Exploration Alison

Let's continue our NC trivia with 50 Famous People From NC. There were two rules: 1. They had to be born in NC, and 2. they had to have lived in NC for 5 years. I dug in and made sure everyone on the list matched the criteria. Where possible, the details are noted. Now, one very famous North Carolinian didn't meet the first requirement, but since he's so important to our state, I created an Honorable Mention section. Because no list of Famous North Carolinians is complete without Michael Jordan.

North Carolina Fun Facts! Want to be your trivia team's NC expert? Check out these fun facts about NC. Now, some of you know I'm a scientist and must dig up the dirt on my own. I don't just take a random statement as fact. All of the trivia in this article was backed up through multiple sources and I note where there may be a nuance or two. As a matter of fact, there was a lot of untrue information out there. So - if you want to be sure you've got your trivia facts right, this is your source. FYI - just a bit of info to wet your appetite. NC produces more sweet potatoes than any other state and we're home to the first gold rush.

Well, I know I haven't posted much recently. The plan was to wait until after the holiday and share all the work I'd been doing. But - it turns out I'm "that" person. The one that gets appendicitis after Thanksgiving. Yep. That's me. Major Medical situation after a major holiday. I started feeling bad Friday morning, and finally made the call medical intervention was necessary Sunday morning. The pain was on the left so no one was thinking appendix. Turns out mine was located in an off position. So, "Surprise!" Family, neighbors, and friends have been awesome. I stayed with my folks for a week, then came home Friday. It's nice to be in my own house, but I've had to adjust. I'll be sharing my recovery because I'm trying to do it the right way, slow and steady. I already had to cancel leading 3 hikes, a backpacking trip, and heading to Asheville and Waynesville. I can't drive more than 5 minutes before it's uncomfortable and I can't lift over 10 pounds for at least another week. But, I'm still getting out and walking on the paved trails in my neighborhood. And I make a point to get the mail daily (don't judge, some of us let it go for a few days). In the meantime, I'll be working more on fact-based posts so get ready to become a North Carolina trivia expert!

Why is it that schools and bowling alleys make the best backdrop for sunsets? I think it’s the triangle roof. I had a blast and learned a lot at the Outdoor Media Summit. The best part was all the new friends made 😀 The Conscious Chipmunks scavenger hunt team ruled the day! (Can’t take credit for the team name)

Fun with Nikwax na and at @outdoormediasummit #outdoormediasummit #tahoenorth #consciouschipmunks

Fall colors are coming to the Triangle soon. Grab your camera and find your perfect spot now. I find neighborhood walking trails are great for fall viewing. Of course there are the local parks and hiking trails. And don't rule out how beautiful our lakes are with they're lined with reds and yellows. Do you have a super secret spot where you enjoy the colors?

If you haven't been to Tweetsie Railroad's Ghost Train then make this your year. It's definitely not just for children. Adults (and teens) outnumbered smaller children when I was there last week. Even if you don't enjoy horror movies or spooky houses, you'll have fun. The Freaky Forest was my favorite, although the Ghost Train was a close second. And speaking of the Ghost Train, it's amazing. You'll love seeing and hearing it pull in and out of the Main Street depot every 30 minutes. Don't forget to head up the hill to the Creepy Carnival for fun rides. October 28th and 29th are your last chance this year. So grab a ticket and head out. (They do have a limited number of walk-up tickets, but get there early if you want one).

If you've got FOMO seeing all the photos of the fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway, then I've got the solution - a one-day itinerary to explore 23 miles of the parkway and enjoy the colors. It may be slightly past peak in a few areas, but it's still beautiful. And the great thing about the parkway is that it's so long the color viewing works its way northeast which is exactly where this guide will take you. Check it out.

Did you forget about Tweetsie Railroad's Ghost Train? Oh-no! You've got one more weekend to grab a ticket. They're selling out fast, but they do allow a number of walk-ups. You can call for more details, but get there early. It's a ton of fun for adults. We had a blast with the music, creepy carnival, and awesome freaky forest. The Ghost Train is dark and scary so hold on tight.

It's not too late to plan your trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the fall colors! While they reached peak last week near Grandfather Mountain, the parkway further northeast still has color. The eastern end changes later, and the lower elevations also delay the change. If you live in NC's Triangle or Triad, you can make it there in a day. It's a long day, but a lot of fun.

Definitely make the NC Seafood Festival a must-do on your calendar for next year. forward. Kudos to the Executive Board that made some last-minute changes to the schedule to keep everyone safe. The weather was perfect on Saturday and the crowds came out to show their support. Despite the storms that came through (I'm talking to you, Ian), the festival moved forward. Kudos to the Executive Board that made some last minute changes to the schedule to keep everyone safe. The weather was perfect on Saturday and the crowds came out to show their support. I'll definitely be back in 2023!

CAKE!

What is there to do at the NC Seafood Festival in Morehead City? Eat a ton of local seafood, do a little shopping from local vendors, enjoy the midway rides and games, be judged by Poseidon (or Neptune). Whatever you decide to do, you're guaranteed to have fun.

There you are my old enemy. It has been many years since we last met. Although you look innocuous and enticing to others, I shall not fall for your game. It is a firm No from me yet again. Anyone else hate the Ferris wheel? It just always seems so flimsy. And somehow I always wind up paired with someone who (although they SWORE they wouldn't on the ground) decides to rock the car. The Ferris wheel possesses them. It reaches out through it's many tentacles and forces them to do its bidding. Beware the Ferris wheel. It tries to look meek and friendly, but it's not.

It's been a crazy festival year! The Morehead City Seafood Festival was scheduled for Sept 30 - Oct 2 but then, this being NC and all, Tropical Storm/maybe not a Tropical storm Ian came through. Huge kudos to the event committee that kept calm and prioritized safety. They canceled the Friday events and opened up on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and a fantastic festival. So many vendors, great food, HUGE crowd, and a midway full of rides to rival the State Fair. Definitely put this festival on your list for next year!!!