Again, thanks, everyone. Our trip will be during the first 2 weeks in October; I know that does include the Columbus Day Weekend, which might make it hard. From what everyone has said, I am thinking it might be best to concentrate on one area, either mountains or Outer Banks. We have always wanted to go to the Outer Banks, but have avoided it in the summer because of hurricanes and heat. Asheville and the other mountain areas do intrigue me, but I think that a lot of that area might be not that different from New England. Not that I don't want to see it, but I also don't want to spend millions of hours driving. I looked up the schedule of a couple of bike tour companies and saw what they did for the Outer Banks, which includes a lot of places you have mentioned and also a couple of the Rails to Trails in Virginia. So, we could do the Virginia thing on the way down or home; we also may be stopping in Va. Beach to visit our son who will be at counter intelligence school there.
I just came back from buying 2 Frommers books on VA. and NC and will be reading today and making some decisions. And no, I don't sell my climbing abilities short, but I am slow and steady on those types of rides. I tend to get very nervous when i am riding in areas where I don't what is coming and I don't really want to deal with that on vacation. Once I've done a big climb, I have a better attitude toward it the next time!

Robyn