The natural beauty of North Carolina always reminds me, oddly, of a good laugh. That’s because my favorite companion for a trip to the region is the witty travelogue, A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson, documenting his misadventures as an inept hiker on a journey of rediscovery along the Appalachian Trail.
Bluets dot the Appalachian Trail in NC
Bryson’s sojourn through NC found him waiting out a snowstorm in a rural hotel to great comic effect. Snow shouldn’t be a concern, though, if a summer locum assignment brings you near the 300+ miles of Appalachian Trail that hug the state’s western border. Colorful wildflowers will be in view and hiking highlights include the 5,300 ft. Wayah Bald in the Nantahala National Forest, which offers a panoramic view of Georgia peaks and the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Beaches Await
On the opposite end of the state lie the sandy islands of the famed Outer Banks. Atlantic beaches beckon you to sunbathe, swim, and explore charming villages like Swansboro, on the Crystal Coast. Beautiful waterfront views are complemented by a quaint downtown filled with boutiques and wonderful seafood and barbecue restaurants.
There’s more to explore as a locum tenens in North Carolina, including the historical mystery and recreational activities of Roanoke Island. Some 400 colonists disappeared from this 16th century English settlement, and archaeologists, historians, and scientists have not yet solved the puzzle, staged as “The Lost Colony,” the longest-running outdoor theater production in America.
Classic Golf Courses
If golf is your game, North Carolina offers luxe resorts as well as surprisingly affordable public courses. Golf Magazine’s list of the “100 Top Courses you can Play” includes four courses from the TarHeel state topped by the challenging Pinehurst (Number Two). GolfLink.com is another helpful guide to top NC courses.
Whether you prefer to walk 18 holes or hike the Applachian trail, do take Bryson’s classic along with you. A Walk in the Woods is quite simply the most hilarious book I’ve ever read.
