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The Carolinas - Naturally

© Stephen Strother

There are many reasons to visit the Carolina region of the Southeastern United States and even if you already live in the Carolinas there are still an endless number of new things to see and do. Although I have spent most of my 34 years living in North Carolina, I am constantly amazed at the seemingly endless list of sites in North Carolina (NC)and South Carolina (SC)that I still have not seen. With all that there is to see in this part of the United States, of most interest to me is the natural history and beauty of the region. Nature lovers can visit great natural attractions from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in the west to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in eastern North Carolina.

Nature provides a sensory extravaganza to the Carolina observer. As seems to be so often the case in life, the most amazing and therefore memorable natural spectacles are usually the simplest. The events that just happen - not the ones that we go out of our way to see. I would like to share with you some of my favorite sensory experiences with nature in the Carolinas as a way of introducing just a few of the wonders that await the traveler in North and South Carolina. The best way to fully appreciate nature is to let yourself experience it with all the senses. Only through using all five senses – sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste – can a person fully understand nature’s beauty. I believe that most people (myself included) are most open to the wonders of nature as a child. As a new father I am learning more everyday how much adults can learn from children in how to focus on the wonders of life – natural and manmade. Therefore I have chosen to introduce you to the nature of the Carolinas through my most memorable childhood sensory experiences with nature in this region. I will briefly describe five of my most vivid childhood nature related memories – one for each of the senses.

Sight - As a young teenager, I recall sitting with my family outside our room at a small motel in Burnsville, NC during a July summer vacation to the mountains. We were sitting in rocking chairs, talking about our day, and enjoying the cool evening air. Directly in front of us, as we chatted, the sun sank in the sky, slowly disappearing behind an Appalachian mountaintop just west of town. I remember the feeling of peace and wonder I felt as I watched that vibrant sunset with my family gathered near me.

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