Get Packin'

A typical Spartan? Statue of King Leonidas at Sparta, Greece - Wikimedia Commons

Did you think we meant Sparta, Greece? 

There are a total of 28 towns named Sparta in the U.S., plus one in Canada and two in South America.  Although Sparta, Greece would provide the most historic significance, our travels are taking us to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, and to the town of Sparta, North Carolina, about six miles to the famed Blue Ridge Parkway.

Don’t overlook places you’ve never heard of as they could be that diamond in the rough, like the sleepy little town of Sparta, tucked away in the midst of the Smoky Mountains, near its State Park and many other beautiful tourist areas: nature at its best. 

View from the east ridge off Blue Ridge Parkway, near Sparta looking toward Pilot Mountain - Flickr photo by billkrisjacob

Folks around Alleghany County say that Nature created Sparta, and if you visited their chamber of commerce site you’ll find their claim to be true.  http://www.sparta-nc.com/

Looking Glass Falls - Flickr photo by Alaskan Dude

Along with the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains you’ll find artisans galore, weaving their magic spells in the form of pottery, quilting, painting, photography, woodcrafts and the revival of traditional music of the hills. 

There’s something to do and see around every bend of the road:

• Take in a music venue

Alleghany Historic Museum, Silver Dollar Music Park, Alleghany Jubilee or Blue Ridge Music Center

• Cast your rod, swing your club, shoot the rapids or small game

Check out local trout and fishing farms, let the balls fly at Olde Beau or New River Golf clubs, thrill at an exhilarating ride in a canoe, or aim for the bulls eye, and nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina atop a gentle steed as you meander through the beauty of the mountains.  

• Tour the local museums or art galleries

Alleghany Arts and Crafts, Blue Ridge Gallery of Fine Arts, and many more

• Sip in the sites and fine wine at local wineries

Chateau Laurinda, Grapestompers, Thistle Meadow Winery

• Upcoming special events include

Alleghany Jubilee (every Tuesday and Saturday evening)

Lawn Mower Racing in May, June and August – NASCAR of a different scale

Lions Club Rodeo July 1 and 2

Mountain Heritage Festival in September

• Get a good night’s sleep after a fun-filled day . . .
  

  Sit back, relax and breath in that crisp mountain air in Sparta, NC!

You'll have a whale of a good time in New London doing a little whale watching - Flickr photo by sneakerdog

Could it be an echo of the past?  Boys and girls of all ages cringed when learning of an impending road trip with Mom and Dad.  It certainly wasn’t the destination: It was simply getting there that caused all the commotion. 

We’re here to take the pain out of that road trip – so pull up a seat and join us as an armchair tourist because we’re heading to the seaport city of New London, Connecticut, a city steeped in seafaring tradition and located at the mouth of the Thames River along the upper eastern seaboard of the U.S. 

New London was originally called Nameaug by the Pequot Indians; later named after London England on March 10, 1658.  It was said to have the best deep water harbor on Long Island Sound, and consequently became the base of American Naval Operations during the American Revolution.  Today, it is home to the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Here are some of the reasons you should take a road trip to New London:

• 

  The U.S. Coast Guard Eagle - photo as seen on Wikimedia Commons

  Tour the Coast Guard’s Cutter, “Chinook” or its tall ship, the Eagle (She is one of only two active commissioned sailing vessels in American military service).

• Visit the historic United Church of Christ  on State Street.
• It was (at one time during the 19^th Century) the 2^nd busiest whaling city in the world – you’ll want to trek down Whale Oil Row between 105-119 Huntington St.  You won’t want to miss visiting the Tale of the Whale Museum while there.
• Wet your whistle at Dutch Tavern on Green Street – “a favorite of Nobel and Pulitzer-prize playwright, Eugene O’Neill, which is also part of the fun, delicious, historic, scenic, and cultural district of New London.”  Be sure to order a cheese-burger!
• New London is the half-way point between New York City and Boston.
• Attend the I AM Festival – learn more about festival dates and entertainers who will be there?  Check this site: http://www.myspace.com/iamfestival

An imposing site - Fort Trumbull is protected by canons - Flickr photo by divemasterking2000

• Tour Fort Trumbull.
• Make your way to the New London Historic Waterfront District.

Road trips can be fun for the whole family.  There are numerous site-seeing opportunities; many of them at no cost.  Pack a picnic lunch, and after a day of exploring new sites, consider overnight lodging as part of your excursion. 

Click here to get information about a good night’s sleep in New London and the Connecticut area.