Nickname: The Rip Van Winkle State Population: 7,323,000 (11th) Area: 53,820 sq miles (28th) Birthplace: Billy Graham & powered airplane flight State Motto: 'To be rather than to seem' Tourism: 800.847.4862 Road Conditions: 919.733.3861 A says: Cape Hatteras is feeling like home after over a month in the Outer Banks. Remote and away from the workaday craziness, Hatteras operates on island time. The ocean drives the folks who live here and the folks who come to visit. How can any place be bad when it's the sea that rules the seasons? B says: I love North Carolina's license plate: First in Flight. What a monumental achievement. I also love their state motto: 'To be rather than to seem'. To be happy, rather than to seem happy. To be healthy, rather than to seem healthy. In addition, the people are friendly and the Outer Banks is a wonderful watery paradise. My favorite place on the Outer Banks was the Haulover, where you could park your car and walk from the Pamlico Sound to the Atlantic Ocean in under two minutes. Both bodies of water are perfect for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Take your pick, or sail both within the hour.