NC Travel Info Archives - North Carolina Travel

Pet Travel Tips

North Carolina Travel — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 16:19:58 +0000

Pet Travel Tips

We love our pets, but traveling with them needs some planning ahead. Here are some valuable pet travel tips to make traveling with your pets easier. North Carolina is a pet-friendly place.

Pet Travel Tips

Plan Ahead: Before leaving on your trip, research pet-friendly accommodations, airlines, and transportation options. Ensure that your chosen destinations are pet-friendly and have the necessary facilities to accommodate your furry companion. Now there are many hotels/motels/rentals that are pet-friendly. Some restaurants with outdoor seating allow pets to be with you at the table.

Visit the Vet: Schedule a visit to your veterinarian to ensure your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations. Have copies of your pet’s updated vaccinations and other health records. Current rabies vaccine records are especially important. Have records of any necessary medications for the trip. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Pack Essentials: Don’t forget to pack your pet’s essentials. Pack their food, water, bowls, leash, collar with identification tags, waste bags, and any required medications that your pet will take. Familiar items like their favorite toys or blankets can also help them feel more at ease during the journey.

Comfort and Safety: Ensure your pet’s comfort and safety during travel. Use a secure and well-ventilated carrier or harness for smaller pets, and consider using a seat belt or car seat for larger animals. Never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle. Even when the weather is nice, temperatures can rise quickly in a closed vehicle leading to your pet having a heat stroke. In some states, it’s even illegal to leave a pet in a car unattended.

Frequent Breaks: Like humans, pets need regular breaks during long journeys. Plan for frequent stops to allow them to stretch their legs, relieve themselves, and have a drink of water. This will help keep them calm and comfortable throughout the trip.

Traveling With Pets

Research Pet-Friendly Attractions: Look for pet-friendly attractions and activities at your destination. Many parks, beaches, and hiking trails welcome pets, allowing them to enjoy the adventure alongside you. Remember to follow local rules and regulations regarding pets in public spaces. Many locations in North Carolina have leash laws, including how long the leash must be when in public locations.

Patience and Understanding: Traveling can be stressful for pets, so be patient and understanding. Give them time to adjust to their new surroundings. Provide reassurance and comfort when needed. A little extra love and attention can go a long way in making their travel experience a positive one.

Remember, traveling with pets requires careful planning and consideration. By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable journey for both you and your furry friend. Have fun and safe travels.

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The Different NC Mountain Regions

North Carolina Travel — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 18:04:13 +0000

The Different NC Mountain Regions

The North Carolina mountains cover a lot of areas in western NC. Knowing about the different NC mountain regions is a must when it comes to visiting the area. Whether it’s a summer hiking trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, a trip to Chimney Rock State Park and Lake Lure, or a fall foliage expedition to the High Country, knowing the areas and where to go is a must.

The North Carolina mountains have one of the longest fall foliage seasons. The fall foliage season in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains can last as long as 5-6 weeks. There are a lot of different places one can go to see our fall foliage. Knowing when to go and where to go is crucial. And the mountains of North Carolina cover a lot of area in Western North Carolina. The GSMNP has over 522,000 acres in the park. The BRP is 469 miles long with a 45mph speed limit. Knowing the different regions and what attractions are in what regions will help one plan a better trip. To help those not familiar with the area, here is a short summary of the three main regions in the mountains of Western North Carolina and just some of their attractions.

The Great Smoky Mountains, The High Country and Asheville and The Foothills

NC Mountain Regions

The Appalachian Mountains are in the eastern United States and extended from Alabama to Canada. The Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina are both part of the larger Appalachian Mountains. The three regions of the mountainous section of North Carolina are the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee region; the Blue Ridge Mountains of the High Country; and the Blue Ridge Mountains at Asheville and the Foothills.

The Great Smoky Mountains and the GSM National Park are on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The High Country is the mountainous area north of Asheville (or I-40). The Foothills are the mountainous areas south of Asheville (or I-40).

The Great Smoky Mountains popular attractions include Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, Mt. LeConte, Cherokee, Bryson City, Fontana Dam, and the road referred to as The Tail of the Dragon. Of course, there is so much more to enjoy in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With all the varying elevations in the GSM peak colors during the fall foliage season takes place somewhere all during the month of October.

The High Country is the mountainous region north of Asheville. This region includes such cities and attractions such as Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, West Jefferson, Grandfather Mountain, the northern NC portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linn Cove Viaduct, and Mt. Mitchell. This area is also known for winter activities like snow skiing, snow tubing, and snowboarding.

Asheville and the Foothills are the mountainous regions around the city of Asheville and south of Asheville. Some of the attractions popular in this region include Biltmore Estate, the southern end of the BRP, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, DuPont State Park, Whiteside Mountain, Highlands, Cashiers, Nantahala National Forest, Black Mountain, and Brevard. This area also has a lot of nice waterfalls and scenic lakes.

Sections of Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is in North Carolina as well as Virginia. The parkway is 469 miles long. The parkway is marked by milepost (MP). The BRP begins at MP 0 in Front Royal, VA. Overlooks, visitor centers, campground and other stops are located between Milepost 0 and MP 215.0 in Virginia. The BRP crosses the NC/VA state line at MP216.9. The BRP in NC is from MP 217.5 to MP 469 in Cherokee just south of the GSMNP entrance. Overlooks, visitors centers, picnic areas, etc, are all marked in milepost. This makes it easy to locate any particular place one wants to get to on the 469 miles of the parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes close to Asheville. So part of the BRP is south of Asheville and part is north of Asheville. The city is a good reference point for planning a trip.

Popular BRP Milepost

Here are just some of the popular attractions on the parkway listed by their location and the milepost. Listed by regions: south of Asheville (Foothills); north of Asheville (The High Country) and in Virginia.

Linn Cove Viaduct Fall Foliage

BRP in the High Country north of Asheville and I-40

Here are just some of the popular areas; MP 382 Folk Art Center, MP 364.6 Craggy Gardens, MP 359.8 Balsam Gap Overlook, MP 329.8 View Table Rock, MP 316.4 Linville Falls, MP 306.6 Grandfather Mountain Overlook, MP 304.4 Linn Cove Viaduct, MP 302.8 Rough Ridge Overlook, MP 297.1 Julian Price Memorial Park, MP 294.1 Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, MP 289.8 Yadkin Valley Overlook, MP 266.8 View Mt. Jefferson, MP 258.6 New River State Park, MP 258.6 Northwest Trading Post, MP 241.1 Doughton Park, MP 233.7 Bullhead Mountain Overlook, and MP 217.5 Cumberland Knob.

BRP attractions in The Foothills south of Asheville or I-40

MP 393.8 French Broad Overlook, MP 403 Young Pisgah Ridge Tunnel, MP 403.6 Big Ridge Overlook, MP 407.6 Mount Pisgah Overlook and Trail Head, MP 408.6 Mount Pisgah, MP 410 Graveyard Fields Waterfalls, MP 411.9 View Cold Mountain, MP 417.0 View Looking Glass Rock, MP 418.8 Graveyard Fields and Loop Trail, MP 422.4 View Devil’s Courthouse Trail and Tunnel, MP 431.0 Haywood-Jackson Overlook, MP 431.4 Richland Balsam Overlook and Trail, MP 440.9 View Waynesville Overlook, MP 442.2 Balsam Gap Overlook, MP 451.2 Waterrock Knob and Trail, MP 468.4 View Oconaluftee River, MP 469.1 Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, NC.

Mabry Mill

BRP attractions in Virginia

MP 0 Shenandoah National Park, MP 5.8 Humpback Rocks, MP10.4 Rock Point Overlook, MP22.1 Bald Mountain Overlook, MP52.8 Bluff Mountain Overlook, MP59.7 Otter Creek Overlook, MP 86.0 Peaks of Otter, MP120.4 Roanoke Mountain, MP171.5 Chateau Morrisette Winery and Restaurant, MP176.1 Mabry Mill and restaurant, MP189.1 View Pilot Mountain, and MP213.0 Blue Ridge Music Center.

Biltmore Estate
Asheville, NC

Biltmore Estate is located in Asheville NC. Fall foliage color peaks in this area usually in late October due to the lower elevation. The elevation of Asheville is about 2,100 ft. The estate is not directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway. But it is easy to follow the signs and get there once you exit the parkway in the Asheville area. From the Blue Ridge Parkway take the US Highway 25 North exit; Biltmore is approximately 4 miles from the parkway.

Map of Western NC Moutain Region
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Hurricane Matthew Headed Toward NC

North Carolina Travel — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 21:51:05 +0000

Hurricane Matthew Headed Toward NC

It looks like Hurricane Matthew is headed our way. This is a large hurricane that covers a lot of area. This hurricane has a tropical storm-force wind field (at least 39 mph sustained winds) that currently extends over 300 miles wide. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 40 miles from the eye of Hurricane Matthew. Landfall may take place between the South Carolina and the North Carolina border by weeks end. Predictions are for the hurricane that is now a Cat 4 to be a Cat 2 or even a Cat 3 when it reaches the Carolinas. Recent rain has made the rivers and creeks already full in NC. If Hurricane Matthew brings a lot of rainand strong winds as anticipated then we need to prepare now for more flooding.

Hurricane Matthew Headed to NC

Pay close attention to the news and weather forecast to keep up to date on Hurricane Matthew and how it will impact North Carolina. Travel in and around the state on Friday, Saturday and possibly Sunday may be dangerous. There is the potential for flooding, downed trees, structural damage and loss of power. Preparations have already begun in the coastal communities. Hurricane Watches and Warning will likely be posted on Thursday if not before.

Consider planning now to prepare for this powerful hurricane. Go ahead and make sure you have batteries, candles, bottled water and food that will not need refrigeration just in case electrical power is lost. Heavy rain and windy conditions are expected starting as early as Friday and lasting into Saturday and maybe even Sunday as this slow moving hurricane travels up the eastern coast of the United States. Please stay safe. Be aware of weather conditions and forecasts for North Carolina, especially if you have plans to travel. This storm may impact the NC mountains and fall foliage.

Please use our live NC web cams page to see conditions across the state. From the coast to the mountains our live web cam links can offer real-time weather conditions in North Carolina.

Remember that most deaths occur after a storm. If you a approach a flooded road

Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

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The Invasion of Kudzu

North Carolina Travel — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 01:12:47 +0000

The Invasion of Kudzu In North Carolina

The kudzu invasion in North Carolina. Have you ever been riding along a North Carolina highway in the summer months and seen a large overgrown area of a big leafy green vine. What is that stuff? It is common to see it along the interstates in North Carolina. It is called kudzu. It grows very fast and can quickly take over an area. A vine can grow up to 100 feet long and the vine itself be up to 10 inches thick. Kudzu can be quite invasive. It can grow as fast as 1 foot in 24 hours! Few animals eat kudzu. But there are some places that have tried using goats and sheep to control the growth. It is very hard to get rid of and the invasive vine has caused many problems.

Kudzu in North Carolina

It was brought to the United States from Asia for the purpose of livestock food and to control erosion. In the 1940s-1950s the government encouraged some farmers to plant kudzu thinking it would help control soil erosion. But it is now primarily a nuisance. It is very hard to kill and can take several years of repeated treatment to kill a mature kudzu vine. In order to kill the vine the thick extensive root system must be completely cut down and removed then the roots repeatedly mowed for two years. The cut portion must be careful disposed off to prevent spreading in other locations.

Kudzu is a threat to other plants because kudzu grows so fast and blankets other plants, even encircling their stems and tree trunks. It can also result in breaking branches of shrubs and trees and causing trees to fall over and uproot. The fast growing vines can quickly engulf power poles and power lines causing problems for electric companies. The vine can overtake outbuildings, deserted farm equipment and other structures, even large acres of trees and tracts of land.

Its rapid growth is spread by the vines that root at the nodes and form more new kudzu plants. The climate in North Carolina as well as other southern states is a perfect environment for the plant. Some research has found that herbicides have very little effect on the vine and may even help it to grow more. There is some research that recommends using herbicide treatments for at least 4 years and up to 10 years to kill the vines and root system in some areas. Kudzu does survive in drought conditions. In the cold months of fall and winter in North Carolina exposed kudzu leaves and vines are killed by the frost and cold temperatures, but the roots do survive so in the spring and summer it starts its invasion all over again.

Kudzu On I-95

The kudzu plant is kind of creepy in the fact that it grows toward the sun in response to the movement of the sun. It therefore climbs structures so it can reach the sun. It can not and does not support itself, it must grow on top of other plants, trees, buildings, power poles or whatever is close by in order to reach the sunlight.

Believe it or not but there are some good uses of kudzu! Medical research taking place now show the plant may be useful in medicines. WebMD states kudzu can be used to treat alcoholism, heart problems, breathing problems, control symptoms of menopause and other conditions.The thick strong vines make it great for making baskets. Some even use it for cooking and making jelly and syrup. There are even kudzu recipes and recipe books. You can find recipes for kudzu quiche, salad, salsa, candy, soda and tea and more.

Some claim the leaves, vine tips, flowers, and roots can be eaten, but don’t eat the vines. The leaves can be used like spinach and eaten raw, chopped up and baked in quiches, or cooked just like you would cook collards. Tender young kudzu shoots taste kind of like snow peas they say.

The purple-colored, grape-smelling kudzu blossoms can be used to make jelly, candy, syrups and even homemade wine. The large potato-like roots are rich in protein, iron, and fiber.They can be dried and then ground into a powder to be used to coat foods before frying or to thicken sauces similar to flour or corn starch.

Here is a link to Grandpappy’s Basic Recipes-A Collection of Kudzu Recipes!

So if you are ever traveling in North Carolina and see a large area blanketed in a green leafy vine hanging from surrounding trees and growing up the power poles now you know what it is! But by all means don’t break off any and take it home to root for your garden or yard!

Kudzu growing up a pole near Lake Gaston
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Valentines Day in North Carolina

North Carolina Travel — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 20:06:58 +0000

Plan a Special North Carolina Valentines Day or Weekend

February is here and Valentines Day is on a Saturday this year. Plan a special Valentine’s weekend for that someone special in your life. There are so many romantic weekend getaways in North Carolina.

Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC

Try a romantic weekend in the beautiful mountain city of Asheville where you can stay at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Book a relaxing spa day then enjoy a special dinner that evening.

A trip to the Outer Banks would be spacial if that someone special likes a coastal setting. Reserve a oceanfront room with a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Outer Banks Beach Sunset

The port city of New Bern is also nice as well a trip to Wilmington on the Neuse River. Plan a nice evening dinner with a view of the water.

If the big city is more to your liking try a visit to Raleigh or Charlotte. There would be many events to choose from in the big

Charlotte

city such as a play, a concert or a night out on the town. Make reservations at a great restaurant and wine and dine that special person in your life.

There are so many places in North Carolina to make Valentine’s Day special. Start planning now.
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