This summer, though, in deference to the heat, we’re mixing in some paddling trips. Beginner-oriented, on lakes and otherwise still water, one in an area where we hike (the Three-Rivers area of Falls Lake, which abuts Day-Hike Section S of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail), one where we don’t (Saxapahaw Lake). 

The paddle trips make for a nice diversion when the weather gets hot, and it colors our 5 picks for adventure fun on this, the first weekend of summer.

Canoe Hike, Sunday, 6 p.m., Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake. This half-mile paddle is through a Cypress swamp, with the benefit of having a ranger guide two-fold. One, you’ll learn about swamp life, and two, if you have no previous paddling experience, you’ll get basic instruction at the start. Canoe, paddle, PFD are provided; you’ll need to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray and appropriate water clothes and shoes. Free, but preregistration is required because of limited space (10); call 910.436.4681. More info here.

Farrington Point Self-Guided Paddle, Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Farrington Point at Jordan Lake, Apex. Maybe you’ve paddled a time or two and feel comfortable on the water. Now, if only you had a boat! Saturday, Frog Hollow Outdoors brings its Traveling Outpost to Farrington Point on Jordan Lake, where from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. you can rent a kayak for $40 and paddle a secluded finger of the popular lake. For more info and to register, go here.

Saxapahaw Mill Race to Union Bridge, noon, Saturday, Haw River Canoe and Kayak, Saxapahaw. When most of us think about whitewater kayaking, we think of being tucked and crammed into the snug cockpit of a teeny, tippy boat. Not the case with this trip from Saxapahaw downstream 5.5 miles on a stretch of the Haw with Class I and II rapids. Not the case because this trip is on sit-on-top kayaks: you flip here and you simply stand up (the water is rarely much more than a couple feet deep), get back on the boat and proceed. Some paddling experience is recommended. $50, includes boat, paddle, pfd and shuttle back to car. More info here.   

Preserve-Park Paddle Trip, Saturday and Sunday (call for times), Dan River, Hammer-Stern Wilderness Preserve/Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury. Up for something a little more adventurous, like paddling a mountain river — but don’t have time to drive to the mountains? You’ll get a similar experience on this trip in the northern Piedmont, on the Dan River, as it makes its way 6.5 miles through the Sauratown Mountains. $50, including boat, paddle, pfd and shuttle. Learn more here, at the Dan River Company.

Tree ID Hike, 11 a.m., Saturday, Eno River State Park, Durham. OK, we need at least one hike, and this being the Year of the Tree in North Carolina State Parks, we’ll make it a Tree ID hike at Eno River State Park, specifically, on the Eno Trace Trail at the Fews Ford Access. Learn more and sign up here.

Some good options for the first weekend of summer. 

GetOut! And enjoy!

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Explore with us!

Like the idea of a hiking/paddling combo come summer? Check out our GetHiking! Summer 2022 Blue Trails hiking package, which includes eight hikes (on Sundays and Tuesday evenings) and two paddle trips. Learn more here.

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1. Canoe Hike, Saturday, 10 a.m., Jones Lake State Park, Eizabethtown. Jones Lake, that 224-acre Carolina bay southeast of Fayetteville, begs for attention on a hot day. Take the guided paddle trip, then spend the rest of the day on the beach, enjoying the clean, tannic waters of the lake. A perfect summer adventure. Learn more and register — the paddle is free, but space is limited — here.
2. Canoe Hike, Saturday, 5 p.m., Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake. Says the event description: “We will be learning the basics of canoeing and then trying out our new skills by maneuvering through the Cypress swamp.  This is a slow and calm canoeing experience and great for beginners or if you want to get a closer look at the Cypress trees.” Again, free, but space is limited and you must register in advance. Learn more here.
3. Stone Mountain Stream Safari, Saturday, 4 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. Even better than being on the water? Being in it, which you’ll be on this 1/2-mile hike in a park stream learning about bugs that live in water and water quality. Learn more here.
4. Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Paddle, Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Apex. Seeing bald eagles is cool, even more so when you realize, according to outfitter Frog Hollow Outdoors, the “re-introduction of Bald Eagles has been one of our states shining legacies as a true environmental comeback. Due to DDT use in the 70s Bald Eagles had completely disappeared from NC by the early 80s. However, the year following the release of juveniles in Eastern NC, a nesting pair found their home near Jordan Lake. Since that time in 1984, the population of Bald Eagle in NC has soared. Jordan Lake is now considered one of the largest summertime nesting areas for Bald Eagle in the southeastern US. Join us as we paddle the northern reaches of Jordan Lake in search of its majestic residents.” Passage is in sea touring kayaks, eagle sighting is not guaranteed. $55. Learn more and sign up here.
5. Stargazing paddle, Saturday, 8 p.m., Saxapahaw Lake, Saxapahaw. Says outfitter Haw River Canoe & Kayak, “There is no better way to see the night sky in Central North Carolina than on a dark night with a new moon, while floating on Saxapahaw Lake. Guests will paddle out to the middle of the lake, and adjust their eyes to the night sky. As the stars become brighter, guests will ‘raft-up,’ lay back, and identify stars and constellations. Single kayaks, tandem kayaks, and canoes are available for use. Suitable for all skill levels.” $40-$80, depending upon the boat. Learn more here.

This weekend, tolerate the heat by embracing water. 

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Look! Up in the Sky! Saturday night, Haw River State Park (8 p.m.) and Pettigrew State Park (8:30 p.m.). If it’s August it must be the Perseid meteor showers. Grab your camp chair or a blanket, sit (or lay) back and watch the best light show around. Remote Pettigrew, located in the remote coastal plain, an area with minimal light pollution, seems an especially good bet for a night of brilliant sparklers. More info here.

On the water. The dog days of August: the perfect time to be on the water. Here are three opportunities:

• Canoe the Mayo, Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Mayo River State Park, Mayodan (Triad). A rate opportunity to test drive a canoe on an intimate river. Canoe, paddles, personal flotation device provided; you need to provide a shuttle to get back to your car. More info here.
• Kayak Tour, Sunday, 8:30-11 a.m., Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro (coast). Follow a ranger and explore the marshland and ecosystems around this coastal state park. Kayaks, paddles, pfds provided. Free, but preregistration required, by calling 910.326.4881.
• Tubing at the Park, Sunday, 1 p.m., New River State Park, Connelly Springs (mountains). With paddling, you’re above the cool water, with tubing part of you is in it. More info here.

Find more adventure at the following:

• North Carolina State Parks has a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Environmental Education Center represents environmental ed centers across the state and has a calendar complete with every class and trip these centers are conducting. Find it here.
• Right here, at GetGoingNC.com.

The post GetOut! Your Friday Nudge to Weekend Adventure appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

After a teasing blast of fall early in the week, we’re back to the realities of July in the Southeast this weekend. Not a bad thing, just something to take into account as you plan your weekend. We share our thoughts on what might make for a grand weekend of adventure below.

Canoe 101, Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville. Saturday, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. One of our favorite paddles anywhere is on this 760-acre millpond that is slowly evolving into swamp. Tupelo gum, bald cypress, Spanish moss … this trip’s got it all. And the 101? For you newbies, a short intro to paddling kicks off the trip. $5 fee. More info here.

Stars and Planets, Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. Saturday, 9:30 p.m. Being outside at night is pretty awesome, especially when you have the friendly folks from the Greensboro Astronomy Club on hand to share their sophisticated telescopes and knowledge of the night sky. It’s cooler at night, too. More info here.

Guided Canoe Trip, New River State Park, Laurel Springs. Sunday, 1 p.m. Nothing says keep it cool like canoeing a mountain river. The New River is wide and friendly on this stretch — you’d have to work hard to capsize. (Don’t work too hard!). Small fee to cover the cost of a shuttle. More info here.

As for us, you’re welcome to join us on a 4.5-mile hike Saturday morning at Eno River State Park: we’ll be hiking the Buckquarter Creek, Shakori and Ridge trails, the latter two of which are rare, for Eno River, trails less traveled. You can learn more about this hike and sign up to join us here.

You can find more events at the following:

• North Carolina State Parks has a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Office of Environmental Education, here.
• Right here, at GetGoingNC.com.

Whether you join us along the Eno, grab a paddle in a state park or do some star gazing, just be sure to do one thing:

GetOut!

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Some events on tap that will keep you close to water:

Firefly Viewing, New River State Park, Laurel Springs. Saturday, 9 p.m. Double your chances of staying cool by not only being near water, but exploring at night as well. Details here.

Pilot Creek Exploration, Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle. Saturday, 10 a.m. The phrase that hooked us on this event? “Please wear clothing and shoes you can get wet … .” The goal of this one-hour program is to see what lives in a creek. Details here.

Kayak Tour, Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. “Enjoy this ranger-guided trip through the adjacent marsh water as we explore some of the ecosystems which make this part of North Carolina so special.  Kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets will be provided.”

Guided Canoe Trip, New River State Park, Laurel Springs. Sunday, 1 p.m. “Canoe the New River with a park ranger and learn the history of the river, and basic canoe instruction while you enjoy a leisurely trip down the river.” And yes, “Please wear clothing and shoes suitable for the water … .”

Search for your own adventure through one of these sources:

• North Carolina State Parks has a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Environmental Education Center represents environmental ed centers across the state and has a calendar complete with every class and trip these centers are conducting. Find it here.
• Right here, at GetGoingNC.com.

The post Get Out! Your Nudge for Weekend Adventure appeared first on GetGoing NC!.