Wagonwheel Wednesdays: North Carolina

My friends, our Wagonwheel has returned. Maybe my recent purchase of Oregon Trail for the iPhone reminded me about how much I've neglected this space. But I must have discipline. It's sad, I can't even remember the last state we did... Let me take a look. Wow, New York... On January 28th. That's really sad. Sorry folks.

Next up we have North Carolina. For some reason I've spent a ton of time in North Carolina. I'd say after my home state of PA, my current state of CA, my college state of RI and my nearby states of NJ and NY, North Carolina has been my home away from home. I believe I was there as a young lad, but from adulthood on, I seemed to go back to North Carolina every few years for some reason or another. Here's a quick rundown.

*I did a 10-day writing program at Duke in 10th grade

*I went to Winston-Salem for an award after my Freshman year of college

*I lived in Durham for 6 weeks or so while working on a show for one of my professors. (I'm realizing that I sound pretty nerdy now...)

*I went to my friend's house in the North Carolina mountains. We found a bloated mouse in the toilet. I was scared of it.

*I drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway twice (once after living in Durham, once after visiting my friend).

*I spent a night in Charlotte on my way to South Carolina.

Perhaps that's it.

I would never want to live in North Carolina but overall it's a state with plenty to offer. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most gorgeous drives in America. Mountains, forests, Civil War history and more. Plus, half of the Great Smoke Mountains National Park is in North Carolina. It can get crowded but it's a fabulous park with some great sites and hikes. Also, the food in North Carolina is delicious. The vinegar style barbecue that they've made famous down there is worth the trip alone.

I don't recommend going in the summer though, it's hot and sticky. Oh and if you like cigarettes, you can smoke almost everywhere. Even in many hotel elevators. Fuck yeah!