Meet the MULES

The largest manmade lake in the state at 32,510 acres (with a main channel 34 miles long), Lake Norman attracts a goodly number of motorboats. But because of that size...

Morrow Mountain StatePark offers a full-scale escape in the heart of the ancient Uwharrie Mountain range. There’s good paddling (with boat rentals) on the various waterways bordering the park (Lake...

Want to try camping before you make a full-scale (read: financial) commitment? At McDowell Nature Preserve you can rent a tent site that comes with a tent! Once you’re settled...

Copperhead Island is a 14-acre retreat from hustle and speedboat bustle of Lake Wylie. With primitive camping only and separated from the mainland’s boat ramps, the island offers a nice...

Possibly the best park you haven’t heard of, Mayo Park sits on its namesake reservoir and offers a range of activities. There are about 5 miles of hiking trail and...

Parker’s Creek It’s not the biggest campground at Jordan Lake (that would be Poplar Point, with 579 campsites), it doesn’t have the greatest concentration of sites with hookups (that would...

Cedarock Park offers a mini-weekend escape between the Triad and Triangle. Pitch your tent, then check out the several miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, paddle on Rock Creek...

on the Haw River If you’re really looking to get away from people, try Spirit Island. For one, you need a canoe or kayak to get there. Either put in-at...

PIPER CREEK CAMPGROUND / COLE MILL ACCESS PARK It takes a little effort to get to this campground — it’s 1.2 miles on the Bobbitt Hole Trail from the Cole...

Winston-Salem Staffer, Ward Swann, and his wife recently returned from an adventure in Brazil. Below is Ward’s recap on a few pieces of essential gear used during the trip. ________...

Still planning the meal? Impress everyone with these delicious holiday recipes from Trusty. Everyone in our office can attest to her incredible cooking skills! Ace’s Oyster Dressing 3 cups cornbread...

By Scott Wood I hate to maintain equipment. I’d much rather use it. Perhaps it’s a rebellion against my father, a meticulous engineer with a depression-era mentality. When I was...

Need to pad your log book numbers? Maybe get in a faster-than-normal trail run? Or maybe up your miles? Salem Lake Trail is a 7-mile loop around its namesake lake...

Ever run with someone who gets on your case for being obsessed with distances and times? Does your GPS watch really need to chime every mile? Can’t you take a...

I’ve always known our customers are special. But every time we sponsor a charity drive and our customers come through, I’m reminded why I love this business. Our 7th annual...

Tory’s Den Trail Need some hill work? Some really good hill work? Hanging Rock is where Piedmonters from the east go to get in some simulated mountain training. “Simulated” in...

Pilot Mountain is a tale of two workouts. Need some mountain training? The 7.2-mile loop created by stringing together the Mountain, Grindstone and Grassy Ridge trails offers up-and-down around the...

If Salem Lake Trail (see Salem Lake Trail entry) is your easy day, Sauratown Trail is where you go to pay your dues. It’s not so much the elevation: despite...