This weekend: Wings, wheels, fall foliage

JoeMiller — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:16:18 +0000

Birding at Pea Island

Wings Over Water is underway at the coast, there’s a family bike ride through the autumnal Piedmont and there’s a chance to view the high country’s peak color from a peak.

Coast

If you’re into nature, and especially the nature of the coast, then drop what you’re doing and head to the Outer Banks region, where the annual Wings Over Water celebration is underway (it started yesterday and runs through Sunday). On tap: guided birding trips, art and photography workshops, tram tours of National Wildlife Refuges, guided kayak and canoe tours, a visit to an ancient maritime forest and more. Programs are scheduled in Dare, Currituck, Tyrrell and Hyde counties.

Logistics: Programs daily, Tuesday, Oct. 22 through Sunday, Oct. 27. Find a full rundown of events here.

Five-day forecast: Mild temperatures in the mid-50s to low 60s, slight chance of rain today and Friday.

Who doesn't love a bike ride in the country? (Where's the helmet, Mr. President?)

Piedmont

Usually we think of taking a hike to enjoy fall color. But on a bike ride, you can see even more. A bike ride such as Saturday’s Mayo Park Family Fitness Bike Ride originating out of Mayo Park in Person County. Two ride options: a 25K and 50K, both of which are supported and take in the largely bike-friendly roads of Person County.

Logistics: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. $25. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 55.

Color cascades down the mountain at Mt. Jefferson.

Mountains

We’re hitting peak season for fall color in the high country, and what better place to take in the show than from atop a peak. At Mount Jefferson State Natural Area you can get a 360-degree view of the action in the northwest corner of the state (and into Virginia and Tennessee). And Sunday, you can take in the color and get a little education to boot on the ranger-led Fall Season Mountain Hike.

Logistics: Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m., Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. More info by calling 336.246.9653. More on the park by going here.

Sunday forecast: Mostly cloudy, high of 55.

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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.

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.

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– See more at: https://getgoingnc.com/2013/10/this-weekend-fall-for-the-outdoors/#sthash.mvvaXsak.dpuf

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This weekend: Wings, wheels, fall foliage