Lontime member here but seldom post. I'm not a big trader, actually I seldom trade due to not having much to offer.. I would really like to obtain seeds of flowers native to Alaska. Am interested in Columbines, Alaska Daisies, Penstemons, Lupines, and Fire Weed. .. I have seeds of Gaillardia Arizona Sun, Yellow Mesa, Moxy (yellow fluted), Aristata (from the wild of New Mexico), pulchella (annual from a beach in Charleston,S.C. and from Jacksonville,Florida, and Zinnia peruvianna (yellowish golden).

"Floradise Orchids" in Gordonsville would be a pleasant 1/2 hour drive from Charlottesville. Take Rt 250 out of town, turn left onto Rt 231 at Keswick, then you're on a scenic byway. Lots of big estate farms, horses, etc, and one winery. Dairy Queen in Gordonsville if you need a treat :-) From their website (floradise.com): "The Area's most extensive selection of budded and blooming orchids. Open Wednesday - Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed Monday & Tuesday 19154 James Madison Hwy. Gordonsville, VA Phone: 540-832-3440 (Located on Route 15 1/4 mile north of the Gordonsville traffic circle)" Hope you don't mind if I watch this thread for other suggetions....

I envy your trip! But I want to warn you of a couple of things. It may sound like I am giving negative info but I am trying to warn you about some aspects of the places you mentioned just so you wont think all of us are crazy if it doesn't live up to your expectations. Driving down the outer banks is something I think everyone must do at least once in their lives but it isn't always the most scenic - some areas are nothing but mega beach homes blocking all the view and for the most part the dunes block the view of the ocean so don't expect to see a lot of waves (the sound side is usually visable but it looks more like a big lake than the ocean). If you want to get out of the car and hike over the dunes to walk on the beach be aware that the beach grass areas are usually full of stickers or sand burrs - I am often reduced to carrying my 60 lbs dog up and over so that the trip doesn't take so long with the constant stopping to pick burrs out of her pads. For the most part the beaches are empty. Most people go to the outer banks to deep sea fish. There isn't a lot of shade either. I love to go out there but prefer to go in the winter so that if I have to leave the dog in the car she doesn't overheat. Ocracoke Island is quaint but since the streets aren't marked it can be difficult to find your way around. The photos always show it from an elevated view - they must have been in a plane to take that picture because the island itself is flat. The lighthouse there is tiny but charming. The grassy areas at the beach campground are full of burrs and difficult to walk around in. Walking a dog through town can be difficult because many residents let their dogs run free. (is there a theme here???) My biggest complaint about Charleston is the plantations. I love touring them. But you don't get to wander around inside the houses by yourself, you are escorted by an interpreter. I understand why, but I am not interested in Civil War history and that is all they seem to think is relevant. I remember one plantation had ancient natural history books and writings by John James Audubon (he had stayed there for years to paint). I could have spent the entire weekend looking at those display cases but in that section of the house we were rushed by to see more war significant features. No matter how many times I asked about the natural history stuff I got nowhere. Civil war and only civil war history, it is apparently the only thing that matters. They also seem to want everyone to eat at the same restaurants downtown where I found the food kinda ordinary. But just on the outside edge of downtown at smaller places the food is unique and reasonably priced (and the people actually seemed to be from the area). Many of the spots you mentioned are indeed special but most of the roadways connecting them are kinda "not". Be prepared.

Hi Kathy. You might want to go through the Search function here and find the older threads that mention 'moving to North Carolina" or "moving to South Carolina" where you'll get lots of details. Are you coming alone? Find out how much you can reasonably expect to net on the sale of your home and then deduct 10-15K off of that for unanticipated costs,moving costs,new furniture etc. etc. being funds to live off of while you search for an office job paying enough to support you and with benefits. Think about renting where ever you land to give you time to get acquainted with the area and see if it suits you enough to invest in staying. Greenville is as good a place as any and large enough to find a job. Once you arrive you'll have time to investigate the state and other states nearby. Good luck selling your Missouri home. It's a tough market these days and getting bank loans to buy a home is even tougher.