Trip Stallings is the Director of Policy Research at the William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University and a former teacher. Though a native Virginian, he could see the North Carolina border from the hospital in which he was born, and both sides of his family have North Carolina roots (Lexington and Edenton). He returned to the Old North State in 1988, with only a three-year lapse in judgment (1992-1995) since.
Have ideas for other drives across North Carolina? Post them in the comments section below.
DriveNC 
Some beer destinations in WNC to consider:
I don’t understand who they actually are selling beer to other than a few locals and folks like me who fell off the highway. I must be for the love of it, because they make great stuff….
Innovation Brewing Company
Address: 414 W Main St, Sylva, NC 28779
Phone:(828) 586-9678
Beautifully crafted beer that probably appeals to less than 1% of the population….
The Funkatorium
Address: 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone:(828) 552-3203
One of the best buildings in Asheville to drink beer in…
Wedge Brewing Co
37 Paynes Way
Asheville, NC 28801
While in WNC, a beautiful (but hair raising) drive is US 321 from Hampton, on the TN border, by Watauga Lake, down to US 421 outside of Boone. You can then head down to Blowing Rock and do US 221 by Grandfather Mtn to Linville.
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Well, we’re going to miss you on the surf city and shell island days but hope you get some nice beach weather (we got a lot of rain last week). Due to the rain, we worked in a trip to the fort fisher aquarium and drove through Carolina beach on the way back. The boardwalk area looked pretty neat; might be worth a brief stop (for lunch maybe). Also, if you haven’t tried Britt’s Donuts yet, that would definitely be worth your time.
– Rob
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