North Carolina is famous for mountains, rivers, the Wright brothers, and beaches! The best beaches are on the Outer Banks, sandy islands with the Atlantic on one side and a river on the other. Cape Fear is renowned for the movie of the same name, and is an extremely popular destination, but if you'd rather relax it may be too popular. Drive across Snow's Cut Bridge to Pleasure Island, and down to its southern tip. There you'll find Kure (pronounced CUR-ee) Beach, this week's best beach.

Kure Beach is both a town and a beach, and if you decide you want to stay longer than a day (and you probably will) you'll have no problem finding a beach cottage or ocean-front condo to rent, or a motel for a shorter stay. There are plenty of shops and great restaurants that range from 5 star to inexpensive, but always tasty, in this town of about 1,800. If they're not enough for you, it's a short trip back to Wilmington. But if you're a beach-lover, you'll just want to spread out your towel and stay.

The sands of Kure Beach are open and unspoiled, and you can sunbathe, amble along looking for shells, or just admire the ocean without constantly tripping over people. There are hiking trails and some fascinating vegetation, including the Venus flytrap. Kure Beach is also a great place for surfing or sailboarding, and it's one of the best spots along the Outer Banks for fishing. The town has a 700+ foot pier, one of the best on the east coast, and you're guaranteed to catch something. If you'd rather look at fish than catch them, visit the North Carolina Aquarium, also on Kure.

Carry all your beach needs in this spacious and stylish tote from JanSport. Keep your feet happy on sand, trail or water in these Sun Chill Thongs from Columbia. Catch everybody's eyes while you're catching rays in the shirred tubini with matching twist front hipster in Holly Berry from Tommy Bahama's Sunkissed collection. Pack water, sunscreen, and shades and you're ready to hit Kure Beach.

Some of the best whitewater runs are in the Carolinas. Two great runs can go together for an overnight trip on the Little Tennessee River in North Carolina.

The Little Tennessee, or Little T, starts as a creek in Georgia, then flows north into North Carolina, becoming a full-grown river. It flows between the Cowee Range on the east and the Nantahala Mountains on the west, and north until it reaches the Fontana reservoir. You'll see farmland and forest the first day, and mostly forest the second. Part of the river flows through private land, so make sure to get permission before camping.

Put-in the first day at the NC 28 bridge by Iotla, and take-out at the Lost Bridge, also on NC 28. You'll have smooth paddling; this 10-mile stretch is rated Class l-ll. You can run it in about 4 ½ hours, or longer if you linger. Towards the Lost Bridge you'll encounter shallow ledges that most beginners can handle.

Start the second day at Lost Bridge. This 13-mile stretch is way more fun than the first; its 13 miles are rated class ll-lll. When the river is high, there are several ledges that you should scout and run carefully; all can be spotted from the boat. When the Fontana is low, there are about 250 yards of ledges. Before the dam, this stretch was called the Narrows, and you'll want to stop and scout out before proceeding; at the bottom of the Narrows, the standing wave can hit 5 feet. If the water is low, scout left; if high, scout right. Take-out just before the US 19 bridge.

For the trip, take a craft that can store your pack and a sleeping bag. This shirt from Columbia provides sun protection and is quick-drying; you can choose to roll up the sleeves or keep them down. These Mission Playground shorts will keep you cool and comfortable. Wear a good pair of kayaking shoes and don't forget your shades; that Carolina sun is bright. A good water-proof watch can come in handy, too. Enjoy yourself, and thank your driver.

(Sources: Benner, Bob and David Benner: Carolina Whitewater: A Paddler's Guide to the Western Carolinas. 2005 edition, Menasha Press, Birmingham, AL; http://www.riverfacts.com/rivers/12402.html )