The Activity Scene
First Day Hikes will be offered in every North Carolina state park and state recreation area Jan. 1, giving everyone an opportunity to exercise and celebrate nature as a New Year’s Day tradition, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
File photo
The High Country’s lively calendar of events tends to die down
after the Christmas holiday, but there are still plenty of activities to get you and your family out
of the house before and after New Year’s Day.
Yule Log Bonfire and Hayride
The
Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce and the Buckeye Recreation Center will sponsor the annual bonfire
and hayride, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria bonfire pit
across from the Chamber of Commerce and Town Hall. Hot cocoa, cider and cookies will be served as
participants warm themselves by the fire. Grab your blanket, warm coat, hat and gloves for this
family friendly free event. For more information, call (828) 387-9283.
Guided Snowshoe
Hike
Try showshoeing at a guided snowshoe hike to be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 29 at the
Buckeye Recreation Center at Beech Mountain. For more information, call (828) 387-3003.
‘Web Weavers’ Program
Elk Knob State Park will offer a free program on “Web
Weavers” at 3 p.m. Dec. 30. Spiders are something that many people fear, but if you educate yourself
about them, they are not nearly as intimidating. Come learn about the different types of spiders
that call North Carolina home and find out if your fear is really founded. The park is located at
5564 Meat Camp Road in Todd. For more information, call (828) 297-7261.
Black Bears
Program
New River State Park in Ashe County will offer a free program on black bears at 2
p.m. Dec. 30 at the U.S. 221 Visitor Center auditorium. Join a park ranger to learn about this
often-feared creature. Black bears can be found throughout a large portion of North Carolina. They
often make the news when they pass through a populated area. The program will separate the facts and
myths about black bears. For more information, call (336) 982-2587.
First Day
Hikes
First Day Hikes will be offered in every North Carolina state park and state recreation
area Jan. 1, giving everyone an opportunity to exercise and celebrate nature as a New Year’s Day
tradition, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. On the 2012 New Year’s Day, 1,392
hikers in North Carolina joined rangers and volunteers to walk a combined 4,573 miles along trails
in the state parks and state recreation areas. For the second year, North Carolina’s state parks
system will partner with American’s State Parks and the National Association of State Park Directors
to nationally promote First Day Hikes. Details about First Day Hikes in North Carolina can be found
under “Education” at http://www.ncparks.gov and at http://www.americasstateparks.org, which also lists all hikes
nationally. Parks in the High Country include Grandfather Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park,
New River State Park and Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.
School’s Out Mini
Camp
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum and Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation have
partnered to offer a day of activities when Watauga County Schools are out, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Jan. 3 through Jan. 5. Drop-off will be in the morning at BRAHM, and pickup is at Blowing Rock Parks
and Rec at 4 p.m. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Campers will enjoy a fun day
of arts, crafts, gallery games and plenty of outside time (weather permitting), so children should
wear comfortable clothes and appropriate foot wear. Healthy snacks will be provided, but children
should bring their lunches. For more information, call (828) 295-9099.
