Wildflowers? Good! Roadside trash? Not so much

North Carolina used to be known as the "Good Roads State." I can't say I've been on all of the highways and byways of late to speak to construction or potholes. But one thing that seems to have gotten worse over the years is the amount of litter alongside our state's major roads. In fact, my wife's aunt (visiting from Nebraska) once commented, "I love your state. It's beautiful. But why is there so much trash along the highways?"

We took a day trip to Florence, S.C., last weekend, and this problem was evident. On many stretches of Interstates 95 and 40 were used fast food bags, aluminum cans, cardboard boxes -- you name it. It was unbelievably distressing -- and unnecessary. 

We have discussed before the N.C. DOT's Swat-a-Litterbug problem. Do your part; if you see someone disrespecting our state, make the call.

In better N.C. road news, if there is one thing that our state seems to do really well, it is the N.C. DOT's Wildflower Program. On our journey to South Cackylacky, we remarked time and time again about the beauty of the wildflowers that populated the medians and grassy portions of exits all up and down our roads. Seriously, kudos to the state transportation department for that! It's really a program of which we should all be proud. But I just wish people had enough pride in their state not to throw cigarette butts and pizza boxes and more out their car windows.

'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.