So Far
Journey from mountains to sea in North Carolina
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about the journey
the Mountains-to-sea trail
what
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A couple in search of their “first big, epic adventure together,” Jeff and Debra Rezeli didn’t have to look beyond their home state. Based in Raleigh—where he’s a principal at an architecture firm and she’s the engagement director for an educational nonprofit—they resolved to hike, bike and canoe their way along the 1,175 miles that form North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Now, the Rezelis’ journey through the state’s mountain, Piedmont and coastal regions has been turned into a remarkably meditative movie. In the few short minutes you’ll spend watching So Far…, you’ll practically feel your heart rate slow and your breath deepen as you accompany the duo along the trail’s sun-dappled waterways, leafy hiking routes and rocking-chair strewn country porches. And that sense of stillness and serenity was deliberate. “We decided we need to slow down and really enjoy the experience,” Debra says. Adds Jeff, “we were out there in nature, seeing some of the most amazing things we’re ever going to see in our lives, and it was important to cherish those moments.” Should you decide to plot your own version of that bucket-list experience, as this film all but guarantees you will, bear in mind that you can easily break the Mountains-to-Sea Trail into easy segments that include plenty gorgeous day trips.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Now that you've seen the film—and experienced some of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail remotely—you can begin to imagine the IRL version's awe factor. Bucket list-worthy adventure is, after all, what drew the Rezelis to this journey in the first place. And while a full accounting of the trail's adventures would require an Odyssey-length epic, we can at least review the short list here: 40 great day hikes, seven segments that include bike rides of at least 60 miles, two stunningly mountainous horseback riding routes and a paddle of almost 170 miles down one of the longest free flowing rivers in the Southeast: the Neuse River. Indeed, there’s no better all-in-one showcase for the state’s outdoor adventure possibilities than the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
What to do
along the way
For a totally different kind of natural history lesson—this one on the coast—head to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. Dedicated to all species of marine turtles, the center engages in rescue, care and release missions, as well as public educational experiences.
And while you’ll find a whole variety of distinctive places to stay along the route—from campsites to resorts—one perennial favorite is the Pisgah Inn at the so-called the Peak of the Parkway, where the rocking chair views alone are worth experiencing: You’ll be taking in endless Blue Ridge vistas, or at least attempting to.
To get a sense of what life used to be like in the Smokeys, visit the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and adjacent Mountain Farm Museum, where you’ll find a collection of historic log structures, most built in the 19th century. Among the structures on view: a barn, a smokehouse, a working blacksmith shop—and the rare surviving log house built from chestnut wood. In keeping with the 19th-century theme, be sure to stop into the historic Priddy’s General Store—built in the late 1800s—where the likes of old-timey candies and homemade jams give peak nostalgic vibes. If natural history is more your jam, check out Howell Woods, a 2,800-acre site designed to foster environmental awareness and stewardship through hiking, canoeing and bird-watching experiences, among others.
As befits a quest for epic adventure, the Mountains-to-Sea trail is a string of superlatives—literally from start to finish: At one end of the 1,175-mile route is Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park‚ and at the other is Jockey’s Ridge State Park, home to the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern U.S. In between these mountainous and coastal climes (or climbs, as the case may be), you’ll find no shortage of stunning landscapes, from Piedmont farmlands to coastal swamps and barrier islands. You’ll also find standout spots from which to behold the vistas, such as the famed 30-foot Wesser Bald Fire Tower with 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest. Whether you have a serious chunk of time to replicate the Rezelis’ real-life vacation, or you just want to spend a long weekend on a particular segment, check out the starter ideas below.
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Mountains-to-Sea Trail
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Watch some North Carolina stories, then
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Queen of Pisgah: A triumph of spirit on North Carolina's trail
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This story is part of North Carolina’s Firsts That Last
film series. See more stories here.
section end
This story is part of North Carolina’s Firsts That Last
film series. See more stories here.
WATCH THE FILM
Watch some North Carolina stories, then
start planning your own adventure.
Ready for more?
Jacob's First Mandolin: Small vacation moments that can change your life
Making Waves
Queen of Pisgah: A triumph of spirit on North Carolina's trails
Jacob's First Mandolin: Small vacation moments that can change your life