June 10, 7:30 p.m., Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington. More info here.

Piedmont

We hate getting booted out of our favorite state park at closing time; we’re always looking for an excuse to stay past dark.

Saturday, we have one, at Stone Mountain State Park, where the Forsyth Astronomy Club will set up their telescopes in the field between campsites 33 and 34 for some public star gazing. The gawking begins at 8 — about the time you’ll be wrapping up your hike on the

Logistics: Astronomy Program, Saturday, May 28, 8 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Clear, with a temperature of around 70 at stargazing time.

* * *

Looking ahead: Canoe the Mayo, Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m., Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. More info here.

Mountains

A ride with a raffle!? We’re in.

Not only does the Collier Lilly Ride for N.C. Outward Bound School offer a challenging half century mountain ride, and not only does it benefit a worthy cause (scholarships for western North Carolina kids to attend an NCOBS programs), but it also has a raffle! There are assorted gift certificates in the $40 to $75 range, up to men’s and women’s Osprey Aether backpacks to an Industry 9 turquoise hubset. Pretty good deal for the entry fee (see below).

Logistics: Collier Lilly Ride for the N.C. Outward Bound School, Carrier Park in Asheville, Sunday, May 29, 7:45 a.m. $55. More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 81, chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

* * *

Looking ahead: Classic Hikes of the Smokies-Charlies Bunion to Kephart Prong, June 14 with Friends of the Smokies. 10 miles roundtrip. $20 for members, new members may join and hike for $35. More info here.

* * *

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

The post Your weekend: Make it a memorable one appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

In addition to this weekend being the Great Backyard Bird Count, there are other reasons to look up.

Coast

Winter is an especially good time to check out the night sky. Skies tend to be clearer (the cold zaps the moisture from the air) and when the clouds have scattered there’s so much to see. Even more so if you happen to be stargazing at the coast, where interference from light pollution is less of an issue.

Take advantage of both factors — dry winter air and the coast’s minimal light pollution — at the Native American Astronomy program Friday evening at Goose Creek State Park east of Washington. You bring the chairs, blankets and flashlights, the scopes and expertise will be provided. Not only will the program leaders point out key constellations, they’ll also share Native American stories associated with them.

Logistics: Friday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., Goose Creek State Park. Meet at Visitor Center. Free. More info here.

Friday evening forecast: Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain after midnight, low of 37.

Piedmont

Did you get excited about the aforementioned Goose Creek astronomy program, but driving to the coast Friday evening won’t work? How about driving to the Triangle? Saturday evening you’ll find a similar program conducted by the staff of UNC’s Morehead Planetarium at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. The UNC astro nerds will set up their telescopes on the beach at the Ebenezer Point Recreation Area for a couple hours of viewing fun.

Logistics: Saturday, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m., Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Apex. More info here.

Saturday evening forecast: Overcast, low of 28. (Note: the program is canceled in the event of inclement weather. Check the aforementioned Web site if in question.)

Mountains

“Frog Love in the Pink Beds” — rrrrr. Or, rather, rrrrrribit! It may sound like lascivious V-Day pandering by the Cradle of Forestry, but in fact it’s a great chance to explore and learn about a rare highland  bog, located in the Pisgah National Forest above Brevard. Enjoy a presentation, then enjoy a hike to the adjoining Pink Beds and learn about how warm, rainy, winter weather puts our amphibious friends in an amorous mood.

Logistics: Saturday, 1-4 p.m., Cradle of Forestry near Brevard. Free. (828)-877-3130 for more info, or go here.

Saturday forecast: Overcast, high of 41.

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *
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The post This weekend: Frog love and other things in the air appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Ride not one but two days at the coast for a great cause, acquaint yourself with a sport that takes stones, cozy up to the night sky atop Mount Mitchell.

Coast

This may not be something you can pull off at the last minute; for one thing, fundraising is involved. But you should definitely put this weekend’s Bike MS out of New Bern on your list for 2013.

The two-day (Saturday and Sunday) ride is based out of New Bern (camp or stay in a hotel). Both days you have the option of riding 30, 75, 50 or 100 miles on fully-supported routes. And the rest stops on this ride are some of the best ever, operated by local churches and civic organizations that do their best to one-up one-another with food and encouragement. Saturday evening there’s dinner and a party. Last year, more than 2,600 cyclists did the ride, raising nearly $1.7 million in the fight against MS.

Logistics: Learn all you need to know here.

Weekend forecast: Highs in the upper 80s with … a pretty good chance of rain.

Piedmont

Years ago, back in my newspaper days, I spent a very cold but very entertaining afternoon with the Triangle Curling Club, learning about the sport I, like many of you, become familiar with every four years, during the Winter Olympics. I was intrigued, yet as is often the case in my line of work I was off on another adventure the next week and my brief flirtation with curling was over.

Sunday, I can reintroduce myself — and you can make a first introduction — when the TCC hosts a Learn to Curl session from 6-8 p.m. at the Factory Ice House in Wake Forest. Club members will show you the secrets of getting the stone where you want it to go, stop where you want it to stop. Wear warm, loose clothes and sneakers, maybe with five pairs of socks (my feet are still cold from the day I spent with the club).

Logistics: Sunday, Sept. 9, 6-8 p.m., at the Factory Ice House in Wake Forest. $20. For more information and to register, go here.

Sunday forecast: Clear, high of 32 (in the Ice House)

Mountains

Where’s about the best place you can think of in North Carolina to check out the night sky? Yes, the coastal plain is a good guess, especially if you’ve ever seen one of those nighttime satellite photos of the East Coast that shows a big black spot where relatively lightly light-polluted Eastern North Carolina is.

Actually, though, Mount Mitchell, the top of the East Coast, is both away from a good deal of light pollution and, at 6,684 feet, it’s already way up in the air. That makes it an ideal location for Saturday night’s’s stargazing event hosted by the Blue Ridge Astronomy Group. The first-ever Mount Mitchell Star Party starts at 8 p.m. (14 minutes after official sunset) and runs until 10:30 p.m. Expect a heckuva show.

“From that vantage point on Mount Mitchell, we expect see not only stars, but galaxies, nebulae, the Milky Way, orbiting satellites and much more,” says Bob Hampton, one of the event’s organizers. Worth the trip alone to see the Milky Way.

Logistics: Saturday, Sept. 8, 8-10:30 p.m., Mount Mitchell State Park, free. For more info, go here.

Saturday night forecast: Overnight low of 48 and clear.

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

The post This weekend: Bike, curl, ‘scope appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

The first summerlike weather of the year has descended, but don’t let that keep you cooped up this weekend. Beat the heat with a coastal retreat, by doing the vampire thing and coming out at night, or hitting the high — particularly high — country.

Coast

I was at Jockey’s Ridge State Park three weeks back for the end of Diane Van Deren’s record-setting MST Endurance Run and was reminded again that there’s more to Jockey’s Ridge than just 100-foot sand dunes to fly a kite — or yourself — off of. Like the estuary on the park’s sound side and a rare maritime forest as rich in flora and fauna as the dunes are devoid. Hence, this week’s recommendation of Saturday’s Eco Hike at 9 a.m.

“Learn about the plant and animal life in the park and how these ecosystems work together in a balance, with a special focus on the estuarine environment,” states a promo from the park. The “moderate to strenuous” (those dunes can be calf-burners) hike should take about an hour. Bring walking shoes, sunscreen, and water.

Logistics: Saturday, 9 a.m., meet at the park visitor center (the hike ends on a sound beach; from there, feel free to “strike out and explore the park” on your own. Free, but pre-registration is required, by calling 252.441.2588.

Saturday forecast: High of 82, 30 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

Our first run of hot, steamy summertime weather doesn’t exactly make you want to get out and explore. Unless you’re getting out to explore in the cool(er) of the evening. Say, to check out the night sky.

Saturday, from 9-11 p.m. join the staff of the Morehead Planetarium at Jordan Lake for a two-hour viewing of planets, nebulae, star clusters and, of course, the Moon when available,” as well as to discuss constellation myths and legends. The Morehead folks bring their sophisticated telescopes as well as their knowledge for your viewing pleasure.

Logistics: Meets at 9 p.m. at the Ebenezer Church Recreation Area. Cloudy skies can scuttle this event; check with the planetarium Web site (look under “news”) or call them at 919.962.1236 on Saturday to make sure the event is a go.

Saturday forecast: Daytime high of 90 with afternoon thunderstorms possible.

Mountains

This weekend is The Great American Backyard Campout, which means it’s the one time of year you can camp at Elk Knob State Park. Elk Knob is one of the few tracts of public land in the northern section of the North Carolina mountains; the flora here is different than what you typically find to the south in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. According to the park Web site, “The summit of Elk Knob contains an excellent example of a northern hardwood forest … typically found above 4,000 feet in elevation, consists primarily of sugar maple, yellow birch, American beech, and yellow buckeye. Trees growing on the northern slopes and on the summit of Elk Knob are gnarled and stunted by the harsh weather conditions.” A unique outpost whose elevation offers respite from the heat below. The event is aimed at families and newcomers to camping.

Logistics: Begins at 3 p.m. Saturday. Free, but registration is required by calling 828.297.7261, where you can also find additional information.

Weekend forecast: High of 77, low of 55 (in nearby and lower Todd), 20 percent chance of rain.

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

* * *
Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too
 

The post This weekend: Don’t retreat, get out and beat the heat appeared first on GetGoing NC!.