Coast

Did you miss the chance to jump into an icy pool — the classic polar plunge — on New Year’s Day? Do you feel your year isn’t off until an official start until you’ve had the wake-up call that only baptism in 55-degree water can confer?

If so, head to Kure Beach Saturday for their 11^th Run-N-Plunge at the Kure Beach Pier. Live music by the Prime Time Band, silent auction, costume contest, art, food, and more. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics New Hanover County. And to warm up, there’s also a 5K and 1-mile fun walk. (And yes, the temperature of the Atlantic at Kure Beach is currently 55 degrees.)

Logistics: 11^th Annual Polar Plunge, 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, Saturday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m., Kure Beach Pier. More info and to register, here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny with a high of 60 at plunge time.

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Looking ahead: BNP Trail Jam (3.5-mile, 9-mile and 18-mile races), Saturday, Feb. 18, Brunswick Nature Park, Wilmington. More info here.

Piedmont

Like a little history on your hikes? Then join the Eno River Association this Sunday on its weekly Winter Hike Series. Each week, the hike visits a separate section of the Eno River Valley: this week, it’s the Pump Station Area, home to Durham’s first public drinking water source. Much of the brick structure remains, which makes for some great exploring. Adds the ERA: “Portions of the hike will be off-trail, some sections may be steep, muddy, or on rough terrain. you may want a walking stick, and sturdy shoes are a must.”

The hike will cover about 1.5 miles and last two hours.

Logistics: Eno River Association Winter Hike Series: Pump Station Trail, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m., Eno River State Park, Pump Station Access off Rivermont Road. Learn more here.

Sunday forecast: Mostly sunny, high of 78!

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Looking ahead: Polar Plunge Splash-n-Dash, Saturday, Feb. 18, Randolph-Asheboro YMCA, Asheboro. More info here.

Mountains

Can’t tell an oak from an ironwood in winter. Leaves do make a difference, but so do bark, limb, bud and branching pattern. Learn to read the more subtle signs that identify our trees on a Winter Tree ID Hike Sunday at 1 p.m. At Grandfather Mountain State Park. Specifically, the hike will cover the lower reaches of Grandfather Mountain, departing from the Profile Trail parking lot and stick to the lower reaches of the mountain.

The hike will cover 2 miles and last about two hours.

Logistics: Winter Tree ID Hike, Sunday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m., Grandfather Mountain State Park, Banner Elk. More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 61, chance of rain.

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Looking ahead: National Trails Day Hike to Mt. Craig, Saturday, June 3, 11 a.m., Mount Mitchell State Park. More info here.

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

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

Coast

The post This weekend: Polar Plunge, History Hike, Nature Hike appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

In recognition of the fact many of you have a good deal of flexibility through year’s end (no school, no work), we expand the definition of “weekend” to include the rest of the year. And, in accordance with Mother Nature of late, we expand the definition of winter adventure to include polar plunges where you’re more likely to need suntan lotion and a cold drink than a fleece blanket to warm yourself in.

That said …

Coast

Nature Tour, Bald Head Island. If you’re at the coast for the holidays, this two-hour tour of Bald Head Island is a good bet. Beach, maritime forest, salt marsh and the critters associated with these environments identified and explained by naturalists with the Bald Head Island Conservancy.

Admission includes ferry service and let’s you hang out on the island for the day.

Logistics: Monday, Dec. 28, 9-11 a.m., Bald Head Island. $40. More info and to sign up, here.

Monday forecast: High of 69 and overcast.

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Looking ahead: Polar Plunge, Wrightsville Beach, Jan. 1, 10 a.m. More info here.

Piedmont

Nothing like a good old fashioned forest bathing to —

Forest bathing?

Sure, from the Japanese Shinrin-yoku, “a visit to the forest for relaxation, a chance to stroll through nature and take in the atmosphere for one’s well-being; literally ‘forest bathing’,” according to the folks at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area in Hillsborough, who will host a forest bathing on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Logistics: Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m., Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Hillsborough. More info here.

Sunday forecast: Sunny, high of 75.

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Looking ahead: Polar Plunge, Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m., Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury. More information here.

Mountains

Got visitors in town who’d like a taste of Appalachian hiking? Take ‘em on Sunday’s Carolina Mountain Club hike at Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Asheville. A mellow (for the mountains) 7.5-mile loop that starts at 9 a.m. Afterward, take your visitors into Asheville for exploring of a more urban nature.

Pretty good day, no?

Logistics: Sunday, Dec. 27, 9 a.m., Bent Creek State Experimental Forest, Asheville. Contact the Carolina Mountain Club here, for details and to sign up.

Sunday forecast: Mostly sunny, high of 74.

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Looking ahead: Lake Lure Polar Plunge, noon, Jan. 1, Lake Lure Beach. More info here.

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

The post This weekend: Hot Yuletide Fun appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

It’s another diverse weekend in North Carolina: Take a preseason plunge into the chilly Atlantic, run up a quartzite monadnock, or spy on your feathered friends (in the name of science).

Coast

Here’s a good opportunity to see just how sturdy your cardio is: The 8th Annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge Saturday at Carolina Beach. Picture yourself at the Le Mans-style start, you in your fetching bathing suit making  a mad dash for the 51.3 degree waters of the Atlantic — all in support of Special Olympics. Related festivities — live entertainment, costume contest, auction, food, drawings for prizes — start at 11 a.m., the plunge takes place during the heat of the day, at 3 p.m. (air temperatures around 60 are forecast).

Logistics: The event is at 3 p.m., at the boardwalk in Carolina Beach, Harper Avenue and Cape Fear Boulevard. More info by calling 910.341.5876 or visiting the Web site.

Weekend forecast: Highs near 60.

Piedmont

It’s the Great Backyard Bird Count across the land, an event of citizen science in which regular folks grab their binos and take note of the bird life in their immediate environs. Spend as little as 15 minutes recording the variety and number of birds you see, then report your findings at the GBBC Web site. You can do it by your lonesome or get together for a group count, such as the one Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville. Here, you can pick the brains of accomplished birders, learn about the local bird scene and help science detect trends in local bird populations.

Logistics: The count is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Parkway in Morrisville. More info by calling 919.460.3390 or by going here.

Weekend forecast: High of 55 with a 30 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

Technically, yes, Pilot Mountain is in the Piedmont. But it is a mountain, and frankly there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot shaking in an organized sense in the high country this weekend. Hence, we recommend Saturday’s Pilot Mountain Pay Back. Actually, we don’t recommend this for everyone, only those who are prepared to run a half or full marathon on the trails of Pilot Mountain State Park. Never been to Pilot Mountain? The race involves running on natural surface trail up the pinnacle at left, which rises 1,400 feet from the surrounding countryside. Sound appealing? If so, read on.

Logistics: Races start at 8 a.m. $50 for the marathon, $35 for the half, everyone gets armwarmers! More info by calling 336.462.4124 or by visiting the Web site here.

Weekend forecast: High of 50, 20 percent chance of rain.

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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.

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

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.

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The post This weekend: Plunge, scope, run appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

February: on paper the shortest month, in your mind, the longest. Forced to bridge the gap between dread, post-holiday, dreary cold January and the start of spring in March, February can seem interminable. The best way to escape the February doldrums? Jump into an icy cold Atlantic Ocean.

OK, maybe not icy cold — as of Tuesday the water temperature off Johnny Mercer’s Pier in Wrightsville Beach was 48. But cold enough to get your attention (especially if you go in up to your waist). And that’s what hundreds of hearty souls will do Saturday from 3-3:30 p.m. as part of the Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for New Hanover County Special Olympics. Anticipation starts to build at 11 a.m. when the gates open at Carolina Beach’s boardwalk. Entertainment begins at 11:30 a.m., there’s a costume contest, then at 3 everyone gets to sprint into the Atlantic. Whether you stay in the water until 3:30 is, as far as we can tell, optional. But you’ll earn only partial bragging rights if you don’t go completely under at least one wave.

Taking the plunge isn’t cheap: $30 for “student plungers,” $50 for “adult plungers.” You must sign a rather comprehensive waiver.

Sound good? Follow up here.

Piedmont

Maybe jumping into the frigid Atlantic isn’t your idea of how to enjoy a February weekend? How about a guided hike?

Sunday, from 1:30- 4 p.m., Ken Moore, assistant director emeritus at the N.C. Botanical Garden leads a “Late Winter Walk at Mason Farm — in the Footsteps of John Terres.” Terres, according to the NCBG, was a naturalist who “explored the roads and trails of the Mason Farm Biological Reserve, day and night” from 1961-1968. His treks were the basis for his book, “From Laurel Hill to Siler’s Bog: The Walking Adventures of a Naturalist,” and the hike’s timing “is perfect for taking a closer look at nature in the lingering days of winter and the early awakening days of spring.” $10, $5 for botanic garden members.

From 1961 to 1968, naturalist John Terres explored the roads and trails of the Mason Farm Biological Reserve, day and night. The resulting journal of his adventures, From Laurel Hill to Siler’s Bog: The Walking Adventures of a Naturalist, remains a classic of natural history writing. Join Ken Moore for a nostalgic stroll in the Reserve to note changes and recall some of Terres’s adventures observing local flora and fauna. Late February is perfect for taking a closer look at nature in the lingering days of winter and the early awakening days of spring. Fee: $10 ($5 NCBG members). Inclement weather date: Feb 27

Learn more about Mason Farm Biological Reserve here. Directions here.

Mountains

Another thought on how to kickstart your heart in February: the 19th Annual Park Ridge Health Frostbite 5K, 10K and 1-mile Fun Run/Walk in Hendersonville. The race starts at 2:30 in the afternoon, when the chances for actual frostbite will be lowest. Walk-up registration is $35, a healthy jolt to the system guaranteed.

Specifics here.

* * *

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.

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

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.

The post This weekend: Plunge, hike, run appeared first on GetGoing NC!.