Coast

It’s the last trip this season, a leisurely cruise through the marshes adjacent to Hammocks Beach State Park, that is. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than on the water? There’s an undeniable serenity when on the water and if that’s something you haven’t experienced in a while, this Saturday is your chance.

As if an experience on the water needed more, your captain on this trip is there to talk as little or as much as you want about the ecosystems, wildlife and the cultural history of the North Carolina coast.

Logistics: Marsh Cruises for a Cause, Saturday, Nov.19, 1-3 p.m in the evening, Hammocks Beach State Park, $10. Find out more and register here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny skies, high of 72.

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Looking ahead: Biological Wonderland Hike, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m., Carolina Beach State Park. More info here. 

Piedmont 

Bare with me, I read this the other day: “Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation.” Charles Cook eloquently depicts the perspective nature’s beauty brings one when surrounded by it.

Keeping in touch with those roots can be as simple as trekking around Pilot Mountain. Saturday afternoon is the perfect time to be reminded of how much beauty fall brings, while hiking 6 miles and learning about the park’s history. That’s right, along the way your friendly park ranger fills you in on the uniqueness and history of the area and might even be able to give you the names to the trees in for your Facebook/ Instagram photo.

And we all know, people love to give “Likes” for pictures in nature!

Logistics: 100 Mile Challenge- Mountain Trail Hike, Saturday, Nov.19, 1-4 p.m., Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle. More info here. 

Saturday forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 65.

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Looking ahead: Gratitude Hike, Nov. 23, 10:00 a.m., Charlotte. More info here. 

Mountains 

As of midweek, 10 forest forest were burning throughout western North Carolina, consuming more than 44,000 acres. South Mountains and Chimney Rock state parks were both battling fires, while nearly all of the other state parks in the western part of the state are also closed, their personnel dispatched to help battle the South Mountains and Chimney Rock fires. And what isn’t being consumed by fire in the western part of the state is enveloped in smoke, a dangerous smoke that makes breathing a challenge for some.

All of which is to say if you are planning a mountain excursion this weekend, be very cautious about where you go and what you do. Your best bet is to head for the northern mountains, basically Grandfather Mountain (which is open) and north. We suggest you check the calendars listed under the “Mountains” section below to see what activities are still on, and what areas are open.

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

Coast

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