The days are getting longer, and the temperatures are on the rise so the extra hour means it’s time to get out and play – at night!
Visits to the woods at night allow you to observe the nocturnal wildlife not out during the day. And the night sky changes with the season. This time of year, you’ll have the most apparent view of Mercury. Allow yourself to be a night owl and join one of these fun nighttime activities taking place around town this weekend:
Cycology hosts a night trail ride each first and third Thursday at 6 p.m. If you missed last night’s ride, mark your calendar for the next one! You must have lights on your bike and remember to dress accordingly as it’s still a touch chilly! For more info, check out Cycology’s Facebook Page.
Ijams Nature Center will host a sunset stroll today, leaving at 6:30 p.m. You’ll be serenaded with nature’s songs of croaking frogs and toads, howling coyotes and nocturnal critters rustling in the leaves all around! You can even dine al fresco and bring along a picnic dinner to enjoy on the lawn prior to the hike. Everyone attending must have a ticket. Register online here.
On Saturday, take in the beauty of the night sky over the Obed. The Obed Wild and Scenic River is one of these special places where you can enjoy the quiet, dark solitude of nature at night, and now the Obed is one of the newest Dark Sky Parks designated by the International Dark Sky Association. Join Ranger Rick Ryan and guest speaker Dr. F. Owen Hoffman on Saturday, March 17, at 7:30 p.m. to enjoy the spectacular dark sky conditions in the Park to view the bright stars, star clusters and spring constellations during new moon conditions. Click here for more information on this event.
For a full list of events, visit outdoorknoxville.com.
(Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.)