Nooks and Crannies Coverage

Here are the dates when you can visit Dorothy at NC's Land of Oz theme park

If you want to make the trip to the Land of Oz, it's time to mark your calendar. The 1970s-era theme park in the North Carolina mountains will open on select dates for a "Journey with Dorothy."

Dorthea Dix property has rich, interesting history

It's one of the most talked about pieces of property in Raleigh, but few know the entire story behind the Dorothea Dix Property.

History is a playground at Dix Park

The City of Raleigh offers a walking tour of the Dorthea Dix property.

Richard Adkins, WRAL Photojournalist

Summer's last Nooks and Crannies is a launching point for fall farm fun

In the latest Nooks and Crannies, many kids, never set foot on a farm. Sonlight Farms in Kenly is trying to change all of that.

Summer's last Nooks and Crannies is a launching point for fall farm fun

The Visit NC Farms app is a new way to find farms and farm events in North Carolina.

Richard Adkins, WRAL Photojournalist

Ayden man loves his coffee, opens shop for others to experience love

Matthew Wright opened Lanoca Coffee, a one-man coffee roasting operation in about 1,100 square feet of space, on Second Street. Pitt County is a place where you may not expect to find small-batch, artisan coffee.

'It brings him joy:' Ayden man uses coffee to take people back to simpler times

These days it seems there is a new brewery opening every week on every corner, but a man in the small town of Ayden has other ideas. He hopes to bring people back to a simpler time, when a cup of black coffee and a porch swing were all you needed on a Saturday night.

Harnett County animal sanctuary recognizes the values of interacting with nature

Harnett County is home to a wide variety of Wildlife, but a camel, kangaroo and ostrich named Oscar might be a little unusual.

Richard Adkins, WRAL photojournalist

Stars on screen become afterthought at 'Movies with Goats'

A major motion picture may bring thousands of people to stare at the stars on the big screen, but there's a place in Chapel Hill where the screen is an afterthought and the stars wander through the audience.

Stars wander through audience during 'Movies With Goats'

A major motion picture may bring thousands of people to stare at the stars on the big screen, but there's a place in Chapel Hill where the screen is an afterthought and the stars wander through the audience.

Wide open outdoors available 7 days a week in Wake park

Wake County's Robertson Mill Pond Preserve and Turnipseed Nature Preserve have traditionally been open only on weekends, but this summer, they are open seven days a week for peak-season. The new schedule ends the first weekend in August.

Wake County preserves open seven days a week for peak season

Wake County's Robertson Mill Pond Preserve and Turnipseed Nature Preserve have traditionally been open only on weekends, but this summer, they are open seven days a week for peak-season. The new schedule ends the first weekend in August.

Mining for gems in western North Carolina

In the hills and valleys of western North Carolina, there are plenty of hidden gems. Not just fun or little know spots, but literally gems hidden in the rocks and soil.

Richard Adkins, WRAL photojournalist

Sassafras Mountain Tower offers stunning views of NC, SC

The highest elevation in South Carolina touches the North Carolina border. The place is Sassafras Mountain, and a new observation platform provides spectacular views of both states.

Walnut Creek Wetland Park a place for learning, play

There's a cranny in south Raleigh where Walnut Creek flows. It's a place where flood waters sometimes rise and the ground likes to be muddy. Walnut Creek Wetland Park is a playground and a place of learning.

Near downtown Raleigh, Walnut Creek Wetland Park offers place to learn, play

There's a cranny in south Raleigh where Walnut Creek flows. It's a place where floodwaters sometimes rise and the ground likes to be muddy. Walnut Creek Wetland Park is a playground and a place of learning.

Science project aims to turn back time, reclaim NC marshland

Along the coast of North Carolina, there is a science project targeted at turning back time. The project by the North Carolina Coastal Federation aims to reclaim 6,000 farm acres back into marshland.

20 years in the making: Carteret's North River Wetland Preserve is state's largest saltwater marsh restoration

Along the coast of North Carolina, there is a science project targeted at turning back time. The project by the North Carolina Coastal Federation aims to reclaim 6,000 farm acres back into marshland.

Rougemont sanctuary fosters connections between animals, children with disabilities

The Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary is a farm for both animals and people in need. Once every summer the sanctuary opens the gate to allow special-needs children special access to the animals.

Special animals, children help each other at Rougemont sanctuary

At the Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary, love is unconditional. It's a farm for animals in need, and a place for people in need as well.

Richard Adkins, WRAL photojournalist

Lavender farm fulfills Chapel Hill couple's taste for challenge

Instead of slowing down when their kids were grown. the Macdonalds sold everything to start a lavender farm which is now their Orange County retreat.

Lavender Oaks Farm: The story of one Chapel Hill couple's passion project

In the quest for happiness, sometimes you have to build your own destination. That's what a local family did when they decided to make a major change in their life.

Dorothy welcomes visitors to western NC Land of Oz

At a magical place in the North Carolina mountains, a yellow brick road takes visitors back in time.

Land of Oz takes fans, children on 'Journey with Dorothy'

A winding stretch of mountain road leads drivers up Beech Mountain. It is neither yellow nor made of brick, yet it leads you to the Land of OZ.

Richard Adkins, WRAL photojournalist

First look: In the air over Land of Oz

WRAL took a never-before-seen drone tour over the Land of Oz theme park in western NC.