Coast

We would be remiss if, in this New Year’s edition of Weekend Plans, we didn’t include at least one polar plunge, that peculiar tradition born in the north where we strip down to our skivvies and immerse ourselves in water that hasn’t frozen over — though in some northern climes the tradition requires drilling a hole through the frozen-over lake surface, then jumping in. An impressive level of lunacy.

To fulfill this obligation, we tried to find the warmest polar plunge around. Thus, we passed on the plunge planned for Hanging Rock State Park on Thursday, from 1-3 p.m., despite the promise of a bonfire and DJ (go here if you’re interested), in favor of the 13th Annual Dolphin Dip Extravaganza at Surf City, where the water temperature is around 55. (If that sounds not-so-cold, when you visit in the summer the water temperature is generally in the low 80s.)

And if you subscribe to the notion that there’s strength (and possibly a little heat) in numbers, more than 4,000 dippers are expected.

Logistics: 13th Annual Dolphin Dip Extravaganza at Surf City, Thursday, Jan. 1, noon, Surf City. For more information, go here.

Thursday forecast: Mostly sunny with a high of 52 (at noon, look for closer to 48).

Piedmont

Sunday, the Eno River Association kicks off its annual Winter Series of Sunday hikes with a hike even regulars at Eno River State Park likely haven’t done: the Road to Shy’s Ford. The hike begins at the Cole Mill Access to the park, and for most of the next 3.5 miles entails hiking off trail. Along the way: “Your guide will tell you more about the interesting history of the area as you take this journey.” Expect to cover more than 7 miles on “uneven terrain.” The hike is rated strenuous.

The Winter Series continues every Sunday afternoon through March 8 — when the Association’s Spring Wildflower Series begins.

Logistics: Sunday, Jan. 4, 1:30 p.m., Cole Mill Access to Eno River State Park, Orange County. More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 60 with a chance of rain.

Mountains

Got a hankerin’ to head to the mountains after the holidays and before the grind of the new year begins, yet worried about the potential for dicey, icy weather at higher elevations?

Sunday’s Carolina Mountain Club hike at DuPont State Forest is just what you’re looking for. It’s a low elevation hike that will take in some features high in scenic value, including High, Triple and Grassy Branch falls, and the Thomas Cemetery. 11.6 miles total.

Logistics: Sunday, Jan. 4, 8:30 a.m., DuPont State Forest near Hendersonville. More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 52, mostly sunny.

New Year’s Day hikes

Tomorrow, we’ll have a rundown of New Year’s Day hikes throughout the state, including more than 40 offered by North Carolina State Parks as part of the First Day Hikes program.

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

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The post This weekend: Plunge into 2015 (then dry off and take a hike) appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Test a kayak, try a new wildlife refuge, tread (quickly) some stellar trail. There’s lots to do in North Carolina this coming spring weekend.

Coast

Been thinking about getting into flatwater paddling but confounded by the various boat options? Rec kayaks, touring kayaks, sea kayaks, sit-on-tops, inflatables … . Where’s a budding paddler to start?

If you’re in Wilmington Saturday you can start at Smith Creek Park, where from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. they’ll be hosting a Kayak Demonstration Day. All variety of kayaks (as well as canoes and stand-up paddleboards) will be available for you to take for a spin on friendly Smith Creek Lake. Certified instructors will be on hand to help and to answer questions.

Logistics: Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Smith Creek Park, Wilmington. Free. More info: 910.798.762 or jdellinger@nhcgov.com

Saturday forecast: High of 64, chance of rain.

Piedmont

When you think of the National Wildlife Refuges in the region,  your thoughts tend toward the coast: Alligator River, Pea Island, Mattamuskeet, Pocosin Lakes … . But just across the state line in South Carolina is a 46,000-acre preserve dedicated to restoring the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem. the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge consists of 30 lakes and various creeks and tributaries, which help support 190 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 41 species of reptiles and 25 species of amphibians, in addition to more than 750 plant species. It’s an area ideal for exploration.

Which is what the Reedy Creek Nature Center in Charlotte has in mind Saturday. As part of a monthly series, the center will spend the day exploring the refuge on a hike covering 6 to 8 miles of uneven terrain.

Logistics: Saturday, April 19, 8 a.m., Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Chesterfield County, S.C. Lead by the Reedy Creek Nature Center of Charlotte. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. $12. 18 and older. For more info and to register: 704.432.6460.

Saturday forecast: High of 71, 40 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

DuPont State Forest has about 100 miles of trail confined to a little more than 10,000 acres. And that’s a good thing, because just about every inch of this playground between Hendersonville and Brevard is view-worthy. That makes it a great spot to hike, to mountain bike, or to hold a 10K trail run.

The latter is the recreational transport of choice Saturday as the forest hosts the 2014 Morris Broadband 10K Trail Race. Beginning from Guion Farm in the forest, the race will utilize approximately 6.2 percent of DuPont’s trail network. Considering the up-and-down nature of the terrain, that will be just enough for many runners. Fletcher Parks and Rec hosts.

Logistics: Saturday, April 19, 9 a.m. (packet pickup is from 7:30-8:30 a.m.), Guion Farm, DuPont State Forest. $40. More info, call 828.687.0751 or g.walker@fletchernc.org.

Saturday forecast: High of 70, sunny.

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

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The post This weekend: Forecast for fun appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

Hooch wants to get out more, you need to get out more: what better opportunity for mutt and master to bond and fulfill a mutual want/need than Saturday’s paws4people Run Walk on the UNC Wilmington campus. If you two have stayed active over the winter, you may be interested in the 10K race. If you haven’t but crave a challenge, consider the 5K. And if the two of you are on the couch looking at each other thinking, “We really should do this; it would be good for us,” but neither of you are making a move to register, there’s always the 1-mile fun run/walk.

The longer races are through the campus and on cross-city trails, the fun run is contained to campus. Proceeds benefit paws4people, which trains and certifies assistance dogs provided free of charge to kids, veterans and active-duty military with disabilities.

Logistics: Sunday, March 30, registration opens at 7 a.m., the races between 8:35 and 9:05 a.m.  $10-$30. More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 73, 90 percent chance of being refreshed on the route.

Piedmont

In a typical year, the spring wildflower season begins around the first of March. This year, however, has been anything but typical. We’ve seen a few hearty trout lilies, the first responders of the  spring season, but otherwise, nada.

That should change this weekend, with temperatures warming considerably starting Friday. By Sunday, the trout lilies should have company. And if anyone knows where the trout lilies et al will be frolicking, it’s the folks who lead the weekly spring wildflower hikes for the Eno River Association.

The series, which includes hikes every Sunday at 2 p.m., explores a different stretch of the Eno River valley each week in search of the latest blooms. This week’s destination: the Eno in the Hillsboro Division of Duke Forest. The hike will be about two miles, some off-trail, and will take at least two hours.

Logistics: Sunday, March 30, 2 p.m. Duke Forest. Directions will be sent upon registering, either via email at hikes@enoriver.org or by calling the ERA at 919.620.9099, ext. 211.

Sunday forecast: High of 59, partly sunny.

Mountains

We love a good trail run, but finding one of a middle distance can be a challenge. You’ll find some 5Ks and you’ll find a lot of runs of 20 miles or more (a lot more). But for those of us who just like to get out and enjoy a moderately challenging run on the trail, the pickings are slim.

Which is part of the reason we like Saturday’s 14th Annual DuPont Forest 12K Trail Race in DuPont State Forest between Henderson and Asheville. 7.4 miles through one of the most gorgeous tracts of land around is challenging physically, rewarding esthetically. The other reason to endorse the race is that it’s in DuPont State Forest, a true gem. The race is partially on singletrack, partially on old forest roads. And if you get a sense of deja vu even though you’ve never been to DuPont, the race passes through forest where the first “The Hunger Games” was filmed.

Read more in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Logistics: Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. $30. More info by calling Jus’ Running at 828.252.7867, or email jusrunning@gmail.com.

Saturday forecast: High of 67, a pretty darn good chance of rain.

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

The post This weekend: Run, hike, run appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Get out and take advantage: You never know how long it will last.

Coast

This may be hard to believe because of our ongoing cold, but the time is rapidly running out for an enjoyable hike in a coastal wetlands. Once temperatures start climbing into the mid to upper 60s, all kinds of critters begin to emerge that can take some of the fun out of exploring a forested wetlands.

Thus, with temperatures expected to stay in the 50s Sunday, we suggest you check out the Wonder Wetlands hike at Merchants Millpond State Park near Gatesville. On this two-mile hike on established trail into a wild forest, a ranger will talk about the park’s wetlands and how they affect plants, animals and people.  In addition, we recommend you get there two hours early, rent a canoe ($5 first hour, $3 every subsequent hour) and explore the millpond.

Logistics: Sunday, March 9, 3 p.m. Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville. Learn more about the park here, for more info on the hike, call 252.357.1191.

Saturday forecast: High of 59, partly sunny.

Piedmont

Running or biking on the American Tobacco Trail, we usually stop on the bridge section over White Oak Creek and contemplate the waterway’s path. Downstream, we know that the creek empties into Jordan Lake. But upstream, where exactly does the creek go? And how much farther can you paddle up it?

Find out the answer to these and other White Oak Creek questions Saturday, when Jordan Lake Ranger Steve McMurray leads a three-hour paddle up White Oak Creek. The trip commences from the Crosswinds Boat Ramp, paddles a stretch of open water on Jordan Lake, then probes White Oak Creek. Recommended for experienced paddlers only.

Logistics: Saturday, March 8, 1-4 p.m. Crosswinds Boat Ramp at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. For more information on Jordan Lake, go here, for information on the paddle trip and to register, call 919.362.0586, ext. 219.

Saturday forecast: High of 65, partly sunny.

Mountains

DuPont State Forest between Hendersonville and Brevard has nearly 100 miles of trail, a sizable number for a tract of land just over 10,000 acres. With so many trails to choose from, picking a circuit can be a challenge, both from the standpoint of optimizing your scenic return and from the standpoint of suddenly realizing you have no idea where you are.

Good reasons to sign up for Sunday’s 12-mile hike sponsored by the Carolina Mountain Club. Attractions along the way: Lake Imaging, Grassy Falls, Thomas Cemetery, Wintergreen Falls, Stone Mountain and “the old firing range.” And because it’s the first day of Daylight Savings Time, you’ll have an extra hour of sunlight to savor the scenery.

Logistics: Sunday, March 9, 9 a.m. For more information and to register, contact hike leader Jan Onan, janonan@bellsouth.net, 828.698.3237. For more information on the route, go 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 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

Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.

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.

– See more at: https://getgoingnc.com/2014/02/this-weekend-spring-from-winter/#sthash.d9diK6Wt.dpuf

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Coast

When I was in high school I had a part-time job on the old Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. I took the job, in part, so I could get inside the inner sanctum of a military installation just to see what it was like. It wasn’t as exciting as I expected; In fact, the only significant difference between it and the outside world was that it was a whole lot cleaner. Still, it was cool being allowed in this land forbidden to mere civilians.

That’s part of the motivation to run this Saturday’s MCAS Cherry Point 13th Annual Half Marathon. The race is open to the public, is flat (another incentive) and “will take runners through a combination of residential neighborhoods as well as many scenic routes aboard MCAS Cherry Point.” If you’ve ever driven past the gate at Cherry Point and wondered what goes on inside, here’s your chance. And maybe it won’t be all that exciting. But at least it’s flat.

Logistics: Check-in is from 6-7 a.m., race starts at 7:30 a.m. $50 for non-military. More info, call Berna Crosby at 252.466.2208 or visit here.

Weekend forecast: High of 79, partly cloudy.

Piedmont

Oh, yeah, it’s spring! (It commenced at 1:14 a.m. Tuesday, in case you missed it.) Among the enticing spring programs this first weekend of the season is Saturday’s Signs of Spring Family Hike at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. “Who’s singing in the vernal pools?” asks the Garden, presumably through a human interpreter. “What’s blooming up from beneath the fallen leaves? Celebrate the Spring Equinox exploring the gardens and trails for signs that the natural world is waking from its winter slumber.” A great place to welcome spring.

Logistics: The program is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. $15 per family ($10 if you belong to the Botanical Garden); “parents/caregivers must remain with their child at all times.” More info by calling 919.962.0522 or visiting here.

Weekend forecast: High of 75, 70 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

DuPont State Forest in the Brevard area has close to 100 miles of trail; knowing where to go can be a challenge. That’s one of the advantages to Saturday’s DuPont 12K Trail Run, which starts and ends at Guion Farm on Sky Valley Road, and follows what promises to be a scenic and challenging 7.4-mile route. Race begins at 10 a.m.

Logistics: Entry fee is $30, online here or in person at the sponsoring Jus Running in Asheville. Race begins at 10 a.m.

Weekend forecast: High of 68 with fog early and a 20 percent chance of rain.

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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.

* * *

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