Tar Heel Traveler
WRAL resurrects a series from long ago. The Tar Heel Traveler takes us to fascinating places across the state and into the lives of memorable characters.
At times, the Traveler will even tread onto controversial turf, putting a human face to heartfelt issues.
Look for thoughtful stories that are poignant, witty, interesting and inspiring, crafted with photography that is beautiful and compelling.
WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler is reporter Scott Mason.
Know any fascinating places and people across the state that you'd like to see featured on WRAL? Email the Tar Heel Traveler, Scott Mason.
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Franklin County deputy is Petty super-fanDeputy Mike Collins has met former NASCAR driver Richard Petty about two dozen times.
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Horseless carriages head to the coast for annual gatheringWRAL’s Scott Mason takes a trip to Brunswick County, where an antique car club holds their annual outing.
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Meet the man behind the Dukes of Hazzard TV showWRAL’s Scott Mason travels to Alexander County to meet the man who inspired a hit TV series.
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Stores on Roxboro’s North Main Street offer small town flairIn the Person County town of Roxboro, WRAL’s Scott Mason found two great symbols of a small town, dueling drugstores and an old-fashioned lunch counter.
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Sunny Side Oyster Bar's been steaming since '35Williamston residents have cherished Sunny Side Oyster Bar's like the proverbial pearl in an oyster since it opened in 1935.
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Feline donates blood to save other catsThe Tar Heel Traveler meets a cat whose whole life has been about saving lives.
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Chatham County school cafeteria worker has a way with numbersSarah Kirby not only knows the lunch numbers and names of all 840 students, but also those of 120 teachers and staff.
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Tale of the pink lady gives resort guests a scareWRAL’s Scott Mason takes on an Asheville mystery that haunts the halls of the Grove Park Inn.
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Family-owned restaurant serves up hot dogs for 8 decadesFor 87 years, it's sat on one of the most beautiful thoroughfares in America: Dick's hot dog stand in Wilson.
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Costume shop reopens after burning to the groundThe Tar Heel Traveler takes a look at the costume shop for the Lost Colony, America's longest-running outdoor drama. The shop burned to the ground last fall.
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Twins reunite after being separated in infancyTar Heel Traveler Scott Mason has the remarkable story of twin brothers, separated in infancy, who found one another at a basketball tournament.
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African children’s choir performing in the TriangleA children's choir from Uganda, living in Chatham County, are performing all across the country.
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Race Fans Won't Let History Plow Speedway UnderArdent race fans will not let history plow over the nearly 50-year-old Occoneechee Speedway in Orange County, where many NASCAR champions got their start.
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Tar Heel Traveler SpecialThe Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason revisits some of his favorite stories.
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UNC Professor Travels to AntarcticaProfessor Brooks de Wetter-Smith tells the Tar Heel Traveler about his extraordinary journey.
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Bynum Man Turns Wood Into Works of ArtWRAL’s Scott Mason travels to Bynum to meet the artist behind ClydeFest, and all his colorful critters.
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Four Oaks Mayor Pulls Double DutyLinwood Parker is not only the mayor of Four Oaks; he is also a barbecue king.
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Civil War Relic Rising From the Wilderness in SanfordA group of volunteers in Lee County is raising money to restore a 35 foot relic of days gone by.
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Barbershop Poet Visits RaleighA Virginia man has gone far beyond the Burma Shave billboards, traveling to barbershops around the country to deliver his poetry.
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UNC Brick Masons Keep Campus BeautifulThe Tar Heel Traveler meets the UNC brick masons that keep the Chapel Hill campus beautiful.
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Greene County Man Has 100 Days to Train Wild MustangWRAL’s Scott Mason is in Greene County, with the tale of a horse trainer, a wild Mustang, and the competition that brought them together.
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Is Snake Oil the Key Ingredient for Longevity?Moore County‘s Wilma Cunningham, 101, has been bottling snake oil for 40 years. It is sold at Dunrovin Store, 910-246-0814.
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Traveling in PiedmontBrian and Kay Miller from agoingconcern.com chat about Traveling in Piedmont.
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Roxboro Keeps Links to Titanic Sinking AfloatA museum exhibit recalls two men with Person County links who were aboard the Titanic when it sank on April 14, 1912.
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Mysterious Civil War Grave has Story to TellTar Heel Traveler tells the story of a Confederate soldier who stood up to the Union Army - and lost.
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Tar Heel Traveler Visits Patrolman Bringing Cars Back to LifeFormer Highway patrolman David King restores cars at his Sampson County home.
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West End Boy Collects VacuumsBrendan Kivett, 7, has about 35 vacuum cleaners, but he wants more.
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Jail Preserves Home of Infamous Wilkesboro Murderer, Pt. 2The Tar Heel Traveler continues to explore the story of Tom Dooley, who was held in the Old Wilkes Jail before hanging for killing a female friend in 1866.
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Day Trips to the CoastKay Miller, principal of A Going Concern tour group, recommends day trips to coastal North Carolina for a springtime getaway.
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Jail Preserves Home of Infamous Wilkesboro MurdererThe Tar Heel Traveler explores the story of Tom Dooley, who was held in the Old Wilkes Jail before hanging for killing a female friend in 1866.
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Octogenarian Hiker's Been Around the World on His FeetAn 81-year-old Louisburg man figures he has hiked more than 200,000 miles, a lifestyle that's penetrated to his soul.
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