It's not often one can meader through a town whose history dates back over 200 years. Back in the late 1700s, it seems there was a disagreement between the German and Scots-Irish settlements in the area over exactly where the County seat of the newly formed county of Cabarrus should be located. A compromise was eventually reached, and the new city was founded in 1796 on a 26 acre site. The city was named Concord, meaning "harmony," to reflect the spirit in which the issue was settled. We did meander and it was enjoyable and informative.

We began at this building, that acted like a beacon drawing us to the historic section of town. It was absolutely stunning. The seat of local Government for nearly 100 years, it is one of North Carolina's finest examples of late nineteenth century public architecture. The Court House, the third for Cabarrus County, displays the success of the early textile industry. This entire area saw tremendous growth in the late 1800s, when the downtown was lined with merchants. The successful business owners built very stylish buildings, many of which we ogled today. In addition, wonderful Arts Council employee, Lisa, gave us an impromptu tour and history lesson.
While we were ogling another building, a woman came up to us and asked if we needed help (we did look like lost tourists, to be certain). Carol then shared with us the history of the building behind Steve, which she owns. She even invited us in for another history lesson and tour. The people of Concord are incredibly kind, welcoming and proud of their community. Now the Piedmont Renaissance Center- a gorgeous event place, it began in 1923 as the Cabarrus Bank and Trust Building. We loved, and were confused, by this description of it, "As an important Beaux Arts classical Revival building, it is also clad in ashlar limestone at the first two levels. Above the second story cornice, yellow brick pilasters with Corinthian capitals rise to a broad frieze and a cornice trimmed with dentils and modillion blocks."
Okay, so yes, I love Coke and I love vintage, but this wall mural is so much cooler than what you see, when the history is known. From an article titled, Restored Coca-Cola Murals Refresh Southern Downtowns:

    There are a handful of artists who are breathing new life into faded Coca-Cola murals and the small Southern cities they call home. Charlotte, N.C.-based Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, the nation’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler, has worked with community officials to give more than two dozen murals across its 15-state territory a second – or, in some cases, third – life.
    It all started in 2011, when Concord's Mayor approached Consolidated’s SVP of corporate affairs, Lauren Steele, at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race. He asked for help restoring a recently uncovered Coca-Cola wall sign as part of a broader revitalization effort. Steele agreed, and other towns quickly took notice.
    “We tapped into a movement,” Steele said. “These old wall murals are an important part of our Coca-Cola history. But they’re also an important part of the history of these towns. They’re so much more than painted signs to people. They’re living testaments to the enduring bond between Coca-Cola and the American experience…. and we’re rekindling that emotional connection.”

This cool sign was painted by Andy Thompson. Thompson has hand-painted and restored thousands of signs over the last 50-plus years of working with Coca-Cola. Painted wall signs were one of the earliest forms of Coca-Cola advertising, dating back to the 1890s. I keep saying that history is found in some pretty unique places. I loved this lesson- truly! 
We paused briefly at the Memorial Garden. These three acres were originally purchased by the First Presbyterian Church in 1804 for construction of its first sanctuary in 1810. When the church was moved from the site in 1874, the land was used as a cemetery and over the years it was terribly neglected. In 1931, Sally Phifer Williamson (the Phifer family has been in Concord since the 1700s) restored its beauty as a memorial to her mother. It is considered to be one of North Carolina's hidden treasures.





We were introduced to S & D Coffee in Charleston. When we drove by their headquarters, we smelled it before we spotted it. We had to stop, get a cup of coffee, a photo, and a little history, too. It all started in 1927, when J. Roy Davis, Sr. and Lawrence Switzer created a company to provide fresh roasted coffee to local and regional grocery stores. As the company grew, they learned about buying the raw beans, the intricacies of different roasting processes and, especially, the simple but deep pleasure that a quality cup of coffee can bring. From those humble beginnings, this company has grown and makes delicious coffee.

For two nights, we are camping under the trees in this 1,125 acre forested oasis, just outside Charlotte, NC.

We spent the day hiking its many trails and ended with a visit to the Nature Center, learning more about this unique area. It was great to get back into the woods.

Loving all things Italian, we joined in the merriment at the 4th Annual Summerville Italian Feast.

In 2015, over 5,000 people enjoyed American Italian culture, food, and wine. This year’s event is bigger and better and will showcase local craft vendors, culinary delights, and dancers. Come sample foods from lowcountry eateries, enjoy selected wines and beers, and enjoy the entertainment of nationally recognized musician, as well as music from our own Dorchester District II schools. Travel back in time to the 11th century and visit a Roman Soldier encampment and dance the tarantella.

Lunch was an Italian sausage sandwich created by Anthony and his E.M.S. (Express Meal Service) Food Truck. It isn’t every day two EMS workers take an ambulance and turn it into a food truck but that’s what Anthony and his co-owner Joshua decided to do when issues with Medicare forced them out of the emergency medical service business. I liked the uniqueness of the truck and the sandwich was delicious, too.





While not as exciting as Lucy's Grape Stomp, it was still a wonderful way to end the day. Che divertimento!

Oh yes, one of those diverse days which make me giddy! We began our day wanting to explore the gardens and learn more about the historic site of Mepkin Abbey.

Mepkin Abbey is a community of Roman Catholic monks established in 1949, on the site of the historic Mepkin Plantation, located on the Cooper River, north of Charleston. Founded by the monks of Gethsemani in Kentucky, the brothers of Mepkin belong to the worldwide Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance popularly known as Trappist. Following The Rule of St. Benedict, the monks at Mepkin Abbey devote their lives to prayer, spiritual study, work and hospitality.

Christian art adorns the grounds. These two sculptures, made of Live Oak Trees which were downed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, were amazing.


The Gardens were teeming with nature.









The area has been known as Mepkin for centuries, and was originally the estate of several historic families. It was purchased in 1762 by Henry Laurens, the President of the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War, as a rice plantation. All that is left of the Laurens property is its family cemetery.

After a few generations, the Laurens family sold the property, and it passed through several hands. In 1936, the publishing magnate Henry R. Luce (Life, Time, Sports Illustrated) bought the property. I found learning about his wife, Clare Boothe Luce, very interesting. She was a successful author, politician, US Ambassador and notable public conservative figure. In fact, she was the first American woman appointed to a major ambassadorial post abroad. She is the one who commissioned and built an extensive landscape garden known as the Mepkin Garden. In 1949, after the death of her only child, Clare converted to Roman Catholicism and donated a large part of the property, including the garden, to the Trappist Order's Gethsemani Abbey for its use. It is their responsibility to not only keep the garden gorgeous, but it must remain open to the public.
Next stop was the little town of Bonneau and its annual Peanut Festival. Peanuts have been grown in these parts due to the fact that this crop requires less cultivation than many others.
While the event was very "small town", the music was great and the boiled peanuts were delicious. AND this was the first Peanut Festival we have ever attended.


We then headed to Michael and Sharon's town of Summerville whose claim to fame is "The Birthplace of Sweet Tea". While not my thing, a glass of cold, sweet tea is as much a part of a Southern dinner table as fried chicken and collards. And sweet tea here is not just consumed in the summer or at Fourth of July picnics, they drink it here all year long.
We came here for something that is my thing- wine. We sat outdoors and just relaxed- the perfect conclusion for a pretty perfect day.