Winter Weather Driving Tips For NC

Winter Weather Driving Tips For Winter Weather In NC

Driving on snow and ice can be tricky, especially in areas that don’t get a lot of winter precipitation. Winter weather driving tips are helpful. People in North Carolina and other southern states don’t have to drive very often in frozen precipitation. Snow, sleet, and icy conditions may only occur once or twice if at all during the winter months. Add to that the fact that because these states don’t get a lot of winter precipitation, the cities do not have the heavy snow removal equipment. Snowplows are expensive and so most southern towns and cities do not purchase them since it doesn’t snow much.

Those living in NC don’t get a lot of practice driving in winter weather conditions (unless residents live in Western NC in the mountains). During snow and icy road conditions, some southerners drive very slow and are very cautious. Other drivers are not so cautious. They drive way too fast and make many other dangerous decisions. And having a four-wheel-drive vehicle doesn’t mean you are not at risk for sliding off the road. Four-wheel drive or not, ice on road surfaces is slick. Losing traction is a risk for all types of vehicles when driving on icy roads.

Winter Weather Driving Tips For NC

Here are a few winter weather driving tips for those driving in NC and other southern states.

While Driving:

  • Reduce your speed. Drive slower than the actual speed limit.
  • increase your following distance to allow more time to stop. Leave 2-3 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.
    If you start to slide, take your foot off the gas. Do not slam on the brakes, this just makes it worse. Steer your vehicle in the direction of the skid.
  • Be on the lookout for shady spots, bridges, and overpasses. These surfaces will be the first to freeze and the last to thaw.
    When starting or stopping on snowy or icy roads, increase or decrease your speed slowly. This will help the tires to keep traction with the road surface.
  • Do not use cruise control. Always be in control of the moving vehicle while driving on snow and icy roads. Every second count along with quick reflexes if the vehicle starts to slide or you need to brake.

In case of winter weather, before heading out, be prepared. Follow the tips below to make it safer while in poor winter weather conditions. Also, place in your car the following things just in case you experience problems driving in the snow or ice.

Be Prepared For Winter Weather Conditions

  • Use the windshield wipers to keep the front windshield clear.
  • Use the window defroster to defrost all windows.
  • Turn on the low beam headlights if driving during falling snow or cloudy conditions.
    Check your vehicle battery power. Colder air temperatures in winter can cause batteries to drain faster.
  • Check your tire pressure. The colder air temperatures can cause tire pressures to drop.
  • Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. This will prevent moisture from freezing the fuel lines.
    Carry a stocked emergency kit. Include a blanket, gloves, hat, ice scraper or brush, flashlight, jumper cables, water, and snacks.
  • Have in your vehicle items such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow. It will help with traction if you get stuck in a hole or rut.
  • First-aid kit (band-aids, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, ace bandage, or medical wrap).

What To Do In An Emergency

In case of an emergency in winter weather conditions do the following to help keep you and everyone else safe. Stay with your car, don’t leave and go too far away. Don’t overexert and tire yourself. Place something bright on the antenna or windows like a bright-colored piece of clothing or towel. Try and keep the interior dome light turned on. To avoid asphyxiation from carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up. Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of deep snow. If you must run your vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe of any snow and run it only sporadically — just long enough to stay warm.

While in North Carolina if you are in an accident you can contact State Highway Patrol at *HP which is *47 on a cell phone. For other great tips and information visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Winter Driving.

Groundhog Day Raleigh 2021

Groundhog Day Raleigh 2021 With Sir Walter Wally

Sir Walter Wally Raleigh Groundhog Day Celebration

Groundhog Day Raleigh 2021 is Tuesday,  Feb. 2, 2021.  On Groundhog Day we find out if there will be 6 more weeks of winter or early spring. Raleigh brings out North Carolina’s own Sir Walter Wally each Groundhog Day to see if he sees his shadow. The ceremony takes place on the steps of the Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. Each year the celebration gets bigger and bigger! 

Sir Walter Wally has a pretty good record of predicting a long winter or an early spring. Sir Walter Wally has a 50% success rate as compared to a 39% success rate of Punxsutawney Phil in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. In fact, the Weather Channel puts Sir Walter Wally in the Top 11 Groundhogs to watch on Groundhog Day for an accurate prediction!

Groundhog Day Predictions 2021 Results NC!

The predictions are in ! Here are the results of the area groundhogs as well as Punxsutawney Phil in PA.

Sir Walter Wally (Raleigh)Did not see his shadow = predicted an early spring
Greta (Chimney Rock State Park)Saw his shadow = 6 more weeks of winter (and the KC Chiefs will win the Super Bowl)
Snerd (Garner) Saw his shadow = 6 more weeks of winter
Punxsutawney Phil (PA)Saw his shadow – 6 more weeks of winter

Raleigh’s Groundhog Day Celebration takes place Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 . The big reveal takes place at noon at the Museum of Natural Sciences. There may be restrictions in 2021 due to Covid 19. But local news is sure to cover the big event.

Chimney Rock Groundhog Day With Greta

Chimney Rock State Park also celebrates Groundhog Day with its own groundhog Greta! This year will be the 14th annual Groundhog Day celebration. It will be a virtual celebration this year. To view Greta the Groundhog at Chimney Rock State Park go to Chimney Rock Park. After her 8:30 am appearance to predict 6 weeks more winter vs. an early spring, Greta will also make a prediction for the winner of Superbowl LIII. Greta will predict if the Kansas City Chiefs or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win the Super Bowl on February 7, 2021.

Sir Walter Wally and Greta The Groundhog

  • Sir Walter Wally on Groundhog Day in Raleigh
    Sir Walter Wally to Make Appearance on Groundhog Day in Raleigh
  • Greta the Groundhog
    Greta the Groundhog Chimney Rock State Park (image by CHSP)

Will Sir Walter Wally or Greta See Its Shadow at the NC Groundhog Day Celebrations?

Groundhog Day Celebrations in NC Map

Chimney Rock, North Carolina

11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

NC Fall Foliage 2020 and Fall Colors

NC Fall Foliage 2020 and Fall Colors Are Here

NC fall foliage 2020 season is here with fall colors starting to appear. There is some color starting to show in the dogwood, sourwood, maple, sassafras and birch trees.  Typically the start of the fall foliage color change in Western NC will start to take place the last week of September in the highest elevations – those mountain areas north of Asheville and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Any time now color will begin in the elevations above 5,000 ft such as Clingmans Dome, Mt. LeConte, Cataloochee, and Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains. Grandfather Mountain and the Boone area will start to show color in the highest elevations as well as Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens, and Rough Ridge along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

NC Fall Foliage 2020 and Fall Colors
NC Fall Foliage 2020 and Fall Colors

Fall foliage is already starting to make an appearance along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Peak and near peak in the highest mountain elevations (over 5000 ft) is taking place now at Graveyard Fields and Rough Ridge. By this weekend the two areas should be at peak color. Local reports are there is a lot of color and the color is much better than normal. These two areas are always the first places that color starts to appear on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Even in the lower elevations color is making appearances in the sourwood, dogwood, maple, sassafras and birch trees. But most other trees are still mostly green. 

Weather Forecast Perfect for Vivid Colors

Warm sunny days in the 70’s and cool nights in the 40’s are both in the forecast. Perfect weather for a colorful fall foliage outcome. This year’s fall foliage season is running right on time. Areas that typically show color next in North Carolina are Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, Waterrock Knob, Black Balsam and Roan Mountain.  The mid-elevations are predicted to peak in the middle of October. Peak colors are predicted in mid-October for the area of Boone and Blowing Rock.

Follow Travel NC fall foliage reports and updates 2020. Know where to go and when to go to see those peak colors in the beautiful state of North Carolina. A trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway to view North Carolina fall colors is a must during the month of October! This year’s fall foliage season is supposed to be way better than in recent years. Lots of color has already begun to be reported in the highest elevations of the NC mountains!

NC State Parks May Reopen Soon

NC State Parks May Reopen Soon

North Carolina state parks may soon reopen. The governor in a recent news release said: “if all goes well in the fight against coronavirus”. The target date to reopen is May 9, 2020. Most of North Carolina’s state parks have been closed since the end of March. The stay-at-home order issued in late March due to the coronavirus resulted in state parks and business as well as schools to close. The
stay-at-home order along with the social distancing rule was to help slow the spread of the virus.

Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock State Park

With the state parks closed since March, the animals seem to have taken back their land! There are many reports of increased sightings of deer, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, wild turkey and grouse. Even the black bear sightings by park rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains are on the increase. Many areas around the world have also reported on wildlife wandering around city streets. The air is clearer with less pollution in many areas and many waterways are sparkling clear and clean.

Many people still use the trails for walking and hiking in some NC state parks, but the bathrooms, campgrounds and visitors centers are closed. With the closures staff are keeping busy working on projects and making improvements and repairs.

The governor released a three-phase system to slowly reopen things in North Carolina. Reopening parks is in phase one. The North Carolina Stay At Home order is now expected to be lifted after May 8. Hopefully, by this summer we can all get back out to our beautiful state parks.

NC State Parks To Enjoy From Mountains To Ocean!

 

Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020

Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020

The annual Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020 begins Saturday, January 25, 2020. The warehouse sale will again take place at Phipps Warehouse at 218 N. Church Street near downtown Rocky Mount, NC. Phipps Warehouse is located next to the Imperial Centre on Church Street. See the map below for directions. Parking is to the left of the warehouse when coming down Church Street. The huge Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020 is one of the most popular sales in Eastern North Carolina. Thousands of shoppers travel many miles to attend this sale. This fine furniture warehouse sale is held every year in late January and goes through February.

Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2021 Dates Listed Here!

The annual Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2021 will take place in April 2021. The sale begins on April10 , 2021.

It will still be held at the same location as the last few years, 218 North Church St. in

downtown Rocky Mount, NC at the Phipps Warehouse.

I will post more information such as dates and hours when available.

Complete List of Dates and Times for 2020

Sat. Jan. 25 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sun. Jan. 26 1:00 pm to 5:00pm
Mon. Jan. 27 9:30am to 5:00pm
Tues. Jan. 28  9:30am to 5:00pm
Fri. Jan 31  9:30am to 5:00pm
Sat. Feb. 1  9:30am to 5:00pm
Sun. Feb. 2 1:00 pm to 5:00pm
Closed to Restock
Sat. Feb. 8 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sun. Feb 9  1:00 pm to 5:00pm
Mon. Feb. 10 9:30am to 5:00pm
Tues Feb. 11 9:30am to 5:00pm
Fri. Feb 14 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sat. Feb 15 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sun. Feb 16  1:00 pm to 5:00pm
Mon. Feb. 17 9:30am to 5:00pm
Tues. Feb 18 9:30am to 5:00pm
Fri. Feb. 21 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sat. Feb. 22 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sun Feb 23  1:00 pm to 5:00pm
Mon Feb 24 9:30am to 5:00pm
Tues Feb 25 9:30am to 5:00pm
Fri Feb 28 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sat Feb 29 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sun Mar 1  1:00 pm to 5:00pm

Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020

Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2019
Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020 Rocky Mounts Starts Jan. 25

Phipps Warehouse has over 80,000 square feet of area with sale items from Bulluck’s Furniture. Sale items include scratched and dented fine reproduction furniture, lamps, lamp bodies, lampshades and lamp parts, wood accessories and items, bronze statues and items, crystal pieces, chandeliers, ceramic planters of all sizes, floor and wall screens, traditional and transitional furniture, vases, bowls, statues plus so much more. The sale is huge and after the first several days, the warehouse is restocked with more and different sale items added. So more than one trip to this sale is a must!

The Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020 takes place in an old tobacco warehouse in downtown Rocky Mount. The warehouse is full of traditional and transitional furniture, lamps, lampshades, lamp parts, and other lighting fixtures. There are also scones, chandeliers, mirrors, paintings, dining tables of all sizes and chairs. Row and rows and rows of tables are set up and covered with lamps, bowls, statues, brass, art, vases, pots, candlesticks and more. Chandeliers hang from the rafters, mirrors, paintings and art are hung on the walls.

Furniture of every type (contemporary, traditional and transitional) are out on display with prices slashed. Even outdoor furniture is included. The furniture is just beautiful! Bed frames, china cabinet, dining room tables and chairs, end tables, leather chairs and sofas and more.  The smell of leather is wonderful as you stroll through the leather section! Leather couches, leather office chairs and leather formal chairs all on sale.

Tables full of sale items 60-90% Off!

Sales aisles in warehouse
Sales aisles in warehouse sale

All sales are final during this sale. Items are 60-90% off retail prices! As the sale continues into February prices will drop. The Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020 is a great event to shop if you want to add or redecorate your home or office. Save hundreds on fine furniture, lamps and accessories.

Make plans to get to the Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020! It is so much fun to go to this sale. You do not want to miss this huge fine furniture warehouse sale! Trust me, I have been and it is worth the trip! To see the old warehouse alone is worth the trip. But to add all those beautiful pieces of fine furniture inside the warehouse and put them on sale! Once the sale starts I will post pictures here. I will also post a complete list of the dates and times of the sale.  Make sure to check back to Travel NC  to see the pictures and find out more information.

Location and Map for Bulluck Warehouse Sale

218 North Church Street, Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2020 in Rocky Mount, NC. Pictures of past sales!

State Farmers Market Fall Craft Fair 2019

State Farmers Market Fall Craft Fair 2019

The State Farmers Market Fall Craft Fair 2019 takes place on November 8-10, 2019. This is a three-day event with hours for Friday Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm. This is an annual event at the State Farmers Market. The Fall Craft Fair 2019 will have hundreds of handmade crafts for sale from various vendors. Some of the arts and craft vendors selling their goods include quilts, stained glass, pottery, soaps, jewelry, woodworking, garden accessories, floral arrangements, baskets, handbags, candles, birdhouses, wreaths and more. As well as the arts and craft vendors the regular vendors at the State Farmers Market will also be open and offering their usual goods including farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, meats, cheeses, baked goods, sauces, and more.

State Farmers Market Fall Craft Fair 2019
State Farmers Market Fall Craft Fair 2019
Nov. 8-10

The State Farmers Market Fall Craft Fair 2019 vendors will be located throughout the Farmers Building and the Market Shoppes. It’s so much fun to wander around the buildings shopping for these handmade unique crafts. This time of year the crafts are sure to reflect the holiday season. The Farmers Building is 30,000 square feet so there is plenty of room for browsing around the Fall Craft Fair 2019. The Market Shoppes is located in an enclosed building with 15,600 square feet. The regular shops located here offer jellies, candles, candy, peanuts, soaps, lotions, flags, bakery items, cheese, crafts and many other items.

Don’t forget to walk through the Market Import across the way. It has a huge assortment of home, yard and garden items. They have in their building and outside in their yard water fountains, pots of all colors and shapes, garden trellises, furniture, ironwork, stone, teak, pottery, and other unique items from all around the world. Market Imports is open 7 days a week from 9– 5:00pm.

While at the Fall Craft Fair 2019 there are several places to eat. The Market Grill is located in the Market Shoppes building. The NC Seafood Restaurant serves fresh seafood Calabash style plates. Their menu offers, shrimp, flounder, trout, catfish, oysters, crab, clams, and more. Its good food, quick and easy. You can seat inside or enjoy your plate outside at the picnic tables. There is also the State Farmers
Market Restaurant. It serves breakfast and lunch and closes at 3pm. They have NC “Fresh Cooked” and “Made to Order” Breakfasts served all day until 3:00pm. They also offer several Daily Lunch Specials that are prepared fresh and served from 11am-3pm. Lunch offers a choice of one Meat, two Vegetables and our complimentary Dessert of the Day.

The Fall Craft Fair 2019 at the State Farmers Market takes place over three days November 8-10, 2019 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.each day. The State Farmers Market is located at 1201 Agriculture St. in Raleigh, North Carolina. The State Farmers Market is a fun place to go but the Fall Craft Fair makes it even more fun. With the holidays approaching this craft fair will be a great time to do some shopping!