Start your weekend Friday evening in the Piedmont, learn how the woods once helped paint their own portraits at Elk Knob State Park, “sneak” into 10 nature programs at the coast. So much to do this weekend, and great weather in which to do it.

Coast

When I was in high school, certain friends would buy a ticket for the noon movie on Saturday, then, when it was over, linger in the lobby and slip into the 2 p.m. show. They’d repeat for the 4 p.m., the 6 p.m., the 8 p.m., and the 10 p.m. Kids, honestly.

That approach, however, occurred to me when I saw Saturday’s lineup of programs for the Bald Head Island Conservancy:

• 8:30am Kayaking the Creeks
• 9 a.m. Birding BHI
• 1 p.m. Touch Tank Time
• 2 p.m. Reptile Round Up
• 2:30 p.m. Marsh Kid’s Fishing
• 4:30 p.m. Crabbing & Cast-netting
• 6 p.m. Ibis Sanctuary Exploration
• 7:30 p.m. Nocturnal Adventurers
• 9 p.m. Sea Turtle Ride Along
• 9 p.m. Turtle Walk

And here’s the thing: you’re not really beating the system — the events are all free.

Logistics: A day of nature programs, Saturday, June 10, from 8:30 a.m. to about 10 p.m., Bald Head Island Nature Conservancy, Bald Head Island. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 82, sunny.

* * *

Looking ahead: Carolina Beach Double Sprint Triathlon, Saturday, June 24, Carolina Beach. More info here.

Piedmont

Some folks go through life under the erroneous assumption that we have a two-day weekend in this country. In fact, it is 2 and a quarter days, the quarter beginning around 5 p.m. Friday.

That gives you plenty of time to join our GetHiking! Triangle group for An Evening Along the Eno, a 4.1-mile hike that begins at 7 p.m. In the light of early evening, we will head out on the Buckquarter Creek Trail, taking the ridgeline option to Buckquarter Creek. There, we’ll cross a wooden footbridge and pick up the Holden Mill Trail, along the Eno. This is an especially rocky stretch of the river: outcrops crowd the river midway, making for some playful scrambles. The return on this figure-8 route begins on a ridgeline and finishes, in the dusk, along the Eno. One of our favorite Triangle hikes, made better in the fading light of day.

Logistics: GetHiking! Triangle: An Evening Along the Eno, Friday, June 9, 7 p.m., Few’s Ford Access, Eno River State Park. More info and sign up, here.

Friday evening forecast: Clear skies with a high of 78 at hike time.

* * *

Looking ahead: Creek Creep, Saturday, June 17, Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. More info here.

Mountains

We like to learn a thing or two when we venture into the woods. Like the difference between a pin oak and a white oak. Or how to ID a tree by its bark. Or where paint comes from. Or used to.

That’s what you’ll learn Saturday afternoon should you plan to attend Elk Knob State Park’s Natural Pigments program. “Find out how the artists of old got their colors and try it out yourself,” says the event description.

Logistics: Natural Pigments, Saturday, June 10, 2 p.m., Elk Knob State Park, Todd. Learn more and sign up here.

Saturday forecast: High of 75 and cloudless.

* * *

Looking ahead: Tips and Tactics for Fishing the New River, Saturday, July 1, 10 a.m., New River State Park. Learn more and sign up here.

* * *

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

Coast

The post This weekend: We get the fun off to an early start appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

If you aren’t intrigued, then check out a nature hike at Lake Norman or hike Grandfather Mountain, where the temperature will only hit a spring-defying (spring starts Sunday, btw) 36 — and it might snow!

Coast: Third Annual Badwater Cape Fear

Founders of this 50k / 51.4 mile (runner’s choice) ultra call this “the world’s toughest footrace.” It begins with a 12-mile warm-up on the scenic roads of Bald Head Island, and finishes with either 19 or 39 miles running along the remote sandy coast that runs between Cape Fear and Fort Fisher. The event attracts runners from all over the U.S. and Canada, organizers say, because of it’s southern charm and exquisite natural setting. The race is part of the eight-race Badwater series.

Registration has closed for this year, and 2017 will be opening soon. In the meantime, come out and enjoy Southport, Wilmington and the other coastal towns nearby while cheering on the souls who are racing — and get a feel for whether Badwater should be on your agenda for 2017.

Saturday forecast: high of 66 with a chance of showers

Vital Stats: Saturday, March 19, Bald Head Island, put on by Badwater. Details here.

Looking ahead: Millpond Day 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, Saturday, April 30, Merchants Millpond State Park. More info: Merchants.millpond@ncparks.gov, or 252.357.1191

* * *

Piedmont: Lake Norman Discovery Hike

Join a ranger on a one-mile hike through the life-filled woodlands that surround the Dragonfly and Alder trails at Lake Norman State Park. During the walk hikers will “discover” the plants and animals that are starting to become active once again after the winter months. Hikers will have the opportunity for scenic overlooks. Meet in the Lake Norman State Park Visitors Center at 2 p.m.

Saturday forecast: High of 59 and chance of showers

Vital stats: Saturday, March 19, Lake Norman State Park, 759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC. Contact 704.528.6350 or lake.norman@ncparks.gov for more information. Read more here.

Looking ahead: Volunteer Trail Work Day at Crowders Mountain State Park, Saturday, April 9, 8 a.m. Contact info and more information here.

* * *

Mountains: Guided Centennial Hike at Grandfather Mountain

Come out to Grandfather Mountain State Park Sunday to take part in a leisurely, guided hike that counts toward the Centennial Challenge. The hike will take about 2.5 hours and is 2-3 miles long. Dress appropriately for weather (see forecast below), and come prepared with water and snacks.

Sunday forecast: Spring may stat Sunday, but in Banner Elk the high will only be 36, and snow showers are predicted.

Vital Stats: Sunday, March 20, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact: grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov or 828.963.9522.

Looking ahead:: U.S. Open Slalom & Downriver, March 26-27, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser. More info here.

The post Your weekend: Scout an ultra or hike a hike appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

In recognition of the fact many of you have a good deal of flexibility through year’s end (no school, no work), we expand the definition of “weekend” to include the rest of the year. And, in accordance with Mother Nature of late, we expand the definition of winter adventure to include polar plunges where you’re more likely to need suntan lotion and a cold drink than a fleece blanket to warm yourself in.

That said …

Coast

Nature Tour, Bald Head Island. If you’re at the coast for the holidays, this two-hour tour of Bald Head Island is a good bet. Beach, maritime forest, salt marsh and the critters associated with these environments identified and explained by naturalists with the Bald Head Island Conservancy.

Admission includes ferry service and let’s you hang out on the island for the day.

Logistics: Monday, Dec. 28, 9-11 a.m., Bald Head Island. $40. More info and to sign up, here.

Monday forecast: High of 69 and overcast.

* * *

Looking ahead: Polar Plunge, Wrightsville Beach, Jan. 1, 10 a.m. More info here.

Piedmont

Nothing like a good old fashioned forest bathing to —

Forest bathing?

Sure, from the Japanese Shinrin-yoku, “a visit to the forest for relaxation, a chance to stroll through nature and take in the atmosphere for one’s well-being; literally ‘forest bathing’,” according to the folks at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area in Hillsborough, who will host a forest bathing on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Logistics: Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m., Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Hillsborough. More info here.

Sunday forecast: Sunny, high of 75.

* * *

Looking ahead: Polar Plunge, Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m., Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury. More information here.

Mountains

Got visitors in town who’d like a taste of Appalachian hiking? Take ‘em on Sunday’s Carolina Mountain Club hike at Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Asheville. A mellow (for the mountains) 7.5-mile loop that starts at 9 a.m. Afterward, take your visitors into Asheville for exploring of a more urban nature.

Pretty good day, no?

Logistics: Sunday, Dec. 27, 9 a.m., Bent Creek State Experimental Forest, Asheville. Contact the Carolina Mountain Club here, for details and to sign up.

Sunday forecast: Mostly sunny, high of 74.

* * *

Looking ahead: Lake Lure Polar Plunge, noon, Jan. 1, Lake Lure Beach. More info here.

* * *

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

The post This weekend: Hot Yuletide Fun appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

To many of us, Bald Head Island, the southernmost barrier island before the Cape Fear concedes to the Atlantic, is a mystery. You catch a glimpse as the ferry heads from Southport to Fort Fisher, you stand on the sand at Caswell Beach peering across the water, curious. Maybe you’ve taken the ferry over, but that tells only part of the story.

Get the full story Saturday when the Bald Head Island Conservancy leads a two-hour kayak trip of the creeks weaving in, out and about the island. A naturalist leads the trip, explaining the role barrier islands in general, and BHI in particular, play in the ecological scheme of things.

Logistics: Saturday, July 25, 3-5 p.m., Village Creek Access, Bald Head Island. $55, includes boat, pfd and and paddle ($40 for members of the conservancy). More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 89, sunny.

* * *

Looking ahead: Blue Moon Kayaking Adventure, Friday, July 31, 5-9 p.m., River Road Park, Wilmington. More info here.

photo courtesy bydianedaniel.wordpress.com

Piedmont

Anyone can get in a kayak and go straight: save for your whitewater playboats, most kayaks are built for direct travel. Ah, but put two people in a canoe and let the challenge begin.

If you’re in a fledgling relationship and want a true sense of where it’s headed, enroll yourself and your sweetie in Saturday’s Introduction to Canoeing program on Lake Tillery at Morrow Mountain State Park. You bring a bottle of water, clothes you don’t mind getting wet, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, the park will provide the canoe, paddle and pfd. Bring your patience as well.

Logistics: Saturday, July 25, 9-11 a.m., Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle. Free, but preregistration is required, by calling 704.984.6160.

Saturday forecast: High of 93, sunny.

* * *

Looking ahead: Sunset Canoe Trip, Friday, Aug. 14, 7–9 p.m., Lake Crabtree County Park. $5 per person or $10/canoe. More info by calling 919.460.3390.

Mountains

If you’re like us, you’ve spent most of the summer trying to dodge the heat. Here’s a dodge for this weekend: Go hiking at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.

Mount Jefferson rises to nearly 4,700 feet near the town of West Jefferson. As a result, it’s lofty height escapes the heat of the valley floor and catches a nice breeze to further the cooling effect. That effect should be in full effect Saturday at 10 a.m. for the park’s ranger-led Nature Hike on the Rhododendron Trail.

Logistics: Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m., Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/moje/main.php West Jefferson. More info by calling 336.246.9653.

Saturday forecast: High of 80, chance of thunderstorms.

* * *

Looking ahead: Cycle North Carolina Mountain Ride, August 1-2, rides depart from Lake Lure. More info here.

* * *

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

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

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post Weekend: Cool paddles, cool hike appeared first on GetGoing NC!.