Tag Archives: Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

This weekend: There’s much merry to be made (if you don’t mind a little rain)

The Carolina Mountain Club pays a visit to Mount Sterling in the Great Smokies this weekend.

Rain is in the forecast for much of North Carolina, but don’t let that douse your plans. Dress appropriately (you do have a Gore-Tex tweed jacket, don’t you?) and you’ll be fine.

Coast

Silence is golden. Especially when you’re eavesdropping. And particularly especially when you’re eavesdropping on nature. read more

35 places to rent a canoe/kayak in North Carolina

Part of the rental fleet at Lake Johnson.

It’s one of the cheapest recreation deals going: for as little as $5 an hour you can captain your own ship on any number of waterways throughout North Carolina. These bargain basement deals are offered at various county, municipal and state parks throughout the state. read more

This weekend: wayfind, paddle, ski

Wayfinding, warm water kayaking, winging your way down a mountain — it’s all happening in North Carolina this weekend.

Coast

Sometimes luring the recalcitrant into the outdoors is simply a matter of offering the right bait. A mere walk in a cold forest may not appeal to someone more involved in cerebral pursuits, but throw in a map, a compass and the opportunity to calculate your way over hill and dale and suddenly a hike doesn’t seem so bad. Sunday at 2 p.m. just such an opportunity will be offered at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park near Goldsboro, when a park ranger leads a beginner course in map reading and using the compass. (If you have a compass, bring it; otherwise, the park has some spares you can use.) It’s free and should last about an hour and a half. read more