H<3ME

What is home? For me, home is not simply a specific place, it’s more like a compilation of landscapes paired with familiar mannerisms; the feeling of wholeness following the overwhelming realization that all is right in the world, even under imperfect circumstances. Home is both the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, and the deep breath exhaled when all of your worries seem to melt away.

Home feels like a sunset painting the sky pink, while the sounds of tree frogs and crickets engulf you; the feeling of weightlessness, as you float along the surface of a calm lake in the summer. The joyful sound of a bass breaching the surface and diving back down again. Home is watching your child play on the same rope-swing that your own father hung over the river when you were a child, as the river laps at your feet. Home is winding roads, mountains and seas; riverbanks and moonlit bonfires. Home is a small-town tavern and rainbows enjoyed with friends. The scent of rain in the air as a thunderstorm rumbles in the distance, or the tranquility of a waterfall. Home is North Carolina.

The beautiful southern state of North Carolina has much to offer; from the mountains in the west, to the beaches in the east, and the piedmont in-between, there’s a contagious contentment brewed within the atmosphere. Here you can find peace and relaxation among gorgeous views, as well as big cities with plenty to do. Enjoy a quiet day on the beach on a warm summer day, capped off with some of the finest dining on the east coast; finish the night with pier fishing or night-life, the choice is yours. Travel west just a couple hours and you can visit the hopping metropolitan area of Charlotte. Here you’ll find one of the most industrious cities in the state of North Carolina. Charlotte is home to several rooftop restaurants that feature views of the Queen city’s breathtaking skyline. Enjoy a world class meal with a view alongside a fire pit, or share drinks with friends at one of many bars in the area. Charlotte is also home to a number of museums, parks, shopping malls, and countless opportunities for entertainment.

If slow and leisurely sounds more appealing, another short westward drive will bring you into the majestic North Carolina Mountains. With its twists and turns down winding roads, entering the Blue Ridge Parkway can feel as though time just slows down for a while. The rolling hills of North Carolina offer spectacular views leading to anywhere your heart may desire. Rent a cabin on the river and enjoy the silent solitude, or spend a day horseback riding. In these hills, you’ll find quaint little towns offering local shops, hometown cooking, and guided tours; or if you’re interested in something a little bigger, you can visit the artsy city of Asheville. Asheville offers more scenic views, and plenty of dining options as well as a variety of breweries and vineyards.

From the highest peak at 6,089 feet above sea level, to Rodanthe, the easternmost point of the state; there is something for everyone in this beautiful place. North Carolina is a wonderful place to live, laugh and love…and anyone who dares to visit, will surely want to stay, or at the very least, wish to return.

What is home? Home is a state of familiarity; of diversity, and contentedness. Home is a sense of belonging, even when you didn’t know you could belong. Home is love, acceptance, and happiness to be found in the deepest of crevices, and the highest of mountain tops. Home is where I belong, where I live, and where I’ll die. Home is North Carolina.