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Quiz: Vast Vistas

When fall arrives in North Carolina, we head west for vibrant foliage, miles of mountain views, and scenic overlooks to take it all in.

We Live Here

Downtown: Wilkesboro

When a couple from out of state ventured off the highway in search of a peaceful place to stop, they discovered musicians and makers, outdoor adventures, farm-to-table fare, and friendly neighbors.

Costume Drama

In the Piedmont, where fall temperatures are fickle right through the end of October, deciding what to wear on Halloween is both a trick and a treat.

Eats

The Mountain Issue: Linville Gorge

The Linville Look

The elegantly rustic bark shingles that give this mountain town its character are as fashionable today as they were more than a century ago when a famous architect introduced them.

The Heart of Morganton

Merchants and their regulars in this Burke County town have banded together like family, uplifting and reinventing a community rich in nature, compassion, and creativity.

Iron & Artistry

In a shop outside of Morganton, a modern blacksmith and his wife turn elemental materials — metal and wood — into elegant works that can be found all over town, and beyond.

Signs of Change

For 125 years, the North Carolina School for the Deaf has drawn generations of students from all over the state, evolving with the times. Now, as NCSD prepares to enter a new phase, it’s clear what the historic campus has always been for its community: a second home.

Living Cliffside

A retired biology professor at Appalachian State University studies the new species, the rare species, and the really old species that grow on Linville Gorge cliffs.

Good Times at the Old Hampton Store

In an old trading post and gristmill near Grandfather Mountain, an artist has created a community of locals and tourists who come together over pulled pork and fried pickles, High Country cocktails, and traditional Appalachian art and music.

Features

Where Cabbage Is King

A staple crop of Watauga County for generations, the glorious green cabbage remains a savory symbol of old mountain ways and comforting suppers. Plus, it might just cure what ails you.

The Wonder of a Wet Land

With every journey into the cypress and Spanish moss, the Ramblin’ Man falls deeper under the spell of swamps. Where some may fear darkness and decay, he finds beauty and life.

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