Chatham County – A Courthouse History

Pittsboro, North Carolina.

It had been too long since we visited North Carolina. Our last visit was in the fall of 2015. We came back in October 2018 again in part to celebrate Lynn and my 48th anniversary with our son and daughter-in-law. Josh and his wife live outside of the small town of less than 5,000 residents. Yet one wouldn’t guess that Pittsboro is that small judging from the amount of traffic traveling the main drag. You see, PIttsboro is also the county seat of Chatham County and houses the county courthouse.

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Cellpic Sunday – 28 October 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Last weekend we spent some time in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee as we traveled through the Great Smoky Mountains. Though the fall colors weren’t spectacular and not at peak, the scenery is none the less beautiful. This cellpic image of the Oconaluftee River was captured from a bridge near one of the many scenic pull-offs along Highway 441 as it twists, turns, and tunnels its way through the park.

3D Thursday – Bodie Island Lighthouse

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Bodie Island.

Off the coast of North Carolina, a collection of islands hug the United States mainland coastline. Collectively, these islands are known as the Outer Banks. Connected by bridges, three major islands attract summer vacationers by the thousands. To protect navigation along the coast, a battery of lighthouses warn ships of the island hazards to navigation. The lighthouse most commonly featured in stories and photos is arguably the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. However, the Bodie Island Lighthouse has probably a more interesting location.

Haw River – Hike, Fish or Run the Rapids

Chatham County, North Carolina.

On our way to Pittsboro, on US-15/501, we crossed a bridge with an unassuming sign labeled Haw River. On the north side of the highway is a small turnoff that might well be unnoticed when motoring by. That turnoff leads to a small parking area and a pick-up/drop off area with a covered bench and a sign advertising the Haw River Canoe & Kayak Company.

But I Digress… Siler City’s Improbable Tie to Hollywood

Siler City, North Carolina.

In recent posts about a couple of small towns in North Carolina, we discover that the town of Siler City became the retirement home of Frances Bavier, the character actor who played Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968. As we learned in Josh Steiner’s guest post (here) for this week’s Travel Tuesday, Siler City no longer feels “like fictional Mayberry, but more like suburban anywhere, USA.”

The changing face of the American South: Siler City, NC

Siler City, North Carolina.

For this week’s Travel Tuesday, I have the distinct pleasure of hosting a guest post from the Pot and Pan Handler, Josh Steiner. Last fall, he and I had the opportunity to travel to small town, North Carolina. The photo above features a mural depicting Siler City’s main street in an earlier time. Known for its murals, Siler City has another claim to fame, a tie to Hollywood… but, wait!!! Why am I telling you this? Read on to learn about the little town that is “Balanced for Progress.” Don’t forget to check out the Handler’s blog here.

Pittsboro, North Carolina – Land of the Plenty

Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Our first trip to North Carolina to visit our son and daughter-in-law was delayed several times due to circumstances beyond our control. Early last year, we determined 2015 would be the year we first visited one of the states that originally was one of the thirteen original British colonies.