From the desolate, windblown stretches of the Outer Banks to the serene, misty
panoramas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina is a land of scenic contrasts.
The state's main lures for visitors are the mountains in the west, the beaches
in the east, and the golf resorts in the Sandhills area around Pinehurst. While
the climate is mild enough to attract visitors year-round, native Tar Heels
know the special appeal of the colorful spring and fall. In the spring, the
state is ablaze with azaleas, dogwood, and rhododendron. In the fall, especially
mid-October, thousands drive through the mountains to see the foliage turn
crimson and a dozen other colors. (Courtesy of Rand McNally http://www.randmcnally.com)