Tag Archives: Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Your Weekend: Learn your snakes, spot eagles, whitewater

You have no excuse not to learn about snakes the next couple of months, thanks to Lake Waccamaw State Park. Meanwhile, on Sunday morning there’s a good chance to spot eagles at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, for enthusiasts of wicked whitewater, there’s a release this weekend on the Cheoah River. read more

This weekend: Short hikes, long views

You don’t always have to hike for half the day to score a great view. Options at the coast and in the mountains this week underscore that point — and offer great incentive for beginning hikers! Speaking of great views, you’ll find them Saturday when the sun sets at three state parks. read more

This weekend: Fun in the parks

Chalk Banks, Lumber River. Photo courtesy N.C. State Parks

This week’s offerings all come courtesy North Carolina State Parks, where on any given weekend (and on a lot of days throughout the week) you’ll find an array of interesting — and usually free — programs. Check out the State Parks curriculum here, and read on for suggestions on how you can live and learn in the great outdoors this weekend. read more

Do it all on New Year’s Day

Post-hike Russian tea at the Eno River Association New Year's Day Hike

When I first started writing about fitness and the outdoors back in the early 1990s, there were a handful of ways you could welcome the New Year in most communities. There was usually a 5K run, a bike shop sponsored a casual ride, canoe clubs held members-only paddles, there was a hike or two, and some oddball group was jumping into a local lake (and jumping right back out again). You had options for welcoming the new year, but not a lot. read more

This weekend: Paddle, run a classic

Goose Creek (photo courtesy N.C. State Parks)

Two paddle trips get you on the water on a hot Southern weekend, and there’s a classic 5K in the high country.

Coast

The only thing better than paddling a coastal swamp is paddling it with a knowledgeable  naturalist who knows the terrain and can help make sense of what can be an overwhelming experience. Sunday morning, join said knowledgeable naturalist for a two-hour kayak trip up Goose Creek at Goose Creek State Park just east of Washington. Equipment — kayaks, paddles and pfds — provided. read more