North Carolina

North Carolina

Our explorations in the state of North Carolina, one of the original American colonies.
18
May
Sculpture depicting the first flight

Taking Flight

At Wright Brothers National Memorial in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, walk in the footsteps of Orville and Wilbur at Kill Devil Hill to learn how the brothers from Dayton, Ohio, discovered how to fly
3 min read
04
Mar
Standing Bear Appalachian Trail

Spirit of Standing Bear

A joyful spirit peering out of an antique washing machine cheered me up as we reached Standing Bear Farm after days of soaking rain on the Appalachian Trail.
1 min read
17
Aug
John and Doc Watson

Discovering Doc Watson

The timing was right: with the Doc Watson Festival at the same time at the Trail Dames Summit in Boone, NC, John learned about a bluegrass legend.
3 min read
24
Sep
AT shelter above Hot Springs

72 Hours (or so) in Hot Springs

Invited to Hot Springs to hang out with hiker friends Chuck & Tigger, we headed back to this pleasant AT community for the second time this year.
4 min read
02
Sep
A living room straight out of the early 1950s with a wall of books, radio, TV, and toaster

Carl Sandburg's Home

Great authors, creative souls, artistic minds need time and space and a well to dip into for inspiration. Carl Sandburg found it in the mountains of North Carolina.
2 min read
06
Feb
Rafting French Broad

Kayaking the French Broad River

For hours of whitewater fun in the mountains of North Carolina, head for the French Broad River on a trip with the Nantahala Outdoor Center, paddling to Hot Springs.
3 min read
14
Jul
Mason’s Ruby and Sapphire Mine

Sapphire Hunting in North Carolina

For the finest finds in Franklin, North Carolina, wade into a mucky hillside and start digging dirt that might score you a gemstone at Mason’s Ruby and Sapphire Mine
3 min read