From the desolate, windblown stretches of the Outer Banks to the serene, misty panoramas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina is a land of scenic contrasts. The state's main lures for visitors are the mountains in the west, the beaches in the east, and the golf resorts in the Sandhills area around Pinehurst. While the climate is mild enough to attract visitors year-round, native Tar Heels know the special appeal of the colorful spring and fall. In the spring, the state is ablaze with azaleas, dogwood, and rhododendron. In the fall, especially mid-October, thousands drive through the mountains to see the foliage turn crimson and a dozen other colors. (Courtesy of Rand McNally http://www.randmcnally.com)