Wandering Around America One State at a Time – North Carolina

Posted in Historic Sites, Lighthouse, North Carolina, RVing, Tourist Attractions, Wandering around America, Waterfalls, WildflowersTagged , , , , , ,

State 30:

Welcome to the next post in my series highlighting states we have visited throughout the years. I hope you will enjoy coming along for the ride!

I will be featuring the states alphabetically. The next state in my series is

North Carolina

North Carolina became the 12th state on November 21, 1789. The capital is Raleigh.

From the Great Smokey Mountains to the Outer Banks, there is a lot to explore in North Carolina. Waterfalls and beaches, hikes and scenic drives, mountains and racetracks, wildlife and wildflowers  –  these are just a few of the things that make North Carolina memorable.

Back before our RVing days we wandered around the Outer Banks seeing the lighthouses and beaches, visiting the Wright Brothers Monument where they took their first flight, and taking the ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke.  Another ferry took us from Ocracoke back to the mainland where we visited Bath where the pirate Blackbeard once lived.

Hatterras Light
Ocracoke Lighthouse, NC
Bodie Island Lighthouse, NC
Wright Brothers Memorial
Ocracoke Island Ferry
Hatterras Beach

If you love waterfalls, you won’t be disappointed in North Carolina.

Waterfall along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Dry Falls
Tom Branch Falls
Juney Whank Falls

It doesn’t get any better than a campsite with a beautiful view. Our campsite at Campfire Lodgings in Asheville was perfect for hanging out after hiking or touring the fabulous Biltmore Estate.

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Blondie taking a break at our campsite at Campfire Lodgings in Asheville
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Biltmore Estate in Asheville
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Sunset at Campfire Lodgings in Asheville

I felt as if I had gone back in time to Mayberry as we wandered around Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy.

Andy Griffith Statue in Mount Airy, NC
Wally’s Service Station in Mount Airy, NC
Andy and Opie on the water tower in Mount Airy, NC
Downtown Mount Airy, NC

We ended our tour of the Charlotte Motor Speedway in the winner’s circle.

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In the Winner’s Circle at Charlotte Motor Speedway

One of the hikes we made was on Whiteside Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest.

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Whiteside Mountain in Nantahala National Forest

Whether it’s the leaves showing their fall colors or the flowers showing their brilliant blooms, the vibrant colors of the North Carolina mountains change with the seasons.

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Fall Colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Tiger Lilys at Mabry Mill
Rhododendrons along the Blue Ridge Parkway
North Carolina Wildflower
Swallowtail and Wildflowers
Jewel Weed
Rhododendrons

We explored Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mingus Mill in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park near Cherokee.

Mabry Mill, the most photographed spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Mingus Mill in Great Smokey Mountains National Park

And if it’s wildlife you’re looking for, try visiting in the fall where you might see the bugling elk in Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

Bull Elk Bugling in Cataloochee Valley
Bull Elk in Cataloochee Valley
Two young male elk lock antlers in Cataloochee Valley

To read previous posts about the states featured in this series just click on the state name: Alabama      Alaska      Arizona      Arkansas      California      Colorado     Florida      Georgia      Hawaii        Idaho  Illinois      Indiana      Iowa     Kansas     Kentucky     Louisiana     Maine     Maryland     Massachusetts     Michigan     Minnesota    Mississippi     Missouri     Montana     Nebraska     Nevada      New Hampshire     New Mexico      New York

18 thoughts on “Wandering Around America One State at a Time – North Carolina”

  2. This is a great post. We just returned from traveling through NC and we’ll be posting about it soon. This state is so beautiful as you show in your photos and places you went. The Blue Ridge Parkway is absolutely incredible isn’t it.

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  3. What gorgeous pictures! We love those lighthouses. Remember them well. The mountains and flowers are beautiful. And how sweet to see the Andy Griffith statue. Great post!

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  5. First, you should have put a disclaimer at the top that you changed your format – I thought I was in the wrong place. 🙂 You say North Carolina, and I hear Roy Williams. That’s a leftover from our KU Jayhawk days, but it stays with us. These are some of your most gorgeous photos, and I really love the mill – beautiful. 🙂

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  7. Nice. North Carolina has so much to offer, doesn’t it? There is something really special about Appalachian culture, history, and natural beauty. And the Outer Banks … too many riches! The photo of Blondie with the Asheville hazy mountains in the background is my favorite. Magic.

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    1. Thanks Brenda. I don’t know which part of North Carolina is my favorite – the Outer Banks or the mountains. I think we’ve driven most of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina but not all at the same time. Blondie enjoyed that campsite in Asheville as much as we did!

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  10. North Carolina is one of my favorite states! We’ve been to all the same places, including Campfire Lodgings! Mayberry is also a favorite place of ours, as well. Nice post!

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