A Step In Time Walking Tours

Happy Halifax Resolves Day! If you ever wondered what the date at the bottom of the NC flag means, this is it. The day that the NC delegates ratified and sent a message to the Continental Congress calling for Independence from the King. This document, months later, provided a blueprint upon which the Declaration of Independence was based. There was a fantastic turnout in the historic town of Halifax on the banks of the Roanoke River this weekend to celebrate the 250th anniversary and we were happy to join them. Also, the original documents are currently on display in their newly renovated visitor's center until October 10th! (Side note: prisoners from the February Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge were housed in the jail here during this momentous occasion, including Flora McDonald's husband!)

We joined a massive group of people at the Moore's Creek Bridge Battlefield this weekend for their 250th anniversary of the first decisive Patriot victory in the Revolutionary War. It was also the last Highland Charge in the world, with Highland Scots Loyalists charging over the bridge and into a trap laid by the Patriot militia. It was a wonderful event with lots of demonstrations, performances, and information. What a great way to start off the 250th year!

We're coming out of hibernation and are ready to restart Historic Southern Pines walking tours again! Plus, the Painted Ponies are here and an added bonus for tours throughout the month of March (they get auctioned off at the beginning of April). So, with warmer weather beginning, reach out and book your tour today!

Attention anatomy/conservation nerds (and everybody else, too)! On a recent solo trip to Beaufort, NC, I had the pleasure of exploring the
I came across it while looking for an activity one day and immediately contacted it's steward, Keith, to see about a tour. Thankfully, I was able to join another small group and for two hours Keith was gracious enough to share stories and specimens with us. He is a wealth of knowledge about these fascinating creatures and the dangers they face from the humans that share their waters.
Case in point, the scapula that was handed to me in the first picture (very heavy, by the way) came from a humpback whale that was struck by a ship and came ashore in Massachusetts in 2001. The skull in the second photo shows the signs of the strike and is in the beginning stages of an elaborate repiecing for display of the entire skeleton over the next year.
This is not a large building, but it is packed with amazing specimens and stories.
If you're going to be in that area, reach out to Keith for your own tour! You will not be disappointed!

This past Sunday we braved the crowds for a trip to see the trolls at Dorothea Dix Park and the Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheater. Both were such fun and we thankfully had pretty good weather in which to enjoy them. And only a short drive away! Get out and explore your world!

We spent part of our Memorial Day weekend at Guilford Courthouse to learn about one of the most significant battles in the American Revolution. A fantastic visitor's center and well-marked trails around the battlefield, with monuments throughout. I especially liked the monument to General Greene and the gravesite of two of the signer's of the Declaration of Independence. It was a wonderful way to honor our ancestors and remember a few of the fallen.

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A walking tour of Historic Southern Pines has been scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday at 10am. If you would like to join us, please contact me at [email protected]. Space is limited, so secure your spot soon.
(Pictured is a portion of the breathtaking WW1 Memorial in DC from a recent trip.)

Just got back from an amazing week with my daughter's class in DC! The kids planned and organized everything so well! We got to see a lot of the memorials, as well as the Spy Museum, Holocaust Museum, and Air & Space Museums together. We also got some good free time to explore the Mall in small groups. They even organized an evening at a Nationals baseball game to celebrate one of their teachers' birthday and a fantastic trip to the National Zoo. All in just four days (including travel time)! The kids worked so hard planning and fundraising for this trip throughout the year and did a fantastic job!

Southern Pines Walking Tour Tuesday, April 15th at 10:30am. Contact us to save your spot!

After a gorgeous Saturday docenting at the Shaw House in Southern Pines, on Sunday, we drove up to Hillsborough to explore all their history. Started with a fantastic lunch at The Wooden Nickel and then toured the Hillsborough Visitor's Center in the beautifully restored Alexander Dickson House. From there, we wandered over to the Regulators Monument and then up the street to the wonderful Orange County History Museum. Finally, we strolled along the Eno Riverwalk to see the replica Occoneechee Village before heading home. A lovely day trip!

Took a day-trip to Winston Salem and Bethabara yesterday. Everyone has heard of Old Salem, but Bethabara came first. Just a little bit further north, it was the first Moravian settlement in the Carolinas. A few original buildings still stand, although most of the village is now just foundations. The Visitor's Center was a great starting point, and the tour guide showed us around the main structures with lots of information about the settlement. I would love to come back and see the recreated gardens in the height of spring and summer! Well worth the visit!

A month ago, my daughter and I took our second trip to Scotland together. This time, it was to celebrate my 45th birthday! It was a whirlwind trip with lots of planes, trains, and automobiles, but we relished every minute. Our base of operations was split between Edinburgh for the first half and Inverness for the second. We spent Thanksgiving Day on a bus trip to see the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. And the food was amazing as always (as evidenced by our favorite breakfast plate)! We couldn't leave Edinburgh without (partially) climbing Arthur's Seat and touring the Palace of Holyrood (even if I was a bit muddy from sliding down the mountain some at the end). In Inverness, we enjoyed walking along the banks of the River Ness and around town. Finally, we spent a full day traveling to Urquehart Castle on Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, and touring the Isle of Skye's beautiful natural landmarks. We experienced every kind of weather that day, including hail while unsuccessfully trying to take a selfie in front of Kilt Rock. And it was all worth it. If you haven't already, go visit Scotland rain or shine! The history, people, and landscapes will draw you in and never let go!