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Activities Hiking National Park North Carolina Rural United States

The Craggy Gardens Trail near Asheville, North Carolina

The Craggy Gardens trail located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway a short distance from the bustling town of Asheville, North Carolina, offers hikers an enormously satisfying view of the Black Mountain range with very little sweat.  The visitors center at the trailhead even offers a bathroom.  What can be better than that?

The Craggy Gardens Trail near Asheville, North Carolina
The sign at the trail head.
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Activities Archaeology Architecture Hiking Historic House House North Carolina Preserve Ruins Rural Sightseeing United States

The Reedy Creek Nature Center, Park, and Preserve in Charlotte, North Carolina

We were visiting family in Charlotte and were searching for something fun to do with our 2 year old son.  Hands down, the Reedy Creek Nature Center, Park, and Preserve was the most fun we had while visiting this beautiful city.  From a playground, to a nature center, to hiking trails, to archaeological ruins, this park has it all.  And I can honestly say that there is something here for everybody.

The Reedy Creek Nature Center, Park, and Preserve in Charlotte, North Carolina
This sprawling osage orange tree lays on the ground in front of the Robinson Rockhouse Ruins. In 1987, it was blown over during an ice storm. A tree ring core obtained from the tree tells us that it was planted sometime in the 1770s.
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Activities Hiking North Carolina Rural state park United States

The Cole Mill Loop Trail at Eno River State Park, Durham, North Carolina

On our way from Virginia Beach to Charlotte, we stopped to stretch our legs and take a short hike along the Cole Mill Trail at Eno River State Park in North Carolina.  This park offers a wonderful respite for anyone living in the urban areas of Durham and Orange Counties.  It was one of our favorite places that we happened upon while in North Carolina.  The trails are easy to follow, easy to walk along, and the scenery provides visitors with so much nature to look upon!

The Cole Mill Loop Trail at Eno River State Park, Durham, North Carolina
Looking down the Eno River.