This weekend offers a reprieve from the recent run of summerlike weather. With highs no higher than 75 forecast statewide, the weather should be good for just about any pursuit, from birding at the coast, to hiking in the Piedmont to ride in the mountains.

Coast

We find the outdoor experience is enhanced when we know a little more about the outdoors we’re exploring. When we’re exploring the coast, which is especially rich in flora and fauna, that can be a real challenge.

That’s why we’re recommending Sunday’s Birding on the White Oak River. Actually, becoming more creek-smart is just one reason we suggest this event. Also: 1) it’s on the White Oak River and Bogue Sound, which goes from intimate to expansive in a short distance, enhancing its intrigue; 2) it benefits a worthy organization, the N.C. Coastal Federation, which does a great job protecting our coastal resources; and, 3) it’s led by local birding expert Joanne Powell. The trip is on a covered ferry.

Logistics: Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m., Swansboro. $20. More info at 252.393.8185 or here.

Sunday forecast: High of 74, mostly sunny skies.

Piedmont

The Piedmont hiking season will soon draw to a close: somehow, warm, muggy summer weather fails to inspire a soul to hike a cobweb-crossed trail.

But this weekend, the weatherpeople have given us a reprieve: a cold front arriving shortly will drop weekend temperatures into the mid-70s under sunny skies — perfect weather, in our opinion, for a hike. A long hike. Which is what GetHiking! Triangle has planned for Sunday: as part of its ongoing celebration of Mountains-to-Sea Trail Month, the group will hike a 15-mile stretch of the MST along Falls Lake, from NC 50 west to Santee Road. (Shorter options of 7 and 11 miles are available).

Added attraction: Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Executive Director Kate Dixon joins the group to answer any question you may have about the MST and its march to become an 1,150-mile statewide trail, linking Clingman’s Dome on the Tennessee line with Jockey’s Ridge at the coast.

Logistics: Sunday, May 18, 7 a.m., Santee Road Access. For more information and to register, visit GetHiking! Triangle.

Sunday forecast: High of 75, mostly sunny skies.

Mountains

Mountain rides can be intimidating, in part because most are centuries that offer, as an “easy” option, a metric century. Sixty-two miles in the take-no-prisoners Appalachians may be easier than 100, but still a heck of a challenge, especially for those of us residing in the more casually undulating terrain of the Piedmont and coastal plain.

That’s one reason we recommend Saturday’s Joyride out of Carrier Park in Asheville. Yes, it’s got a monster 77-mile route and a slightly less monstrous 50-mile version. But for those of us yet to get our climbing legs under us, it also has a civil 25-mile option. (There’s also a much shorter Fun Ride for kids.)

The other reason we recommend it is the cause it supports. For that, we refer you to Karen Chavez, outdoors editor of the Asheville Citizen-Times, who covered the ride in yesterday’s paper. Read Karen’s story here.

Logistics: Saturday, May 17,  1 p.m., Carrier Park, Asheville. $5.15 for the Fun Ride, $51.50 for the longer rides (Karen’s story explains the curious pricing structure). More info: rdudasik@ymcawnc.org, 828.210.9607 or 828.210.9622, or go here.

Saturday forecast: High of 61, 40 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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