Mayo Park Archives - GetGoing NC!

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.

* * *

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

The post This weekend: Wings, wheels, fall foliage appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This weekend: Paddle for glory, hike for color

JoeMiller — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 15:24:23 +0000

Fall revs up in the high country with increasing color while paddling opportunities linger in the Piedmont.

Chimney Rock in fall. Photo by Chuck Hall

Coast

We venture into the wild for various reasons. One of those reasons: to learn about, and see new things. A visit to Lake Waccamaw State Park offers some especially interesting learning opportunities. For instance, the park’s website informs us: “Lake Waccamaw’s water quality contributes to an interesting mix of animal life in the park. Several species are found only in or around the lake and nowhere else on Earth. These species are known as endemics.” Among those endemics: Waccamaw darter, Waccamaw silverside, Waccamaw killifish, Waccamaw spike and the Waccamaw fatmucket.

How many opportunities do you get to experience a fatmucket? At least one, on Saturday’s Afternoon Paddle: Big Creek Adventure. Start on the creek, wind up in Lake Waccamaw, a Carolina bay, with lots of the unusual to see on the way.

Logistics: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2 p.m. Free. More info on the park here.

Saturday forecast: High of 77, mostly cloudy.

Piedmont

5Ks are a dime a dozen (closer to $35 a dozen, if you’re going by the entrance fee). But canoe and kayak races? And Saturday’s Fall Canoe and Kayak Race at Mayo Lake in Person County on Saturday isn’t just a race: you can race a canoe, you can race a kayak, you can race a technical course, you can race a linear course and you can race in your age group. That’s a whole lot of racing, especially for the modest $15 entrance fee.

Logistics: Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m., Mayo Lake in Person County. Learn more about the race and find out where Mayo Lake might be, here.

Saturday forecast: High of 70, overcast.

Mountains

All hail the Waccamaw fatmucket (only at Lakw Waccamaw). Photo Courtesy N.C. State Parks.

The mountains are getting lit early this fall, with a blaze of red, yellows, oranges and hues in between. The report from Chimney Rock is especially enticing: “Splashes of red are appearing in the dogwood and sourwood trees, along with yellows in the poplars,” reports Chimney Rock Park. But wait, there’s more: “This is a very good wildflower season for goldenrod, snakeroot, Wingstem and a variety of asters. Brown-eyed Susans and sunflowers are also blooming, with some Pink Turtlehead remaining.”

Enjoy the show on your own on the park’s trail system, or tap into the 11 a.m. naturalist-led hike that will be occurring every Saturday through October, commencing from the Meadows area.

Logistics: Every Saturday at 11 a.m., Chimney Rock Park in Chimney Rock. Admission to the park is $12 for adults, $6 for 5- to 15-year-olds, and free for the 4 and under set. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 75, trending from clear to partly cloudy.

photo by Chuck Hill

* * *

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.

* * *

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The post This weekend: Paddle for glory, hike for color appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This weekend: Learn to surf, a 5K trail run, scratching Grandfather’s spine

JoeMiller — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:00:16 +0000

At the coast, fulfill a lifelong dream (learn to surf), in the Piedmont run a rare 5K trail run, in the mountains, take a guided hike atop Grandfather Mountain.

Coast

Looking for a summer challenge? Learn to surf. Carolina Surf School offers “Public Group Surfing Lessons” twice a day at Wrightsville Beach, mornings from 8-10 a.m. afternoons from 4-6 p.m. “Learn surf board positioning, paddling, safety, etiquette and how to stand up and fall properly.” Falling with style — isn’t that what it’s all about?

Logistics: $75, register 24 hours in advance, by calling 910 256.7873 going here.

Weekend forecast: Highs both Saturday and Sunday of 77, 40 percent chance of rain Saturday, 20 percent Sunday.

Piedmont

Many are the 5Ks, few are the 5Ks run in trail. But there’s one Saturday at Mayo Park in Person County north of Durham. The Sappony 5K Trail Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run begins at the environmental and education center, meanders through the forest, heads down to the lake, then finishes at the amphitheater near the start. Chip timing!

Logistics: Registration begins at 7 a.m., 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m., the 5K at 9 a.m. $15 for the fun run, $30 for the 5K. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 77.

Atop Grandfather Mountain.

Mountains

Grandfather Mountain’s Ridgeline of Diversity Hike on Saturday is a little pricier than we like to go — half price park admission ($4-$9) plus $35, but it sounds well worth the investment. First, it’s an all-day affair, starting at 9 a.m. Second, it’s guided. And third, it’s along the ridgeline of Grandfather Mountain, one of the wildest places in the state. (Thus, the warning that, “This is not for the inexperienced hiker. The trail is very rugged and requires agility and confident footing.”) Great views and the skinny on this unique environment.

Logistics: 9 a.m. Saturday start; 2.4-mile hike, but a rugged one; the aforementioned fee, which will range from $39 to $44. Details here.

Saturday forecast: High of 65 degrees, 20 percent chance of rain.

* * *

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

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The post This weekend: Learn to surf, a 5K trail run, scratching Grandfather’s spine appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

The people I meet

JoeMiller — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:52:40 +0000

Hello, Mayo Park!

One of the main reasons I do what I do is the people I get to meet. Wherever I go, whatever I do, I always meet active people with diverse stories. And I always come away enriched.

Here’s a snapshot, from a “Backpacking North Carolina” presentation I did a couple Saturdays back at the Mayo Park Environmental Education and Community Center in Person County.

Steve. Steve is a scout leader. His Boy Scout Troop from Mebane was in the park for the weekend, camping, fishing, paddling and doing other Scout-type stuff when he a saw a notice for my backpacking presentation. “We’re just getting into backpacking and the kids are really into it,” Steve told me beforehand. And they were, listening intently despite the fact it was 70 degrees and cloudless outside. A perfect day beckoned, yet they were willing to give me an hour of it. From Steve I got a great destination tip not far from the Triangle: Rock Castle Gorge just over the Virginia line.

Kevin. Kevin was also with Scout Troop 43. Kevin, 63, was Special Forces, retired — sorta. “I still jump out of planes and teach hand-to-hand combat,” Kevin told me. And while he still loves to get out in the woods, years of doing it with a 100-pound pack on his back have changed his outdoors approach. “I like my RV,” he told me. From Kevin came the realization that as we age, it’s OK to indulge in a creature comfort or two.

Ben. Ben is exactly who I hope to address through this column and through appearances like the one at Mayo Park. In his youth he’d been an avid backpacker. Alas, as happens to so many of us, he entered the workforce, got consumed by life, sacrificed his fitness. Now, 20 years later he had come hoping to get inspired and pick up where he’d left off so many years earlier. “I guess I’m grieving the loss of my fitness,” he said, not in a dramatic or maudlin way. More like he’d had a realization and was now ready to deal with it. We talked about places nearby to hike, we talked about good, regional backpacking options. We talked about fitness. We talked for about 45 minutes after the presentation had ended and I took it as a good sign when he bought a book.

Ben came looking for inspiration. I hope he got some. I sure did.

The post The people I meet appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

35 places to rent a canoe/kayak in North Carolina

JoeMiller — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:20:00 +0000

Part of the rental fleet at Lake Johnson.

It’s one of the cheapest recreation deals going: for as little as $5 an hour you can captain your own ship on any number of waterways throughout North Carolina. These bargain basement deals are offered at various county, municipal and state parks throughout the state.

We ran a preliminary list of such places in June; today, we offer a significantly more comprehensive listing (though if you notice an omission, let us know and we’ll be sure to plug it in). We’ve broken your options down by geographic region and included only the basic info: venue, type of boats offered and how much a rental will run you. Note that we’ve either included a range of prices or the minimum; boat houses often have complicated rate structures that you can learn more about at the Web sites provided.

Note, too: A deposit is often required, some boat houses take only cash, rentals are usually seasonal and some only rent on weekends. A good idea to call ahead before heading over.

Coast

Emerald Isle

Hot Wax Surf Shop, 252.354.6466
Boats: kayaks
Rates: $35 for five hours, $55 full day.

North Topsail Beach

Adrenaline Rush, (910) 934-3422
Boats: canoes, kayaks
Rates: Call.

Onshore Surf Shop, 910-328-2232
Boats: kayaks, standup paddleboards (surfboards, bodyboards, bikes)
Rates: $40 for four hours, $75 full day.

Oak Island

Oak Island Recreation Center, 910-278-5518
Boats: kayaks, canoes.
Rates: $15-$21 for four hours.

Swansboro

Barrier Island Kayaks, 252.393.6457.
Boats: various kayaks, standup paddleboards
Rates: $30 for two hours to $70 a day

Second Wind Tours, 910.325.3600
Boats: various kayaks, standup paddleboats, bikes
Rates: $25 half day (kayaks), $20 half day (bikes)

Salty Dog Kayak Rentals & Tours, 910.338.1541 or 252.515.1181
Boats: various kayaks
Rates: $15 for one hour to $55 a day

Coastal plain

Elizabethtown

Jones Lake State Park, 910.588.4550
Boats: canoes
Rates: $5 an hour

Gatesville

Merchants Millpond State Park, 252.357.1191
Boats: canoes
Rates: $5 an hour

Seven Springs

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, 919.778.6234
Boats: canoes
Rates: $5 an hour

South Mills

Dismal Swamp State Park, 252.771.6593
Boats: canoes, kayaks
Rates: $5 an hour

Piedmont

Albemarle

Morrow Mountain State Park, 704.982.4402
Boats: canoes, rowboats
Rates: $5 an hour

Person County
Mayo Park, 336.597.7806
Boats: canoe, kayak.
Rates: $10 for four hours

Charlotte area

Charlotte

U.S. National Whitewater Center, 704.391.3900
Boats: various kayaks, whitewater park
Rates: See Web site for rate structure

Kings Mountain

Crowders Mountain State Park, 704.853.5375
Boats: canoes
Rates: $5 an hour

Troutman

Lake Norman State Park, 704.528.6350
Boats: canoes
Rates: $5

Triad

Brown Summit

Lake Townsend Watershed Park , 336.373.3694

Boats: rowboats, kayaks, sailboats
Rates: $10

Danbury

Hanging Rock State Park, 336.593.8480
Boats: rowboats, canoes
Rates: $5 an hour

Greensboro

Lake Brandt Watershed Park, 336.373.3741
Boats: rowboats, kayaks, sailboats
Rates: $10

Summerfield

Lake Higgins Watershed Park , 336.373.3739
Boats: rowboats, kayaks, sailboats
Rates: $10

Winston-Salem

Salem Lake Park , 336.727.8000

Boats: canoes
Rates: $4 an hour Note: Call before heading out; dam construction may affect boat rentals

Triangle

Cary

Fred G. Bond Metro Park, 919.469.4100
Boats: canoes, kayaks, sailboats, rowboats
Rates: $5 per hour.

Durham

Lake Michie (919.477.3906) and Little River Lake (919.477.7889)
Boats: canoes, “flat-bottom boats”
Rates: $6 for six hours (Durham residents, higher for non-residents).

Holly Springs

Bass Lake Park, 919.557.2496
Boats: canoes, rowboats
Rates: $5 an hour

Morrisville

Lake Crabtree County Park , 919.460.3390
Boats: canoes, kayaks, sailboats, rowboats
Rates: rowboats $5 an hour, canoes & kayaks $7 an hour, sailboats $10 an hour

Orange County

University Lake, 919.942.8007

Boats: canoes
Rates: call

Cane Creek Reservoir, 919.942.5790
Boats: canoes
Rates: call

Raleigh

Lake Johnson, 919.233-.2121
Boats: canoes, kayaks
Rates: $5 an hour

Lake Wheeler, 919.662.5704
Boats: canoes, kayaks
Rates: $5 an hour

Paddle Creek,919.866.1954

Boats: canoes, kayaks

Rates: $45-$55 per day

Saxapahaw

Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co., 336.260-6465