Posted November 20, 2009:
Of all that North Carolina has to offer residents and visitors; of all that the State can provide in the way of entertainment, jobs, fine dining--of all that, what matters, what matters most to the North Carolinian is one thing: College Basketball! I mean, talk about getting someone's attention.

There are two professional sports teams in North Carolina: the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats and Hockey's Carolina Hurricanes. And we are happy to have them and we support them fully.

But when it comes to living and dying, loving and hating, nothing stirs the blood in North Carolina like College Basketball. Well, the season is under way and let's all dig in and cheer or boo all the way through March Madness. The ACC conference schedule can be found here.

In sports, there are the Yankees and Red Sox; the Cowboys and Redskins; the Vikings and the Chicago Bears. But I contend there is no greater rivalry in all of basketball than Carolina/Duke. Separated by a mere 8 miles, the two universities have battled it out over the years for state supremacy and they always battle on the national level, because they are almost always in the National Top 10 Ranking.

If you are a Carolina fan and you beat Duke, life cannot get any better. And if you are a Cameron Crazy and beat the Heels, well, you just found a reason to get up in the morning. Yahoo Sports recently published an excellent piece on the rivalry between the two schools. Check it out here. For the record, North Carolina leads in the head to head record 128 to 97.

But then there are other teams that play in the state as well. Also in the ACC are North Carolina State and Wake Forest, and they both have excellent basketball histories.

Davidson, the University of Charlotte: there's no dearth of great basketball in North Carolina.

And passions run very high any time any of these teams play. Whether you are a native of the state or here from somewhere else, you will get pulled into college basketball and you will love it.

Plus, I've always associated college basketball with spring. The teams will play into late March (maybe early April), and I know, with each passing game, I'm getting closer and closer to Spring in Carolina.

Let the games begin: jump ball!

Nestled among the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst resort invites you to become part of its history and to experience southern hospitality, elegant accommodations, luxury spa facilities, family recreational activities, and of course, any one of their eight pristine world-class golf courses. In addition to offering one of the finest golf experiences in the country, Pinehurst also provides world-class spa and tennis vacations, as well as fun-filled family vacation packages. The stories of champions and the traditions of championship golf have been created at Pinehurst since 1898. As the site of more championships than any other golf course in the country. Pinehurst welcomes the return of the U.S. Open Championship for the third time in 15 years in 2014.

With 8-that's right, 8-world class golf courses, Pinehurst, NC is one of the essential stops on any tour of the state's biggest and best attractions. Just slightly over an hour's drive from Raleigh, Pinehurst is a golfer's delight. And even if golf is not your thing, there is plenty to do and see in and around the city that Bobby Jones revered as the "St. Andrews of America." That's strong praise indeed, but Pinehurst and surrounding areas move than live up to the comparison.

Step back in time and discover the elegance and old world charm that defines the luxury accommodations at Pinehurst Resort-from the historic Holly, a warm and inviting luxury hotel that has hosted presidents, to the grand Carolina that has invited guests through its stately columns and into its gracious lobby for over a century. Both of these award-winning hotels offer a seamless blend of southern hospitality and charm, attention to the finest details and just enough modern luxury to remind you that you are in the 21st century. For those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, The Manor, a sportsman-style lodge is the ideal choice. Families and larger groups will enjoy the spaciousness and comfort of the luxury vacation villas and condominiums also available at the resort.

Whatever your preferences-grand or modest, expensive or less so-you'll find the perfect place to stay in Pinehurst.

There are many things to do in this tiny, but magical part of North Carolina. And since NC Ramble is always touting the virtues of the state, golf is virtually a year round activity in North Carolina. (A few years ago I remember playing golf the day after Christmas in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts.)

Start with the following website, http://www.golfholidays-online.com/, and go from there.

Tennis is also big in the Pinehurst area. So is fine dining. Check out these establishments:

The Villager Deli, (910) 295-1005; Pine Crest Inn, (910) 295-6121; Elliott's on Linden, (910) 215-0775; and Pinehurst Track Restaurant, (910) 295-2597. You can't go wrong.

Posted 10/13/09

With over a 411 foot drop, North Carolina's Whitewater Falls is the highest in the Eastern United States. While Whitewater distinguishes itself because of its immense height, there are some 250 other water falls-some nearly as large as Whitewater-near by. In fact, this area, just south of Asheville and accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, is known as the land of the waterfalls.

These many falls are usually accessed via NC Route 64 as it barrels into the Nantahala National Forest.

Along this drive are numerous towns you'll want to visit and explore. Most are quite beautiful, they cater to tourists, and the food and accommodations are of the highest quality. (Especially check out Highlands and Cashiers, pronounced cash-ers.)

The Nantahala National Forest is the largest in North Carolina and one of the largest on the East Coast. Nantahala means "noon day sun." It's easy to understand the derivation of the name: as you drive or bike or hike the Blue Ridge Parkway or other routes, it is only around mid-day that the sun manages to squeeze through spaces in the usually dense canopy of trees and forest growth.

The numerous waterfalls, an attraction not to be missed, are created when the warm clouds from the Gulf of Mexico flow north and slam into the Nantahala mountains. The mountains trap the clouds, which in turn drop about a 100 inches of rain annually in the forest. And since the forest is tree and rock face-representing about a 5,000 foot drop into the Nantahala gorge-it's not so hard to understand how NC is blessed with such an abundance of stunning water falls.

Nearby is Sliding Rock, a long and long-since smoothed natural rock slide into a frigid pool, even in summer. But thousands visit Sliding Rock Park every year to do just that: slide down over silky smooth rock into a refreshing pool.

If you are in Western North Carolina, the Nantahala National Forest should be at the top of your destination list.