Well savor it while you can, people, because it won’t be summer forever! The fall equinox is just 40 days off, and Labor Day, the emotional start of fall, is just 24 days away. So take advantage of the heat while you can. This weekend, for instance:

Relaxation Paddle, Sunday, 9:30 a.m., Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle. “Relaxation paddle” — in our book that’s a bit of an oxymoron: Isn’t paddling all about relaxing? If not, then you can rest assured it will be on this 1-hour leisure paddle on Lake Tillery. Free, but registration is required, by emailing Alden.Early@ncparks.gov. PFDs (personal flotation devices) are required). Learn more here.

Spider Insider, Sunday, 10 a.m., Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area (pictured at top), Hillsborough. I like this line in the class description: “We will take a moderate hike to see if we can find any [spiders].” “Moderate,” in our experience, would be stepping out of the car and — AHHH! Come and learn about the spiders that live among us and how they benefit the environment. More info here.

Owls Among Us, Sunday, 9 p.m., Lake James State Park, Nebo. Says the event description: “Once you recognize the myriad sounds owls make, a whole new world of appreciation opens. Ranger Jamie Cameron will lead a group of curious owl-seekers on a short hike along the Lake Channel Overlook trail at the Catawba River Area side of the park. We’ll start from the campground parking lot at 9 p.m. Bring a headlamp or flashlight, binoculars if you have them and a pair of comfortable hiking shoes for this 45-minute program.” Learn more here.

Lake Johnson Park Nature Explorers, Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Lake Johnson Park, Raleigh. If you’re looking for something to do outdoors with the kids, here’s a good bet, because they’ll spend about an hour and a half getting to “Flip over logs, dig a hole, or sift through leaves .… “ The best $2 you’ll spend all week. Learn more and find out how to register here.

You’ll notice that our recommendations are all for Sunday. Despite our apparent love for the heat as expressed by our intro waxing over the waning days of summer, we recognize that it’s better to be out Sunday, when temperatures throughout the Piedmont will be in the low 80s, as opposed to Saturday, when they’re still expected to top 90. So if you have chores for the weekend, do ‘em Saturday and save your adventure time for Sunday.

GetOut! And enjoy!

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What is there not to love about this time of year? Weekend temperatures across the state will range from the mid-70s at the coast to the low 60s in the mountains, fall is exhibiting varying degrees of color throughout, and the entire state will be under sunny skies. Great for a paddle, a hike, competitive mountain biking and more.

Coast

Our GetExploring! Greenville affiliate has the perfect idea for a sunny, 70-degree Sunday afternoon: go for a paddle.

Sunday at 1, the triple-guided trip (in the lead, in the middle, in the rear) will put in at the Tranter’s Creek Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramp just west of Little Washington. They’ll hang a left, then paddle to where Tranter’s convenes with the Tar River to form the Pamlico. From there, the group will explore the various islands (including the famous The Castle) across from the Washington waterfront — and the waterfront as well. An estimated 8 miles of paddling, about three to four hours on the water.

And don’t let the lack of a boat deter you: call ahead and GetExploring Greenville’s sponsor, Great Outdoor Provision Co., can hook you up with a rental kayak.

Logistics: Sunday, 1 p.m., Tranter’s Creek boat ramp in Little Washington. Learn more about the trip and how to rent a kayak at the GetExploring! Greenville Meetup site.

Sunday forecast: Sunny, high of 73.

Piedmont

Fall color is descending upon the Piedmont, and one of the best places to catch the show is at your local state park. You can simply go to the NC State Parks website, find the park nearest you, and take yourself on a self-propelled excursion. Or, you can tag along on a fall color-specific guided hike

Several are planned systemwide this weekend, starting with this evening’s Pinnacle Sunset Hike at Crowder’s Mountain State Park west of Charlotte. From the Visitor Center, this hike will head two miles to the Pinnacle, which offers 360-degree views of the surrounding color-drenched countryside, all the more illuminating in the waning hours of day.

Logistics: For information on tonight’s Pinnacle Sunset Hike as well well as other guided hikes in the state park system this weekend, go here.

Weekend forecast: Sunny and in the 70s, pretty much throughout the Piedmont.

Mountains

We take so much from our outdoor experiences; from time to time, it’s nice to give something back. Especially if you’re a mountain biker, this weekend is a great opportunity to give back, by volunteering at the Collegiate Mountain Bike Nationals this weekend at Beech Mountain.

350 student riders from more than 50 colleges and universities will complete; that’s a lot of competitors and a lot of wranglers needed to help pull off the event, from course marshals to folks to help with registration and course set-up and breakdown. Plus, it’s a chance to see some of the best young riders in the country in action.

Logistics: To help, check with volunteer coordinator: Tracy Simms at mtbvolunteers@yahoo.com or 828.387.2011, ext. 205. For more information on the race, go here.

Weekend forecast: Sunny, high in the low 60s.

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

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This weekend you can race early through the streets of Asheville or late through downtown Durham. Not a city person? Fret not: there’s a marsh paddle near Wilmington that goes nowhere near concrete or traffic lights.

Coast

There are lots of paddling options at the coast. My favorite: riverine and salt marsh habitats. That’s the destination Saturday of a trip sponsored by New Hanover County Parks & Gardens and Hook, Line & Paddle at Riverside Park in Castle Hayne. The 2.5-hour guided trip will explore the flora and fauna of this rich habitat.

Logistics: Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $25 to $50 (depending upon whether you need a boat). More info at 910.798-7707 or mcollogan@nhcgov.com.

Saturday forecast: High of 88, 40 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

I don’t know about you, but my motivation to run or ride diminishes greatly when the temperature is on its way to the mid-90s. But when it’s on it’s way down that’s another matter. Even if in both instances it’s 85 degrees, it just seems cooler if you know the temperature is on its way down.

Such will be the case Saturday night for the 7th annual Habitat Bull Moon Ride & Run in Downtown Durham. There’s a 5K run and a 12-mile bike ride, both originating at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and both taking in the sights of downtown Durham. The ride starts at 8:15, the run at 8:30. Running or riding through downtown Durham after dark: how cool is that!?

Logistics: Saturday, July 27, 8-11:30 p.m. Register by close of business Thursday and it’s $32 for adults, $22 for youngsters; register Friday or race day and its $40/$30. For more info or to register, go here.

Saturday forecast: High of 82 (and that’s during the day), 40 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

This race isn’t at night; in fact, it’s pretty dang early with the starting gun firing at 7:30 Saturday morning. But it is in a downtown, Asheville’s, and has a reputation as being a top-flight 5K. It’s the Bele Chere 5K, and if you need additional incentive, this is your last chance at this event: Saturday’s running is the 34th and final version of the race.

There’s a lot going on with this race, too much to mention here so we’ll refer you to the website.

Logistics: Saturday, July 27, 7:30 a.m. Register through Friday and it’s $30, $35 on race day (registration opens at 6 a.m.). More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 79, 50 percent chance of rain.

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

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Tradition rules at the coast (a last beach blast of the summer) and in the mountains (kicking off the fall hiking season). Meanwhile, somewhere in between a paddle trip beckons.

Coast

Labor Day weekend, you’re at the coast, you’re looking for something different to do, something to relieve the tedium of frolicking in the surf. Tedium? OK, perhaps that’s overstating. But certainly a little relief from the beach is a good thing. And you and the kids can find it at 3 p.m. Monday at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, when you’ll join a park ranger for a romp over the dunes in search of Tracks in the Sand. Yes, search for the footprints of the various critters who call the park home, then make a plaster cast to take home as a souvenir. Beats a hermit crab nightlight from Wings.

Logistics: 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at the Visitor Center at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Lasts one hour. Free, but pre-registration is required, by calling 252.441.2588.

Monday forecast: High of 82, overcast.

Piedmont

Labor Day weekend has long been associated with water. It’s the last weekend of operation for most public pools, it’s the last big hurrah of the summer for hitting the coast. And, it’s a great time to go paddling, on the millpond at Historic Yates Mill County Park in Raleigh, for instance.

Saturday, come out for basic instruction and a paddle on the pond. Canoes, paddles and life jackets provided, fee is $10 per boat, you must be at least 6 years old.

Logistics: $10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., pre-registration required, by calling 919.856.6675.

Saturday forecast: High of 90, 20 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

Labor Day weekend in the mountains, on the other hand, to me symbolizes the start of the fall hiking season. And who better to celebrate with than the venerable Carolina Mountain Club, which will be hiking in the Black Mountains on Sunday. And not your typical hike up to Mount Mitchell or to any of the peaks fellow 6,000-foot summits along the Black Mountain Crest Trail. Rather, they’ll be hiking in the opposite direction, from the Black Mountain Campground south up to Green Knob. A 2,490-foot vertical gain, a 7-mile out-and-back hike.

Logistics: Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8:30 a.m. (that’s the meeting time; contact hike leader Chris Washburn — 828.292.1791, cwashburn@caldwell-mem.org — for specifics and to sign up.

Sunday forecast: High of 81, 50 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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