Summer breezes carry us to rodeos, beaches, heirloom farmers, and letter preservation projects. Print subscribers, you should receive your copy in a couple of weeks. We’ll update you as soon as we get them back from our printer.
Here are previews of the features you’ll find in our summer issue.
Rodeo Roots
North Carolina keeps the cowboy spirit alive
By Morgan Harrington
Rodeo has long been a staple of Western culture, but in North Carolina, it has carved out a unique space that blends tradition, competition, and community. From bull riding to barrel racing, rodeo events unite families, spectators, and athletes who share a passion for the sport.
An Unexpected Treasure Hunt
A trove of Civil War letters reveals a couple’s fears, frustration, and love
Reprinted with permission from University Libraries at Virginia Tech
When members of the Wharton family sold their home, which later became the Glencoe Museum in Radford, they made a remarkable discovery. Unbeknownst to the family, who had lived in the house for more than a century, steamer trunks full of documents belonging to a Civil War general, Gabriel C. Wharton, were tucked away waiting to be found.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Derrick Gunter & Radiator Charlie Knew a Good Thing When They Saw It
By Tom Poland
Robert Clark and I were on the road running down a story about land, a farmhouse, and tomatoes. A story of war, old ways, and survivors. On a hot, humid July morning we abandoned I-20 for Longs Pond Road and, after a backroad or two, arrived at a farmhouse near the Boiling Springs community of South Carolina.
There and Back Again
Explore 8 North Carolina Beaches
By the Backroad Portfolio staff
Our summer excursion is inspired by Bob and Darian Poliachik, residents of Leland, North Carolina, who decided to visit eight Wilmington-area beaches in one day. In honor of the Poliachiks’ idea, we’re stretching their journey out to two days, starting with a Wrightsville Beach sunrise coffee and finishing with a Sunset Beach dinner.
Plus:
Heirloom watermelons, cassette music memories, tomato pie, and Appalachian brooms.
Welcome New Subscribers!
Whether you’re a free or upgraded subscriber, you’ll receive our weekly post. A portion of each email will be available to all subscribers, but only Explorers and upgraded digital subscribers will be able to read past the paywall.
Enter Our Summer Designed for Joy Giveaway
Our Summer 2025 giveaway features Designed for Joy’s Abigail Shoulder Handbag in a vibrant pink. Valued at $149, the Abigail is crafted from premium leather and finished with refined stitching. Its dramatic silhouette and structured softness make a bold yet versatile statement, giving it a polished aesthetic that transitions seamlessly from workday to weekend. The Abigail is not just a handbag but also a symbol of purpose.
Follow Our Journey
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Backroad Portfolio is a new quarterly magazine for explorers.
Travel down roads marked by endless fields, immaculate vistas, and small, cozy towns. Discover the history behind how these backroads came to be for future generations. Meet people who breathe life into the landscape, sharing stories, traditions, and artisanal endeavors that make each stop along the way unforgettable. Escape from the busyness of life on the main thoroughfares.
Take the long way home.
Looking forward to this latest issue!