Starting out near Pinehurst, the Pottery Road Scenic Route takes travelers through the heart of pottery country in North Carolina. With 14 potteries directly on the route and close to 80 potteries in the nearby area, art lovers will have a wonderful time discovering the potters’ craft.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is full of opportunities to see nature and learn about North Carolina. Traveling along the Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers some of the loveliest scenery in the state. On the way you can stop at Black Mountain where you can climb Chimney Rock for an incredible view. The Oconaluftee Indian Village takes you 225 years into the past so you can learn about the Indian way of life at the time. If you enjoy fishing, try stopping at Stone Mountain State Park to cast your line. Craggy Gardens has three lovely walking trails to let you stretch your legs. At Linville Caverns you can try spelunking through the inside of Humpback Mountain, then step outside to enjoy the splendor of Linville Falls. Top off your trip with a train trip on the Tweetsie Railroad.

Some other interesting routes through the mountains include the Appalachian Medley, the Birkhead Wilderness Route, and the Black Mountain Rag. The Black Mountain Rag route was named from an old fiddle tune notable for the many twists and turns in the melody. Like the tune, the route is filled with twists and hairpin turns, taking you through the mountainous terrain along the way. Crowders Mountain Drive is home to Pinnacle Peak, a “monadnock” which resists erosion and towers high above the other peaks.

If you love deep forests and the beauty of nature, try driving along the Cherohala Skyway. In the fall the brilliant colors make a spectacular backdrop to your vacation photos. With dozens of walking trails, multiple campgrounds, and stunning waterfalls along the route, the Cherohala Skyway is a nature lover’s paradise. If you enjoy boating, take a ride down the Tellico River and explore the Lost Sea, one of the largest underground lakes in North America. The fishing is great on Tellico Lake too, so you can stop for a day and catch yourself a tasty dinner.

Bird fanciers might like to explore the Alligator River Route. With two wildlife refuges along the way, many migratory birds and endangered species frequent the area. You can also learn about the colonial and native heritage of the land in the many towns along the scenic route.

To learn more about North Carolina’s rich history, try following one of the region’s historical scenic routes. The Brunswick Town Road takes visitors into the historic ruins of Brunswick Town, which was destroyed in 1830. For a coastal trip try the Cape Fear Historic Byway which winds through old Wilmington. The Colonial Heritage Byway is filled with structures from the 18th and 19th centuries, many of which are still in use as public buildings. More history can be discovered along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. Starting in Brevard, named for a Revolutionary War colonel, you travel down to the Cradle of Forestry in America, an educational discovery center. The Allison-Deaver House is another attraction along the way, maintained by the Transylvania County Historical Society; it is the oldest frame house in western North Carolina that is open to the public.

Posted on February 12th, 2009 by Henry
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One such place is Brown Mountain, near Morganton, where strange lights have been seen flitting through the trees. The Brown Mountain Lights have gained so much attention that they have been the subject of many scientific and paranormal investigations, and were even featured in an episode of X Files (called Field Trip) in 1999. While the cause of the lights is not known, they are a very real and much documented phenomenon.

Another interesting place to check out is Blowing Rock, located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a Native American legend about Blowing Rock that adds to the unique charm of the place. Osseo, a chieftain, had a daughter named Starlight who was engaged to be married to Kwasind. However, a jealous suitor told Starlight that Kwasind was already married to a woman from a far-distant tribe. Starlight was devastated and broke her engagement, telling Kwasind that she would rather see him dead than marry him. Kwasind said “I will prove to you how much I love you.” and jumped off the cliff. Starlight was terrified that she would lose Kwasind and called out “O strong West Wind, bring my lover back to me! O sweet South Wind, bear him in your gentle arms!” The winds blew and raised her lover back up into her arms, where she quickly forgave him and agreed to become his wife. To this day the winds at the top of Blowing Rock are said to be so strong that they will catch anything thrown from the cliff and return it to its owner.

Another plantation worth seeing is the Mordecai Plantation near Raleigh. Now called the Mordecai Historic Park, the old main house is open to visitors. Additionally you can take a trolley tour that takes you around the city of Raleigh, stopping at many historical sites. Legend has it that Mary Willis Mordecai Turk haunts the Mordecai house, walking down the staircase and throwing down her portrait if someone should make rude comments about her appearance.

For more recent sources of mystery, consider checking out the Battleship North Carolina. Located across the river from Wilmington, the Battleship North Carolina offers a unique look into the lives of WWII navy crew. The museum focuses on the history of all of the vessels named “North Carolina” over the years including everything from the confederate ironclad ship to a nuclear attack submarine. Although only 10 people died on the Battleship North Carolina, it is apparently haunted by at least two ghosts who enjoy moving things around.

Posted on January 12th, 2009 by Fred Peters
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For most grown ups, childhood days are consistently linked up with the home where all the sweet memories are rooted. I know of a person who spent his early days in North Carolina and after years spent in different states, his homing instinct brought him back to the same state. “I must find a place here”, he said to himself, confident that here in North Carolina he would retrieve his peace of mind, long lost in roaming all over the United States. As luck would have it, his darling wife was also raised in North Carolina and he planned his progeny to become enduring residents of the state of his choice, too. He became intent on buying a home in North Carolina to spend the rest of his life there and started searching for North Carolina houses for sale.

Selection of site posed no problem at all since he knew his state in and out. “Foothills of North Carolina wouldn’t be pricey”, he argued with himself, but downtown Chapel Hill where he lived at first would cost quite a fortune. So he had a make a decision at this critical juncture. “Do I prefer to lead a secluded country life or go for a downtown dwelling? Which one will be more appropriate for me”, he asked himself.

But at the back of his mind he always thought of finding North Carolina houses for sale. Also, some other factors muddled his head. Since he had married late in life and had to raise his children, the place had to be safe from all angles. Finding out good schools nearby counted a lot, too. “What are the prospects in near future,” he inquired about the likely rise in value of property in North Carolina, over the phone. After all, every possible angle needs to be covered. You do not know what tomorrow may bring. “I must find a comfortable home whose value should appreciate over the coming years”, he assured himself. Having settled on all the factors, our man in sat content before his PC to do a search of North Carolina houses for sale.

Posted on December 4th, 2008 by Enrique Torres
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North Carolina’s capital city has the largest research park in the United States, the Research Triangle Park. This area is full of top of the line research and a high tech industry. On a daily basis there may be over forty-five thousand full time employees in this area. The city of Raleigh is also surrounded by a number of universities and parks, the most popular of these is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. Raleigh also has many museums and galleries that you can visit including the North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Art. Another popular city in North Carolina for visitors is Charlotte which has the famous Hearst Tower that includes Hearst Publishing and is one of the tallest buildings in the state of North Carolina. Despite the large skyline of Charlotte it still offers a variety of outdoor attractions. You can hike or ride horseback at Latta Plantation Park which has over seven miles of trail on a 2,500 acre park and many waterfowl to view.

The final popular city in North Carolina is Wilmington which has excellent scenery with an interesting history. This town is located between Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The Cape Fear Museum is located here which is the oldest history museum in the state. In the downtown district you can find old fashioned carriage rides and trolley car tours of the town. A number of cafes, restaurants and shops can be found in this downtown area. Two very popular hotels in North Carolina including the Governor Eden Inn in Edenton. This is a very historic town located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This is one of the most charming bed and breakfasts in this region of North Carolina with a very historic appearance. It has a neoclassical style with a wraparound veranda and was built in the early nineteen hundreds. The second popular option is the Old Reynolds Mansion in Asheville which is one of the few brick buildings left in Asheville. Originally marked for demolition this building was spared and renovated into a three story inn. It has good priced rooms and is now listed as a registered historical place.

Posted on November 7th, 2008 by Kathy Austin
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North Carolina was one of the 13 original colonies, although its history starts much earlier as the first English settlement in the new world. The mysterious “Lost Colony” on Roanoke Island was established by the Crown in 1585, composed mostly of men. By 1587, when an expedition had returned, the entire settlement was gone. There are many theories about whether they were assimilated into one of the many local tribes or if they had perished as the hands of natives or due to starvation; luckily, you can visit the archaeological site today and decide for yourself what might have been their fate. Roanoke Island also happens to be the birthplace of the first English child born in the New World, Virginia Dare.

Central North Carolina is a flat region known as Piedmont where all of North Carolina’s major cities are located. The Research Triangle, made up of Raleigh (the capital), Durham, and Chapel Hill, is where fast paced University life meets cosmopolitan charm and booming industry. Along with Charlotte, this region is North Carolina’s cultural center, hosting numerous arts and entertainment events and world class museums. Another key site is the state capitol building in Raleigh, built in 1840, which has survived the test of war and is still standing today. Panning further east, you will enter the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina. Make sure that Kitty Hawk, on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is a stop on your travels. The Wright Brothers made this the birthplace of modern aviation. Travel North Carolina’s Outer Banks, just off the mainland, for wonderful seaside activities including fishing, boating and simple summer sun relaxation.

Posted on October 11th, 2008 by Tera Warner
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North Carolina became the 12th state on November 21, 1789. It covers 53821 square miles with 301 miles of coastline. Additionally, North Carolina has two nicknames: it is known as Old North State or the Tar Heel State. The population as of December 2000 is 8,049,313 people. Finally, North Carolina offers great weather and a climate that is family oriented to visitors.

The Cherokee Indians opened the first North Carolina casino in 1994. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino offers video gambling only, no table games. The video gambling options include poker, slots and blackjack, among others. The games offered are all skill based, even the slots. The slot games differ from non-skill based slots because there are two spins and the player chooses to keep or discard the results from the first spin. In the contract signed between the North Carolina state government and the Cherokee Indians that set up the casino it is guaranteed these video gambling machines have a minimum return of 83%. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is open to gamblers over 21 years of age. The casino operates 24 hours a day. It is located at 777 Casino Drive in Cherokee, just 55 miles southwest of Asheville. There is an attached hotel with 252 rooms available. There are also five on-site restaurants. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is family oriented with a childcare center and 1,500-seat entertainment area. Parking is free for casino guests. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino offers a great vacation option for families or singles.

Posted on September 17th, 2008 by Fred Peters
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Bass fishing is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by everyone from the smallest child to the senior citizen. It’s a sport that is both relaxing and exciting at the same time. There are many wonderful places to go bass fishing but some of the best bass fishing in the United States can be found in the North Carolina lakes and rivers. During the spring the bass are plentiful and easy to catch as they are feeding in the shallows and near the banks. However, as the water heats up in the summer months they move on out into the deeper waters and may be a little harder to find. To help you out in this area below are some North Carolina bass fishing tips that can improve the success you have during each of your fishing trips.

Knowing where to look for the bass is half the challenge and there are a number of great lakes and rivers in North Carolina that are the home to all types of bass. For example, one of the most well-known places to bass fish is the Buggs Island Lake. This lake is most popular for its stripped bass but you can also find smallmouth and largemouth bass here as well. High Rock Lake is very similar to Buggs Island and full of all kinds of bass just waiting to be caught. Other lakes where bass can be found include Neuse Lake, Fontana Reservoir, Jordon Lake and Lake Norman. There are a number of smaller lakes where you can find different types of bass as well. Once you are out on the water you should fish for the bass in the grassy areas, around Lilly pads, boat docks and around ledges that run between ten to twenty feet underwater. It is always a good idea to have a GPS fish finder on hand to help you locate where the schools of fish are swimming around on any given day. The faster you find the bass the longer you will have to spend reeling them in. After all, catching as many bass as possible is what it’s really all about.

Posted on August 27th, 2008 by Henry
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When you want a lovely peaceful place to move your family Greenville is it. This place has a mild climate and experiences all four seasons every year, so it is perfect to move here if you are not used to extreme heat or cold. There are some wonderful tertiary education institutions here and some excellent schools as well. As far as job opportunities go, there are tons to be found and you can look on the government website for an opening before you even look at Greenville North Carolina homes for sale. Greenville is well known for its excellent heath care services and the hospitals are some of the best. This is the capital of the Pitt County. There are other towns that are nearby Greenville that also offer unique homes for sale and excellent communities that are perfect to live in. If livability is what you want, then you should look at the Winterville North Carolina real estate. It has many community projects on the go and is one of the top 50 boom towns in the United States. It offers great family values and excellence in all areas of life like sports, the arts, education, health, and lifestyle. You will be living the good life by moving to this area. There are also malls and supermarkets, lovely scenery, quiet neighborhoods, excellent public services and amenities, wonderful community programs and societies to join and welcoming people.

Posted on August 8th, 2008 by Wolfgang Jaegel
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The North Carolina golf resorts are easily accessible from any location in the USA and the golfing experience that you will have here will be something to cherish for a long time. The main concern of the golf amateurs and professionals booking a golfing vacation is that whether or not the golf course stretches their abilities enough to help them improve and also at the same time not making it overwhelmingly challenging as well. The good news is that no matter how you play, the North Carolina golf resort has something to challenge everyone in its own unique way.

Owing to the distinguished experience that it offers, the Crow Creek Golf Club is a popular choice of many professional and amateur golfers. There are enough challenges for any level of golfer and one can even try ones hands at the championship tees to assess ones skills. Another good golf course worth checking out if you wish to head North Carolina is the Duplin Country Club. The experience here is made pleasing as well as challenging by the tall pine trees lined up on the fairways. Some of the advantages that this golf club has over others are that the rates are very competitive, there are no tee time limitations on the course, the walkers are welcome too and there are some recreational facilities available nearby where you can spend some useful time if you have had your share of golf in the day.

Posted on July 12th, 2008 by Aretha Singh
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As one of the fastest growing states in the country, North Carolina offers a great standard of living for a relatively low cost. That’s why buying a home here can be a great investment, especially when you know how to buy for extra discounts through North Carolina foreclosure listings! Long considered one of the most beautiful and geographically diverse states in the country, North Carolina is now experiencing incredible growth due to a rising economy. Over the past decade, many large businesses and technology companies have migrated to cities like Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham to stage their operations, and the result has been the creation of many new jobs and substantial economic growth and investment in the region. This has also led to population growth, as families and young professionals alike move to these small-scale urban cities to settle down. North Carolina offers a laid back, decidedly southern pace of life, but also is also becoming very modern. In this way, it bridges the best of both worlds, and this is attractive to many people. Living in North Carolina is also very cost-effective, and with property values currently low considering how popular it is becoming as a destination, it’s the perfect time to get in on the ground floor with a real estate investment. The state also boasts incredible locations for vacation homes, whether you’re looking for a rural retreat in the Smoky Mountains or a cottage along the famous Outer Banks coastline. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it in North Carolina, and with North Carolina foreclosure listings, you can now find it for an incredibly low price!

Buying North Carolina foreclosures means being able to pay below market prices for the type of property you want. This means not only great savings on your initial purchase, but also a chance to make some even greater profits on sales you make down the road! Whether you’re looking for an apartment, a house, or even a commercial space to start a business, you can find it through North Carolina foreclosure listings. These unique properties are on sale as a result of a previous owner’s default on their mortgage loan. The lender in questions sells the property as a means of collecting the outstanding debt owed on the loan by the homeowner. However, since the lender usually only needs to collect a portion of the loan in order to settle the debt, most of these properties end up being undersold for anywhere from 10 to 50% off what they are actually worth, with no loss to the lender. Buying North Carolina foreclosure gives you the chance to find savings you won’t see anywhere else, and make incredible investments in one of the fastest growing regions of the country!

Posted on June 9th, 2008 by Gerard
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