Today’s 90-Second Escape: Exploring Hampton Roads

Ever look at a map and say, “I wonder what you can do there?” And then decided to find out?
That’s not exactly how my trip to the Hampton Roads region of southeast Virginia unfolded; my visit was work-related, albeit work that required me to get out and explore. A pretty fun place, as it turns out.

Here’s a 90 Second peek into where and how can actively amuse yourself in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News-Hampton-Suffolk-Chesapeake area. I’ll report more in the weeks ahead.

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Coast

Volleyball used to be the thing to do at the beach. And people still play volleyball, it’s just been supplanted as the thing to do. The new the?

Standup paddleboarding (or SUP, as those in the know call it).

The place to do the thing this weekend: the Carolina Beach Yacht Basin and Marina, site of Saturday’s Carolina Beach SUP Challenge. Both a three-mile race and a one-mile family fun challenge, both benefitting Ocean Cure.

Logistics: Saturday, Sept. 5, Carolina Beach Yacht Basin and Marina, Carolina Beach. 919.539.3490, sandy_mitofsky@yahoo.com for more information.

Saturday forecast: High of 83, chance of thunderstorms.

Piedmont

The heat lingers, the desire to be active diminishes. Must we wait for the revitalizing dry breezes of autumn for motivation to move?

No. Not when you can take a kayak tour on the cool waters of Mountain Island Lake in Huntersville. This guided paddle includes all pertinent equipment — kayaks, paddles, pfds — you bring the appropriate clothes, sunscreen, water and snacks. Easy, no?

Logistics: Saturday, Sept. 6, 1 p.m., Mountain Island Lake, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, Huntersville. $15 per boat, $20 for a tandem. Ages 6 and up. More info: 704.875.2312.

Saturday forecast: High of 90, chance of thunderstorms. 704.875-2312

Mountains

Sunday, the Carolina Mountain Club leads a past-into-present hike along the Appalachian Trail straddling the North Carolina/Tennessee line.

This trek begins from Jones Meadow and follows the original path of the Appalachian Trail north past Blackstack Cliffs. On the return, the hike will follow the current AT path, completed by the Carolina Mountain Club in 2003. Lunch at Jerry’s Cabin. Total distance: 7 miles.

Logistics: Sunday, Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m. For more info contact hike leader Lenny Bernstein at 828.450.1325, lennybernstein41@gmail.com.

Sunday forecast: High of 75, chance of thunderstorms.

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

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The post This weekend: Laboring on appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

Standup paddleboarding: you’ve been thinking about it, but for whatever reason you’ve yet to give it a try. I don’t know where to rent a board, I don’t have anyone to teach me how, I don’t know the good places to go.

If any/all of those excuses sound familiar, then head to Wrightsville Beach early Saturday and take part in Survivor SUP: Paddle Boot Camp. Offered by Wrightsville Stand Up Paddle Board Co. and Shore fitness, the two-hour clinic includes equipment, instruction, a workout and “island experience.” Beginners welcome.

Logistics: Saturday, July 12, 6:30-8:30 a.m., Wrightsville Beach. More info and to sign up: 910.777.4979 or jkraz00@gmail.com.

Saturday forecast: High of 84, chance of thunderstorms.

Piedmont

When it’s 90 in the Piedmont, our outdoor thoughts tend to change from land to sea — or at lease a local lake or river. A local lake, Lake Wylie, is where our thoughts are turning this weekend, when the McDowell Nature Preserve is sponsoring a Family Kayak Tour.

The two-hour trip on this lake bordering the Carolinas includes instruction and equipment, and includes views of Copperhead Island and Buster Boyd Bridge.

Logistics: Saturday, July 12, 9:30 a.m., Waterfront Deck Programming Area, McDowell Nature Preserve, Charlotte. $15 for a single, $20 for a tandem, ages 5 and up (ages 5-9 must share a tandem with an adult). More info and to sign up, go here.

Saturday forecast: High of 90, sunny.

Mountains

To beat the summer heat in the South, you have to get high — elevationwise, of course. The Carolina Mountain Club will help you do just that Sunday on a 7.5-mile hike in the Sam Knob area of the Pisgah National Forest. All of the hike is above 5,000 feet, topping out on 6,214-foot Black Balsam.

In addition to cool temperatures, there are open meadows, mountaintop views and passage through balsam woods. A great hike on all fronts.

Logistics: Sunday, July 13, 10 a.m., Black Balsam Access off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest. Space is limited; to sign up call 828.606.1490 or email jqs290@gmail.com.

Sunday forecast: High of 84, chance of rain.

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

The post This weekend: Cool fun on the water, on the mountain appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Two reasons to get out this weekend: Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day, Sunday is Father’s Day. And lots of options for observing both!

Coast

You’re 4 years old and a little short on cash. Still, you want to show dad a good time on his day, Sunday, Father’s Day. What to do, what to do … .

If you live in the vicinity of Wrightsville Beach, you can take dad to the Blockade Runner, where from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday all board rentals are free to certified dads (“father” to a Lab or Golden does not count). You’ve heard dad pining about wanting to ride the waves like Hawaiian royalty? Now’s the time to give him his shot. And if you can scrounge $3 in change, you can buy him a discount taco, too.

Logistics: Sunday, June 15, noon-3 p.m., Blockade Runner Beach Resort, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 82, change of thunderstorms.

Piedmont

Psst! Looking for a good paddle that not many folks know about? Saturday, the Piedmont Land Conservancy is sponsoring paddle suitable for beginners on the upper Haw River. The paddle begins at the Grove Winery and meanders about five miles downstream. A two- to three-hour trip, depending upon water levels and how many questions are asked about this intimate stretch of the Haw. Return to the winery put-in for a wine tasting.

Don’t have a boat? Don’t have a problem: call the PLC (see below) and they can hook you up.

Logistics: Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. Grove Winery on the Haw River (here for directions). Call the Piedmont Land Conservancy to sign up: 336.691.0088

Saturday forecast: High of 85, mostly sunny.

Mountains

Not that you need one, but if you’re looking for a fun reason to visit Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet the highest peak east of South Dakota’s Black Hills, how about a scavenger hunt?

Saturday, Mount Mitchell State Park celebrates National Get Outdoors Day with a scavenger hunt. Stop by the mountain-top concession stand between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and pick up your list of things to find. When you’ve found them, return to the concession stand for verification and a Moon Pie (you’ll need to pony up for the MP). What you win is part of the mystery. A good way to explore a terrain unlike any other in the region.

Logistics: Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mount Mitchell State Park. More info on the park here.

Sunday forecast: High of 78, mostly sunny.

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

The post This weekend: National Get Outdoors with Fathers Day appeared first on GetGoing NC!.