N.C. girl in a mermaid world; Burnsville native lives a life underwater

KURE BEACH— Twenty feet below the surface of a natural spring, Lydia Byrd finds herself eyes wide open, blowing heart-shaped kisses, fulfilling her dreams. Byrd is a mountain girl living in a mermaid’s world, and loving it.

Her underwater odyssey began in the shadow of North Carolina’s highest peak; and will soon land her, shimmering tail and all, in a magical adventure at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher in early March.

Byrd, 23, grew up in Burnsville, far from the typical mermaid hot spots. She was surrounded by the security of supportive family and a close-knit, farming community. She found comfort in wooded hikes, snow and knowing everyone in town. To read the full article, https://www.mcdowellnews.com/news/n-c-girl-in-a-mermaid-world-burnsville-native-lives/article_e9ad3fa2-36ba-11e9-b781-2f14dd137a43.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR2NTe0g7i0DkFQygY1_pqm8dal6S9s7_mk5H377gR25qePS5HzDuEMsQU4