Glad you’re here to have a replay of Destination:  North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland and Alabama.  Four amazing states with so much to see and do. Learn more about the history and how today we can find exciting getaways for family fun.

Transcript is below: 

Hello, hello, hello and welcome aboard Travel with Annita & friends. 

This is the show where stories travel far and wide—and today, we’re headed straight into the heart of the American South and beyond. Come along with me ‘cause we’re rollin’ through four powerhouse states: from the sweet sounds and smoky BBQ of North Carolina, down to Georgia where peaches, porch swings, and purpose meet. We’re making a soulful stop in Alabama, steeped in history and hospitality, then heading up the coast to Maryland—where crab cakes, culture, and coastal charm await.

Each state has a voice, a rhythm, and a rich story to tell—and we’re bringing it all to the mic. So buckle up, because it’s time to explore the flavors, folks, and fantastic finds of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Let’s hit the road together—you know how we like to do things here on Travel With Annita – dig in and make all the connections – and it starts right now.”

This is where the past meets the present, and every journey tells a story. I’m your host, and today we’re diving into the rich cultural roots and vibrant rhythms of four iconic American states — each with its own legacy, flavor, and heartbeat.

First up, North Carolina — from the highlands of the Blue Ridge to the hush of the Outer Banks, this state shine and sings with old-time music, Black Wall Street legacies, and barbecue traditions that are both sacred and smoky. We’ll dig into the deep roots of Tar Heel history and meet the makers keeping culture alive.

One of the fastest growing cities in North Carolina is Charlotte from it’s beginnings in 1768 to today, where it continues to answer to the name  the Queen City, – named after the wife of King George III – I know, I know that was a long time ago, but the city holds on to it’s history and legacy. It becomes a banking and business center where finance is part of the city’s fiber.  

You can come to Charlotte without a is it to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Yep, that’s where you’ll find it along with the history and stories of it’s wild and fierce beginnings.  The Hall of Fame is a 150,000 square foot facility where visitors can trace the story – the history, the people and cars who made stock car racing one of America’s favorite sports and pastimes.  And if you’re in town when the action is hot and heavy on the track – you can catch it IRL – that’s in real life at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  

For a close up view head over to Hendrick Motorsports complex where you can get a close up look at their popular racing teams, the cars, trophies and memorabilia.  

Charlotte is calling your name – charlottesgotalot.com

Now we can’t talk North Carolina without pulling in the city know for great beer, arts and crafts and free and relaxed lifestyle.  That would be Asheville, and should also include great restaurants are there too.  Head downtown where you’ll find the action.  Check out the Asheville women’s museum, Lexington Glassworks and over on the Blue Ridge Parkway you’ll find the boarding house where author Thomas Wolfe spent many years during his youth.  

You’re in the heart of Appalachia so check out the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center.  You’ll find demonstrations and things to see and purchase.  

Visit the largest and most celebrated private estate – the Biltmore Estate – it’s open to the public. It was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II from 1889 to 1895.  Today you can also visit the estate’s vineyard, restaurant and of course touring the home. And, if you’re looking for an exquisite holiday experience…. Come for the holidays for extreme Christmas decorating.  But… the home is spectacular at time of the year.  

Ready to visit Asheville – exploreashville.com

I can’t mentioned North Carolina without including the Outer Banks.  There are some places that are super special to you and no matter how many times you go, it always feels a little like the first time and a whole lot like coming home.  The 200 mile long stretch of barrier islands is very unique and filled with opportunities to enjoy the beach, delicious seafood, fishing, boating enjoying the changing sands along the dunes. But… I can’t send you over to the outer banks without suggesting a journey along the lighthouse trail.  The outer banks is known as the ship graveyard of the Atlantic. And, it didn’t get that name by chance. The rough seas have seen a lot and so have those working and living along the shores.  Lighthouses, led many ships home and were a beckon of hope to those fighting the waves, wind and foggy skies. The fascinating city names will capture your interest – Cape Hatteras, Nags Head, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Currituck and my favorite is Kill Devil Hill – it the spot where the Wright Brothers took the first flight.  There’s a museum and memorial there.  Gotta check it out. Visit the website – www.outerbanks.org

North Carolina… there’s something special there and a state that stretches from the application mountains to the Atlantic Ocean has something for everyone.  

Before I take a break… I’ve got a bit of trivia for you. 

1712 – the year North and South Carolina split as the colony was believed to have grown too large to function under a single governor

Did you know gold is the state mineral
A museum in Durham is dedicated to tubas…How about that. 

I’ll stop here but when I come back we’re heading South… to Georgia. It’s our home state. And, I’ve got not only a bit of history and trivia about our beloved state, but also upcoming events. So get ready to take notes…

I’ll be back in a few minutes, here on travel with annita & friends. 

It’s our home state and Georgia is always on our mind. From the rolling hills to the coastal shores, Georgia is always calling.  Welcome back to travel with annita & friends. 

As we roll into Georgia, where civil rights still stir the conversations and the red clay is never far away, and we can truly feel the pulse of Atlanta where there is innovation in many industries and the home of business leaders who are making their mark and creating their own path to success. Moving south, you’ll go to one of my favorite cities in the world.  Savannah the city which holds a very strong story of history but also soul and charm.

Down on the coast are barrier islands. From well known Jekyll where you’ll find the spectacular driftwood beach and St. Simon island – beautiful homes and golf course to St. Catherines where you’re free to stroll the shorelines, Ossabaw with it’s wild hogs and donkeys, Cumberland where wild horses run free.  And, of course there is  From the spirituals of the Gullah-Geechee coast to the sweet heat of peach country, Georgia’s always had a story to tell — and we’re here to listen. 

It’s the peach state – Georgia earned its nickname as “The Peach State” thanks to a mix of ideal climate, smart farming, and good ol’ Southern branding — even if South Carolina actually produces more peaches some years (but…. We don’t tell anyone that part).

Here’s the peach story in a nutshell:

The Origins

Peaches aren’t native to Georgia — they originated in China and were brought to the Americas by explorers as early as the 1600’s and by the 1700s, peaches were growing in the South, but it wasn’t until the late 1800s that Georgia started turning peaches into big business.

In 1856, a Belgian father-and-son pair, Louis and Prosper Berckmans, purchased a plot of orchard land in Augusta, Ga. And named it Fruitland. They planned to show that fruit and ornamental plants could become just as important an industry in the South as cotton, which was ruining the soil with its intensive planting.

The soil was perfect and now enters the Elberta peach which is a true Georgia peach.  This peach helped turn Georgia into a national name in peach production. Peaches began to be shipped long distances without spoiling — opening up markets in the North and beyond.

Railroads were key. As Georgia’s rail lines expanded, peaches could reach markets across the country, and the state leaned into peach marketing hard. By the 1920s, the fruit had become both a cash crop and a cultural icon.

Even if other states sometimes outgrow it, Georgia’s peaches are prized for their flavor and quality — thanks to the state’s red clay soil and warm, sunny days with cool nights. The peach became a symbol of Georgia hospitality, sweetness, and resilience.

By the mid-20th century, Georgia was branded so successfully as “The Peach State” that it stuck — and you’ll find peaches on everything from license plates to state quarter designs.

Bonus Fact:

Atlanta’s obsession with “Peachtree” (as in Peachtree Street, Peachtree Road, Peachtree Everything) is less about actual peach trees and more about Creek Indian words, but the branding synergy was too good to pass up.

There are so many things to see and do around our great state. From Athens where you’ll find UGA to Macon where native american history can be found I the mounds around the city, down to LaGrange and West Point where industry offers jobs to many.  And, down to the barrier island – Sapelo where history connects both sugar and cotton and the Gullah Geechee culture still lives.  

You can hike, swim, golf  – you have a long list of things to do outdoors. 

Coming up at Callaway’s Garden Labor Day weekend brings ad unforgettable way to say goodbye to the summer.  Friday Aug 29 – Sept.  guests can enjoy four full days of entertainment and fun surrounded by 2,500 acres of natural beauty in Pine Mountain.  It’s all day fun from 10am – 8pm. 

Get ready to head over to Augusta for the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival from Sept 19 – 21.  Downton Augusta turns into a kaleidoscope of music, multicultural flavor and art. You don’t want to miss it and the whole family will have a great time. The international village will have more than 20 authentic global food booths, run by those who know the culture and food. And, then juried fine arts market will show case 150+ Southeastern artists.  See which one you like the most.  

And, for those who really love the art scene Augusta has something cooking all year 

• The Morris Museum of Art: the first museum dedicated to the art and artists of the American South
• Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art: fine art exhibitions, workshops, and local artist showcases
• Sacred Heart Cultural Center: a stunning former church hosting exhibits and concerts under stained glass
• Westobou Gallery: a contemporary space featuring curated shows by emerging and mid-career artists

I’m thinking our road trip definitely needs to take us over to Augusta.  The original home of the Georgia peach and here’s a little trivia – Fruitland is now a very famous golf course where the Augusta national is played.  How’s that for the ideal location to shine in Georgia. 

It’s all there.  Check out the website visitaugusta.com

And, if you’re like me and want to start planning and deciding where you’ll head for leaf peeping – well I’ve got that one for you too.  Georgia State Parks has everything detailed for you  – Their Fall in Full Color at Georgia is State Parks and Historic Sites to Reveal the Best Spots for Leaf Peeping in 2025 is at your fingertips. Visit their website GaStateParks.org/leafwatch and you’ll see all the listings along with accessible park suggestions, where you can find fewer crowds and places where you can stay over and enjoy the colors for more than one day.  

Now here’s a little more GA trivia before I take a break – 

Delta airlines was founded in 1925 in Macon
Savannah is America’s first planned city – James Oglethorpe laid out the city in 24 designated squares – 22 still exist. 

Georgia has copperhead snakes and they can grow up to 38 inches long – keep and eye out for those creatures.  You don’t want to surprise one of them. 

Ok… I’ll be back in a few and we’ll go up to Maryland.  Ready for Crab cakes?  Stay where you are I’ll tell you all about our friends up on the Mason-Dixon Line. Here on Travel With annita & friends

The USA has something special in each state. History tells so much of the story of what makes them special. Maryland is one state with an interesting history that helped define our country.  Welcome Back to Travel With Annita & friends.  

As we swing north to Maryland, the cradle of the Chesapeake. This is a state where Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman carved paths to freedom — and where blue crabs and black history now share the spotlight. However, this Mid-Atlantic gem blends seafaring heritage with proud resilience and a fascinating determination of how the USA would be divided.  

Maryland – and the Mason Dixon Line determined the North from the South. But… what’s the history of this famous line. Is it truly a line. I talked with Alex Lowenstein from the Museum Learning Manager at the Maryland Center for History & Culture in Baltimore. 

And finally, we head to Alabama — where every step on the Edmund Pettus Bridge whispers the courage of generations. From Montgomery to Muscle Shoals, the state’s past is heavy with history and lifted by soul-stirring music, storytelling, and hard-earned pride.

Montegomery  – located on the banks of the Alabama river it is the center of history, politics and American History.  American Civil Rights movement is center to the history of the city.  It was in the basement of Dexter Aven King Memorial Baptist Church that Dr. Martin Luther king, Jr. helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott. You’ll also fin Dr. King’s home where he lived from 1954 to 1960.  The Freedom Rides Museum is located in the old Greyhound bus station, along with the Rosa Parks Library and museum. 

A little history about the city – it was founded as a trading post.  Back in 1785 by a Jews from Philadelphia.  

It is also the first white house of the confederacy – and Jefferson Davis’ official residence after his 1861 insulation.  You can visit and see displays of personal items, period furniture and war relics.  

Not too far from us is Birmingham it’s the state’s largest city. After the Civil War it was founded as a steel town and mining center.  The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is located there. 

And, civil rights history is strong in the city too.  Including the 16th street baptist church and the bombing in September 1963.  

Alabama has so much to share – from the NASA flight center at Marshall Space Flight center in Huntsville, to Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T. Washington and  where the Tuskegee airmen were trained and left for battle during WWII

Here’s a little trivia – did you know that part of lookout mountain is. In north eastern Alabama and you can see Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee from the top.  Little River Canyon National Preserve hugs the summit with beautiful forest and waterfalls. 

Some of the best oysters I’ve had were along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.  The shoreline activities are everything from deep-sea fishing to sky gliding to shrimping and sun bathing.  Water sports galore.  You’ll need to plan several days to get it all in. 

And speaking of delicious oysters.  Alabama is known for Fried Green Tomatoes – a true southern comfort food coasted in cornmeal and cooked in bacon fat. I don’t think there are any healthy alternatives for that one… you gotta have it southern style.  And, there is the Black Bottom Pie a delicious custard with both bourbon and chocolate.  You can’t say no to that.  Ok… I know I said the best oysters, but you also must have gulf shrimp.  Didn’t Forrest Gump and Bubba tell us there are many ways to have your shrimp.  I like them any way you can put them on a plate.  Yes, please.  If you don’t believe me – head down to the Gulf Shores for the Shrimp Festival. You’ll see and taste yummy deliciousness.  

Eating not the only fun.  Head over to Mobile for Mardi Gras… did you know their claim to fame is the first Mardi Gras … but don’t tell New Orleans, they will argue for the title.  

Before I wrap up today’s road trip… I have a little trivia

Hammering Hank Aaron is from Mobile Alabama

43% of all snail species in north america can be found in Alabama.  Hope you like snails.  

1982 Geology professor Dr. David King and his wife Janet Abbott king discovered the most complete tyrannosaur ever found in eastern north america on a real road in Montgomery county

REady to plan a visit – head over to the website – tourism.alabama.gov

And, head over to www.travelwithannita.com to our quarter miles travel tab to hear stories about each state and their commemorative state quarter design. 

Well folks, whether you’re cruisin’ down I-95 or taking the scenic route through small towns and backroads, these four states — North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, and Alabama — make one unforgettable road trip.

In North Carolina, you’ve got the Blue Ridge Mountains brushing the sky and the Outer Banks stretching into the sea. It’s a state where barbecue is a love language, and history lives in every brick of old tobacco towns and colonial ports. One minute you’re sipping sweet tea in Asheville, the next you’re beachcombing in Wilmington.

Then we roll into Georgia, where peaches aren’t just a fruit — they’re a state of mind. From the buzzing heart of Atlanta to the moss-draped magic of Savannah, Georgia serves up civil rights history, antebellum architecture, and enough soul food to make you rethink your belt size. It’s charm with grit, hospitality with heat.

Maryland brings a coastal cool all its own — from the cobblestone streets of Annapolis to the crab shacks of the Eastern Shore. It’s where maritime history meets blue crab feasts and where the Chesapeake Bay whispers stories of sailors, settlers, and seafood traditions passed down for generations.

And in Alabama, the road bends through powerful landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement and swings by fields where blues and gospel were born. Whether you’re chasing white-sand beaches on the Gulf Coast or eating your way through a meat-and-three lunch in Birmingham, Alabama brings you deep roots and warm welcomes.

So whether you’re traveling for history, culture, or just chasing the best fried chicken and sweet tea this side of the Mississippi — these four states are more than just places on the map. They’re chapters in America’s story. And every mile is packed with flavor, rhythm, and soul.

So pack the car, cue the playlist, and keep your eyes open. The South’s calling — and it’s got a whole lot to show you.

So whether you’re tuning in from your porch, your car, or across the miles, sit back and let these states speak for themselves — through the voices of the people who live them, love them, and keep their stories alive.