Visiting 100 Counties in North Carolina

When I entered Stokes County, North Carolina on February 5, 2009 it marked the completion of my visits to each one of the 100 counties in North Carolina - made during countless trips over more than 50 years of traveling throughout the Tarheel State. With this, I have now visited every county in 28 of the United States, and more than 89% of the total counties in all fifty states. Stokes County was #2,898 in my quest to visit each of the 3,141 counties or county equivilents in the United States at least once in my lifetime.

This sign sits beside the driveway of a private residence. It is on old U.S. Hwy. 52, between Rural Hall and King, North Carolina.

Asheville, North Carolina

If I could live anywhere in the world it just might be Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is a small city, surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains and with a great four season climate. Several surveys have rated it one of the best places to live in America. It has all the metropolitan and cosmopolitan trappings I personally need, and is still in very close proximity to some of the best outdoor recreational opportunities anywhere in America.

The famous Blue Ridge Parkway wraps around three sides of the city. The Pisgah National Forest is at Asheville's doorstep, and it is within a short drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I did live in Asheville for a couple of years, in the early 1990s. If it weren't for an beautiful but insane mountain woman I became involved with while living there I might still be in Asheville today. As things turned out, I'm much happier living in so-so Ohio with my fabulous bride, Karen.

Nantahala River, North Carolina

The Nantahala River in western North Carolina is famous for its whitewater rafting and kayaking. There are numerous outfitters which offer trips, or you can bring your own craft and go down the river for free. Whitewater sports are extremely popular and thousands of people will shoot the river on a summer weekend. Crowds are a little less during the week and earlier or later in the season.

One of the largest and best of the outfitters, and one that I have used, is the Nantahala Outdoor Center. They are very professional, do an excellent job and will give you an experience you will always remember.

You can float down the Nantahala on a raft, canoe, kayak, or an innertube. Actually, I don't recommend the latter because I did it once and got so cold I was at the point of hyperthermia.