Great Outdoor Blog

Ogo Sport Copter Dart Game – A simple toss and score game that involves throwing a Foam Dart onto a target. The Foam Dart has fins that fold into the dart when thrown up into the air and when the dart falls, the fins unfold and the dart spirals slowly to the ground. The idea is to make the Foam dart land on the high visibility target, which folds into it’s own pouch for storage. While trying to make the dart land on the target is certainly challenging, just tossing this spinning Foam Dart around was loads of fun!

Ogo Sport Mini Super Sport Disc - One of the most simple yet engaging outdoor toys we’ve seen in a long time. The Mini Sport Disc is a small 12? diameter disc with a tight and stretchy membrane in the center. This membrane is so springy that you can use it to bounce a small object (such as the included rubber ball) up to 150 feet! The basic idea is a game of catch but the possibilities are only limited by one’s imagination.

Both of these games from Ogo Sport are addictive and will also get you some exercise while outdoors.

>> More Fun Stuff available at your local Great Outdoor Provision Co.

We are pleased to announce that we will once again be stocking the Rack and Roll Trailers! While Rack and Roll trailers were always the highest quality trailers available for multi-sport enthusiasts, the ability to get them in stock with reliability was crucial. While we’ve had some difficulty in the past with getting timely shipments from RACKandROLL, this is no longer the case. With Yakima’s recent purchase of RACKandROLL, availability, quality control and ease of assembly have all been improved.

Trailers are only sold at one of our Certified Trailer Shops:
Raleigh • Charlotte • Greenville • Wilmington

>> Read this page for more info on Rack and Roll Trailers

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!

With a beautiful weekend ahead and less than 24 hours to kickoff we asked our staff for their Trail-Gating TOP 10 List.  Our home-team advantage helps you score big with these great gear ideas.

1) Primus Atle BBQ – Nothing like firing up the brats and burgers.

2) Mountain Harwear Epic - After all no weatherman is always right (we love you Fish) Perfect for the adventure escape alos!

3) Costa Del Mar Sunglasses – Fishel is right most of the time. Enjoy the Sunshine.

4) Klean Kanteen – Cause game day hydration is a priority.

5) Mountainsmith Modular Hauler – Nothing keeps the tailgate goodies organized like this guy.

6) Crazy Creek Chairs – The cheap seats are tough on the tush.  Great for the camp fire too.

7) Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers - We’ve got the new Women’s Tweedy for loafing around this weekend.

8)  Patagonia Retro X Vest – The perfect go-to layer for fall.

9) Mountain Hardwear Monkey Woman – Feel the fur of your favorite mascot.

10) Platypus Preserve – Easy lightweight alternative to pack, preserve and enjoy your wine.

September 24—September 30, 2009
Take A Child Outside Week is a program designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world. By arming parents, teachers and other caregivers with resources on outdoor activities, our goal is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration.

Going outside:

• Connects children to the natural world
• Helps kids focus in school
• Reduces chances of obesity

So take a child outside!

Check out these links to:

• Pledge to take a child outside and record your outdoor experiences
• Get ideas for outdoor activities
• Find participating organizations in your area
• Events at NC State Parks

Come, be a part of this national movement!

For more information or to offer financial support, contact Liz Baird, Director of School Programs, at 919.733.7450, ext. 601.

This program is an initiative of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and is held in cooperation with partner organizations across the U.S. and Canada. Take a Child Outside Week is sponsored locally by Dover Foundation, Inc. and Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Mountainsmith Deluxe Cooler Cube
The perfect shot-gun partner: fold-down cup holder, mesh side pockets, and a bottle opener. $39.95

Mountainsmith Cooler Cube
The perfect road trip partner: insulated sides to keep your beverages icy cold and a bottle opener to ensure hassle-free access. $29.95

Kelty Cooler Binto
A simple and effective cooler that stands alone or integrates within the Basecamp Binto Bar or Binto Hauler. $32

Kelty Toto
Sandwich, drinks, chips— and whatever else you need for lunch—fits with ease into this cooler. It’s perfect for everyday use. $16.95

Trusty is stocked with great backpack options for campus. From labtop messenger bags to large trail worthy daypacks, your local shop can outfit you in style. Check out these links for tips & reviews:

• Good Housekeeping rated The North Face Borealis Head of Class
• Mayo Clinic provides backpack tips on MSN Health
• The North Face Jester daypack ranked the highest in Consumer Reports’ Backpack Reviews

This weekend is a great time to stock up on Bookbags, Clothing, Footwear & more at your local GOPC!

For 2009, the dates are Friday, August 7th through Sunday, August 9th. Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item.

More INFO on NC DOR Site

Super tough Cub Scout size pack with adjustable shoulder straps and a decent hip belt. 10″ to 17′ inch torso length adjustment. Weight is approx 2.5 lbs. Top loading with a small bottom pocket, two full length enclosed side pockets along with two mesh water bottle pockets and a hydration sleeve built in with drinking tube port. Side compression straps to keep over-sized objects in place along with walking staff straps on the back and lash points on the top pocket. $79.99 (We stock the blue color)

• Alpine Back System
• Vari-Quick Shoulder Harness
• Ice Axe and Pole Attachments
• Burly Lower Side Pockets
• Bottom Access Zip Panel
• Sternum Strap with Emergency Whistle
• Hydration System Compatible
• Gear Loops on Hip Belt
• Carrying Capacity = 20 lbs.
• Volume = 1800-2050 cubic inches

Beautiful nature photos from North Carolina have inspired generations of people to be better stewards of our precious natural resources. Excellent wildlife photography taken in state parks and other conservation lands across the Mountains, Piedmont and Coastal Plain has been the cornerstone of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine and of exhibits at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences for many decades

The Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition aims to encourage people to participate in nature photography, thereby fostering greater understanding and appreciation of North Carolina’s wildlife and wild places. Winning photographs will be published in the January 2010 issue of Wildlife in North Carolina. Thanks to our exhibition sponsor, JW Photo Labs of Raleigh, the winners will also be exhibited at the Museum of Natural Sciences and at other science museums and wildlife education centers across the state in 2010.

Competition begins at 8 a.m. on June 1, 2009. Entries must be uploaded by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.

Great Outdoor Provision Co. is proud to be the corporate sponsor of the competition.

Photos will be judged in 10 categories:

• Birds
• Mammals
• Reptiles and Amphibians
• Invertebrates
• Peaks, Valleys and Plains: Our landscape category.
• Wild Plants: Wild-growing plants only, including their flowers, leaves, fruits and other parts. Absolutely no cultivated plants will be accepted. Mushrooms and other fungi should be entered in this category.
• Outdoor Recreation: Show how people interact with North Carolina’s natural world through activities that are inextricably linked to nature, such as hunting, fishing, hiking, rock climbing or canoeing.
• Animal Behavior: Anything animals do, from everyday activities to interactions with other animals to unusual behavior.
• Youth Photographer, 13–17: Any of the above subjects, shot by photographers under 18.
• Youth Photographer, 12 and under: Any of the above subjects, shot by children 12 and younger.