For the first time in a while, there’s a chance of rain in the weekend forecast. But how much and where exactly is hard to tell — harder to tell than usual, because the source of the rain is a fickle hurricane. Or the remnants of a fickle hurricane.

Delta, which is expected to make landfall this evening in Louisiana, is forecast to continue into the Midwest, then curl into the Northeast, possibly bringing moist tropical air into our region starting late in the day Saturday. So it could be wet from late Saturday into Monday. But, again, it’s a hurricane, and they aren’t known for sticking to script.

In any event, Saturday into mid-day looks the most promising for getting out and exploring. And it you’re like us, what’s on your mind this second weekend of October is finding fall color. One spot where we’ve found it getting a jump in the Piedmont: the Bunter-Falls of Neuse Game Lands north of Falls Lake.

Mostly bordering the north rim of the lake, this 40,670-acre spread is devoted to cultivating a healthy wildlife population. That means managing the land, and to manage it, you need access to it. That happens via gravel roads open only to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission vehicles and to those of us on foot. There’s a lot to discover here, the discovery starting with simply where to find a trail. NCWRC has maps on their site (find the Butner map here), but they are general overviews and vague on specifics. (See “GetOut!” below for a less iffy approach.)

That’s one option for the weekend. Another: embrace the rain by suiting up and immersing yourself in its midst. It’s another sure way to avoid the crowds.

Rain or shine, GetOut! this weekend and explore!

GetOut!

Butner made easy. Intrigued by the Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Lands but leery of exploring a new place with no direction? Our GetHiking! Guide to Hiking the Bunter-Falls of Neuse Game Lands gives you all the information you need — from directions to the trailhead, to a step-by-step trail guide, to a map — to reduce the stress of our visit. Check it out here.

Hiking in the rain may seem intimidating (and messy!) at first, but not when you know a few tricks. We share our favorite hiking-in-the rain tips in our GetHiking! Guide to Hiking in the Rain. Check it out here.

Today’s video

Today’s video takes you on a tour of the Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Lands near the Butner Depot.

The post GetOut! Rain? Don’t let it keep you inside this weekend appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

I just returned from a five-day retreat of sorts, a portion of which was spent thinking about trails. All kinds of trails, and the role they play in our lives. It was something I didn’t realize I’d been thinking about for so long: all the way back, it seems, to the first time I looked into the sky and saw a contrail streaking across the sky, the sign of a journey being taken from unknown Point A to unknown Point B. The initial joy of that journey? Imagining where those two points might be.

Today when I head out on a journey those are often the only givens. I know what’s at Point A, the start, and I’ve a good idea what lies at Point B. It’s the in-between that’s the mystery. 

That’s what we love about trails: the discovery along the way, and what it tells us about the natural world, what it tells us about ourselves.

This weekend, get out and make such a discovery. Find a trail — any sort of trail, be it paved, dirt, rocky, rutted, watery — find its Point A and Point B, and discover what lies in between. 

That’s your homework for the weekend. It’s that simple. 

Enjoy!

Today’s video

Part of my trails discovery process of the past several days involved a ferry ride out to Cape Lookout, on a water trail, then a hike around the South Core Banks portion of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, on trail mostly of sand. It was a trip loaded with discovery, as you you’ll see. 

Join us

Our next opportunity for making a Point A to B connection? The weekend of Sept. 11-13, on our first GetHiking! basecamp hiking weekend of the fall, in the Pisgah National Forest. From our camp in the Curtis Creek Campground we’ll climb a mile-high peak, we’ll explore an old growth forest, we’ll spend some time by the fire discussing what it all means. It’s a small gathering, but we still have spots open. Learn more and sign up to join us here.

The post GetOut! Discover what’s between Point A and B appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This week’s video is a salute to exploring in the rain, which is our way of saying there’s a lot of it in the forecast the next few days.

But not on Saturday! So, we have three options today: 1) if you want to stay dry, 2) if you don’t mind the rain, 3) if you’d rather wait until New Year’s Day (when there’s still a chance of rain).

• Small Steps, Saturday, 10 a.m., Eno River State Park, Durham. This is the no-rain option (in the words of the Eno River State Park poet laureate): If your 2019 goal is a fitter you, begin your journey with a river view. That is, a 1.5-mile hike on the Buckquarter Creek Trail at a “forgiving pace.” More info and sign up here.
• Junior Ranger Coach, Sunday 1 p.m., Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury. This is the “into-your-life-some-rain-may-fall” option: Help your aspiring Junior Ranger earn her/his Junior Ranger Patch on this ranger-led presentation and 0.8-mile activity hike. For ages 6-12. More info and sign up here.
• New Year’s Day Hike, Tuesday, Jan. 1, times and locations vary. If you can’t get out this weekend, you’ll definitely want to get out New Year’s Day. First, North Carolina State Parks is sponsoring a variety of First Day Hikes at each of it’s facilities; find a rundown of hikes and sign up here. Most of these hikes are on the short side, three miles or less. If you’re looking for something longer, join our GetHiking! Triangle crew on a 6-mile hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, starting at the mercifully decent time of 11 a.m. Learn more and sign up here.

As always, you can find more opportunities this weekend here:

• North Carolina State Parks have a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Environmental Education Centers has an extensive calendar of what’s happening at its affiliates; check it out here.
• You can also find more adventures right here, at GetGoingNC.com

Live the video

If you’re inspired by today’s video, learn more about exploring Haw River State Park’s Great Blue Heron Trail here.

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