Great Outdoor Blog

Issue: Parking at Old Reedy Creek Rd. MAP IT

There are a lot of people currently parking on Old Reedy Creek Rd. to access Rocky Rd. , Umstead Park , the Black Creek Greenway and Lake Crabtree . The NCDOT plans to pave that road at some point in the future of which the plans are to prohibit parking along the side of the road once it is paved like they have done at Reedy Creek Rd. on the other side of Umstead State Park heading towards the NC Museum of Art. There is a solution. There is some land next to lake Crabtree that is owned by the Town of Cary that would be perfect for a parking lot. Wake County and the manager of Lake Crabtree have expressed an interest in partnering and helping manage the facility once open and NCDOT has agreed to use their equipment to grade and pave the parking area when they are paving Old Reedy Creek Rd. The issue before us is getting all the agreements in place for the area to be turned into a parking lot during the paving process and it will take some capital from the Town of Cary even though it’s not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.

The problem is that money is tight and there are a lot of competing interests for funds and if we don’t speak up and let elected officials of Cary know that this parking lot is important, we could find ourselves with no place to park once Old Reedy Creek Rd. is paved. For this reason, it is important if you live in Cary to contact your candidates and elected officials by conversation or by mail and let them know that you use the area and would like them to consider paving the lot next to Lake Crabtree when NCDOT paves Old Reedy Creek Rd. That’s it. Attending a “meet and greet” event or donating a small amount to campaigns are always good and between now and the election, they are all very interested in getting to know their citizens and learning what they want. In fact, there is a Cary Candidate Forum next Wednesday, Sept. 23rd sponsored by WakeUp Wake County for the Cary races at 7:00 at the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church, 200 High meadow Dr. Cary, NC.  Be courteous, respectful and always appreciate them for their service or for running for office, but the secret to politics is being in the right place at the right time saying the right thing to the right person. Miss one of those, and you can be out of luck and now is the time as candidates are listening. Here is a list of the Cary Candidates and any google can find their websites.
http://msweb03.co.wake.nc.us/bordelec/downloads/0MainPage/20091006Candidates.pdf

More information about voting in general can be found at the Board of Elections website:
http://www.wakegov.com/elections/default.htm

Now’s the time for action. Let’s step up and make it happen for better access to Umstead as well as the surrounding recreational facilities now that the time is right.

Respectfully Submitted:

Sig Hutchinson

UNC-TV is presenting Celebration From Central Park on Wednesday, September 23 – a celebration of the new Ken Burns’ documentary series, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. Watch the program live @ the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Downtown Raleigh.

Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased HERE. Space is limited.

Celebration From Central Park is a 90-minute, closed-circuit broadcast that will feature remarks from series co-producers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, clips from the film, and performances by Eric Benet, Gavin DeGraw, Jose Feliciano, Carole King, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Peter Yarrow. This program will be shown at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones St., Raleigh.

Agenda:
7:15 p.m. Door Open – all seating is general admission
8:00 – 9:30 p.m. UNC-TV presentation of Celebration From Central Park

For additional information, please contact Joanne Davis at jdavis@unctv.org or 1-877-407-0004.

Sarah Wilson in the Smokies

Fall is a beautiful time of the year to be outside and catching the peak of our state’s leaf change is a highlight. Howard S. Neufeld, biology professor at Appalachian State University, has been forecasting the leaf change cycle for years. Dr. Neufeld is the North Carolina Division of Tourism’s official “Fall Color Guy” and provides his predictions on autumn glory at http://biology.appstate.edu/fall-colors/fall-color-week-october-9-2011 Dr. Neufeld says,

“There is still plenty of color throughout the mountains which should persist through next weekend. In fact, some areas haven’t yet peaked, and this coming weekend should be their time to show off. This year has been a real guessing game with respect to how brilliant and intense the colors will be, but based on the drive I took on Saturday, I’d say this year’s colors rank 9 on a scale of 10, where 10 is the best it can be. So, if you want to see some great fall foliage, this is the year to do it!”

So to help you plan your trip our staff has the following suggestions where you are sure to find autumn’s blaze of glory.

1) Grandfather Mountain State Park – Check out the colors at their peak!

2) Hanging Rock State Park – Sourwoods and Black Gums are among the first trees to change.

3) Wiseman’s View at Linville Gorge – The Grand Canyon of North Carolina

4) Nantahala National Forest – Be sure to drive along Cherohala Scenic Byway

5) Shining Rock Wilderness Area – The Art Loeb Trail is a great Hike

If you have questions about where and how to reach any of these destinations please Twitter us @TrustyGOPC or contact one of our local shops.

Enjoy this wonderful Fall!

RALEIGH—Children can reconnect with nature and parents can reconnect with their children in North Carolina’s state parks during Take a Child Outside Week Sept. 24-30.

North Carolina State Parks will join environmental education organizations across the globe in presenting special nature programs during the week. Last year, state parks rangers offered over 300 educational programs to reach nearly 10,000 visitors during the weeklong celebration.

State parks will make available exciting Get Outside! kits to families and small groups that prompt do-it-yourself activities to rediscover nature’s wonders. Additionally, the first 50 parents or adult leaders to use the Get Outside! kit with children will receive a gift certificate for a free night camping!

Research has shown that engaging children in nature promotes learning, creativity and healthy lifestyles. Children who learn to play in natural settings are often more physically fit, score higher on test of concentration and often can simply enjoy life more fully.

Take a Child Outside Week originated in 2007 with environmental educators at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and was sparked by the book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv. The book suggests that opportunities for children to explore forests, fields and wetlands are disappearing in favor of afternoons spent playing video games. Now in its third year, the annual celebration has spread across the world with international partners in Canada, the United Kingdom and Belize.

“State parks have always been safe but exciting places for people to rediscover nature, offering miles of trails, free interpretive programs by rangers and nature museums as well as opportunities just to explore independently,” said Lewis Ledford, director of state parks.

For more information about North Carolina state parks and their environmental education programs and events, go to www.ncparks.gov.

Special programs at Triangle area parks include:

CATCH – Children’s Fishing Program
Raleigh, William B Umstead State Park
Thursday, 9/24/09
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Join a Park Ranger at the Crabtree large parking lot (located off Hwy 70) for a peaceful hour of fishing on Big Lake. Learn the basics of fresh water fishing, as well as how to identify the different species found in the lake. Fishing rods and reels will be provided. Please bring insect repellent, plenty of water, and dress appropriately for the weather. Reservations required. Please call 919-571-4170.

Viewing Wildlife By Canoe
Raleigh, William B Umstead State Park
Thursday, 9/24/09
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Join a Park Ranger at the boathouse (located off Hwy 70) at 9:00 a.m. for a canoe trip around Big Lake to view wildlife in their natural surroundings. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets are provided. Wear appropriate clothing and bring insect repellent and sunscreen. This program will last 1- 1/2 hours. Basic canoe skills are a must. Reservations required. Please call 919-571-4170.

C.A.S.T. (Catch A Sure Thing!)
Apex, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Sunday, 9/27/09
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
This program is geared for youth ages 6 to 12 who have little to no experience fishing. Youth will learn basic fishing skills such as, how bait a hook, what fish are found in Jordan Lake and if willing are encouraged to unhook the fish! No worries about casting. Youth will learn how to use a bobber and will sink the line straight off the dock. Dress according to the weather and if needed bring water, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Fishing pole, bait and PFD will be provided. While on the dock, all youth will wear a PFD for safety regulations. Reservations are required. Call 919-362-0586.

C.A.S.T. (Catch A Sure Thing!)
Apex, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Monday, 9/28/09
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
This program is geared for youth ages 6 to 12 who have little to no experience fishing. Youth will learn basic fishing skills such as, how bait a hook, what fish are found in Jordan Lake and if willing are encouraged to unhook the fish! No worries about casting. Youth will learn how to use a bobber and will sink the line straight off the dock. Dress according to the weather and if needed bring water, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Fishing pole, bait and PFD will be provided. While on the dock, all youth will wear a PFD for safety regulations. Reservations are required. Call 919-362-0586.

Birds of Prey
Lillington, Raven Rock State Park
Saturday, 9/26/09
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Presentation on our magnificent birds of prey which will feature live raptors. Call 910-893-4888.

Hard Rock Crayola
Lillington, Raven Rock State Park
Sunday, 9/27/09
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
A one hour geologic rock cycle demonstration for children. Call 910-893-4888.

Flying Tigers of Raven Rock
Lillington, Raven Rock State Park
Tuesday, 9/29/09
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A one hour owl program with to hear live owls and observe taxidermy owl mounts. Call 910-893-4888.

Sunset Hike on Occoneechee Mountain
Hillsboro, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
Friday, 9/25/09
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Watch the sun set over the Eno River from the quarry overlook. A Park Ranger will lead you on a short hike. Call 919-383-1686 to register.

Animal Tracks, Scat and Signs
Durham, Eno River State Park
Saturday, 9/26/09
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
KIDS! Bring your parents to the park and learn how to look for signs of animals by identifying their footprints and poop! Suitable for ages 5 and up. Call 919-383-1686 to register.

River Creatures Catch
Durham, Eno River State Park
Sunday, 9/27/09
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Prepare to get wet as you look for water bugs and other creatures living in the river. Join the fun!! The Naturalist will provide the necessary equipment. This is a family friendly drop-in program for TAKE A CHILD OUTSIDE WEEK. No registration required. Call 919-383-1686 for directions.

Snakes of North Carolina
Durham, Rolling View Recreation Area, Falls Lake
Saturday, 9/26/09
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Snakes have a bad reputation but they are actually very beneficial. Come to Rolling View picnic shelter 15 to learn many interesting facts about these reptiles. 4201 Baptist Road off of NC 98 in Durham. Contact greg.orcutt@ncmail.net or call 919-676-1027 for more information.

by Tim Glover, Wilmington Manager

The weather report the day before a fishing trip (September 10th) planned with Rob Arends (Greensboro manager) looked promising with winds forecast North 10-15 knots, and partly cloudy skies. My enthusiasm faded the next morning when I launched the boat into the cold reality of 20-25 knot winds under dark skies. By the time I pounded through rough waters up to Topsail to pick up Rob, it was looking like it might be a short fishing trip. After getting blown across a number of flats in the morning, Rob was jolted into action by a solid strike followed by a fast run past the boat. That was the first drum of the day, hooked on a Copperhead, and our enthusiasm was somewhat renewed. After finding nothing in the next spot, we poled into a bay with some low grass at one end beginning to flood under a big high tide. Rob hooked up again, and this time landed a black drum. A short time later, he picked up the last drum of the day… a good day, despite the uncooperative weather!

Check out Tim’s article on Topwater Drum Flies

Shots of the GOPC Kayak Fishing Team across NC

Cleanup hours are 9am-Noon. Meet at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk gazebo. We will have Britts Doughnuts, Live DJ, and a raffle for eco-friendly prizes. This is a great event for our community and I hope you will come out to participate.

Contact Carley Neil for more info: 910-458-2977
Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation Department

South River Cleanup
Saturday September 12, 2009
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Meet at the Hwy 242 Bridge over the South River

Community Paddle Trip – South River
Sunday September 13, 2009
Hwy 242 to Boykin Bridge – South River
Meet at the county complex in Clinton at 8:45am or you can meet at the 242 bridge about 9:15am. if you need equipment, please call SCPR at 299-0924. the cost is $15/person or $30/family. Anyone that has their own equipment is more than welcome to tag along. All trips are subject to water level and weather.

Friends of the Sampson County Waterways is a group of concerned citizens interested in preserving the waterways of Sampson County including the Black River, South River, Six Runs Creek, Great Coharie Creek and Little Coharie Creek and all its tributaries. They meet on the first Tuesday of the Month at 7:00 pm at Pizza Inn, Clinton, NC.

Kate Dixon – Executive Director, FMST

Celebrate October on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail – where the trail is already built or where it is planned for the future. We’ve organized guided dayhikes, overnight backpacks, paddles, bike rides, trail workdays, and more to help you get out to explore the trail during a beautiful time of the year. Search the calendar of events to find one that’s right for you.

You can also help support the trail this October by buying a raffle ticket at any Great Outdoor Provision Co. store, located in seven cities across North Carolina. Prizes include a chance to win a $300 gift certificate from each of the Great Outdoor Provision Co.’s seven stores. A grand prize drawing will also be held for a $500 gift certificate and other prizes from Patagonia and Vasque!

THREE MORE HIKERS COMPLETE THE TRAIL
In the last newsletter, we reported that Frank Potter and Jim Walters of Charlotte completed the trail in May. Now three more hikers – Charlie Young of Conover, Jonathan Felts of Florida, and Scot Ward of Kentucky – have finished, making 2009 our busiest hiking year to date.

Scot is the first person to hike the trail twice, and when he reached Jockey’s Ridge on August 8th, he turned west to hike the trail a third time. He told The Coastland Times: “I don’t do trails twice, but this one is different. It’s special.”

WATAUGA COUNTY TOURISM STEPS UP FOR THE MST

The Watauga Task Force of MST trail building volunteers has been working hard for two years to build their 16-mile section of trail near Boone and Blowing Rock. Shelton Wilder’s poetic blog tracks their progress and the beauty of the land. If you’d like to help, the Task Force is planning a “Big Dig” weekend of trail work and felllowship from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 4.

A particularly dangerous section of steep hillsides and fear of rock falling onto the Blue Ridge Parkway led the Task Force to turn for help to the Watauga Tourism Development Authority. Thanks to two grants totaling $20,000, FMST has been able to hire professional crews to help build this difficult section and bring the trail closer to completion.

TRIAD BEGINS TRAIL PLANNING PROCESS
The Piedmont Triad Council of Governments is starting work on a conceptual trail plan for ten counties in the Triad area. If you’d to get involved, please join them at one of the following public meetings which run from 6 to 8 pm:

• Stokes and Surry County; Location: Pilot Mountain, Armfield Center, Sept. 21
• Davie and Davidson County; Location: Lexington, DC Government Center, October 8
• Forsyth and Yadkin County; Location: Lewisville, TBA, October 27
• Guilford and Alamance County; Location: Elon, TBA, October 29
• Randolph and Montgomery County; Location: Seagrove Public Library, November 10
• Rockingham and Caswell County; Location: TBA, November 19

The goal of the meetings is to revise existing-conditions maps, identify proposed trail locations & uses and garner support from stakeholders & property owners for the plan. Each meeting will focus on two counties, however, maps of the entire region will be available at each meeting.

You can also get involved by visiting the website which provides a place where anyone can provide feedback on the planning process, comment on maps and documents and stay up to date with plan developments.

NEW BERN ALDERMEN APPROVE NEW MST ROUTE
On September 8, the New Bern Board of Aldermen approved a pedestrian plan which establishes a beautiful new route for the MST through the City. The route is to include a section of natural-surface trail along the city’s reclamation lake near the Neuse River before it heads into historic downtown New Bern. If you’d like to explore the new route, join FMST Board Member John Jaskolka on his MST Month hike on Saturday, October 24th, sponsored by One World Shoppe. Search our calendar to find details of this hike and other MST Month events.

Learn more about the MST at GreatOutdoorProvision.com/mst

Saturday, September 26, 11am – 10pm
Greenfield Lake, Wilmington

Guests will enjoy a day of environmental education complete with electric boat eco-tours, unique art made from recycled materials, great music with environmental poetry readings, and great food at Wilmington’s hidden ecological jewel, Greenfield Lake. There will also be an eco-zone just for kids featuring pirate story telling. >> More INFO

Advance Tickets for the Cypress Festival may be purchased in person at Gravity Records in downtown Wilmington, NC, at CFRW’s Environmental Education Center, or online.

• Individual Tickets are $10 each.
• Family Tickets are available for $25 each and will admit up to 2 adults and 3 children.