Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Given the needs in WNC with #hurricanehelene recovery, our Annual Coat Drive is now in full swing and we are honored to do this in partnership The Great Trails State Coalition. We are always uplifted by the generosity of our customers, especially this time of year as colder temperatures set in across the region. We are also accepting donation of blankets and if you are in position to give financially, the folks at MountainTrue have launched a #mountainstrong Helene Recovery fund dedicated to address urgent needs and help to lay the groundwork for a resilient future in Western North Carolina.

Folks, our neighbors in Western North Carolina have been through a lot and now more than ever, it’s important to come together and support these local businesses. Many of our neighbors have poured their hearts and souls into their stores, some have been washed away. All of them need our help. If you’re in the market for outdoor gear and prefer to shop online, I ask you to consider buying from one of the WNC local businesses  in WNC. Consider buying gift cards for the birthdays on your calendar.  Pause your purchases on national chains and direct your needs to these local businesses. These are your friends, your neighbors, and the backbone of our community. Bryson City Outdoors Nantahala Outdoor Center Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters Mast General Store D. D. Bullwinkles just to name a few. Every purchase helps keep local economy strong. From one neighbor to another, thank you. Explore Global. Shop Local.

Running a river in a swing state during a presidential election... hoo boy, that can feel like a Class V rapid, no doubt. The political noise? It's a churning, swollen current, threatening to toss you overboard and spin you into the eddy. But remember, folks, every seasoned river rat knows there ain't no smooth water all the time. We learn to read the river, navigate the whirlpools, and come out stronger on the other side. Same goes for folks with different views. We paddle together, respect the flow, and find common ground, even in the wildest of waters. That's how we make it through the whitewater, together. Our friends at Nantahala Outdoor Center recently hosted an event to help navigate these turbulent waters.  Thanks Steven Foy for sharing the back story and this CBS coverage.   It was an experiment in reconciliation.  Thirty folks came together to paddle the Nantahala.  Liberals, Conservatives, Independents and Libertarians.   Could they survive in the same boat together?   Bringing people together with different points of view seems to become more and more difficult but the outdoors makes that possible.   Not surprising that the time on the water allowed the diversity of humans to work together to navigate the waters successfully.  As river guide, Ken Powley stated, “This isn’t really about rafting.  The point is that when we play together it allows us to form relationships that we otherwise would never consider.”  https://lnkd.in/e5jRPxgX

This month, we’ve been celebrating trails. All sorts of trails: Hike, Run, Paddle, Bike, Horse. Trails we blaze and trails we maintain…. Together. Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle reminded attendees at The Great Trails State Coalition how "Trails shift our experience with place....shift our mindset from being stagnant and fixed to a mindset of trails as vibrant ecosystems that reflect the values, traditions and foundations of the communities of where they are found." Trails that changed our mindset this month ranged from Greenways to Horse Trails. Among our guides was the FRIENDS OF THE MOUNTAINS TO SEA author and volunteer Jerry Barker whose new book, Discovering North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail, shares a rich history and stories that live along this 1000+ mile trail. Follow the blazes of this adventure ....https://lnkd.in/eJvnXEhn

If our 50+ year support of public lands has taught us anything, the most prominent lesson is that we directly benefit from the stewardship choices of previous generations. And with Earth Day upon us next week, April 22, we are reminded that conservation is a non-partisan issue and recognize that we can all celebrate the preservation of land and water which brings economic, recreational, environmental and social benefits to our local communities. Most likely your local community is celebrating the planet with some inspiring action or awareness that includes fun and adventure. The resource here highlights just a few of the events that are taking place in the Triangle, Triad and Coastal regions. More can be found at the link below. Thank you for continuing the support of previous generations to insure that the future ones will enjoy the wild places we all love! https://lnkd.in/evegE6Gc

Whether running trails or paddling rivers, fuel your next adventure with our new energy drink - RedMULE. Go longer and climb higher with the elixir trusted by anyone who has crossed our creaky wood floors. It'll stop you in your tracks and have you ready to kick some.......!!! Results may vary - GOPC not responsible for heart palpitations, donkey kicks, braying or whinnies.

With North Carolina State University winning the ACC Tournament our hometown has a skip in its step this week.  It's been 37 years since The Wolfpack won the ACC tournament.  Now, days later, we are still picking the Red & White confetti out of our teeth.  What a ride! And the celebration gives us pause to recount the many benefits of having NC State College of Natural Resources as a pillar in our community.  Over the years we have had the pleasure of supporting outdoor pursuits with the University and most recently helped to develop a scholarship fund that reduces the costs for students to participate in outdoor leadership courses.  In 2023, sixteen students received a grant from the scholarship fund. It's been a game changer for our community. We are excited about the year ahead as we get more students outdoors through the "Outdoors for All" award. https://lnkd.in/ezDN5-bh

As we wrap our Great Outdoor Film Fest and look ahead to Oscars weekend we want to share this film on how protected area managers use Back Country Horsemen of Pisgah to take care of the trails we all enjoy. Love Tom Thomas' words.... "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of my soul." Thank you WNC: MADE X MTNS USDA Forest Service and Pisgah Area SORBA for the great work you do!

Last night Fly Fishing Guide Wesley Hodges kicked off the Great Outdoor Film Fest Tour in our Virginia Beach Shop. Next stop - Raleigh, NC. - The Rialto Theatre as we screen Mountain Film (2/28) followed by the Fly Fishing Film Festival on Thursday (2/29). . So excited to share our decades long friendship with Chair 8 Media in this collaboration. Learn more about local adventure from our friends at the Falls Whitewater Park and and enjoy Cook's Mill Whiskey tasting. Tickets are still available. Next week - Charlottesville (March 5), Winston-Salem (March 6) and Wilmington (March 7). More information at https://lnkd.in/eJbbxXTP

Happy Valentine's Day. We want to share our love for you, our staff and the outdoors with a few pictures of our favorite "follicled" friendly faces - both human and canine. If you walk into one of our shops, across our creaky wood floors, you might recognize a bearded buddy that shares your love for the outdoors. Hope these Valentines brighten your day.