Touring and Tasting
The time is ripe for hitting the back roads and scenic byways to enjoy the blooming season. For a trip to the mountains, you’ll find a charming tour guide in Farms, Gardens and Countryside Trails of Western North Carolina. From the “Quilt Top Ramble” to the “Whistlestop Tour,” you’ll visit orchards, gardens, nurseries, picturesque inns, farm markets, heritage sites and nature trails within a 21-county region. Complete with maps, photos and lively graphics, the 234-page book may be purchased from Handmade in America, P.O. Box 2089, Asheville, NC 28802, (800) 331-4154, www.handmadeinamerica.org
Whether you want to pick your own fruit or locate roadside stands and farmer’s markets throughout the state, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Farm Fresh Web site (www.ncfarmfresh.com) can point you in the right direction.