It’s summer, so sure, there’s a chance of thunderstorms. Don’t let a chance rule out a sure thing when it comes to some outdoor fun.

Coast

Imagine a time at the coast before cars, before trains, before even bridges. How did folks navigate a region with so much water?

By boat, of course. Get a feel for those bygone days of getting around by watercraft on Friday’s Kayak Through History program at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Associate Curator Benjamin Wunderly will offer basic instruction and safety lessons to those who are unfamiliar with kayaks, then lead a paddle through the salt marshes and sandbars around Beaufort, sharing stories of early colonial life, the early boat building community and of old fishing fleets

Logistics: Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, N.C. Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort. $45 if you need a kayak, $25 if you bring your own. Advanced reservations required, by calling 252.728.7317.

Friday forecast: High of 85, chance of thunderstorms.

Piedmont

If it’s the fourth Saturday in June that must mean it’s the Great American Backyard Campout! Yes, every year on the fourth Saturday in June, Americans are encouraged to embrace the joy of tent camping. If you’re of the belief that the words “joy” and “camping” have no business in the same sentence, then you are just the person who should embrace this event, because odds are you were exposed to camping by people who may not have known quite what they were doing. People who said it was fine to keep food in your tent in bear country, for example (and you quickly learned it wasn’t). People who said a little slack in the tent roof was OK (and you learned, courtesy of a middle-of-the-night downpour, that it wasn’t). Or people who believe your nutritional demands could be met entirely by Spam and Pop Tarts.

The goal of the Great American Backyard Campout is to show you the right way to camp, and thus, that camping can be safe, pain-free and even fun. At least two organized campout events are planned in North Carolina: at Elk Knob State Park near Todd and at the Reedy Creek Nature Center in Charlotte.

Logistics: For more on the Great American Backyard Campout, sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, go here.

Saturday forecast: Saturday’s forecast is for typical summer weather, with highs in the mid- to upper 80s and a chance of thunderstorms  for much of the state.

Mountains

As we expand the parameters of “weekend” over the summer, here’s something good to know: every Friday, rangers lead a hike somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway. They typically aren’t long hikes, but they are rich in the natural and human history of the area.

This week’s Friday hike: A 2.5-miler on a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from the Glassmine Falls Overlook (Milepost 361) to Lunch Rock and back. “See rare rocky outcrop ecosystems, learn about unique high elevation forests, and take in the spectacular views from Lunch Rock. Bring water and a snack or lunch to enjoy at Lunch Rock. Wear good hiking shoes and sunscreen and plan for changeable weather.”

Logistics: Friday, June 27, 10 a.m. Glassmine Falls Overlook, Milepost 361 on the Blue Ridge Parkway (north of Asheville). More info: Parkway Visitor Center at 828.298.5330, ext. 304.

Friday forecast: High of 85, chance of thunderstorms.

* * *

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

The post This weekend: Chance of t-storms, guarantee of fun appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This weekend in North Carolina you can paddle into the Revolutionary past, you can paddle at night, or you can go camping a mile up.

Coast

Like a paddle with a little history? Thursday’s Moores Creek Kayaking History Adventure paddle on Moores Creek, which meanders through the Moores Creek National Battlefield, is just the ticket. The 88-acre park “commemorates the battle between Patriots and Loyalist militia on February 27, 1776,” according to the Halyburton Park (Wilmington) program guide.  “This battle was the first major victory for the Patriots that lead to Cornwallis’ withdrawal from North Carolina.  Join us and paddle this historic creek and watch history come alive after your kayaking adventure with a ranger-lead tour of the battlefield.” Fives mile roundtrip.

Logistics: Thursday, June 20, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $45 if you need a kayak, $30 if you’re packing your own. More info here, by calling 910.341.0075 or by emailing info@halyburtonpark.com

Thursday forecast: High of 84, 20 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

One of the coolest summer activities? A night paddle. Such as the one planned for Lake Higgins in Greensboro tonight from 8-10 p.m. It’s guided and a great opportunity to see the sun set on the water, then linger for some night paddling.

Logistics: Wednesday, June 19, 8-10 p.m. $8 if you have your own boat, tack on another $15 if you need a single kayak, another $22 for a tandem. More info here.

Wednesday evening forecast: Low of 64, partly cloudy.

Mountains

It’s time once again for the Great American Backyard Campout at Elk Knob State Park on Meat Camp Road outside of Todd. Basic camping equipment is provided, call (you have to anyway, to register) to see what you need to bring to this Saturday event. Great opportunity for first time campers.

Logistics: Saturday, June 22, starting at 3 p.m. and trickling over into Sunday morning. Call 828.297.7261

Saturday forecast: High of 75, 50 percent chance of rain.

* * *

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

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The post This weekend: Paddle through history or into the night appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

The first summerlike weather of the year has descended, but don’t let that keep you cooped up this weekend. Beat the heat with a coastal retreat, by doing the vampire thing and coming out at night, or hitting the high — particularly high — country.

Coast

I was at Jockey’s Ridge State Park three weeks back for the end of Diane Van Deren’s record-setting MST Endurance Run and was reminded again that there’s more to Jockey’s Ridge than just 100-foot sand dunes to fly a kite — or yourself — off of. Like the estuary on the park’s sound side and a rare maritime forest as rich in flora and fauna as the dunes are devoid. Hence, this week’s recommendation of Saturday’s Eco Hike at 9 a.m.

“Learn about the plant and animal life in the park and how these ecosystems work together in a balance, with a special focus on the estuarine environment,” states a promo from the park. The “moderate to strenuous” (those dunes can be calf-burners) hike should take about an hour. Bring walking shoes, sunscreen, and water.

Logistics: Saturday, 9 a.m., meet at the park visitor center (the hike ends on a sound beach; from there, feel free to “strike out and explore the park” on your own. Free, but pre-registration is required, by calling 252.441.2588.

Saturday forecast: High of 82, 30 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

Our first run of hot, steamy summertime weather doesn’t exactly make you want to get out and explore. Unless you’re getting out to explore in the cool(er) of the evening. Say, to check out the night sky.

Saturday, from 9-11 p.m. join the staff of the Morehead Planetarium at Jordan Lake for a two-hour viewing of planets, nebulae, star clusters and, of course, the Moon when available,” as well as to discuss constellation myths and legends. The Morehead folks bring their sophisticated telescopes as well as their knowledge for your viewing pleasure.

Logistics: Meets at 9 p.m. at the Ebenezer Church Recreation Area. Cloudy skies can scuttle this event; check with the planetarium Web site (look under “news”) or call them at 919.962.1236 on Saturday to make sure the event is a go.

Saturday forecast: Daytime high of 90 with afternoon thunderstorms possible.

Mountains

This weekend is The Great American Backyard Campout, which means it’s the one time of year you can camp at Elk Knob State Park. Elk Knob is one of the few tracts of public land in the northern section of the North Carolina mountains; the flora here is different than what you typically find to the south in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. According to the park Web site, “The summit of Elk Knob contains an excellent example of a northern hardwood forest … typically found above 4,000 feet in elevation, consists primarily of sugar maple, yellow birch, American beech, and yellow buckeye. Trees growing on the northern slopes and on the summit of Elk Knob are gnarled and stunted by the harsh weather conditions.” A unique outpost whose elevation offers respite from the heat below. The event is aimed at families and newcomers to camping.

Logistics: Begins at 3 p.m. Saturday. Free, but registration is required by calling 828.297.7261, where you can also find additional information.

Weekend forecast: High of 77, low of 55 (in nearby and lower Todd), 20 percent chance of rain.

* * *

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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The post This weekend: Don’t retreat, get out and beat the heat appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

Here’s a race I wish I’d known about three months ago: the Kure Beach Double Sprint Triathlon, billed as the “very first Formula 1 or super sprint style triathlon in the U.S.”

Double Sprint? Formula 1?

It’s basically this: start with a 375-meter ocean swim, run 1.5 miles to a transition area, do a 10K bike ride on a closed course — then ride the 10K course again, back to the transition area where you’ll run the 1.5 miles back to the beach, where you’ll swim the 375-meter course, again.  Great concept. And again, I wish I’d heard about it earlier because a) I could have trained for and perhaps enjoyed the event, and b) registration is closed, so even if I — or you — was in shape, it would be for naught.

Still, if you’re in the area it promises good spectacle and a chance to see a rare Double Sprint Formula 1 tri(x2)athlon.

More about the event, which begins at 7 a.m., here.

Piedmont

I didn’t grown up in a hunting or fishing family, which likely explains why I don’t hunt and why it took me so long to figure out how to fish. Expedite your own learning curve when it comes to fishing this Friday (we’re observing summertime three-day weekend hours here at GGNC) at 10 a.m. at Umstead State Park.

Join a ranger at Big Lake (off the U.S. 70/Glenwood entrance to the park), learn the basics of fresh water fishing, learn about the fish you will be fishing for, then fish. Rods and reels provided in this free event. Free, but because room is limited, registration is required, by calling 919.571.4170.

More about Umstead here.

Mountains

I didn’t grow up in a camping family, either. That explains why my initial forays into camping … well, they didn’t result in 911 calls (hadn’t been invented yet), but I doubt my recollections around the water cooler the following Monday caused my coworkers to think, “Man, I’ve gotta try that!”

Again, streamline your own camping learning curve this weekend as Elk Knob State Natural Area observes the Great American Backyard Campout.

The purpose of the the Great American Backyard Campout is to introduce folks to the joy of camping without having to buy all the equipment. A test drive, if you will, before deciding if this is something you want to work into your lifestyle. The only camping-type thing you need to bring is a sleeping bag, or blanket, or bedroll, as we used to call them during my days driving cattle in the West. (You’ll also need to bring snacks and breakfast; s’mores are provided.)

The event begins at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Elk Knob State Natural Area, a place, btw, that doesn’t otherwise allow camping. It’s free, but again, because space is required, you’ll need to register beforehand, by calling 828.297.7261.

Learn more about Elk Knob — the peak to the far right in the photo at top — here.

* * *

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.

The post Weekend plans? Learn something new appeared first on GetGoing NC!.