The raindrops falling on many of our Tarheel heads (speaking of which, “Go Heels!”) as the work week draws to a close should dry up by the weekend. This week’s weekend recommendations come from the comprehensive events calendar kept by our friends at the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. See the calendar section below for more info on the NCOEEPA.

Coast

One of our favorite hikes in the N.C. State Park system — and there’s stiff competition — is the Huggins Island History Hike at Hammocks Beach State Park. Hammocks Beach S.P. is a curious park: while the Visitor Center is on the mainland, its recreational anchors are islands accessed via the Intercostal Waterway. There’s Bear Island, for instance, served by ferry much of the year and easily the park’s most popular asset. Then there are lesser-known bodies, such as Huggins Island.

On this hike, the next edition of which is Sunday, you’ll boat out to the island and explore both the island’s natural attributes and its human history, from the folks who have tried to tame the island to its role during the Civil War.

Logistics: Huggins Island History Hike, Sunday, April 2, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro. Free, but space is limited and registration is required, by calling the park office at 910.326.4881.

Sunday forecast: Sunny and 71.

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Looking ahead: Wilmington Earth Day Festival, Saturday, April 22, Hugh MacRae Park, Wilmington. More info here.

Piedmont

Our state is filled with little gems of nature, gems embedded in some of the most unlikely places, yet right under our noses. Gems we often have no idea exist, even if they exist right down the road.

One such gem is the Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve, which sits in a 146-acre tear of land created by an oxbow in the Neuse River, in Wake Forest. Part of Raleigh Parks & Rec, it’s a wonderful nature nook just off US 401. It’s a nice spot for a quiet escape, or to learn about nature, the latter being the case this Sunday. “Meadow Story and a Nature Walk” is just that: start with a story about a meadow, then walk about the meadow that dominates the preserve. Help propagate the local wildflower community along the way.

Logistics: “Meadow Story and a Nature Walk,” Sunday, April 2, 2-3 p.m., Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve, 2900 Horse Shoe Farm Road, Wake Forest. Free, but registration is required, by going here. More info by dialing 919.870.2871.

Sunday forecast: Mostly sunny, high around 73.

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Looking ahead: Durant Family Campout, Saturday, April 22, Durant Nature Park, Raleigh. More info here.

Mountains

We’re all about active lifestyles here at GetGoingNC. We advocate movement of all sorts, from hiking and backpacking to mountain biking and paddling. Every once in a while, though, we realize we are only skimming the surface of what an active life is about. An hour or two or three a day? Ha! Try 18. As in farming.

Perhaps during the recent Farm-to-Table-fueled resurgence of the local farm, you’ve wondered if you have the right stuff to go all “Green Acres.” More so, you’ve likely wondered how on earth one gets into farming, and what it entails. Spend Saturday in Asheville and find out.

From 10 a.m. To 4 p.m., Lenoir Rhyne University sponsors “Farm Dreams? An Exploratory Workshop for Farm Dreamers.” Say the sponsors:

Discover and assess your resources, skills and farming intentions. Begin to develop an educational plan toward farming. Connect with regional training opportunities and support networks. Prioritize your next steps toward your farming goals. Hear from experienced farmers running successful farms in WNC.” 

Logistics: “Farm Dreams: An Exploratory Workshop for Farm Dreamers,” Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lenoir Rhyne University, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville. $55. More info and register here

Sunday forecast: Mostly sunny and 63.

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Looking ahead: “Spring Wildflower Hike,” Saturday, April 22, Hendersonville. More info here.

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

Coast

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Coast

Everyone, we’re convinced, has at least one thing that will motivate them to move — it’s just a matter of discovering it. Some get hooked on the endorphin rush of running. Others prefer the slower, more scenic rewards of a hike. While still others like more … esoteric pursuits.

Like Bubble Soccer.

Bubble Soccer, as we’ve recently learned thanks to the folks at What’s On Wilmington, involves encasing oneself in a big plastic bubble (picture a team of blueberried Violet Beauregardes)  and playing full-contact soccer —

You think we’re making this up, don’t you?

See for yourself on Saturday when the Port City Bubbleheads (not making them up, either) host Bubble Soccer Demo Day & Launch Party at the Easton Soccer Fields in Wilmington. Your chance to get your bubble on for winter and spring league play. Or just to bounce off a bunch of other people.

Logistics: Bubble Soccer Demo Day & Launch Party, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2-4 p.m., Eaton Soccer Fields, Wilmington. Free. Note from organizers: “Due to the size of our bubbles participants must be 14 or older!” More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 60 (perfect Bubble Soccer weather).

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Looking ahead: Run for Ray Trail Run, Brunswick Nature Park in Winnabow, Feb. 20 (gives you time to train). Routes on pine-straw trail of 3, 9 and 18 miles. Proceeds benefit the Ray Underhill Foundation. More info here.

Piedmont

Check out North Carolina’s newest state park and go behind the curtain, all  in one hike! That hike, at Carvers Creek State Park in Spring Lake, would be Saturday morning’s “3 Mile History Hike,” during which, the park reports, “we will be entering areas that are normally off limits to the public.” See the park and the park behind the park. Despite the event title, the hike may even be more than 3 miles.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m., Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 58.

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Looking ahead: Race 13.1 Durham, half marathon, 10k and 5k, Dec. 12. More info here.

Mountains

What makes a 5K a 5K? A good course helps, reliable timing, too. But what really makes a race is the ambience: pulsing music, enthusiastic volunteers, stuff along the way to distract your attention from that PR pace you’re trying to set.

That’s why we like Saturday night’s Night of Light 5K and Family Fun Run/Walk in downtown Morganton. The course is through a downtown lit for the season, carolers will be caroling along the way and there will be homemade treats, hot chocolate, apple cider and more. And, it’s at night (the 5K starts at 6 p.m.)

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 5, 5-9 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King St., Morganton. $20-$25. On-site registration begins at 4:30 p.m. More info here.

Saturday evening forecast: Clear skies, 6 p.m. temperature of 46.

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Looking ahead: Start planning your New Year’s Day activities by checking out the list of First Day hikes at your local North Carolina State Park, here.

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

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