We’re finally in full leaf-out and had our first taste of summertime temperatures. Some thoughts on how you can get out and enjoy.
16th Annual Paddle for the Border, Saturday, 8 a.m., Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills. Picture one of those races where they release hundreds of tiny rubber ducks into a stream. Now, instead of tiny ducks, picture hundreds of paddlers. Crazy, no? That’s the craziness you’ll find this weekend as hundreds of paddlers make their way from the park up the Dismal Swamp Canal to the Virginia border. About a 7.5-mile paddle. Check it out here.read more
Yeah, there’s a little rain in the forecast for the weekend. However:
It’s a forecast, which is essentially an educated guess, which is subject to not being accurate;
There do appear to be some less wet spots in the forecast; and,
Why should that keep us from having a little fun at least planning for the weekend?
That said, here three ideas for getting out and exploring:
B.W. Wells Heritage Day, Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Wake Forest. There’s a cool area of Falls Lake State Recreation Area on the east side of the lake that few people know about: the B.W. Wells area. It’s where B.W. Wells, a botany professor at N.C. State and one of the state’s foremost early ecologists lived and peppered his land with a variety of plant life. The area is usually closed, but is open for touring on Heritage Day. Learn more about B.W. Wells here, learn more about B.W. Wells Heritage Day here.read more
Yeah, it’s still hot. But over the past couple of weeks we’ve had delightful dalliances with low humidity. Low meaning less than 50 percent, but low enough to put a little bounce in your step. This weekend, we hope to help you get the most of that bounce with a suggestion or two on what you can do.
Night Hike Adventure, Saturday, 8:30 p.m. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. Hike at night: that’s something you typically can’t do (legally, at least) in a state park. Saturday is the exception, when a ranger takes you on a tour of the trails atop Mount Jefferson. Sans clouds you’ll see the day’s fading light on some of the Southeast’s most notable peaks. Bring a flashlight for the times you’ll be hiking and not gawking. More into and register here.
Canoe the Mayo, Saturday, 10 a.m. Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. Paddling a river can be a bit of a production even if you have a boat, costly if you don’t. Just one reason we like this periodic paddle trip at Mayo River State Park. The Mayo is a fairly intimate river that’ll you get to spend 4 to 5 hours on (depending upon water levels). Free, put you will need to make your own arrangements to get back to your car at the put-in. More info and register here.
Bike to the Burn, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills. Notice this this is called Bike to the Burn, not Bike ’til you Burn, the key distinction is this won’t be like that spin class you tried at the gym a couple years back. Rather, you’ll pedal with Ranger Joe out to the site of the swamp’s last wildfire (a wildfire in a swamp — that alone is incentive to attend). About 17 miles total, with no one screaming at you to climb out of the saddle and PUSH! No bike, no problem; you can borrow one. More info and register here.
You can also join our GetHiking! group on a pair of hikes this weekend:
=&3=&, Saturday, 9 a.m., Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake. 5 miles. We hike a section of the MST we haven’t hiked in a while, the 5-mile run from Cheek Road east to just past Little Lick Creek. Not as hilly as much of the MST along Falls Lake, and a tight-wire crossing of Little Lick Creek. An easy to moderate hike, depending upon how much you’ve been hiking. More info and register here.
=&4=& Sunday, 10 a.m., Confluence Natural Area, Hillsborough. Earlier this year, the Eno River Association opened the Confluence Natural Area, a 200-acre preserve at the confluence of the East and West branches of the Eno River in Orange County. We’ll hike two mellow miles and get to know this new preserve. More info and register here.
You can find more opportunities this weekend here:
North Carolina State Parks have a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
North Carolina Environmental Education Centers has an extensive calendar of what’s happening at its affiliates; check it out here.
You can also find more adventures right here, at GetGoingNC.com.
And learn more about where we spent last weekend, featured in the video, by visiting the web sites for Little River Regional Park and =&9=&
Walking: what could be more natural (courtesy R. Crumb)
At the coast, we start with a Wellness Walk intended to get you off the couch and moving about. In the mountains, we finish with one of the most taxing events around, the half ironman. And in the Piedmont, pick up a paddle and explore a river you may not know.
Coast
You have to walk before you can, well, run, hike, skip … . Walking leads to a lot of things, which is why we’re recommending Saturday’s Wellness Walk on the Summer Rest Trail in Wilmington. Sponsored by New Hanover County Parks & Gardens, Brian McKeever, Physical Therapist and owner of Lumina Wellness & Physical Therapy, will lead the 1.4-mile walk, which will be at a casual pace. No age restrictions.
Curiously, the hike begins at the trailhead by Port City Chop House.
Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m., Summer Rest Trail, 1981 Eastwood Road, Wilmington. Free. Go here for more information or call 910.798.7622
Saturday forecast: High of 74 at walk time, with a chance of thunderstorms developing later in the day.
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Looking ahead: Too hot to paddle during the day? Then try it at dusk, with the Masonboro Island Sunset Kayak Trip on August 26, departing from the Trails End Park Boat Launch in Wilmington. $35-$45, contact Halyburton Park here or by calling 910.341.0075 to sign up.
Piedmont
Some places you’re comfortable paddling on your own. You know the water, you know the access. Some, however, you feel more comfortable being part of a guided group.
We’re guessing that’s the case with the Mayo River, which you may have heard of, but that’s where your familiarity ends. Saturday, let a Mayo River State Park ranger guide you down a stretch of the river that will start at the public boat access at Old Anglin Mill Loop Road and end at the public boat access on U.S. 220 Business. Expect to be on the water about six hours.
No boat, no problem. Be among the first 11 to register and the park will supply a canoe, paddle and pfd, free of charge.
Logistics: Saturday, Aug.8, 10 a.m., Mayo River State Park. To register and learn more, call 336.427.2530.
Looking ahead: Start next weekend early with a Sunset Canoe Trip Friday evening (Aug. 14) at Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville. $5 per person, $10 per canoe. For more info: 919.460.3390
Mountains
This weekend is the Lake Logan Multisport Festival, which means …
Not up for the full half iron triathlon (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, 13.1-mile run)? Then check out the international tri (1,500-meter swim, 24-mile bike ride, 6.2-mile run). Or perhaps the sprint (500-meter swim, 12-mile bike ride, 3.1-mile run). They make it hard to say, “I can’t.”
The half tri is Saturday, the international and sprint are Sunday.
Logistics: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and 9, Lake Logan Episcopal Center. Find all your pertinent registration and race information here.
Looking ahead: The Blue Ridge Breakaway, starting from the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, rides of 106, 76, 50.8 and 25 miles, Aug. 15. More info here.
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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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday forecast: High of 82, 50 percent chance of rain in the afternoon.
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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.
