As the price of fuel continues to rise, many North Carolinians making vacation plans are choosing to spend their summer holiday in the state.  The North Carolina Collection in the Joyner Library on the campus at ECU has a large collection of travel guides that feature destinations around the state and cater to a wide array of interests.

    “North Carolina State Parks: a Niche Guide” by Ida Phillips Lynch and Bill Pendergraft includes entries for  many of the state’s more than 50 state parks and recreational areas, which see more than 12 million visitors a year.  Packed with a stunning array of photos, the guide features symbols that make it easy for prospective visitors to see the amenities that are available at each location.  In addition to basic travel information, it includes a section for each entry entitled “staying alive” that suggests the types of clothing and supplies that visitors would likely need to bring with them to fully enjoy their visit.  For the navigationally challenged, the book even includes the GPS coordinates for the location of each park’s main office. 

    Suited for both travelers and teachers, “Exploring the Geology of the Carolinas: a Field Guide to Favorite Places from Chimney Rock to Charleston” by Kevin G. Stewart and Mary-Russell Roberson serves as a great reference for those who wish to look at “the science beyond the sights” of their vacation destination.  This is a unique guide that features more than 30 sites from across the state that illustrates the diverse landscape of the Carolinas.  In addition to travel information, the guide includes a layman’s geologic history for the region and instructions on how to “read rocks” to help travelers gain a better understanding of the areas that they visit. 

    “Fun with the Family: North Carolina” by James L. Hoffman is part of the widely popular Insiders’ Guide series that serves as a mainstay for travel planning.  In addition to listing more than a hundred ideas for day trips around the state, Hoffman includes suggestions for family friendly options for dining and lodging.  This book is especially useful for families with younger children that might not have the same travel stamina as their older siblings and who still need midday naps as it lists many short side trips to attractions near the featured destinations.

    For those looking to make more adult travel plans, “A Guide to North Carolina Wineries” by Joseph Mills and Danielle Tarmey uncorks a wonderful overview of 64 of the state’s vineyards.  In addition to travel information, the work includes enlightening snippets of interviews with the vintners themselves, who are more than eager to share their passion for the grape with visitors.  The authors are quick to point out that these destinations appeal to drinkers and teetotalers alike as most of the wineries are situated on some of the most picturesque real estate in the region and many feature the works of local artists in addition to their own bottled product.

    So if you’re looking to make your summer travel plans, please stop by and see us.  Whatever your interests may be, we likely will have a travel guide just for you.  Area residents, as well as members of the university community, are encouraged to use the North Carolina Collection located on the third floor of Joyner Library. For more information call 328-6601 or visit the website at http://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/ncc/index.cfm.

Matthew Reynolds is a librarian in the North Carolina Collection.