My senior year in high school I went to a new school. In football, we went 0-9, in basketball, 0-18. I always wondered how our cheerleaders could muster the enthusiasm, the optimism, to encourage us to push on.
I find myself in a similar situation, facing a rainy weekend, wondering how to encourage y’all to put on a happy face and head out the door for a weekend of adventure. So … well, grab your rain gear and let’s head out! Some options …
After a dang cold week we’re heading into a darn nice weekend, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures, brace yourself, reaching 60.
So if you’ve been hibernating so far this winter, now’s your chance to emerge from your den for an adventure. An adventure such as:
Rainy today, partly sunny tomorrow: Isn’t that how the adage goes? Or something along those lines? If not, well, so be it. That’s the forecast we’re dealing with, and it’s a pretty darn good one: clouds and rain move out overnight Friday, partly sunny skies and temps in the low 60s move in — perfect weather for a weekend of exploring60Some options:
Friends of the Bay Lakes Fall Festival
First, a note that all North Carolina State Parks and most municipal and county parks are closed Christmas Day (Sunday). Thus, if you plan any park exploring, best get it in Saturday (or Friday!). That said … .
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Got visiting kin who could use a bit of movement and wouldn’t mind learning about North Carolina history? Load ‘em in the car Saturday morning and head them down to Carvers Creek State Park near Spring Lake, for a 3-Mile History Hike, taking in the grist mill, pavilion, silos and other features of this property, once a farm owned by James Stillman Rockefeller.
Logistics: 3-Mile History Hike, Saturday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m., Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake. More info and sign up here.
Saturday forecast: Hi of 61 with a chance of rain.
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Looking ahead: Trail Games at Weymouth Woods, Sunday, Jan. 29, Weymouth Woods State Natural Area, Southern Pines. More info here.
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When we think of hiking at Pilot Mountain State Park, our thoughts typically turn to hiking the big kahuna, Pilot Mountain — Big Pinnacle, Little Pinnacle, Ledge Spring — itself. Great views, rocky outcrops, lots to see. Typically, we don’t think of the park’s lesser-visited Corridor and Bean Shoals sections to the south.
Last month, for the first time, we lead a hike in the Bean Shoals area and were surprised by its diversity and beauty. It was also hillier than we expected, being so close to the Yadkin River. In short, a great hike. And one you can explore Saturday morning in the company of a park ranger.
Logistics: Bean Shoals Canal Hike, Sautrday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m., Pilot Mountain State Park / Bean Shoals Access. More info here.
Saturday forecast: Hi if 51, it might be wet.
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Looking ahead: Holiday Sing-A-Long: yuletide faves our forefathers/mothers/sister/brothers might have sung, Monday, Dec. 26, 4:30 p.m., Eno River State Park. More info here.
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Apparently, Grandfather Mountain State Park didn’t get the memo: they’ll hold their annual Christmas Day Photo Scavenger Hunt Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Here’s how it works: you get a list of 12 items to shoot, the folks who shoot the most qualify for cool prizes (including a first prize of a $50 gift card, a tent and a one-night camping pass to the N.C. state park of your choice). Read more about the contest here.
It’s a great opportunity to get out on Christmas, a great opportunity to try out any new photography devices Santa may have brought, a great opportunity, period.
Logistics: Christmas Day Photo Scavenger Hunt, Sunday, Dec. 25, 3-5 p.m., Grandfather Mountain State Park/Profile Trail Parking area off NC 105 in Banner Elk. More info here.
Sunday forecast: Cloudy, high of 52.
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Looking ahead: The forecast calls for snow and cold going into next weekend, suggesting it could be a great time to go skiing. Keep tabs on the latest conditions at skisoutheast.com.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed 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 coastal 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
Hike in a canoe, hike in a creek, hike in the dark.
Coast
What’s the best hike when temperatures are in the 90s and the humidity isn’t far behind?
A Canoe Hike.
Like the one they’re having Sunday at Carvers Creek State Park.
And when’s the best time to have a Canoe Hike?
When the sun is easing and the temperature with it, around 6 p.m., which is when Sunday’s Canoe Hike is scheduled.
Vital stats: Sunday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m., Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake. Free, but limited to the first 10 to sign up, by calling 910.436.4681. More info here.
Sunday forecast: High of 92 at put-in, sunny.
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Looking ahead: Go Jump in the Lake Running Race, Sept. 3, 8 a.m., Spring Lake. $15 – $35. More info here.
Piedmont
On a steamy weekend, few things sound better than frolicking in a creek.
Saturday, roll up your chinos and join a ranger from Mayo River State Park for a journey up Falls Creek to Falls Creek Falls in search of “what is swimming around in the creeks at Mayo River State Park.” Two hours of time travel back to your inner 8-year-old. Starts at 1 p.m.
Vital stats: Creek Creep, Saturday, Aug. 20, 1-3 p.m., Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. More info here.
Saturday forecast: High of 87 with a chance of thunderstorms.
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Looking ahead: Stokes Stomp Festival on the Dan, Sept. 10, 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Hanging Rock State Park. More info here.
Mountains
Most folks fear being on the trail as day turns to night. At Grandfather Mountain, they embrace it.
At least they are on Sunday, when a park ranger leads a sunset hike on the park’s Profile Trail beginning at 7:30 p.m.
“We’ll hope to see and hear nocturnal wildlife and enjoy the woods in that special time of the day,” according to the hike description. “We’ll walk one mile, round trip. Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather.”
Vital stats: Sunday, Aug. 21, 7:30 p.m., Grandfather Mountain State Park, Profile Trailhead off NC 105. More info here.
Sunday forecast: About 67 at hike time, with a chance of thunderstorms.
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Looking ahead: Ascent of the Century, Aug. 26-28, Black Mountain Campground / Mount Mitchell State Park. More info here.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed 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 coastal 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
