Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

The days are clear and sunny, the nights cool and crisp, the brilliant changing of leaves from verdant greens to brilliant reds, oranges, golds and purples of autumn

Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak at 5,964 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains, located near Linville, North Carolina. The Cherokee Indians called the mountain “Tanawha”, meaning “a fabulous hawk or eagle”. Early pioneers recognized the profile of the old man with his long beard and strong nose, gazing up to the skies. Grandfather Mountain is a privately owned and operated nature preserve, wildlife sanctuary, and travel attraction.

The famous Mile-High Swinging Bridge suspends you more than a mile above sea level, giving visitors easy access to the breath-taking view of up to 100 miles on a clear day. Trails are carefully mapped and there are plenty of picnic table available with scenic settings. Bears, bear cubs, cougars, otters, deer, and bald eagles can be seen in their natural wildlife habitats. The Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum displays the region’s minerals and gems, including a 165 pound amethyst cluster, songbirds, wildflowers, and much more. Other features are a restaurant, store, souvenir shop, and a theater. Educational and guided tours are available.

Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina’s mountain paradise.

Directions: The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is on the north side of US 221 between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the town of Linville. Google Map

Travel back in history to the Battleship North Carolina (BB55) an authentically restored World War II battleship with an amazing story.

The USS North Carolina was commissioned in 1941 and was deployed throughout WWII, earning her 15 battle stars. Although she had many close calls, including sinking an enemy troopship, shooting down 24 enemy aircrafts, and having a Japanese torpedo slammed into her hull, miraculously only 10 soldiers perished during her commission. Her accomplishments also include the rescue of the carrier Enterprise.

After her tour of duty with the 144 commissioned officers and 2195 enlisted men the USS North Carolina served as a training vessel until she was decommissioned in 1947. A statewide campaign was started in 1958 by the citizens of North Carolina to save the ship from being scrapped and in 1962 the state dedicated her as a memorial to our WWII veterans.

The self guided tour of this iron-clad vessel gives you full access to explore the crew’s quarters, galley, engine rooms, gun turrets, and much more. Visit the Roll of Honor memorializing more than 10,000 North Carolinians that paid the ultimate sacrifice during WWII. Other features are a WWII exhibit, museum, and a Kingfisher float plane. I highly recommend bringing a camera to capture the beauty of this massive ship overlooking historic downtown Wilmington.

I want to also include this picture taken last year at the Battleship North Carolina when we were graced with The Healing Fields. One flag for each military service personnel lost since September 11, 2001 in Iraq and Afghanistan in our war against terror. There were over 1,700 American flags standing eight feet tall in perfect rows and columns across The Soldier’s Field with a yellow ribbon inscribed with the name of a soldier, sailor, marine, airman, or guardsman, age, hometown, and the date and location of their death. It was an emotional site, a visible reminder that Freedom is Not Free!