RV There Yet?: For some, they’re home away from home. For others, they are home. From purchase to renovation to life on the road, campers offer the freedom to live on one’s own terms. Click here to read more articles from our camping issue.
In Brevard, ‘99’ Creemee Stand’s signature cone sign nods to the quintessential British soft-serve treat. photograph by Tim Robison
After pedaling the loop or running around the playground at The Yard — a community space along Brevard’s bike path — little hands reach up toward an Airstream window to grab hold of a sweet treat. At ‘99’ Creemee Stand, kids enjoy hand-scooped, Amish-made ice cream from Wholesome Country Creamery in Hamptonville; Common Pops from Greenville, South Carolina; and the spot’s signature Vermont creemees: soft serve made with dairy from a third-generation farm. Parents often treat themselves to a coffee, espresso beverage, or smoothie from Brew Cycle, also operating from the Airstream. In 2024, Nichols and Meurig James opened the kid-centered bike park and its dining options beside the new Ecusta Trail, a paved path along the old rail line bearing the Cherokee name for the nearby Davidson River.
284 Railroad Avenue
(828) 216-0097
theyardbrevard.com
I Stream of Yogurt co-owner Adrian Cherry (pictured with his son, Aaron) serves frozen treats from his Charlotte-based Airstream. photograph by Tim Robison
At many festivals and events across the greater Charlotte area, attendees braving the heat often stop by this colorful 1973 Airstream Argosy — owned and run by Kibwe Ali and Adrian Cherry — for a cool treat. The pair have made a name for themselves with their playful frozen yogurt creations like Betty’s Bacon and Waffle, topped with bacon and maple syrup, and Bo Butter Blues, covered in caramel sauce, marshmallow fluff, and whipped cream. These creations honor late loved ones including Cherry’s Grandma Betty, who housed the Airstream in her backyard before it was up and running, and Ali’s father, Bobby Saleem “Bo,” who passed his entrepreneurial spirit on to his son.
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Winston-Salem’s prized drive-through Coffee Park, has served brews from their Airstream for almost two decades. photograph by Tim Robison
Tommy Priest photograph by Tim Robison
Drivers cruising down Reynolda Road catch a glint of sun reflecting off the Coffee Park Airstream and, if their windows are down, a hint of brewing coffee. More than 20 years ago, owner Tommy Priest found this 1958 “piece of Americana” abandoned under a tree while driving along U.S. Highway 64 between Asheboro and Lexington, and he retrofitted the 120-square-foot space to house his love of coffee and creativity. Since opening in 2007, Priest has built a loyal customer base, who helped Coffee Park win USA Today’s “Best Drive-Thru Coffee” in 2023. Today, customers can enjoy their order in another piece of Americana across the parking lot: the 1962 Texaco station Priest transformed into a lounge for the locals who’ve made him a part of their morning routines.
1208 Reynolda Road
(336) 310-9063
coffeeparkws.com
Eric Scheffer greets guests at The Pearl. photograph by Evan Anderson
As the sun sets in north Asheville, seats fill at Jettie Rae’s Oyster House. Outside, a line stretches from a blue-and-white Arete Streamliner on the restaurant’s patio. Oysters have been shucked and served from this mermaid-adorned camper since 2022, two years after the restaurant opened. Designed by Jettie Rae’s owner, Eric Scheffer, The Pearl hosts family-style boils, clambakes, and fish fries as part of its popular Sunday Supper Series. The mobile eatery also freqently appears at Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton, where diners can enjoy seafood alongside collaborative seasonal beers like The Pearl pilsner, a lighter take on a traditional oyster beer that’s brewed using Jettie Rae’s oyster shells.
143 Charlotte Street
(828) 505-4499
jettieraes.com
On a remote island, a family of storytellers preserves local lore and neighborly traditions, beginning with one iconic thoroughfare.
From the expanses of needlerush at Cedar Island to the lush spartina feathering the shores of Bodie and Roanoke islands, our salt marshes are the threshold to a watery world — the heartbeat of our coastal ecosystem.
From remote beaches to sunsets that dazzle before they sink into the sound, here’s where to splash, dine, and cast a line in this Outer Banks town.
Amid planning seafood spreads for friends and family, our recipe developer finds isolation and inspiration Down East.
