This was going to be a blog about southern style interiors, but…
Just got back from another road trip with my two daughters, again, in and around North Carolina. As I reflect, I realize that the interiors I saw and loved were about so much more than interiors. They reflect the life attitudes that created them. Lifestyle approaches that fascinate a multi-tasking northerner like me, yet seem perfectly natural to southerners.
Our family is big on airbnbs. They take the sterile hotel out of travel and insert some humanness into a stay. Sort of like Etsy does with shoppers – a retail experience with a lot of human touches. This is an innkeeping approach that offers homemade cookies, post-it notes with smiley faces and somebody’s idea of the perfect homey touches.
First stop – Carrboro, NC. Just outside of Durham, we landed in a crazy airbnb over Johnny’s Café. This is a stand- alone building with a huge yard, lots of tables and umbrellas, and dozens of people sitting around conversing and working on their computers. Reminded me of a rural version of Starbucks.
Our “apartment” over the store was vintage grandma.
Cozy and lovingly shabby. Mornings we rolled out, went downstairs for our breakfast biscuits and lattes and sat outside in the morning sun. Smelled like camp! It seemed like we were back in time somewhere. And we all did share stories about our camp days.
A quaint side road took us to a small historic town called Hillsboro about 20 miles away. Such a charming main street, with interesting historic markers as we wandered.
The cemetery was home to many early settlers, including several rebels – hanged before 1776.
Our main objective was to see Ayr Mount, an early plantation standing tall in the surrounding hills near the Eno River. 
After a mile- long stroll called “The Poet’s Walk,” we headed back to Durham to tour the Duke Gardens. More winding pathways and gorgeous vistas.
It was a garden day that ended in a soft sunset at Driade – a favorite coffee and wine bar hidden in the woods.
We did manage to take in a Durham Bulls’ baseball game one evening – and found the 1988 Bull Durham movie on Netflix for some added color!
Next stop – Beaufort, NC – on the Outer Banks. It’s a scene that can confuse and scramble geography in your head, with New England dwellings, Jersey shore weather and tropical vegetation!
Our Pecan Tree Inn couldn’t have been more welcoming in southern hospitality – large verandas, big white rockers, and a friendly cat named Molly.
The Blue Moon Bistro, steps away,
was the perfect gathering spot for shopkeepers, artists and some very interesting guy with braids who obviously had talents in furniture or boat making – natural assumption, right?
Early morning bike ride, another Revolutionary War cemetery to explore,
crab cake lunch and the perfect sunset.
No wonder everyone seems so laid back and smiley.
The next day we explored Taylor’s Creek Antiques on Main, run by a fellow who harks from Wilmette!
And the hosts of our inn are formerly from Colorado. Been here a year. Everyone is smiling about their relocations! Something about the air.
We would have enjoyed more time to explore.
Shackleford Banks has wild horses roaming around. There are plenty of hiking trails. Maybe next time…
On our way back to our next airbnb in the Raleigh/Durham area, we made a quick stop in the very historic town of New Bern, NC. It was actually just a latte stop, but it seems like every little town in this state has a story to tell.
New Bern is birthplace of Pepsi Cola! 
And it was the first capital in the 1760s. Tryon Palace was the first governor’s mansion, surrounded by other beautiful historic houses – several with a past (George Washington visited here). Apparently it burned down and has been rebuilt 
very authentically.
At the local brew, the knitting club was going strong. I think they may have even decorated the trees on mainstreet.
We chose an airbnb in a secluded part of Chapel Hill.
Small creek, private patio, another cozy little apartment.
We also discovered Weaver Street Markets in several locations throughout the area, which seem to be not only a source for great organic groceries and hot food, but also extend true southern hospitality to all.
Finally, just had to tour the UNC campus while we were so close. Our last day in the area was breathtakingly beautiful. Warm and lazy after a storm. At the fraternities, lawn parties had a dusty, timeless feel in that afternoon sun.
And I finally got to taste shrimp and grits at Crook’s Corner.
The perfect caloric ending to a wonderful southern week.
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