Boating
Got floatation? North Carolina law requires all children under 13 to wear a personal floatation device while on the water. Kids grow, foam rots, buckles rust — what condition are your PFDs in this year? Visit www.wildlife.state.nc.us for the regs and tips on keeping little ones afloat.
Nature
Mr. Big Stuff: Look east after dark this month and you’ll likely catch a glimpse of Jupiter, a flickering prominence low on the horizon. As the biggest planet in the solar system, it’s tempting to believe the old guy has little to prove, but this month Jupiter is even closer — and bigger seeming — than usual. For more about this giant of the night sky, visit www.earthsky.com.
Fishing
I’ll get you, my pretties: The future of the Southern brook trout looks, well, iffy, according to Trout Unlimited and a host of wildlife officials. It’s a darn shame, too, because it’s a beautiful fish. Visit www.brookie.org to read a current status report on the fish and learn more about efforts to conserve it.
Swimming
On the rocks: These warmer days got you thinking of a dip down at Sliding Rock? Before you don your Speedos, you might consider this: The water temperature at the spring-fed Brevard landmark is about 48 degrees right now, according to the kind folks at the Pisgah Ranger District office. With daytime temperatures still in the 60s and 70s, you can bargain on turning blue stat.
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