At Wrightsville Beach, surfer Peyton Coombs and a few early risers on Crystal Pier are among the first in the state to greet the morning sun. photograph by Eric Alter Photography
A 10-foot-tall sculpture at City Plaza was commissioned for the City of Oaks’ 1992 bicentennial. photograph by Bryan Regan
From tiny acorns grow great oaks — like the one in Raleigh’s Moore Square. photograph by Charles Harris
The Coastal Plain provides the ideal environment for cultivating cotton. photograph by Chris Rogers
Our state fruit, the scuppernong grape, thrives in the Coastal Plain. photograph by Faith Teasley
An eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly sips nectar from a Carolina jessamine flower in Uwharrie National Forest. At Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, Spanish moss drapes over the branches of centuries-old live oaks. photograph by Eric Abernethy, Charles Harris
Along the Neusiok Trail in Croatan National Forest, you’ll pass through virgin longleaf pine stands. photograph by Ryan McGurl/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Summertime brings native rhododendron blooms to the North Carolina mountains: white rosebays and purple and pink Catawbas, like the ones at Flower Gap on the Art Loeb Trail in Haywood County. photograph by Tom Moors
At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. From the observation deck at its summit, visitors can see as far as 85 miles on a clear day. photograph by Tom Moors
Summertime brings native rhododendron blooms to the North Carolina mountains: white rosebays and purple and pink Catawbas, like the ones at Flower Gap on the Art Loeb Trail in Haywood County. photograph by Tom Moors
Little unites a crowd more than rooting for the same team. NC State University mascots Ms. Wuf and Mr. Wuf lead fans in cheering the Wolfpack to victory at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. photograph by Audrey Sherk
photograph by Lance King/Contributor/Getty Images
A double rainbow near Plott Balsam Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway east of Cherokee ends just beyond the trees, where a true treasure — a part of our beautiful state — awaits. photograph by Robert Stephens
This story was published on Jul 26, 2024
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