The best part of a winter weekend? A big pot of chili or gumbo, cooked low and slow. For the Ramblin’ Man, February is the perfect time for a Sunday kind of stew.
Ramblin’ Man
Away in a Menagerie
The gift of a friendly beast, whether hamster, gecko, or goldfish, can inspire holiday joy and wonder — so long as the critter doesn’t attempt a Christmas Eve escape.
Birds of Paradise
Handcrafted decoys have evolved from a practical tool for hunting waterfowl into a prized art form. Yet for some collectors, their value lies in cherished memories of the Carolina coast.
Most Improved Sports Fan
Sometimes, when his house full of Tar Heel fanatics huddles up around the TV, the Ramblin’ Man gets to feeling a little sidelined. Hard as he tries, “tackle” and “net” conjure visions of mountain streams, even during football and basketball seasons.
It’s the Little Things
For the Ramblin’ Man, nothing defines the flavor of summer in North Carolina like sweet, succulent shrimp. He trawls roadside stands for these tiny treasures from the sea and sound, and he might be willing to share ... if you’re lucky.
The Redbug Blues
Exploring the state from maritime forests to mountain trails, the Ramblin’ Man has encountered a rogues’ gallery of pests: mosquitoes, ticks, no-see-ums. None compare to his sworn enemy, the chigger.
Home Sweet Nest
Although their own kids have flown the coop, a Raleigh couple still shares their home with little ones each spring. As every Southerner knows, a front-porch fern is irresistible to certain nesting neighbors.
Roots & Wings
In Morehead City, a father’s gift to his daughter reflects the lessons of parenthood. Loved and nurtured, the garden box they share grows with grace, confidence, and beauty.
Armchair Odyssey
Accounts by European explorers who visited North Carolina centuries ago let us travel back to another era — but their words only tell part of the story.
