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.
Ramblin’ Man
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.
On Turkey Time
Preparing the perfect Thanksgiving entrée — especially outdoors, in the fickle weather of a North Carolina November — is a delicate process that cannot be rushed. Just ask the Ramblin’ Man.
Banner Elk: Discovering a Blue Ridge Town
To answer a question that’s confounded him for years, the Ramblin’ Man — a Piedmont-dweller since birth — goes west.
The Seed Saver
A passion for indigenous grasses and wildflowers turned a ninth-generation farmer into a steward of seeds. On a ramble down to Johnston County, our roving writer learns how Don Lee is helping restore native landscapes across the South.
