Lumber River Archives - GetGoing NC!

This weekend: H20! H20! H20!

JoeMiller — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 18:46:00 +0000

With the weather expected to remain exceptionally summerlike this weekend, we get out the divining rod to show us the way to sensible adventure. Let’s see where it takes us.

Coast

Photo courtesy baldheadisland.com

At the coast, our rod points to … the marshlands of Bald Head Island, where wet relief is but a paddle-splash (or better still, a capsize!) away. On both Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the BHI Conservancy leads Kayaking the Creeks, a paddle tour exploring and explaining “the beauty and importance of the salt marsh.” If you’ve done this trip before, you haven’t necessarily done this trip: “Each trip offers a unique perspective of BHI and great views of wildlife,” promises the conservancy.

PFDs, paddles, kayaks and guide are provided; you bring a water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, and clothes that can get “muddy and slightly damp.”

Vital Stats: Saturday, July 30, 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 31, 5:30 p.m., Bald Head Island (meet at the Village Creek Access on Federal Road). $55/person for non-members, $40/person for BHI Conservancy members. More info and sign up here.

Saturday forecast: Highs in the low 90s Saturday and Sunday, chance of thunderstorms Sunday.

* * *

Looking ahead: Up and Active, Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m., Kure Beach. More info here.

Piedmont

Normally, when a kayak trip requires that, “All participants must be able to swim,” it can cause alarm. Not the case when the temperature is expected to hit 97. In fact, the prospect that some swimming might be involved is just the thing to lure us to Lumber River State Park for Saturday’s paddle on the Lumber.

The three-hour tour starts art 10 a.m., with guide and appropriate paddling paraphernalia provided (you need only bring sunscreen, drinking water, snack and “any other necessary items”).

Vital Stats: Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lumber River State Park, Chalk Banks Access Area Picnic Area. Free, but space is limited; RSVP at 910.628.4564.

Saturday forecast: High of 97, chance of afternoon thunderstorm.

* * *

Looking ahead: Canoe the Mayo, Mayo River State Park, Mayodan, Saturday, Aug. 27. More info here.

Mountains

Stone Mountain State Park

This also sounds good on a 91-degree summer’s day: “Bring clothes and shoes that you can get wet.”

In this case, that means clothes you can wear wading in a cool mountain stream as a park ranger at Stone Mountain State Park explains the habits and diet of mountain trout. (The very fact these waters support trout indicates these are indeed cool waters that you will be getting your clothes and shoes refreshingly wet.)

Vital Stats: Stream Safari, Saturday, July 30, 2 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park. More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 91, chance of thunderstorms.

* * *

Looking ahead: Centennial Celebration, Mount Mitchell State Park, Aug. 27-28. More info here.

* * *

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

Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.

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.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

The post This weekend: H20! H20! H20! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This weekend: Fun in the parks

JoeMiller — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 21:17:52 +0000

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.

Coast

The Lumber River doesn’t get the attention it deserves for one simple reason: it’s not near any of the state’s major population areas. But time on the river is time well spent (especially in light of the no money spent).

Saturday, Lumber River State Park sponsors a guided canoe trip down the Lumber. It’s a two-hour float, originating from the Chalk Banks Access at 10:30 a.m. All gear — boat, paddles, pfds — are provided; you just need to bring water, snacks and plenty of sunscreen. And although it’s free, you need to reserve space in advance (see below).

Logistics: Saturday, June 21, 10:30 a.m., Lumber River State Park, Lumberton. 910.628.4564.

Saturday forecast: High of 95, chance of thunderstorms.

Jordan Lake, near the Weaver Creek impoundment

Piedmont

Just the other day we were talking about great places to paddle in the Piedmont and the Weaver Creek sub impoundment at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area came up. Main reason it’s better than the rest of Jordan Lake for paddlers? No power boats.

Main reason to paddle it Sunday? Jordan Lake Ranger Steve McMurray is leading canoe trip of the impoundment. Ranger McMurray’s enthusiasm is exceeded only by his knowledge of the area’s natural attributes. A trip with Ranger McMurray is time well spent with a paddle. And if you’ve ever wanted to see a bald eagle in person, paddling with Ranger McMurray usually does the trick.

Logistics: Sunday, 10 a.m., Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Apex. All gear provided and it’s free, but you need to preregister to save a space: 919.362.0586, x-219.

Saturday forecast: High of 87 with a foggy start to the day.

Picturesque Mount Jefferson. Photo courtesy N.C. State Parks

Mountains

Ever admire the work of the great plein air artists and wondered, “How do they do that?”

Sunday’s Painting the Mountain class at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area doesn’t promise to turn you into a Winslow Homer, but it does guarantee an hour of fun with tempera on canvas. And, again, the only investment required is your time.

Logistics: Sunday, June 22, 2 p.m., Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. 336.246.9653 to reserve a spot.

Sunday forecast: High of 76, thunderstorms.

* * *

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

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.

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.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post This weekend: Fun in the parks appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This weekend: Hot times in NC

JoeMiller — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:00:31 +0000

Lumber River

A cool bike ride in the mountains or a leisurely day on the water in the Piedmont and coastal plain: Those are but three of your options this weekend in North Carolina.

Coast

What better place to spend a muggy, 90-degree day than on a river? And not just an hour or two of the day, but at least half of it.

That’s the plan at Lumber River State Park Saturday as they celebrate Lumber River Day with: “Canoe rides, canoe races, display booths, exhibits, fancy dancers, ol’ timey tractor parade, display of historic tractors, dulcimer lessons, blue grass music, Native American dancing and drumming, local artists at work, horseshoes, kids wet t-shirt races, kids fishing contest, casting contest, face painting, free prizes, giveaways, and more.” More?

Logistics: Saturday, July 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. More info: 910.628.4564 or here.

Saturday forecast: High of 90, 40 percent chance of afternoon rain.

Mayo River

Piedmont

Most park-sponsored, guided canoe trips are short. An hour, maybe two and that’s it. Saturday, though, is a different story on the Mayo River. They’ll be putting in at 10 a.m. and taking out sometime around 4 p.m. — six hours on a river you may not have paddled. Advises the sponsoring Mayo River State Park: prepare to wade, prepare to get wet.

Logistics: Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. Free, all equipment provided. More info by calling 336.427.2530 or going here.

Saturday forecast: High of 88, afternoon chance of thunderstorm.

Fresh food + a bike ride = a pretty darn good way to spend a Saturday.

Mountains

This month’s Cycle to Farm ride in the high country originates in Black Mountain and begins with free locally roasted coffee courtesy Dynamite Coffee. That after three free yoga and stretching. Such a civil way to begin a ride.

Alas, the metric century is sold out but you can still get in on the 15-mile ride that hangs close to Black Mountain. Not a bad thing because that way you’ll get back to that free coffee all the sooner, not to mention the post-ride party featuring a locally sourced and produced meal of pizza, pasta, side dishes and desserts. Live entertainment, too. And, a musette bag full of “various goodies” from local sponsors.

Logistics: Saturday, July 20. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 82, 50 percent chance of rain in the afternoon.

* * *

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

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.

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.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post This weekend: Hot times in NC appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This weekend: Paddle, Party for a Cause, Hike the Parkway

JoeMiller — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 13:54:44 +0000

A far-out Festival for the Eno

You can’t escape the heat and humidity, but you can work with it. Paddling on the Lumber River, for instance. Or playing and partying at the Triangle’s biggest outdoor festival. Or taking a high country hike with a National Park Service ranger.

Coast

Looking to escape the heat and humidity? Well, good luck in this part of the world this weekend. While we can’t guarantee escape from the weather we can offer at least a respite on Saturday’s paddle on the Lumber River. Led by rangers at Lumber River State Park, this afternoon float at least gets you on the water and moving, which beats on the ground and sweltering.

Logistics: Saturday, July 6, 1:30 p.m. Free, but preregistration required, by calling 910.628.4564. Note: recent rains have elevated the Lumber to flood stage; double check at the number listed to make sure high waters haven’t scuttled the trip.

Saturday forecast: High of 88, 20 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

The only thing better than an outdoor outing is an outdoor outing paired with something festive — live music, say. And food vendors, and arts and crafts and opportunities to learn about the natural world.

The peaceful (when it's not flooding) Lumber River. Photo courtesy North Carolina Division of State Parks.

You’ve got all those things rolled into one Saturday at the annual Festival for the Eno at Eno River city park in Durham. The two-day festival (it began on July 4th, skips today, resumes Saturday) offers hiking, canoe and kayak rentals, opportunities to frolic in the Eno and the aforementioned live music, food, crafts and assorted other fun. Proceeds aid the Eno River Association in its effort to preserve land along the Eno.

Logistics: Saturday, July 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $15 More info here.

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

Mountains

Kudos to the National Park Service: Despite a drastic 5 percent budget cut in March, on top of an already tight budget, the NPS is resuming its seasonal ranger-led hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The NPS initiated the weekly hikes four or five years ago, supervisory park ranger Michele Maertens told the Asheville Citizen-Times, though the recent 5 percent chop means they’ll probably have to cut back to one hike a month.

Treail near Craven Gap, on the Blue Ridge Parkway portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

This season’s hike series begins Friday, with a two-mile hike from Craven Gap, just north of the Folk Art Center northeast of Asheville. There’s a 500-foot elevation gain on the hike, which should feature a good display of summer wildflowers.

Logistics: Friday, July 5, 10 a.m. from the the Craven Gap parking area at MP 377.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Free. More info by calling 828.298.5330, ext. 304.

Friday forecast: High of 73, 70 percent chance of rain.

* * *

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

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.

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.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post This weekend: Paddle, Party for a Cause, Hike the Parkway appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This weekend is a fall classic

JoeMiller — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:15:59 +0000

Abbey Nature Preserve (photo courtesy N.C. Coastal Land Trust)

A 5K through an old plantation at the coast, a paddle on a Piedmont river, a waterfall hike through the Pisgah National Forest. A weekend doesn’t get much more North Carolina than that.

Coast

Chances are you aren’t familiar with the Abbey Nature Preserve just north of Wilmington. Chances are you don’t know that in addition to the preserve, there’s the historic Poplar Grove Plantation and a museum documenting the Foy family’s nearly two centuries of farming on the land. And chances are you didn’t know that Saturday is a great day to explore the grounds as part of the Abbey Nature Preserve Autumn 5K. Run through Cedar forests, on trail beneath a leafy canopy, past a scenic pond and across a wooden footbridge.

Logistics: 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 22. $30, with proceeds benefiting the non-profit Poplar Grove Plantation.

Saturday forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 82.

Lumber River (photo courtesy N.C. Division of State Parks)

Piedmont

Keep meaning to paddle the Lumber River, keep looking for a good excuse. Such as Saturday’s Kayak and Canoe Paddle on the Lumber River sponsored by the River Way Adventure and Education Center, a non-profit based in Lumberton. This five-hour paddle on the Lumber includes guide and all the equipment; you just need to bring yourself, water and lunch.

Logistics: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-3 pm. $10. Meet at River Way’s office, 600 Kingsdale Blvd., Lumberton. Pre-register by calling 910.736.5573.

Saturday forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 84.

Falls along Avery Creek (photo by Brenda J. Wiley, www.brendajwiley.com)

Mountains

A favorite area in the mountains is the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. A great campground (Davidson River) provides a great basecamp for for hiking, biking, paddling and general exploring in the region. Sometimes, though, it’s nice to have a little company, someone who knows his or her way around and can provide a proper introduction to the land. You can get that introduction Saturday on a 4-mile roundtrip hike along Avery Creek. Good vegetation and three waterfalls make this, according to the sponsoring Sierra Club of Western North Carolina, an ideal hike for families.

Logistics: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. (meeting in Asheville to carpool); free, but call or email to register and to get directions: janelaping@sbcglobal.net, 828.772.0379.

Saturday forecast: Clear, high of 75.

* * *

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.

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.

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.

* * *
Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post This weekend is a fall classic appeared first on GetGoing NC!.