Trifter

I sometimes refer to traveling, as CPR for a weighed down soul, why you might ask? On several occasions throughout life, I have had the opportunity to step out of the ordinary and experience, you guessed it, the extraordinary. How did each of these adventures first start out? By traveling to my destination point whether it be twenty miles away from home or sometimes, thousands of miles away. Each time that a trip was planned and it came time to pack up and go, I always felt the excitement of the great outdoors screaming for me to get out there and explore and learn. So, I listened and from the time I was young and on up, I have always enjoyed the rejuvenated feeling that I experience before, during, and after every excursion I have taken. As for my own personal viewpoint to my question, can traveling revive a spirit that you thought was dead and gone; yes I do believe it is possible. There is something about getting out on the open road and letting your worries disappear in the wind as you put everything behind you and live for the moment. Your senses come alive and that inner child we all learned to lock away once we were termed as “adults”, breaks down his prison walls to see everything, as if it were the first time, all over again.

Whether you travel to a hunted house this Halloween season or perhaps take a trip to the other side of the world, throw caution to the wind and go, if only for the sake of escaping from the stress of everyday life and remembering who you truly are on the inside! We have all become what it is that society expects us to be and in doing so, we have imprisoned our true selves under all of the trappings that have come with our new identities sculpted by the world. I am not saying that you should shrug off your responsibilities, so don’t try to use that excuse. What I am saying is this, rather than buckle under the pressures that build up everyday, take a trip and make it an adventure. By going out and enjoying a weekend trip to a Bed & Breakfast or maybe a drive to sit beside a quiet mountain stream, you break that chain of negativity and chaos and in return, you start to feel renewed and ready for the week ahead. You would be amazed what this little “getaway” can do for your soul and you will thank yourself for listening and getting out for a bit.

With the Halloween season creeping up on us, I have heard tale of a “Gentleman Ghost” at the historic Battery Carriage House Inn in Charleston, South Carolina or maybe a drive to Asheville to hear the conversation between Mr. George Vanderbilt and his wife at the Biltmore House. Perhaps history excites your senses, so why not travel to some of the better known historical Civil War battlefields of North Carolina. There is the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge as well as the Alamance Battleground, both close enough to make it a day trip for you and the family. How about a short drive to the beach? You have Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Then you have the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, who could resist that? The start of North Carolina’s railroad history, can be found in the quaint little town of Old Fort, just outside of Marion. Being the mountains, you know that there are waterfalls hidden around the next bend. Elk River Falls is by no means the most spectacular, but it does offer a 0.5 mile hike tucked in the Pisgah National Forest , with the end result being peace and tranquility. Pisgah National Forest is known as “The Land of Waterfalls”; you will not be disappointed after taking time out to hike through its trails while finding these different waterfalls.

We must not forget about the many lighthouses, the aquariums, the USS North Carolina In Wilmington, Old Salem, the different historical homesteads, the oldest town in North Carolina Bath, Blackbeard’s place of preference, Ocracoke, and much, much more. Just pull out a map, pick a place and go, it’s that easy!

These are just a few suggestions as to how you might relieve yourself of the stress that everyday life can bring. If you find yourself enjoying any of these outings or others, email me and let me know how it all went and if you feel rejuvenated after doing so, okay. I wish you pleasant travels and safety on your journeys throughout North Carolina. Now go and have some fun!

For more information: You can call each establishment at the following numbers:

Battery Carriage House Inn at, (843) 727-3100 or click the link above.

The Biltmore Estate at, (800) 411-3812 or click the link above

Old Fort Mayor’s Office at, (828) 668-4244 or click the link above

NC Aquariums at, http://ncaquariums.com

You can also contact the Chamber of Commerce in any city or town of your choice for more information.