Bentonville State Historic Site
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Mark was right: there isn't much to do around Fayetteville. So we headed northeast to visit a couple of state parks.
First was the Battle of Bentonville State Historic Site. I had seen the signs to this park for decades in our travels up and down I-95, particularly during our days when the kids had a high interest in the Civil War. But we were always in a hurry and never took time to visit. We could have waited another 10 years.
Bentonville was the scene of the last major battle of the Civil War when Confederate Gen. Johnston attempted to stop Union Gen. Sherman's march to the north from Savannah. It lasted three days before the Confederates withdrew. Mark's great-great-great grandfather saw action there as a company commander in the 87th Indiana.
It's a good news, bad news situation. The park could use a healthy infusion of cash. It's very small for such a important engagement. Interpretative and trail signs were missing and there were few stops on the driving trail. The good news, the park is completely surrounded by farms and could be expanded some day into a more significant site than the park currently represents. As Mark noted, life there hasn't changed signficantly in the last 140 years.
From there we went to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. To get there we drove through a choking haze (heat index 106F) that obscured miles of tobacco, bean, corn fields, and more bean fields dotted with ASGROW - making better beans - signs. We passed through Spivey's Corner, home of the National Hollerin' Contest, and Newton Grove where you can have lunch at the Taco Rico.
The Neuse River is one of North Carolina's eastern watersheds. The cliffs have formed from the various sea level changes and exposes hundreds of millions of years of geology. It was nice park and would probably best to see in the fall. There are a couple easy to negotiate trails but they are infested with carpenter ants. (note to self: when going hiking in 106F heat, wear shorts. When hiking among ants, wear sneakers not flip flops).
We beat it back to Fayetteville for a wings and beer dinner at a bar within walking distance of the hotel.
All-in-all, a priceless day.
First was the Battle of Bentonville State Historic Site. I had seen the signs to this park for decades in our travels up and down I-95, particularly during our days when the kids had a high interest in the Civil War. But we were always in a hurry and never took time to visit. We could have waited another 10 years.
Bentonville was the scene of the last major battle of the Civil War when Confederate Gen. Johnston attempted to stop Union Gen. Sherman's march to the north from Savannah. It lasted three days before the Confederates withdrew. Mark's great-great-great grandfather saw action there as a company commander in the 87th Indiana.
It's a good news, bad news situation. The park could use a healthy infusion of cash. It's very small for such a important engagement. Interpretative and trail signs were missing and there were few stops on the driving trail. The good news, the park is completely surrounded by farms and could be expanded some day into a more significant site than the park currently represents. As Mark noted, life there hasn't changed signficantly in the last 140 years.
From there we went to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. To get there we drove through a choking haze (heat index 106F) that obscured miles of tobacco, bean, corn fields, and more bean fields dotted with ASGROW - making better beans - signs. We passed through Spivey's Corner, home of the National Hollerin' Contest, and Newton Grove where you can have lunch at the Taco Rico.
The Neuse River is one of North Carolina's eastern watersheds. The cliffs have formed from the various sea level changes and exposes hundreds of millions of years of geology. It was nice park and would probably best to see in the fall. There are a couple easy to negotiate trails but they are infested with carpenter ants. (note to self: when going hiking in 106F heat, wear shorts. When hiking among ants, wear sneakers not flip flops).
We beat it back to Fayetteville for a wings and beer dinner at a bar within walking distance of the hotel.
All-in-all, a priceless day.
5 comments:
Nice post, good pics of a breathtaking view!
Thanks for sharing!
~AirmanMom returning to her blog...
'dad,
Wonderful, especially the part about the flip flops. LOL You guys take wonderful piks, where I see a woods you guys see a canvas!
oh my goodness. You're hiking in jeans and flipflops??
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??
Dads!!
what is it that Dad's don't rush to take pics of their kids...got the camera in hand...taking pictures of everything else in the world BUT the son standing there next to you???
YIKES!
I demand at least one good smiling picture of your family....or whoever's around. You must do your duty, Dad!
:-)
AM,
Thanks for the compliment.
Pops,
That's probably the nicest thing that anyone has ever said.
Mom,
I have a reluctant subject. Tough to get a picture of him. Did sneak a few....but not a lot of smiles though.
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