True, the shortest day of the year, in terms of actual daylight, is Dec. 21, when we’re down to just 9 hours, 42 minutes and 59 seconds of daylight. However, this Saturday (Dec. 6), the sun sets at 5:04:52 p.m. (in north central North Carolina). But on Sunday, it goes down a full two-hundredths of a second later, at 5:04:54 p.m. Yup, on Sunday we start seeing more afternoon daylight. OK, maybe you won’t actually see it, but it will be there. You’ll have slightly more luck noticing the difference by Saturday, Dec. 13, when the sun will set at 5:05:49, more than a full second later than this Sunday. 

Granted, you can’t do much with that second — maybe get in an extra step of daylight on the trail. But you can rejoice in the psychological boost of simply knowing the sun is setting later. (For you morning people the sun won’t start rising later until Jan. 7!)

When will we start noticing a later-setting sun? On Jan. 7 it will set at 5:21 p.m. (about 16 minutes later than on Dec. 7), On Feb. 7 it sets at 5:52:47 (about 47 minutes later), and on March 7 at 6:20:27 p.m. (an hour and 15 minutes later). FYI, Daylight Saving Time kicks in on Sunday, March 8: sunset that day will be at 7:21:22). You’ll really notice the difference then.

Need another milestone to get you through winter? Imbolc, the midpoint of winter and a day of celebration in many cultures, is Feb. 1.

For the time being, though, take solace in the fact we will have more afternoon sunlight starting Sunday. Make the most of it.

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Count the seconds

Follow the return of sunlight at sunrise-sunset.org.

The post Dec. 7, and other dates to get you through winter appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

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Coast

Sometimes we head into the wild to free our minds, sometimes our goal is to fill it. Sometimes, you end up doing both.

Saturday sounds like a prime opportunity for the latter at Dismal Swam State Park, where at 2 p.m. they’ll conduct a Winter Scavenger Hunt. First, there’s the notion of tromping around the Great Dismal, one of the wildest areas along the East Coast. As part of the hunt, you’ll learn, on this the most daylight-challenged day of the year, about how critters cope with the dark and cold. A great way to spend the first day of winter.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m., Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills. Dial 252.771.6593 for more info.

Saturday forecast: High of 43, chance of rain.

Piedmont

If you’ve hiked the Cabelands area of Eno River State Park in Durham, you’ve probably wondered what the deal is with the lake. First of all, it’s not a lake: it’s an abandoned quarry — and right away you’re interest is heightened. Quarry? How deep is it? When was it quarried? Where did the quarry’s content wind up? How did it wind up in the park? Any good ghost stories associated with the quarry? (For whatever reason, there’s always some mystery associated with a quarry.) And what about —

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Good questions all, and questions you can get answers to on Saturday’s Eno Quarry History Hike. The hike starts at 11 a.m.; participants are encouraged to: a) dress appropriately, b) bring water and snacks, and c) be 10 or older.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m., Eno River State Park’s Cabelands Access in Durham, on Laurel Ridge Road adjacent to Pleasant Green Road and U.S. 70. 919.383.1686 for more info.

Saturday forecast: High of 38, light rain possible.

Mountains

New to the whole night hike thing? Start short and on non-technical (but natural surface) trail.

Both criteria are met on Sunday’s ECO Winter Solstice Night Hike to Hooker Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Hendersonville. The hike is lead by the nonprofit Environmental and Conservation Organization, which has been doing this Winter Solstice night hike since the late 1990s. The goal: get folks from in front of the TV on a cold winter night and playing an active role in something a lot more interesting. The timing, by the way, is a celebration of longer days to come. The hike is a half mile, roundtrip, on old roadbed. Dress in layers, bring a hot beverage and flashlight.

Logistics: Sunday, Dec. 21, 7-9 p.m., DuPont State Recreational Forest. For more on the hike, go here.

Sunday forecast: Daytime high of 49 dropping to 34 overnight. No mention of precipitation.

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

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