This December my in-laws will be staying with our dog, Percy, for a week while Cecil and I celebrate our tenth anniversary. They asked to have a practice run with Percy, so Cecil and I went away for a night this past weekend to Spartanburg, South Carolina. Comparable in size to Winston Salem, NC, Spartanburg … Continue reading Spartanburg, South Carolina
culture
“The Enterable Mirror”
Last year I stumbled upon an art exhibition in Concord, North Carolina. As I walked into one of the rooms and scanned the walls before I examined each piece more closely one painting stopped me in my tracks. It was a beautiful oil painting that made the viewer feel as if they were peeking through … Continue reading “The Enterable Mirror”
Alamance County, North Carolina
The drawback of our country's interstate road system is that we miss out on so many wonderful towns and sites. Instead of being waymarkers along the route they are relegated to a name on a green or brown sign as we fly past on the way to our destination. My husband and I were given … Continue reading Alamance County, North Carolina
Town Creek Indian Mound
Sometimes you have to step away from the emails and housecleaning and go on an adventure! A few weeks ago I did just that. Not wanting to go alone I called my mother and she agreed to be my road trip buddy. Our destination of choice was the Town Creek Indian Mound in Mt. Gilead, … Continue reading Town Creek Indian Mound
Belmont, North Carolina
Southwest of Charlotte is a beautiful, thriving town called Belmont. Located along the Catawba River, the area came to life in 1871 when the railroad was built. Originally called Garibaldi Station, it continued to grow as land nearby was donated to the Benedictine Monks and in 1876 they founded Belmont Abbey College. Incorporated in 1895, Belmont's … Continue reading Belmont, North Carolina
What Traveling Has Taught Me
By Joanna Grey Talbot This gigantic, magnificent, overwhelming world is full of wonder and beauty and mystery and I will never be able to see it all. Yet, that will not deter me from trying my hardest to do so. Traveling has taught me so much about myself, the people around me, and the world … Continue reading What Traveling Has Taught Me
Southern Christmas Show
By Joanna Grey Talbot There are so many wonderful Christmas traditions around the world from the European Christmas Markets to Advent to the many varieties of Santa Claus. Yet for me, one of the most magical will always be the Southern Christmas Show. Held every year at The Park Expo and Conference Center in Charlotte, … Continue reading Southern Christmas Show
First Anniversary Travels
By Joanna Grey Talbot Hard to believe it has already come and gone but my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary last weekend. It has been a year filled with ups and downs, a move to North Carolina, and so many adventures! To celebrate we escaped to our favorite place - the mountains. Although … Continue reading First Anniversary Travels
Morganton, North Carolina
By Joanna Grey Talbot My favorite benefit to being a freelance writer is that anytime my husband has to work out of town I can easily go with him. It always means I have to go exploring by myself while he works but it gives me time to go at my own pace and pick … Continue reading Morganton, North Carolina
North Carolina State Fair
By Joanna Grey Talbot The State Fair - Whether it evokes images of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1945 musical, State Fair, that took place in Iowa or of 4-H competitions and deep-fried food, going to the state fair is an experience. The one hosted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture at the Raleigh fairgrounds is no … Continue reading North Carolina State Fair
New Stories From Old Towns 