The New Guide to North Carolina Beaches
All You Need to Know to Explore and Enjoy Currituck, Calabash, and Everywhere Between
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
The New Guide to North Carolina Beaches is an invaluable resource for every coastal traveler in the Tar Heel State. This descriptive guide to North Carolina's coastal counties goes far beyond the basics to showcase all that the seaside has to offer, from beach access points and camping options to aquariums, museums, and other attractions. Glenn Morris also shares informative and entertaining histories of each county, insights into the maritime environment and its wildlife, and useful tips on subjects like the dos and don'ts of beach driving.
-A beach-by-beach tour of more than 300 miles of coastline
-Highlights public access points for beachgoers
-Offers practical guidance for trip planning, whether day trips or weeklong vacations
-Includes detailed maps, contact information, hours of operation, and much more
Fishing North Carolina's Outer Banks
The Complete Guide To Catching More Fish From Surf, Pier, Sound, And Ocean
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
In this hands-on, how-to guide to fishing North Carolina's Outer Banks, expert fisherman Stan Ulanski combines his enthusiasm, his experience, and his scientific expertise to show anglers how to catch more fish.Focusing on the essential but often misunderstood links between recreational fishing and the biology, geography, and natural history of the region, Fishing North Carolina's Outer Banks fosters an understanding of the aquatic environment of one of the nation's prime fishing destinations. Ulanski reveals the best approaches to the six main Outer Banks angling scenarios: surf, pier, sound, offshore, inshore, and reef, ledge, and shipwreck fishing. The book features illustrated fish profiles--each loaded with essential information, including identification, food value, and habitat pointers--and species-specific fishing tips for thirty-five of the Outer Banks' most common game fish. And, once you've made your catch, Ulanski provides important storing, cleaning, and cooking advice--including six of his favorite fresh fish recipes. This is a trusty tackle box tool for planning fishing trips to the Outer Banks and for understanding the underwater setting of the fish you're out to catch.Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press
Backpacking Virginia
The Definitive Guide to 40 Can't-Miss Trips from Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Covering 40 of the best trips the state of Virginia has to offer, Backpacking Virginia provides all the information necessary for beginner and experienced backpackers alike to enjoy hiking destinations from Cumberland Gap in southwest Virginia to the New River Valley, the heart of the Blue Ridge, and Shenandoah National Park, and all the way out to the Atlantic coast. With expert guidance anyone can use, Johnny Molloy encourages a wide range of nature lovers to give backpacking a try, perhaps for the first time, in scenic natural settings. Molloy provides helpful tips for gear and enjoying life on the trail, "best-of" lists to help you choose an excursion, and detailed route information to guide you along the way.
Backpacking Virginia has all the essentials for planning your trip, whether a quick overnight getaway or a multiday adventure:
- More than 650 miles of trails for beginners and expert backpackers alike
- Helpful overviews to introduce each route and its features
- Gear and safety advice for year-round backpacking
- Major points of interest highlighted on each trip
- Family-friendly trails and easy bailouts for when backpacking with children
- Canine-friendly trails for your furry companions
- Detailed trail maps and GPS guidance for each trip
- Estimated hike times, elevation change, and level of difficulty
- Camping permit requirements.
Butterflies of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia
A Field Guide
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Few creatures are as enchanting and magnificent as the butterfly. This field guide introduces more than 200 butterfly species found in the Southeast, complete with color photographs that not only identify them but also reveal their unique beauty.
What's included:
* Nearly 600 full-color images of butterflies in their natural habitats
* Information on structural and behavioral features, from antennae attributes to flight styles
* Maps for butterfly sightings at the county level in each state-North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia
* An overview of butterfly life cycles and classifications and information on diversity and more
Bursting with beautiful images of butterflies, this guide offers a comprehensive catalog of species, making it a must-have for experienced butterfly watchers and beginners alike.
Backpacking North Carolina
The Definitive Guide to 43 Can't-Miss Trips from Mountains to Sea
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Joe Miller brings us the first-ever stand-alone guidebook to backpacking in North Carolina, a state long known as a terrific backpacking destination. Covering 43 of the best trips the state has to offer, Backpacking North Carolina provides all the information necessary for beginning and experienced backpackers alike to enjoy hiking destinations from the mountains to the coast. Each trip description offers key maps and navigation information, including water sources and camping spots, as well as trip highlights and special considerations. Miller offers tips for enriching the experience, such as filling dark nights with stargazing and other activities, and gives advice for backpacking with children. Offering his expertise in a way that emphasizes the accessibility of backpacking, Miller encourages a wide range of nature lovers to give it a try, perhaps for the first time. Several "best-of" lists are included, featuring trips with exceptional nature study opportunities, water recreation, and easy excursions for beginners. Backpacking North Carolina takes the reader deep into a state full of natural wonder and adventure. Backpacking North Carolina has all the essentials for planning your trip, whether a quick weekend getaway or a longer adventure:Trips for beginner and expert backpackers alikeHelpful essays to introduce each trail and its featuresGear and safety advice for year-round backpackingMajor points of interest highlighted on each tripFamily-friendly trails and easy bailouts for when hiking with childrenDetailed trail maps and directions to trailheadsElevation profiles for each hikeEstimated hike times and level of difficultyCamping permit requirementsGPS coordinates for water sources and good camping spotsBullet lists of best trips for fishing, bird watching, waterfalls, and moreSouthern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press
Thirty Great North Carolina Science Adventures
From Underground Wonderlands to Islands in the Sky and Everything in Between
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
North Carolina possesses an astonishingly rich array of natural wonders. Building on this abundance, April C. Smith passionately seeks to open the world of nature to everyone. Her popular science guidebook features thirty sites across North Carolina that are perfect for exploration and hands-on learning about the Earth and the environment. A stellar group of naturalists and educators narrate each adventure, explaining key scientific concepts by showing you exactly where and how to look. This guidebook is for anyone-teens, kids, families, hikers, teachers, students, and tourists alike-who loves to be outside while learning.
* All you need to plan trips and discover new attractions
* Organized by the state's Mountain, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain regions
* The 30 adventures spotlight wonderful places to hike, fascinating geological formations to find, animals and plants to observe, and hands-on learning activities
* Explains clearly the scientific processes that made North Carolina the state it is today
* Richly illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and maps; includes an indispensable science glossary
How to Read a North Carolina Beach
Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Runnels
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline. What makes sea foam? What are those tiny sand volcanoes along the waterline? You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story. Orrin Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, and William Neal explore large-scale processes, such as the composition and interaction of wind, waves, and sand, as well as smaller features, such as bubble holes, drift lines, and black sands. In addition, coastal life forms large and small--from crabs and turtles to microscopic animals--are all discussed here. The concluding chapter contemplates the future of North Carolina beaches, considering the threats to their survival and assessing strategies for conservation. This indispensable beach book offers vacationers and naturalists a single source for learning to appreciate and preserve the natural features of a genuine state treasure. Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press. What North Carolina island migrates sixteen feet toward the mainland every year? What forms the tiny volcanoes of sand that ooze bubbles of water? What is barking sand? Why do you sometimes sink ankle-deep in beach sand? What type of wave is not formed by wind? Why are clamshells usually found open-side-down in the sand? You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story. Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline.
Field Guide to the Piedmont
The Natural Habitats of America's Most Lived-in Region, From New York City to Montgomery…
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
America's most populous region is also home to some of the nation's most serenely beautiful country. Tracing a gentle, thousand-mile curve from New York City southwestward to Montgomery, Alabama, the Piedmont connects an arc of urban centers which includes five state capitals, America's largest city, and the national capital. Between the Atlantic coastal plain and the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Piedmont's rolling hills span miles of farmland and forest. Michael Godfrey's Field Guide to the Piedmont--originally published by Sierra Club Books and here newly revised and updated--is an informative and entertaining guide to the entire region's habitats, ecosystems, and rich botanical communities.
Focusing on plant succession, geology, soils, climate, and the plants and animals with which we share the land, Field Guide to the Piedmont also features 180 illustrations for easy identification of the Piedmont's principal flora and fauna. A chapter describing and providing directions to over fifty sites of special interest will inspire Piedmont residents to take this field guide in hand and explore their natural surroundings.
How to Read a Florida Gulf Coast Beach
A Guide to Shadow Dunes, Ghost Forests, and Other Telltale Clues from an Ever-Changing Coast
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Come explore the geology of Florida's Gulf Coast beaches, from a bird's-eye view down to a crab's-eye view. You'll journey from Panhandle sugar-sand beaches to southwestern shell beaches, taking a fresh look at the ever-changing landscape. With Tonya Clayton as your guide, you'll learn how to recognize the stories and read the clues of these dynamic shores, reshaped daily by winds, waves, and sometimes bulldozers or dump trucks.This dynamic tour begins with a broad description of Florida's Gulf Coast, roaming from popular Perdido Key in the northwest to remote Cape Sable in the south. You'll first fly over large-scale coastal features such as the barrier islands, learning to spot signs of the many processes that shape the shores. In subsequent chapters you'll visit dunes and beaches to check out sand ripples, tracings, and other markings that show the handiwork of beach breezes, ocean waves, animal life, and even raindrops and air bubbles. You'll also encounter signs of human shaping, including massive boulder structures and sand megatransfers. With a conversational style and more than a hundred illustrations, How to Read a Florida Gulf Coast Beach makes coastal science accessible, carrying vacationers and Florida natives alike on a lively, informative tour of local beach features.Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press
Hiking North Carolina's National Forests
50 Can't-Miss Trail Adventures in the Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie, and Croatan National Forests
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
North Carolina's 1.2 million acres of national forestland are some of our state's most distinctive and botanically diverse areas. Veteran nature writer Johnny Molloy welcomes you to enjoy these beautiful and often surprising wild areas, guiding you safely there and back again. Molloy renders the sometimes primitive trails accessible to both beginner and more intrepid hikers, from families with small children to dedicated wilderness wanderers. Spotlighting the best hikes in all four of North Carolina's national forests--Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie, and Croatan, ranging from the mountains to the coast--this book includes some of the state's most heralded destinations and invites you to explore many lesser-known gems.
Farm Fresh Tennessee
The Go-To Guide to Great Farmers' Markets, Farm Stands, Farms, U-Picks, Kids' Activities, Lodgin…
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
The first guidebook of its kind for the Volunteer State, Farm Fresh Tennessee leads food lovers, families, locals, and tourists on a lively tour of more than 360 farms and farm-related attractions, all open to the public and all visited by Memphis natives Paul and Angela Knipple. Here are the perfect opportunities to browse a farmers' market, pick blueberries, tour a small-batch distillery, stay at an elegant inn, send the kids to a camp where they'll eat snacks of homemade biscuits with farm-fresh honey--and so much more. Arranged by the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee (East, Middle, and West) and nine categories of interest, the listings invite readers to connect with Tennessee's farms, emphasizing establishments that are independent, sustainable, and active in public education and conservation.Sidebars tell how to find pop-up markets, showcase local food initiatives, and celebrate the work and lives of local farmers. Thirteen recipes gathered by the authors on their Tennessee travels offer farm-fresh tastes.
The Nature of North Carolina's Southern Coast
Inside A Buddhist Temple In The American South
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
For some years, The Nature of North Carolina's Southern Coast has stood as an essential resource for all who treasure our coastal environment. In this book, Dirk Frankenberg describes the southern coast's beaches, inlets, and estuaries and instructs readers in the responsible exploration and enjoyment of some of North Carolina's most precious natural areas. From Ocracoke Inlet to the South Carolina border, this field guide provides a close-up look at a complex ecosystem, highlighting the processes that have shaped, and continue to shape, North Carolina's southern coast. Frankenberg identifies over 50 different areas of interest along 180 miles of coastline and presents images to help identify natural processes, plants, and plant communities. In addition, he addresses threats to these fragile coastal areas and possible solutions for these threats. Tom Earnhart's new foreword brings the book up to date, helping us appreciate why a deeper understanding of this environment is crucial to its continued enjoyment.Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press
Seashells of North Carolina, Revised and Expanded Edition
by North Carolina Sea Grant
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Gathering seashells is one of the delights of a beach trip; everyone knows the feeling of spotting something beautiful among a seemingly infinite array of colors and shapes dotting the shoreline. Generations have trusted Hugh Porter's Seashells of North Carolina to help identify favorite shells. This revised and expanded edition from the experts at the North Carolina Sea Grant is the perfect beach companion for shell-seekers of all sorts.
What's included:
* Detailed descriptions of 275 species with accompanying black-and-white and color photos
* Step-by-step instructions for shell identification
* Approachable introductions to the biology and geographical range of animals that call shells home
* Index of scientific and common names with updated scientific nomenclature
After you read the updated Seashells of North Carolina, a walk down the beach won't ever be the same.
Lessons from the Sand
Family-Friendly Science Activities You Can Do on a Carolina Beach
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Ever wonder where sand comes from? Or why shells are colored differently? Or how to estimate the size of a wave? Featuring more than forty fun hands-on activities for families with children, Lessons from the Sand reveals the science behind the amazing natural wonders found on the beaches of North Carolina and South Carolina. Easy-to-do experiments will help parents and kids discover the ways water, wind, sand, plants, animals, and people interact to shape the constantly changing beaches we love to visit.
Featuring colorful illustrations and clear instructions, most activities require nothing more than an observant eye and simple tools found at local stores. You will learn about geology, weather, waves and currents, the critters that live on our beaches, and the environmental issues that threaten them. Chapters also include indoor activities for rainy days and activities for nighttime discovery. This book will become an indispensable companion for families, teachers, and students heading to the Carolina coast for years to come.
Hiking and Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, Revised and Expanded Edition
The Only Guide You Will Ever Need, Including GPS, Detailed Maps, and More
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
This comprehensive guidebook provides a detailed description of every official National Park Service trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But that's just the beginning: veteran hiker Leonard M. Adkins includes information on every trail that touches the parkway, including the Appalachian Trail and other public pathways on national park, state park, national forest, municipal, and private lands, along with citations for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Far more than a guide to the trails, this book will help you plan your whole trip. It's the perfect companion for your next parkway adventure. Includes:- every public trail along the parkway - GPS coordinates and 72 maps- 255 total trails, including 12 new trails since the last edition- trail length and difficulty- points of interest- wheelchair accessibility- a short history of the parkway and region- campgrounds and lodges- public restroom locations- elevation change charts for cyclists- tunnel heights for RVs- wildflower bloom calendar- selected sightseeing information on nearby towns
A Guide to North Carolina's Freshwater Fishes
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
More than 250 species of freshwater fishes live in North Carolina waters, making identification a challenge. Thanks to this comprehensive guide, anyone will be able to accurately identify any fish found in North Carolina-and better appreciate the diversity and beauty of fishes within the state.
Inside the book:
* Detailed identification keys based on essential species markers
* 546 full-color images for clear identification of species markers
* 260 maps showing species distribution throughout the state
* Information on the freshwater fish families and ichthyological history of North Carolina
* An appendix that explains the meanings behind the scientific names
This is the must-have reference for nature lovers and anglers in North Carolina and beyond.
Discovering North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail
A Companion for Hikers and Armchair Explorers
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Jerry Barker has long championed North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) and led its development for many years. In Discovering North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail, he draws on that experience to take readers on a unique journey along the trail's full route, sharing the rich history and stories that live on each segment. Connecting the trail to the Indigenous history of western North Carolina, the long military presence near the Carolina coast, and more, Barker offers a new way to understand and appreciate not only the natural beauty of North Carolina but also its people and history. Dedicated long-distance hikers and day-trippers alike will value and enjoy this armchair guide.
* Includes abundant illustrations with over fifty color photographs and maps for each of the MST's nineteen segments
* Narrates significant histories related to each MST segment
* Places prominent natural features of the trail in context
* Introduces hikers to nearby attractions, cultural heritage sites, and trail towns
Jerry Barker, a writer and avid hiker, is a former president of Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Hiking North Carolina's State Parks
The Best Trail Adventures from the Appalachians to the Atlantic
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
North Carolina's state parks reflect the natural abundance and variety in the Tar Heel State, with preserves located in each of the major regions from mountains to coast. With this guide, Johnny Molloy details the best hikes to enjoy in North Carolina's expanding state parks system. Written with the beginning, intermediate, and seasoned hiker in mind, Hiking North Carolina's State Parks is the most comprehensive and useful hiking guide published to date dedicated to exploring our beautiful state parks.
Readers will find:
• Detailed information for more than 50 hikes, including highlights and advice for each hike
• Detailed hike maps in full color, complete with important trail information
• Expert guidance on what gear to take with you
• Up-to-date information on park hours, locations, and safety information
• Details for each hike include elevation changes, levels of difficulty, and more
• Over 50 beautiful, full-color photographs of North Carolina's varied and unique landscapes
Waterfalls and Wildflowers in the Southern Appalachians
Thirty Great Hikes
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
If you love waterfalls, here are some of the best hikes in the Southern Appalachians. And if you love plants--or simply would like to learn more about them--you will be in hiking heaven: naturalist Tim Spira's guidebook links waterfalls and wildflowers in a spectacularly beautiful region famous for both. Leading you to gorgeous waterfalls in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia, the book includes many hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. As he surveys one of America's most biologically diverse regions, Spira introduces hikers to the "natural communities" approach for identifying and understanding plants within the context of the habitats they occupy--equipping hikers to see and interpret landscapes in a new way.Each of the 30 hikes includes: * a detailed map and GPS coordinates* a lively trail description highlighting the plants you are most likely to see, as well as birds and other animals along the way* an associated plant species listAlso featured:* beautiful color photographs of 30 destination waterfalls, 125 plants, and more* detailed descriptions of 125 key plant species* 22 drawings to help identify plant structures* a glossary of botanical terms
A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Sandhills Region
North Carolina, South Carolina, And Georgia
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Featuring over 600 wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and vines, this user-friendly field guide is the first to focus on the rare, fragile lands and species of the Sandhills region of the Carolinas and Georgia. Characterized by longleaf pine forests, rolling hills, abundant blackwater streams, several major rivers, and porous sandy soils, the Sandhills region stretches from Fayetteville, North Carolina, southwest to Columbus, Georgia, and represents the farthest advance of the Atlantic Ocean some 2 million years ago.Wildflowers of the Sandhills Region is arranged by habitat, with color tabs to facilitate easy browsing of the nine different natural communities whose plants are described here. Bruce A. Sorrie, a botanist with over 30 years of experience, includes common plants, region-specific endemics, and local rarities, each with its own species description, and over 540 color photos for easy identification. The field guide's opening section includes an introduction to the Sandhills region's geology, soil types, and special relationship to fire ecology; an overview of rare species and present conservation efforts; a glossary and key to flower and leaf structures; and a listing of gardens, preserves, and parklands in the Sandhills region and nearby where wildflowers can be seen and appreciated. Wildflower enthusiasts and professional naturalists alike will find this comprehensive guide extremely useful.Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press
Living at the Water's Edge
A Heritage Guide To The Outer Banks Byway
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway received its designation in 2009, an act that stands as a testament to the historical and cultural importance of the communities linked along the North Carolina coast from Whalebone Junction across to Hatteras and Ocracoke Island and down to the small villages of the Core Sound region. This rich heritage guide introduces readers to the places and people that have made the route and the region a national treasure. Welcoming visitors on a journey across sounds and inlets into villages and through two national seashores, Barbara Garrity-Blake and Karen Willis Amspacher share the stories of people who have shaped their lives out of saltwater and sand. The book considers how the Outer Banks residents have stood their ground and maintained a vibrant way of life while adapting to constant change that is fundamental to life where water meets the land. Heavily illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs, Living at the Water's Edge will lead readers to the proverbial porch of the Outer Banks locals, extending a warm welcome to visitors while encouraging them to understand what many never see or hear: the stories, feelings, and meanings that offer a cultural dimension to the byway experience and deepen the visitor's understanding of life on the tideline.
Tar Heel History on Foot
Ibn 'Arab?, Gender, And Sexuality
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
This lively collection of 34 of the best history walks in North Carolina highlights the richness and diversity of the state's history, from the time of its first settlement to the present. Veteran guidebook author Lynn Setzer leads readers on short walks in state parks and natural areas, state historic sites, charming small towns from the mountains to the sea, and the state's largest cities. Along the way, she brings to life some of our state's most momentous events, most accomplished and notorious characters, and most famous firsts.These walks are varied, pleasant, and accessible to almost every reader, including older day-trippers and families with young children. Some walks include add-ons, should readers wish to make a longer day of it. Organized by theme and location, the walks are accompanied by maps and photographs, as well as information on each walk's length and difficulty. A list of sources directs readers to additional information so that they can continue a deeper exploration of North Carolina history.
Exploring Southern Appalachian Forests
An Ecological Guide to 30 Great Hikes in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
This unique hiking guide to the southern Appalachian mountains leads readers to explore the rich forest ecosystems and other natural communities visitors encounter along the trail. Drawing on years of experience guiding forest walks throughout the region, Steph Jeffries and Tom Wentworth invite hikers and nature lovers to see their surroundings in new ways. Readers will learn to decipher clues from the tree canopies, forest floor, and other natural features to appreciate more fully the environmental factors that make the southern Appalachians home to an amazing biodiversity.These thirty popular hikes in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia range from short walks along Blue Ridge Parkway pull-offs to longer day trips in the region's backcountry. Offering spectacular mountain scenery and natural wildflower gardens, these trails are the perfect place to gain a new appreciation for the natural communities of the region.Features include* A summary including distance, difficulty, and GPS coordinates for each hike* A narrative description of each hike, including the unique natural features waiting to be discovered* Detailed instructions to keep you on the trail* Best seasons to go for wildflower and foliage views* Contact information for each area* Photos and maps to orient you* An illustrated guide to southern Appalachia's most common trees and shrubs, including tips on identification
Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont
A Naturalist's Guide to the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
This richly illustrated field guide serves as an introduction to the wildflowers and plant communities of the southern Appalachians and the rolling hills of the adjoining piedmont. Rather than organizing plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, by flower color or family characteristics, as is done in most guidebooks, botanist Tim Spira takes a holistic, ecological approach that enables the reader to identify and learn about plants in their natural communities. This approach, says Spira, better reflects the natural world, as plants, like other organisms, don't live in isolation; they coexist and interact in myriad ways. Full-color photo keys allow the reader to rapidly preview plants found within each of the 21 major plant communities described, and the illustrated species description for each of the 340 featured plants includes fascinating information about the ecology and natural history of each plant in its larger environment. With this new format, readers can see how the mountain and piedmont landscapes form a mosaic of plant communities that harbor particular groups of plants. The volume also includes a glossary, illustrations of plant structures, and descriptions of sites to visit. Whether you're a beginning naturalist or an expert botanist, this guidebook is a useful companion on field excursions and wildflower walks, as well as a valuable reference. Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press
Adventure Carolinas
Your Go-To Guide for Multi-Sport Outdoor Recreation
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Have you ever wanted to take up a new outdoor sport but thought, "Not me" or "Where do I begin"? In this unique take-it-with-you guide, outdoors and fitness writer Joe Miller introduces you to sixteen adventure sports in the Carolinas, from water to land and through all four seasons. No matter where you live or what your level of expertise may be, he will lead you to opportunities that range from beginner level to peak experience and equip you with the tools and courage to get outdoors and enjoy nature in new and exciting ways. For each experience, Miller includes location, how to start, associated costs, organizations that can help you begin, physical and mental demands of each activity, and whether the activities are seasonal or competitive.Activities include mountain biking, flat-water and whitewater paddling, scuba diving, climbing, backcountry exploration, skiing, snowboarding and tubing, kiteboarding, hang gliding, and ziplining.
The Nature of the Outer Banks
Barrier Islands, Coastal Waters, And Wetlands
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
North Carolina's Outer Banks are in constant motion, responding to weather, waves, and the rising sea level. Beaches erode, sometimes taking homes or sections of highway with them into the surf; sand dunes migrate with the wind; and storms open new inlets and dump sand in channels and sounds. A classic guide, The Nature of the Outer Banks describes these dynamic forces and guides visitors to sites where they can see these phenomena in action. In the first section of the book, Dirk Frankenberg highlights three major processes on the Outer Banks: the rising sea level, movement of sand by wind and water, and stabilization of sand by plant life. In the second section, he provides a mile-by-mile field guide to the northern Banks, and in the final section, he alerts readers to the dangers of overdevelopment on the Outer Banks. In a new foreword for this edition, Betsy Bennett documents the ever-more-critical situation of these shifting sands.Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press
Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas
A New Guide for Plant Identification and Use in the Coastal Landscape
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
This accessibly written and authoritative guide updates the beloved and much-used 1970s classic Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas. In this completely reimagined book, Paul E. Hosier provides a rich, new reference guide to plant life in the coastal zone of the Carolinas for nature lovers, gardeners, landscapers, students, and community leaders. Features include:* Detailed profiles of more than 200 plants, with color photographs and information about identification, value to wildlife, relationship to natural communities, propagation, and landscape use.* Background on coastal plant communities, including the effects of invasive species and the benefits of using native plants in landscaping.* A section on the effects of climate change on the coast and its plants.* A list of natural areas and preserves open to visitors interested in observing native plants in the coastal Carolinas.* A glossary that includes plant names and scientific terms. With a special emphasis on the benefits of conserving and landscaping with native plants, this guide belongs on the shelf of every resident and visitor to the coasts of the Carolinas.
Edible Wild Plants of the Carolinas
A Forager's Companion
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Foraging edible plants was once limited to specialists, survivalists, and herbalists, but it's become increasingly mainstream. Influenced by the popularity of the locavore movement, many restaurants feature foraged plants on their menus, and a wide variety of local foraged plants are sold at farmers markets across the country.
With Edible Wild Plants of the Carolinas, Lytton John Musselman and Peter W. Schafran offer a full-color guide for the everyday forager, featuring:
- Profiles of more than 100 edible plants, organized broadly by food type, including seeds, fruits, grains, and shoots
- Details about taste and texture, harvesting tips, and preparation instructions
- Full-color photos that make it easy to identify edible plants
Edible Wild Plants of the Carolinas is designed to help anyone enjoy the many wild plants found in the biodiverse Carolinas.
Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail
by Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a 1,175-mile destination trail that crosses North Carolina from Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks. It traverses 37 counties, 7 national parks and forests, and nearly a dozen state parks and historic sites. This is the first-ever guide to day hikes along the crown jewel of North Carolina foot trails. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or new to the outdoors, this official guide from Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is your go-to companion for exploring all the trail has to offer, showcasing everything from scenic mountain vistas to surprising escapes in the state's Piedmont region and the wonders of coastal plain pocosins.
Features include:
- 40 hikes carefully chosen to appeal to hikers of all experience levels
- Helpful hike finder feature to identify the perfect hikes for birding, waterfalls, history, universal accessibility, and more
- Turn-by-turn guidance and key points of interest for each hike
- Full-color maps and photographs
- Helpful information about the trail's history and ongoing development
Southern Snow
The New Guide to Winter Sports from Maryland to the Southern Appalachians
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
This guide provides everything you need to know to discover the South's best-kept secrets of winter recreation: snow-covered mountains, remote yet accessible trails, high-quality downhill and cross-country skiing, sparkling resorts and peaceful cabins, and of course, southern hospitality. Randy Johnson is a knowledgeable guide who shares his years of experience enjoying the winter wonders from the mountains of western Maryland down the Appalachian corridor all the way to northern Alabama.
Features include
- All-in-one guide to the ski areas, winter trails, and mountaineering opportunities in the six-state southern snowbelt
- Tips on lodging, dining, nightlife, outfitters, lessons, childcare, activities for the non-skier, and more
- Well-illustrated with photos and user-friendly maps for hikes and backcountry ski areas
- Entertaining and informative background on the surprising history of the southern ski industry
- Practical advice for finding up-to-the-minute information on weather and resort conditions
Whether you're just visiting, new to the region, or a lifelong resident, this is the only book you need to make the most of southern snow.
A Field Guide to Mushrooms of the Carolinas
Part of the Southern Gateways Guides series
Identifying mushrooms in the wild can present an enticing challenge. Taking on unbelievable forms, some are delicious, others are deadly, but the edibility status of the majority remains unknown. In this revised and expanded edition of the classic, best-selling A Field Guide to Mushrooms of the Carolinas, readers will find over 1,000 mushroom species described in clear, simple terms, with color photographs showcasing their unique combinations of features.
What's included:
·Information on mushroom edibility and toxicity
·Basic information on spore characteristics
·Updated nomenclature and taxonomy based on the latest genetic analyses
·An overview of the Carolinas' role in the history of American mycology
·Over 1,000 color photographs of Carolina mushrooms
The unusually large number of described species makes this book a must-have for experienced mushroom hunters as well as those newly interested in mycology. Here, at last, is the definitive field guide for mushrooms in North and South Carolina, from the mountains to the coast, presented in a single portable volume.