Oh to be in Carolina...

What a glorious weekend.  Sunny warm.  I swear, my iPhone said the temp was 69 on Sunday.  Took some long walks with the dogs.  Now that the weather is turning nice, tell me some favorite outdoor places to go.  I'm in Charlotte, but will drive 3-4 hours for a good hike and picnic. 

Hi Cheryl,

It's great to see you! I'm a transplant, so I'm sure that there will be a number of folks that can provide you with some lovely places to visit. I really like visiting the coast, whether you like the touristy areas or quiet beaches, there are plenty of beautiful beaches to enjoy. While the NC Zoo isn't huge, it's nice and a nice drive up to Asheboro. When the weather warms up, I love to go up to Hendersonville and Asheville; they have some wonderful artsy areas to visit. 

Thanks, the Zoo sounds like a treat.  Will make a date to go there on a nice weekend.  I already LOVE Asheville.  Need to plan a spring trip there too for the bulbs.  Then theres the beach... My favorite.  What is your favorite NC beach, I'm more familar with GA and SC beaches.

Go to Asheville and see the Biltmore and all the lovely grounds there.  The town is awesome too.  Wonderful art and boutiques -- jewelry -- you will LOVE it.

LOVE, Love, love, Asheville.  When do the spring bulbs bloom?  I've heard it's great then.  I've been at Christmas time, and blazing August, but a spring romp through the mountains would be a boost to the spirits.

Just outside of Hendersonville, NC... between there and Brevard is a place called Dupont Forest... It is ABSOLUTLY BEAUTIFUL.... there are waterfalls, woods, picnic area, etc. 

Also outside of Brevard is Pisgah Forest.... It too is just BEAUTIFUL!!!  bike riding, hiking, picnicing, swimmin in summer, horseback riding.  I used to go there alot to watch the "healthy, active" people repelling down the side of he mountains... Probably both places are about 1 1/5 to 2 hrs outside of Charlotte.... Have fun on you travels!!!

The Outer Banks of NC are absolute paradise.  Hattaras and Ocrakoke specifically.

Linville Falls has great hiking.  Linville caverns are neat.  Then there is Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mtn. near Boone, NC.

Bryson City, NC and Franklin,NC over near the Georgia/TN borders on the Chatooga River.  We rode the Great Smokey Mtn. Railroad. 

Can you tell that I LOVE NC!!!

Vickie

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Gastonia, Winghaven here in CLT, lucky enough to have a big back yard and gardens that keep me busy outside. We have gone up to Cherokee Mountains and it is great, went trout fishing,caguht nothing but fun.

Thanks for the suggestion.  The gardens sound like a close-by quick trip.  I'm going to try them this weekend.