Coast

Action is often the result of inspiration. Look at all the people who got into cycling because of Lance Armstrong’s success, albeit ill-begotten, in the Tour de France. Or the number of folks who flood the local state park on that first fall-like weekend of September. Or the spike in fly fishing after “A River Runs Through It.” Sometimes, watching leads to doing.

Thus, our recommendation for this weekend’s O’Neill/Sweetwater Pro-Am Surf Fest at Wrightsville Beach. It’s an especially good option if you’ve never surfed but are intrigued by the notion. Show up, watch top amateurs and professionals, get inspired, take a lesson (offered through local surf shops and the Wrightsville Beach Parks & Rec. And if you are a surfer, a rare opportunity to compete.

Logistics: Friday-Sunday, July 12-14, Wrightsville Beach. Free to spectate. More info here, or call 910.256.3821

Weekend forecast: Highs in the low 80s, 40 percent to 60 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

Some people scoff at the notion of hiking to the top of Crowder’s Mountain (not you, of course, others). But run to the summit!?

That’s the gist of Saturday’s Hot Top 10K, part of the Mountain Goat Trail Race Series. The Hot Top starts at the Linwood entrance to Crowder’s Mountain State Park and peaks out atop the park’s 1,625-foot namesake summit, which rises 800 feet above the surrounding countryside. There’s some singletrack, some doubletrack and 336 stairs.

Logistics: Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. $45 by July 11. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 81, 30 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

Not a runner, but also interested in a hot event? How about Saturday’s Hot Doggett Challenge, one of the high country’s stellar century rides. The Hot Doggett starts at Mars Hill College and takes in scenic Madison County.

Interested, but not interested in a full 100 miles of mountain scenery and the 9,600 feet of cumulative climbing? Then check out the Devil’s Fork Metric, which offers options of 68 (a still sizable climb of 6,500 feet), 50 and 25 miles. If you’ve done the ride before and don’t like repeating the same course, then you should still consider the Hot Doggett: heavy rains of late have washed out portions of the traditional course, necessitating some rerouting.

Logistics: Saturday, July 13, 7:30 a.m. for the Hot Doggett, 8 a.m, for the Devil’s Fork. $45 by Thursday, July 13, $50 race day. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 79, 30 percent chance of rain.

* * *

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

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GetGoingNC.com

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The post This weekend: Hot with fun appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Surf while you can, don’t pass up a good shower, and there’s a trail run in the mountains — somewhere.

Coast

A regret that needles at me seven years after the fact: Standing on a pier in Kaanapali on Maui watching a beginner surf lesson and not ponying up the $25 or whatever to take the lesson myself. I can still see people far less athletic than I bounding atop the long, spongy beginner boards and riding two-foot swells that went on forever. Looks like fun, I kept telling myself. That bit of melancholy leads to today’s weekend suggestion for the coast …

… Public Group Surfing Lessons, offered daily from 8-10 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach. “Learn surf board positioning, paddling, safety, etiquette and how to stand up and fall properly,” says clinic offerer Carolina Surf School. It’s a little pricey, at $75, but beats sitting in an office on a Wednesday seven years from now saying, “Looked like fun … .”

Logistics: Offered daily 8-10 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., must call 24 hours in advance to reserve a spot: 910.256.7873. More here as well.

Weekend forecast: High of 88 both days, overcast with chance of rain.

Piedmont

One thing I haven’t regretted: Throwing my kayak on top of my car one frigid November evening in the mid 1990s and heading out to Falls Lake for a midnight showing of the Leonid meteor shower. OK, so it was cloudy and we didn’t get to see a whole lot — but being out on a lake in the middle of the night in winter!? Awesome.

Saturday, the folks at Raven Rock State Park have something similar in mind — minus the freezing temperatures and the boat. They’re be gathering at 8 p.m. near the visitor center for a short presentation on basic astronomy, then it’s lights out to enjoy the August Perseids meteor shower. The park program lasts until 10 p.m., the shower runs later.

Logistics: Saturday, August 11, 8-10 p.m. Free. Directions to the park here. Note: May be canceled due to inclement weather

Saturday evening forecast: Partly cloudy with a chance of rain, low of 68.

Mountains

We love a trail race with some mystery, which would describe Saturday’s Daniel Boone Scramble 15K Trail Run. This much is divulged: the race starts and ends at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp, a k a the winter entrance to the Shining Rock Wilderness. As for where the race actually goes, the registration site says this: “Beautiful and challenging run in the shadow of Cold Mountain and Art Loeb trail.” A request for a course map on the race’s Facebook page was met with this comment by race organizers: “We are putting one together. It’s kind of difficult being that some of the trails do not show up on USGS maps. One will be made soon!” That was on June 15.

So, will the course go up 3,000-plus vertical feet in three miles on the Art Loeb to Cold Mountain? Show up and find out!

Logistics: $30 if you sign up online here, $35 race day. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., the race at 9 a.m. Directions here.

Saturday forecast: Overcast early, high of 73.

* * *

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.

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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GetGoingNC.com

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The post This weekend: No regrets, get out! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

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.

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.

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.

* * *
Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

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

Coast

Technically, the summer beach season ends Labor Day. At least that’s what the masses think. In fact, with the masses thinking that and the water temperature still summer-friendly (84.2 degrees as of this afternoon at Wrightsville Beach) it’s hard to imagine a better time to hit the coast: All you need is a reason. Saturday’s 9th Annual Longboard Classic, perhaps? You don’t actually need to compete on your Supertanker (12-feet plus in length), one of 11 categories of competition, you just come on out to the north end of Wrightsville Beach (Beach Access #4), wear your suit, wade in and enjoy the action. The action begins at 8:30 a.m.

More info: 910.616.9675 or visit the Wrightsville Beach Longboard Association.

Piedmont

Rare is the event that offers a walk for folks who don’t like to ride (or visa versa). Such an event is Saturday’s 8th Annual Nicki’s Ride & Walk, a mile-long walk for the walkers, rides of 25 and 50 miles for the bikers. Rides begin at 9:30 from Greensboro’s Bur-Mil Park, the walk is a do-it-yourself kind of event. There’s no official fee — but if you donate $30 you’ll get a T-shirt (while supplies last). That $30, btw, goes to CureSearch, part of the National Children’s Cancer Foundation.

More info: Visit the Nicki’s Ride Web site.

Mountains

Sunday is ECO Whitewater Day in Saluda, benefitting the Environmental and Conservation Organization in Hendersonville and its water quality monitoring program. What that means for you: A chance to do one of three paddle trips. For the more adventurous, there’s the Upper Green River Rush (you must be 12 or older), which takes on a particularly cantankerous stretch of the Upper Green, and there are two more mellow trips on the Lower Green. Cost ranges from $35 to $65 depending on the trip you take. Lunch is included.

More info: Call ECO at 252.692.0385 or visit the ECO Web site.

* * *

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.

Know of a good outdoors calendar we should include? Pass it along and we’ll plug it in.

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.

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 Weekend plans? Surf’s up (and that’s not all) appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

Two weeks ago we suggested you check out the 6th Annual Reef/Sweetwater Pro-Am Surf Fest at Wrightsville Beach. If you did, we’re guessing you were intrigued by the thought of riding the waves on a long board. Intrigued, but perhaps at a loss as to how to take the first step toward participating in 7th Annual Reef/Sweetwater Pro-Am Surf Fest. Step 1: Enroll in surf camp, specifically the “Get Stoked Surf Camp” offered by Hot Wax Surf Shop in Emerald Isle. The 2-hour class begins at 8 a.m. and includes surfboard rental; all you need to bring are some cool surfing shorts (and water and sunscreen and a rash guard). $70.

Call 252.354.6466 or go here for more info.

Piedmont

It’s supposed to be cooler this weekend, but even in the low 90s you’re not inclined to head out into the mid-day heat. So don’t. Instead, wait until 8 p.m. and take a night hike with a ranger at Eno River State Park in Durham. The forest is a cool place after dark as a whole new contingent of surprisingly vocal wildlife emerges. Your ranger guide can help identify who’s who in this critter cacophony. The hike begins Saturday at 8 p.m. from the main park office. It’s free but participation is limited to 12; preregister by calling 919.383.1686.

More on the park here.

Mountains

Another way to escape the heat is to head to the mountains. If you’ve got kids, grab ‘em and head up Saturday to the Summer Hoot’Nanny at Beech Mountain (at 5,506 feet it’s bound to be noticeably cooler). Live music from the Corklickers, a wildlife gameshow for kids ages 6-15, a petting zoo, birdhouse-building tent, wildlife demonstrations, face painting, door prizes, raffle, food — there’s plenty to keep you occupied. (And if not, there’s nearby hiking and you can explore neighboring Beech Mountain Resort where there’s summer mountain boarding.)  The festival runs from noon-5 p.m., tickets are $5 for kids, $10 for adults, with proceeds benefiting the Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary in Beech Mountain.

More info: 828.387.2979 or visit the Genesis Web site.

* * *
Those are our suggestions for the weekend. Find an activity of your own from our a collection of event calendars we’ve culled from around the state. Know of a good outdoors calendar we should include? Pass it along and we’ll plug it in.

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.

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: surf, night hike give a Hoot appeared first on GetGoing NC!.