A portion of I-40 in western North Carolina near the Tennessee state line remains closed due to an October 25th rock slide and officials say it could take several months to clear the debris. I-40 is closed between exit 20 (west of Asheville, North Carolina) and exit 451 in Tennessee (just north of the Tennessee/North Carolina border).

The road closure has been applied in TripTik Travel Planner (TTP) and TTP routings in the area will provide the fastest alternate route... Read More

Asheville has all the qualities needed for a perfect 'girls getaway':  luxurious hotels and spas; a variety of unique restaurants; great shopping; endless galleries for lovers of folk art to fine art and, of course, the beautiful mountain scenery.  For the adventurous, there are the mountain drives, hikes and bike rides.  For those less so, there is the historic Biltmore Estate to explore. 

My friend, Lorraine, and I met up at the Charlotte airport around noon on a Sunday at the end of September and headed west to Asheville.  We made our first stop Bridges Barbeque... Read More

I had booked a whitewater rafting trip in North Carolina once before, only to cancel upon learning of my first child’s pending arrival status.  That child is now 14, so it took me awhile to reschedule, but now the trip would include her and her 9-year-old brother.

As a first-time rafter, I waded online through river choices, rafting jargon and companies (‘outfitters’).  Being a bit of a thrill-seeker, I wanted the most action an amateur could handle – with assistance and a reasonable assurance of safety for the kids. Not looking... Read More

     Most travelers have a long list of “must-see” destinations or things to experience.  And it seems that each time you scratch one destination off your list, you hear or read about another place that you must visit.  While visiting Emerald Isle, North Carolina, I was pleasantly surprised to unexpectedly cross off an experience that has been on my list for more than 15 years. 

Emerald Isle is part of the Southern Outer Banks, also known as the Crystal Coast.  I was invited to visit the area by friends whom I hadn’t seen in 20 years,... Read More

Question: Robert asks:  I would like to go furniture shopping in North Carolina.  Which city do I stay in? High Point is one I believe.  
 
Answer: Debra Moore and Edith Smitherman, travel planners at the AAA office in Charlotte answer:  High Point, North Carolina is indeed considered the home furnishing capital of the world, with over 125 manufacturers in the area. It appeals to the world-wide market and some stores are only open to dealers.  Our recommendation is to visit Lenoir and Hickory, North Carolina where... Read More