By Doug Gelbert

With the Revolutionary War stalemated in the North in 1778, the British strategy to win the war shifted to the South. Georgia and South Carolina were completely under British control by 1780. Nathanael Greene, an ironmaster by trade, self-taught in the art of war and George Washington’s hand-picked commander of the Southern Department, was determined to keep North Carolina out of British hands.

From his base in Virginia Greene harassed the British as their attack spread northward. Pursued by a frenetic Lord Cornwallis, Greene selected sloping ground near Guilford Courthouse to make his stand. He aligned his superior force of 4,000 men – of which scarcely one in five had ever seen battle action – in three lines to receive the British assault on March 15, 1781.

The first line, manned by inexperienced North Carolina militia, was quickly brushed aside and fled. Breaking through the second Patriot line, however, required savage fighting and by the time the redcoats reached Greene’s last line, Cornwallis was becoming desperate. As the fighting raged Cornwallis directed his artillery to fire grapeshot over his own lines into the melee of friend and foe alike. The harsh directive to fire into his own troops dispersed the Americans and saved his army.

Greene retired from the field. Technically the loser, his losses had been light. Cornwallis kept the field but lost the war at Guilford Courthouse. His army limped on to Wilmington, convinced that conquering Virginia would collapse the Revolution. Greene let him go and moved southward to reconquer South Carolina and Georgia, confident that American troops assembling in Virginia would destroy Cornwallis – which they did seven months later in Yorktown.

Begun in 1887, the 220-acre park was later established in 1917 as the first battleground of the American Revolution to be preserved as a national military park.

The military park is a local popular dog-walking destination with level, leafy paths to hike with your dog in a suburban environment. Nothing remains of either the small wooden courthouse or the community of March 15, 1781 but the dog- friendly grounds are among the most decorated of Revolutionary battlefields, graced by twenty-eight monuments.

The most impressive monument you see as you hike wit your dog is the large equestrian statue of General Greene, sculpted by Francis H. Packer. Unveiled on July 3, 1915, it bears Greene’s words: “We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again.”

You can find Guilford Courthouse National Military Park on New Garden Street in Greensboro, North Carolina. Directional signs lead you in from I-85 and I-40.

I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog and the widely praised The Canine Hiker’s Bible. As publisher of Cruden Bay Books, we produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking books found at http://www.hikewithyourdog.com Articles in the Doggin’ America series of dog-friendly parks can be found at http://www.DogginAmerica.com During the warm months I lead canine hikes for hikewithyourdog.com tours, guiding packs of dogs and humans on hiking adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day explorations, visit parks, historical sites and beaches. My lead dog is Katie, a German Shepherd- Border Collie mix, who has hiked in all of the Lower 48 states and is on a quest to swim in all the great waters of North America – http://web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies%20Blog/Katies%20Quest.html

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Regan  

By Gabriel J. Adams

Durham is the county seat for Durham County in North Carolina. It is considered to be the cornerstone of the Research Triangle region within the state and is also recognized as the fourth largest city in the state in terms of population. As of 2005, the population in the city was listed as 1,509,560 and the city continues to grow each day.

Durham was originally established in 1853 when a place for a railroad depot was deemed necessary within the state. A country physician by the name of Bartlett S. Durham lived along the railroad route and also had his practice established along the route. He agreed to donate some of his land to the railroad, which was named Durham Station.

Prior to the Civil War, the town grew slowly. Following the war, however, the population began to increase rapidly and the city received its official charger in 1869. Much of the population growth in the area was due to the tobacco industry, which really started to thrive at this time.

Tobacco soon became the backbone to the economy in Durham, though textiles soon became a close second. Due to the rapid growth of the city a this time, much of the commercial and residential architecture in the city today dates back to the period falling between 1890 through 1930.

A vibrant African-American community also quickly developed in the city. In fact, some of the most successful businesses to be owned by African-Americans were established in this city during the 20th century. Some of these include Mechanics & Farmer’ Bank and North Carolina Mutual Insurance Co. Parrish Street, which is where many of these businesses were located, soon became known as the “Black Wall Street.”

Durham continues to have a melting pot of ethnicities today. In addition, it is home to the North Carolina Central University, the Durham Technical Community College and, perhaps most notably, Duke University.

The author would like for you to visit Moving To Durham North Carolina and REAL ESTATE RALEIGH NC.

By Andrew Regan

When it comes to taking weekend breaks in the United States, many people find it convenient to go for the most obvious option: after all, city break destinations like New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia or Miami do make great getaways and provide guaranteed fun when you’re looking for a short vacation away from your daily routine. However, for a city break with a difference, it’s important to think outside the box. For instance, why not take a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina for an authentic taste of the Deep South and America’s rich historical legacy?

Whatever sort of city break you’re looking for – whether it’s a romantic vacation for two, a golf break with the boys or a fun cultural holiday for all the family – Charlotte can deliver. As a pivotal location during the American Revolution, Charlotte was known by many British soldiers as “a hornet’s nest of rebellion” and the city’s long historical heritage is evident at every turn. For instance, you’ll still find horse and carriage rides in uptown Charlotte – a testament to the city’s colonial history and an excellent way for travellers of all ages to appreciate Charlotte’s impressive nineteenth century Queen Anne architecture.

If you’re planning a vacation in Charlotte, you’ll find a range of attractions and sites of interest to entertain you. If you’re travelling with your children, why not visit the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte – one of the country’s top youth theatres? Discovery Place (a science museum and IMAX dome theatre) and ImaginOn – a cutting-edge educational children’s library and theatre are also popular attractions for families.

And when you’re looking for a break from Charlotte’s busy attractions, you’ll find plenty of outdoor botanical and wildlife parks to enjoy – whether you’re looking for some peace and quiet with your partner or you’re keen to show your family the wonders of the world. Visit the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens for a taste of Charlotte’s higher education buzz, or take a trip to the Carolina Raptor Centre – a site dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of birds of prey. And if that’s not enough, don’t miss out on the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, which is spread over 111 acres, and Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary.

Charlotte also boasts a diversity of cultural highlights, including the Charlotte Comedy Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the Afro-American Cultural Center and the Historic Latta Plantation – a former cotton plantation that now serves as a living history farm. Alternatively, visit the well-known Mint Museums, two separate facilities that are dedicated to exhibiting fine art, or make a stop at the Kings Mountain National Military Park, the site of a crucial battle in the Revolutionary War.

What’s more, Charlotte boasts a range of sports teams, including the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Knights, the Charlotte Eagles and the Charlotte Bobcats. If you’re a keen basketball fan with tickets to a Charlotte Bobcats game, you’ll find plenty of hotels in Charlotte, North Carolina, which provide suitable accommodation. So while you’re in town, make sure you visit the city’s vast array of diverse attractions – you’re sure to find something that’ll interest you!

By Christopher DiCicco

The NASCAR Hall of Fame was designated to be built in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 6, 2006 and groundbreaking began in 2007. It is projected to be opened for visitors in 2010. The Hall of Fame will be a welcome asset for tourism in Charlotte plus create jobs for the locals. It will have an office building that will house the business operations of marketing the image and licensing. The Hall of Fame has also adopted the words “Racing was built here Racing belongs here” as its slogan.

Besides being a very modern building that captures the spirit of racing, the Hall of Fame has as its first mission to pick the first inductees. There are some unofficial Hall of Fame sites where people are taking polls and we’ll take a look at some of the popular drivers getting voted for.

Lee Petty

Lee Petty had 54 victories and is the father of Richard Petty. He raced during the 1950s an 1960s when it really began to take off. His home state is also in North Carolina. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Richard Petty

He is getting a lot of votes at unofficial Hall of Fame sites and it is to no surprise. Richard Petty has 200 wins and 7 championship titles. He and Dale Earnhardt are the only two drivers in NASCAR’s history to have 7 championship titles. Richard Petty was dubbed the title of the “King of Racing.” He is the son of Lee Petty who was also a championship driver.

Bobby Allison

Here is another well-known name is racing. He has 84 victories with 3 Daytona 500 championships.

Cale Yarborough

Cale Yarborough has 83 victories plus he’s famous as being the only driver to win 3 straight championships. He is ranked 5th in the All-time winner’s list. He has also been the winner of the Daytona 500 four times.

Bobby Isaac

Bobby Isaac had to leave a race in 1977 because of heat exhaustion. During the time they were treating him he had a heart attack and died. In his short life of 45 years, he would achieve 37 victories. He would also set 28 world land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah (outside of the competition). He would eventually be named as one of 50 of the all-time great drivers. He is also a 1979 inductee of the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame.

There are other driver greats being considered including Buck Backer, Clay Earls, Tim Flock, and Junior Johnson.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a perfect location for the NASCAR Hall of Fame because there are over 50 teams of the Busch, Craftsman Truck, and Nextel Cup Series Championship competition all in close proximity to Charlotte. And Charlotte was the home of the first premier race in 1949. That’s why they say racing started in Charlotte and should remain in Charlotte.

Chris DiCicco is owner, senior editor and website developer for NASCARsupershop, a NASCAR Apparel and Memorabilia Store for every NASCAR Fan. We carry the internets largest selections of NASCAR products all in one place for your shopping convenience.

http://www.nascarsupershop.com/
http://www.nascarsupershop.com/Nascar_Race_Used.html
http://www.nascarsupershop.com/Nascar_Shirts.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_DiCicco

By Bob Pardue

Charlotte’s skyline can be seen for several miles as you travel on Interstate 77 in the Piedmont area. At night, the city glistens with beautiful skyscrapers and street lights. Since its beginnings, Charlotte has rapidly grown into a center for finance and banking. It is the second largest financial capital in the United States. “Queen City” is Charlotte’s nickname.

As the county seat, Charlotte is located in Mecklenburg County in the Piedmont region of North Carolina and is just above the South Carolina border. Charlotte’s population was estimated at approximately 584,658 in 2003 and is still growing. Nearby cities include Monroe (NC), Concord (NC), Rock Hill (SC), Pineville (NC), Statesville (NC), and Lancaster (SC).

The area attracts folks from all around for business, shopping, dining, recreation, and entertainment. Many people visit Charlotte from South Carolina for work or play. For those who live in the area, Charlotte is only a couple of hours away from the Appalachian Mountains and several hours from the Atlantic coast.

Charlotte, North Carolina Attractions and Events

Charlotte offers activities for all ages. The city’s night life is always moving with live entertainment and music concerts, ball games, restaurants, comedy clubs, movie theaters, and more.

Shoppers can visit one of several malls including the Eastland Mall, South Park Mall and the Carolina Place Mall (Pineville, South Charlotte). The huge Concord Mills Mall in Concord, North Carolina is just a short drive from Charlotte. At Eastland Mall, an indoor ice skating rink has provided many years of enjoyment for families.

Charlotte Festivals

Charlotte is also host to several big festivals and events throughout the year. One is the Festival in the Park, which takes place in Freedom Park. This early fall event has been held in Charlotte since 1964. It is a family-oriented festival where all types of regional works of art and unique crafts are displayed. Entertainment and refreshments are provided.

Charlotte hosts the Great Grapes Wine & Music Festival, where more than 150 North Carolina wines are available for sampling. Live music and gourmet foods are also provided. Each holiday, Charlotte residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of events, from a grand fireworks display on the 4th of July to cheerful holiday parades.

Charlotte Museums

For the history buff, there are many fascinating museums to explore in Charlotte. Discovery Place in downtown Charlotte has always been a favorite for kids with many fun hands-on exhibits, an Omnimax theater, a space station, a rain forest, and more. Other Charlotte museums include the Levine Museum of the New South, the Mint Museum of Art, and the Charlotte Museum of History.

Family Fun in Charlotte

For the active family that’s visiting or those who live in and around Charlotte, there are many parks for biking or hiking on trails, picnics, and family relaxation. One can enjoy fishing, boating, and golfing at Lake Norman. Bird lovers can relax at the Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary.

Straddling the North and South Carolina border is Paramount’s Carowinds. The amusement park is filled with exciting rides for the young and old, entertainment and cartoon characters that will amaze the kids. Roller coasters, kiddie rides, twisting and twirling rides, wet rides – Carowinds offers something for everyone! During the hot months, the Carowinds water park and ocean-wave pool provide cool relief for thousands of visitors.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a great place to live or visit. Come see why Charlotte is one of America’s choice cities!

Bob Pardue is a professional stock photographer located in the Southeastern US. You can find rights-managed stock images for your publication at http://www.parduephotos.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Pardue

By Martin McAllister

Since the 1960s, Renaissance Fairs have become major annual events in the lives of a large number of Americans. These outdoor festivals generally focus on the re-enactment of life during the English Renaissance, usually imagined within an English town during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Since the original Renaissance Pleasure Faire was held in North Hollywood in 1963, fairs have spread across North America in epic proportions. Some of the most notable fairs include the New York Renaissance Faire (located in Tuxedo, New York), the Renaissance Faire of Southern California and the Carolina Renaissance Festival, which is held in North Carolina every October and November.

The Carolina Renaissance Festival takes place over six weekends and incorporates a 10-stage theatre, a 20-acre circus, an arts and craft fair, a jousting tournament and a feast – all contained within a medieval-theme amusement park. Established in 1994, the Carolina Renaissance Festival actually began on only 6 acres of land. However, now spanning over 20 acres, the park is home to a range of cottages, castles and a variety of medieval games and rides. Visitors to the fair will also find over 100 food stalls, as well as an array of comedy shows and musical features.

As one of North America’s largest Renaissance fairs, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is now one of the country’s most interactive entertainment events; after all, it has over 500 costumed participants and characters commandeering the festival village. Furthermore, the festival is just a 20 minute drive away from Charlotte, the state capital – so you can escape the madness of the fair if it ever becomes too much.

If you’re planning to visit the Carolina Renaissance Festival, spending some quality time in Charlotte is extremely worthwhile. Charlotte is home to a number of museums and cultural attractions, including the Charlotte Museum of History, the Mint Museums and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte – one of the top youth theatres in the country. What’s more, you can also visit the top tourist attraction in North Carolina, Concord Mills, which features a large range of retail outlets, restaurants and entertainment events. Tourists will find an array of top hotels in Charlotte; so if you’re looking for accommodation in the city when you’re enjoying the delights of the Carolina Renaissance Festival, you won’t be short of options.

By Sumit Sharma

United States offers a bunch of magnificent destinations to the tourists. Boston, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and many other names constitute the list of fabulous places for an excursion. Anyone can hardly disagree on the fact that this region in the world map has got a distinction amongst destinations because of fabulous historical and modern credentials. Charlotte is one of the cities that contribute highly in shaping up such an image of United States.

City of Charlotte is one of the major cities with a long history in the United States. It is the historical background of the place what intrigues tourists to land in here. A fine combination of 18th century areas and modern establishments, Charlotte makes you feel quiet and interesting. Walking through some areas takes you back in the 18th century while a glance at the skyscrapers in the Central Business District presents a different picture of modern Charlotte.

Historical venues such as Latta Plantation, Rosedale and several others are as impressive as they were in the past. Stroll through one of the Charlotte’s beautiful historic neighborhoods to get an idea of past life in Old South. On the other hand host of new skyscrapers present a bunch of modern stuff. You should head for the Discovery Place to become aware of the modern assets of the city. A hands-on science museum featuring Planetarium and Omnimax theatre at the Discovery Place entertains people a lot. Nightlife in Charlotte is also exciting. A stroll through the Tyron Street presents you with bouquet of restaurants and bars.

By Matthew Keegan

Situated in the heart of central North Carolina along the border of Wake and Chatham counties, just thirty minutes south of Raleigh, is the North Carolina Railroad Museum / New Hope Valley Railway. Featuring steam and diesel locomotives as well as various boxcars, flatcars, and the like, the museum / railway has been entertaining train fans at its rural Bonsal location since 1981. Take a trip down the old railroad line with me and experience a little bit of American train history!

Since I was a boy I have been enamored by trains — steam engines, diesels, bullet trains and even subways. My family feels the same way; we marvel at the sight of a steam locomotive hissing and wheezing its way clackety-clack down the tracks, imagining that we, too, are taking a trip across this great nation of our’s.

This particular rolling museum will excite train buffs for the variety of equipment on hand, as well as, for the rides that are made available to the general public. Indeed, when we visited the museum recently the grounds were packed since ride days are held only on the first Sunday of the month [from May through November with special Halloween and Christmas season rides as well]. Five excursions are held each ride day; visitors are encouraged to arrive early for the ride they wish to take.

Pulled by a rugged General Electric diesel locomotive [built in the early 1940s], the one hour train ride allows passengers to travel from Bonsal to New Hill and back. The 6.5 mile track was purchased from the venerable Southern Railway Company and is now used exclusively by the museum.

Enthusiasts sit in one of two comfortable open passenger cars that are, in fact, converted flat cars. On a recent Sunday, the museum brought out one of the aforementioned diesels and added a pair of wood sided red cabooses and a brown baggage car to round out the set.

On the sprawling museum grounds sits a US Army Transportation Corps Tool Car which currently houses the museum’s gift shop and exhibits. Various other cars and a crane boom tender are located on site as well; some are being carefully restored while others are in active use. Currently, the museum’s steam locomotive is used on a limited basis, but plans are to begin using it on excursions more frequently.

The railroad museum is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers [Saturdays are workdays and skilled volunteers are welcome]. Train ride prices are reasonable and passengers know that the fares are helping to restore a little bit of train history to North Carolina while reliving it at the same time.

A “G” scale model garden railroad is on site along with a barbeque restaurant and adjoining picnic area. There is plenty of parking on the premises as well.

Yes, there certainly is much to see and do while visiting the North Carolina Railroad Museum / New Hope Valley Railway in Bonsal, NC — stop by soon and you will hear the conductor announcing to you, “all aboard!”

When not busy writing articles on travel related topics, Matt manages two very active aviation websites: the Aviation Employment Board at http://www.aviationemploymentboard.com and the Corporate Flight Attendant Community at http://www.corporateflyer.net and http://www.cabinmanagers.com

[tags]North Carolina Railroad Museum,New Hope Valley Railway,North Carolina,Raleigh,Bonsal,train museum,train history,g scale model

By Richard Rspad

Nothing beats spending a week or two on a luxurious rejuvenation vacation. Of course, who has the time? Allow me to introduce you to mini rejuvenation vacations.

Mini Rejuvenation Vacations

If you need a little pick-me-up or just an indulgent weekend, why not try one of the many day rejuvenation retreats available throughout the country? Whether you’re on the East Coast, in sunny California, or landlocked in the Midwest, there are plenty of different retreats ready to pamper you for that weekend getaway or midweek splurge.

When choosing a place to take a mini vacation, you’ll want to choose a place that’s close enough to home to be convenient for a small vacation. At the same time, it needs to be far enough away that you get that “getaway” feel. It may sound like a small distinction, but your mindset is critical part of getting the most out of the rejuvenation process.

If you’re on the East Coast, the southern area of North Carolina and below can be a welcome change if you’re from the New England area. One retreat that offers mini vacations that the whole family can enjoy is Pinehurst Resort, located in Pinehurst, North Carolina. This resort offers a unique experience: the teen relaxation service. More specifically, they offer treatments and techniques tailored to children age 6-11 or teenagers age 12 and above (with parental supervision for children under age 17). The services include teen facials, a Mother and Teen Daughter ReTreat, a Mother and Young Daughter ReTreat, and even pedicures and manicures for the younger set. The Pinehurst Spa is a great place for a mini vacation that includes the whole family without the stress!

If you’re looking for an even more “mini” mini vacation, why not try a trip to a day rejuvenation retreat for relaxation? Take, for instance, the Two-Hour Heaven package at the 5 Elements Spa and Wellness Center in San Clemente, California. This two hour package includes a European facial and full-body massage with aromatherapy. Even though you haven’t even been away for a full day, this sort of pampering will make you feel as though you’ve taken the greatest of vacations.

Just remember that no matter how short your vacation is, use the time to relax and enjoy! You’ll feel great if you just allow yourself to enjoy the treatments and tranquility of your chosen location and atmosphere. Yes, there are tasks waiting for you back in the real world, but they aren’t going anywhere!