N.C. is a summer road trip haven

For those of us who live here, it's really no surprise that North Carolina is a wonderful spot for summer road trips. But now others are taking notice.

According to WalletHub (don't ask), North Carolina is in the top 10 best states for summer road trips. The study calculated its findings based on three key factors:

• Costs
• Safety
• Activities

N.C. makes it into WalletHub's top 10 states for summer road trips at No. 9. The state receives an overall ranking of 57.41, ranking No. 15 in the country for costs, 35 for safety and 6 for best activities.

The Old North State can thank 62 scenic byways and favorable gas prices as a couple of reasons for the high ranking.

Here are the top 10 states for road trips, according to WalletHub:

• No. 1 - Minnesota
• No. 2 - New York
• No. 3 - Ohio
• No. 4 - Utah
• No. 5 - Louisiana
• No. 6 - Florida
• No. 7 - Idaho
• No. 8 - Texas
• No. 9 - North Carolina
• No. 10 - Pennsylvania

Oh, the humanity!

From MyFox8:

Vandals destroyed an iconic sign on the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Haywood-Jackson county line.

Rangers tell the Asheville Citizen-Times that the latest sign to be hit was a 5-foot tall wooden marker indicating the highest point on the parkway near the Haywood-Jackson county line. The sign was pulled off its stone base sometime in the past two weeks.

Seriously? What is this world coming to?

"Officials say the Cold Mountain Outlook sign is frequently stolen. They also have seen an increase in graffiti. ... Park rangers say they are seeing an increase in vandalism along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rangers say several pieces of large equipment such as tractors and mowers have been damaged."

So folks want to steal a sign referencing an overrated story? (Sorry, I probably shouldn't say that.) That's just weird.

Anyone with information about this incident should call 800-PARK-WATCH or 298-2491.

Happy 75th birthday, Blue Ridge Parkway!

"The Blue Ridge Parkway is throwing a celebration for its 75th birthday," says the AP.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue and the principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians were slated to attend a kickoff ceremony Friday morning for the parkway’s anniversary festival. The ceremony takes place at the parkway’s Cumberland Knob Recreation Area in North Carolina near the Virginia border.

The weekend festival will feature music, crafts and other activities at Cumberland Knob and the Blue Ridge Music Center in Virginia.

Road construction began Sept. 11, 1935. It now covers 469 miles from the edge of Shenandoah National Park south to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

There also will be a remembrance Saturday for the 2001 terror attacks.

Image from cakecentral.

Top 10 N.C. Natural Wonders announced

Land for Tomorrow has counted all the votes, and the first-ever top 10 North Carolina Natural Wonders have been announced.

They are:
-Blue Ridge Parkway
-Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout
-Grandfather Mountain
-Great Smoky Mountains
-Lake Mattamuskeet
-Lumber River
-Merchants Millpond State Park
-Mountains to Sea Trail
-New River
-Ocracoke Island

About 1,300 nominations yielded 200 unique potential “Natural Wonders,” which were narrowed to a field of 25 semifinalists by a panel of prominent North Carolinians, said Land for Tomorrow. From those 25, “North Carolina’s Ten Natural Wonders” were determined by popular vote. Over 3,000 individual votes were submitted.

The (first) votes are in!

The list has been whittled down in the Land for Tomorrow's Top 10 N.C. Natural Wonders survey. You have until May 18th to pick your top five (or you can pick for the same natural wonder five times).

Among the choices are:
-The Blowing Rock
-The Blue Ridge Parkway
-Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout seashores
-Chimney Rock
-DuPont State Forest
-Grandfather Mountain
-Great Smoky Mountains
-Jockeys Ridge
-Joyce Kilmer Forest
-Lake Mattamuskeet
-Linville Falls
-Linville Gorge
-Lumber River
-Merchants Millpond State Park
-Mount Mitchell
-Mountains to Sea Trail
-Natahala Gorge
-New River
-Ocracoke Island
-Pilot Mountain
-Pisgah National Forest
-Roan Mountain
-Eno River
-Outer Banks
-Wild Horse of Corolla

Some intriguing possibilities here. To be honest, I forgot about many of these; North Carolina is truly blessed. Hard to narrow down to 10.

Just looking at 'em, here are a few initial thoughts on some of the choices.

-The Blowing Rock: One of my personal favorites. It's "legend" adds to its aura.
-The Blue Ridge Parkway: At first glance, an easy top 10 ...
-Grandfather Mountain: ... as is this one ...
-Great Smoky Mountains: ... this one ...
-Jockeys Ridge: ... and this one.
-Joyce Kilmer Forest: Some of the state's oldest and largest trees reside here. An underrated place.
-Linville Falls: Very nice, but there may be more majestic falls.
-Lumber River: For thousands of years, this river was the lifeblood of natives.
-Mount Mitchell: Tallest peak east of the Mississippi seems like a no-brainer.
-New River: I think, aside from the Nile, this is the only river in the world that flows from south to north.
-Ocracoke Island: Famous for its own local "dialect," but I'm not sure it's a top 10 natural wonder.
-Outer Banks: No-brainer.
-Wild Horse of Corolla: A sleeper suggestion I hadn't thought about. Good choice.

Go here to vote.

What are N.C.'s top 10 natural wonders?

You've probably read about it by now, but Land for Tomorrow is hoping that people will vote on just what are the top 10 natural wonders in our great state. There are just a couple more days to vote.

North Carolina is a "state is full of natural wonders." However, "settling on a list of its most beautiful places is not so easy."

“We were trying to think of a fun way to get people involved in highlighting how important conservation is to them,” said Debbie Crane, of Land for Tomorrow, a statewide coalition working to preserve the state's natural resources and urging legislators to fund conservation. “People need to understand that the places they love, they don't just get saved on their own.”

Residents have until Thursday to nominate any landscape, natural feature, wildlife or plant life unique to North Carolina for consideration in the contest. More than 600 nominations have already been submitted.

There are some obvious front-runners: Grandfather Mountain; Jockeys Ridge; Linville Gorge; Pilot Mountain; the Blue Ridge Parkway; etc. But if "unique" plants and animals are options, that could allow for voting for things such as the Venus Fly Trap or the famous white squirrels of Brevard. The results are expected to be released May 18. Go here to vote.

Happy voting!

The Blue Ridge Parkway: 'Simply beautiful'

"It all started 75 years ago, in the midst of the Great Depression," writes Joe Tennis with the Bristol Herald Courier in SW Virginia and eastern Tennessee.

"Right on the North Carolina-Virginia border, the ground broke on Sept. 11, 1935 to build the Blue Ridge Parkway on the state line at Cumberland Knob.

"But this was not like other roads, built simply for transportation. This was a ridge-top ride made to cruise – with views.

" 'The parkway is a road that’s designed to be an experience,' said Cara Ellen Modisett. ..."

Parkway aims to save vistas

From the Citizen-Times:

Private development is eating away at the Blue Ridge Parkway's biggest asset, and parkway managers say their ability to do anything about it is limited.

Surveys show that long-range scenic views are the main reason people visit the parkway — and they are not coming to see trophy homes on ridge tops.

Standing at the parkway's Bad Fork Overlook near Bent Creek Gap southwest of Asheville, Hendersonville resident Henry Simmons said recently he visits the parkway “just to see the sights, to see the way the overlooks look at different times of the day.”

Much of the land along the parkway “is already developing,” Simmons said. “At some of the lookouts, you can just see the difference.”

The rapid escalation of home prices and home construction that Western North Carolina saw during most of this decade has brought more large homes to areas easily seen from the parkway. ...

The Parkway at 75: Asheville almost didn't get route

The Citizen-Times is doing a series on the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This first article looks at how Asheville -- the unofficial capital of Western N.C. -- almost didn't get a route to the scenic drive.


"It is hard to imagine Asheville without the Blue Ridge Parkway.

"For most visitors and locals, it seems as though the 469-mile road has always wound through the mountains of Western North Carolina, providing stunning views and access to miles of hiking. ...

"It was a very real possibility that the Blue Ridge Parkway could have bypassed much of Western North Carolina, dipping into the state and passing through Blowing Rock and Linville before heading into Tennessee and terminating at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

"It was the hard lobbying of Asheville's tourism boosters, including the chamber of commerce and the newspaper, the Asheville Citizen, state highway officials and well-connected politicians that persuaded federal officials to choose the high-mountain route through Asheville and points west before ending in the Smokies. ...

"As the Blue Ridge Parkway prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2010, it is important to remember that the parkway was not always a done deal, said Dan Brown, former superintendent of the parkway and president of Blue Ridge Parkway 75 Inc., the organization heading up anniversary activities. ..."

New N.C. quarter on the way ... in a short 7 years

According to the Associated Press last week, a new series of quarters -- celebrating our national parks -- will soon be on the way, beginning next year.

The quarters "will be minted based on the dates the parks or historic sites were established and start with Arkansas' Hot Springs National Park, founded in 1832.

North Carolina's quarter will celebrate the Blue Ridge Parkway, which was established in 1936.

The others to come out next year include:

Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, 1872

California, Yosemite National Park, 1890

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, 1893

Oregon, Mt. Hood National Forest, 1893

Ken Burns and the Blue Ridge Parkway

According to an email from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, documentary film maker Ken Burns has completed a new film, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea. UNC-TV will air the six-episode, 12-hour work in its entirety in the fall.

This spectacular series was filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales, including North Carolina's own Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The documentary is a story of people and a story full of struggle and conflict, high ideals and crass opportunism, stirring adventure and enduring inspiration - set against the most breathtaking backdrops imaginable.

Quick hits: N.C. is fourth-fastest in growth and hog riders can show their love of the Parkway

N.C. is No. 4 on list of fastest-growing states
"Utah is the nation's fastest growing state, knocking Nevada from its usual top spot," according to the Associated Press.

"Utah's population climbed by 2.5 percent from July 2007 to July 2008, according to new population estimates from the Census Bureau. Arizona is the second-fastest growing state, followed by Texas, North Carolina and Colorado.

"Nevada, last year's fastest-growing state, fell to eighth. Nevada had been among the four fastest-growing states each of the last 23 years. ...

"California remained the most populous state, followed by Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois."



State tag lets motorcyclists support Blue Ridge Parkway
"A new North Carolina license tag is set to go into production for motorcycle riders who want to help the Blue Ridge Parkway.

"The Winston-Salem Journal reported Monday that enthusiasts have nearly reached the required threshold of 300 bike owners committed to buying the Blue Ridge Parkway motorcycle tag," again according to the AP.

"The cost is $30 more than the regular license fee. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation would get $20 for its work; another $10 will go to the state's roadside wildflower program. ..."

Quick hits: School wants a new name, Parkway needs help

Arts school wants a new name
"The N.C. School of the Arts wants a name change.

"The residential arts school in Winston-Salem, a member of the UNC system, wants to be known as the University of North Carolina School of the Arts," said the News & Observer.

"The school, which trains artists for careers in filmmaking, music, dance, design and production and drama, is often confused with magnet schools, and some people think it is a high school, school officials say. Its students range from middle school to graduate school level.

"The name change, which will be considered in May by the UNC system Board of Governors, would change nothing about the way the school operates or how it is funded.

"The last UNC system campus to change its name was UNC-Pembroke several years ago, formerly Pembroke State University. ..."

Parkway needs funds, staff
"Between pavement and people, managing the Blue Ridge Parkway can be a juggling act, according to Superintendent Philip Francis. What the federal government gives, the forces of nature can take away.

"With the official opening today of the new $9 million Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center, the nation’s most-visited national park unit will have its most sophisticated visitors center, complete with auditorium, film, interactive exhibits and information to guide the more than 20 million visitors who use the parkway each year," says the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"But away from the gleaming new center, the parkway is showing signs of age and neglect, problems exacerbated by tight budgets and slim staff.

" 'Taking care of a mountain road is a challenge, with the moisture, the freezing and thawing and the laws of gravity constantly at work,' Francis said. ..."

'Toilet paper flowers' a problem in Blue Ridge Mountains

According to an email from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, visitors to Graveyard Fields, the "most popular visitor destination south of Asheville, have created a phenomenon of "Charminus floribundum," or toilet paper flowers.

As such, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Parkway Foundation have begun a water quality study.

"Visitation to this destination has compromised water quality due to lack of facilities and poor sanitation practices," says the email. "A task force of planning professionals and park managers are working together to address this and other identified issues that are compromising the natural loveliness of the area."

Click here for a website for the project.

Quick hits: Grammy nominations for memorable N.C. music and grants for memorable N.C. vistas

Grammy nominees include some N.C. faces
" ...North Carolina 'American Idol' alumnus Chris Daughtry heads up a large group of nominees with four each, a pack that includes Akon, Bruce Springsteen and Feist," writes the News & Observer's David Menconi. "Daughtry's nominations include a nod for best rock album, but he was snubbed in the best-new-artist category.

"Also on the North Carolina 'American Idol' tip, High Point's Fantasia picked up a nod for best contemporary R&B album.

"Durham-based Merge Records earned its second-ever nomination, for Arcade Fire for best alternative album. Former Chapel Hill resident James Taylor's 'At Christmas' picked up a nod for best traditional pop vocal album. ..."

Grant will help protect scenic vistas
"There's good news on the horizon for motorists who like to take the long way occasionally, just to enjoy the gorgeous Tar Heel landscape," writes the Greensboro News & Record.

"The Conservation Trust of North Carolina recently was awarded a grant of $252,000 from federal highway officials for coordinating efforts to preserve scenic vistas along such routes as the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherohala Skyway and Grassy Island Crossing.

"The statewide conservation group and nine local land trusts will use the money from the Federal Highway Administration to 'identify, map and prioritize key parcels' along 560 miles of scenic byways. ..."

Quick hits: Food accolades and fall goings-on

N.C. eateries honored
"... For the second year, the N.C. Department of Agriculture sponsored the 'Best Dish in NC' contest for restaurants that serve products from North Carolina farms, markets and companies," writes the News & Observer. "Last week, before the Paula Deen show at the N.C. State Fair, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and Deen handed out the awards to the winners. ..."

Welcome to fall in North Carolina
"Fall is the perfect time to visit North Carolina," says VisitNC.com. "Come for our brilliant fall foliage. Enjoy the refreshing outdoor climate and linger at a scenic overlook with breathtaking views along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Experience the abundant fall fishing at the coast or camp at one of our magnificent state parks.

"Enjoy our unique fall events, from woolly worm races to NASCAR . To help you plan your visit, catch the weekly reports from our leaf watchers across the state bringing you the latest updates on when our leaves are at their most spectacular. Discover unique ways to see the fall color, from a balloon adventure to a rafting trip on the Nantahala.

"The governor has proclaimed October as 'North Carolina Wine and Grape Appreciation Month' so relax and enjoy autumn with a plate of signature NC food and a glass of our delicious NC wine. ..."

Parkway among the best scenic fall drives

As we get closer and closer to autumn, one would expect to see more and more "best [fill the in the blank here] to do in the fall" lists. And you can bet that the North Carolina mountains will get plenty of ink in these lists.

One such list already describes the best scenic autumn drives; the Blue Ridge Parkway gets mentioned.

"Fall is the nicest season for rolling down the car windows, taking a drive and enjoying the scenery," writes the Associated Press' Beth J. Harpaz. "Stop along the way to pick pumpkins, visit a winery, or stroll a woodsy trail sparkling with reds and golds. ...

"The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles from Virginia through the Blue Ridge Mountains to North Carolina, ending at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Take a week to explore the entire parkway, or pick a section for a day trip or an overnight. Highlights include Mount Mitchell State Park, home to the highest peak in the East; scenic Linville Gorge; Roan Mountain; Mount Pisgah; Shining Rock Wilderness Area, and the town of Cherokee, where you'll find the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and Oconaluftee Village. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in North Carolina is offering a new multi-attraction pass this season called The Go Blue Ridge Card, which provides discounts and special offers at 35 merchants, attractions and restaurants from the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville to Chimney Rock Park, Rockhouse Vineyards and the Swinging Bridge on Grandfather Mountain. The online card price for adults is $79 for two days."

The majestic N.C. mountains

OK, so these are a few weeks later than I originally noted, but here are some photos from the Boone/Blowing Rock area taken in mid July.

The first is, obviously, Grandfather Mountain. Even at 32 years young, I was quite nervous about crossing it. (I don't remember being so nervous the first time I did it -- some 20 years ago.)

Next are more Grandfather photos, including the attention-seeking bears, the freedom-seeking Bald Eagle and a water-seeking panther/cougar.

Next are some photos from a couple of hikes we took while along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'm embarrassed to say that I do not remember what they are all called, but suffice to say they weren't too far from the Linn Cove Viaduct or the Parkway itself. So there. Now go find them with those kinds of hints. (Warning: I went a little Ansel Adams/B&W crazy here.)

Quick hits: Of Pumpkins, pork and a Parkway musical

Smashing Pumpkins Asheville shows sell out ... in five minutes
"They're gone.

"Tickets for a stretch of shows by alt-rock band Smashing Pumpkins at The Orange Peel sold out in just five minutes Monday night," according to the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"There were 8,478 tickets sold for the Pumpkins' nine-night engagement at the Peel, club spokeswoman Liz Whalen said.

"The club first tried to sell the tickets Sunday afternoon using the TicketWeb online service, but demand was so overwhelming they crashed the system, leaving many fans frustrated.

"Club management spent much of Monday working on a new plan to sell the tickets, this time using the much larger Ticketmaster system. ..."

Two kinds of 'cue to tango in Raleigh
"The state's oldest, fiercest, most fattening rivalry will end peacefully this October, slathered in Texas Pete," writes the News & Observer.

"Organizers announced plans Monday for the Tar Heel Barbecue Classic in downtown Raleigh, lining both sides of newly opened Fayetteville Street and drawing as many as 75,000 people and pork of both eastern and western persuasion.

"For too long, organizers said, the state has let eastern and western rivalries dominate barbecue culture while Memphis, Kansas City or Texas lays claim to the title of world barbecue capital. Raleigh is the fitting spot as the neutral ground between two traditions, they said, and for an end to the eternal vinegar- versus tomato-base squabbling.

" 'We're not here to perpetuate a war,' said Jim Early, founder of the N.C. Barbecue Society. 'We're here to perform a wedding. We've been shooting ourselves in the foot with this eastern-western thing. No other states fight within the state. Let's stop that. Let's fight somebody else if we have to fight. Let's unite as kin.' ..."

Blue Ridge Parkway-based drama premiers next week
"Next week, the musical drama 'Moses Cone: The Denim King' will debut in its world premiere in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

"To celebrate the world premiere, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is collaborating with the Blowing Rock Historical Society, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum and Appalachian State University (ASU) to host one gala performance 'Denim and Cider' on Saturday, June 2. Tickets ($40 per person) are needed to join the evening's festivities, which include a reception catered by Café Portofino in Boone, music by jazz guitarist Andy Page from ASU, hard cider from Foggy Ridge Cider in Meadows of Dan, Virginia, and an exhibit by the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum.

"Tickets for the gala evening can be purchased through the Foundation's office at (336)721-0260 or online. ..."