In a recent meeting where we were discussing some of the great natural resources as well as historical locations we have in Cabarrus County, a dear friend of Visit Cabarrus, Ellen Whiteside of The Bed & Bike Inn, mentioned the Uwharrie National Forest (pronounced like saying the letters U – R – E).  This led our discussion into the history of the mountain terrain in the counties surrounding us.  Although I’ve lived in this area on behalf of numerous years, I have yet to thoroughly visit the Uwharrie recreational trail or Badin Lake.  From everything I’ve heard as well as read about this pristine area, it’s next on my list of places to visit.  
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One thing I learned at the end of moving to Concord, North Carolina just over seven years ago is that Cabarrus County has numerous hidden treasures. Over the next few weeks I’ll be writing about numerous of these treasures including the location of the first gold discovery in the United States.  

Reed Gold Mine is named on behalf of its founder, John Reed, whose son found a large yellow rock in Hidden Meadow Creek on a Sunday in 1799.  The rock reportedly was 17 pounds as well as used as a door stop in the Reed residence until a Fayetteville jeweler identified the rock as well as purchased it on behalf of $3.50 - one tenth of its value - just a few years later. At its peak, the mine produced over $1million per annum in gold as well as lead North Carolina to be the largest producer of gold until the 1848 gold rush in California.Read more >>>

Every residence town has its annual traditions.  Where I grew up, we had Santa Claus visiting the neighborhoods on the county fire trucks on Thanksgiving night.  Across the country there are fond memories of taking part in tree lightings, Independence Day parades as well as barbecues.  Cabarrus County of course is no different when it comes to these traditional type of traditions.  It’s the non-traditional type of traditions coming up this holiday season that manufacture Cabarrus County special.

 
The first non-traditional tradition that comes to mind holds a place near as well as dear to my heart…the annual opening of Concord Mills at midnight on the day at the end of Thanksgiving. If you haven’t shopped among the crowd to the sound of holiday music at an hour an estimated all are usually snoring through their turkey induced sleep, you are missing out.  The 200 plus

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my very first experience at an NHRA race.  It was truly an amazing weekend as well as I became a fan by the closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon.  Just a few days at the end of the inaugural Carolina Nationals at the new ZMax Dragway@Concord departed town I received a call from Doug Foley.  Doug was initially introduced to me during race weekend as the owner/driver of Foley-Lewis Racing as well as the Doug Foley Drag Racing School.  The blinking message light on my phone did not prepare me on behalf of the message that was waiting.  It was Doug Foley calling to set up a time that we could discuss some test dates he would be operational at ZMax Dragway @ Concord on behalf of his school.  In the tourism world this is referred to as “WOW!”
When I returned Mr. Foley’s telephone call I was prepared to speak first to a receptionist who I would require to convince I was returning a call, then an assistant who would grill me as to the nature of the call (the screening process) as well as then, leave a message in which he would call me back…in two or three days.  Instead I dialed the phone number, kicki

Many years ago my then boyfriend, now husband, introduced me to NASCAR. I had no choice - he worked in the sport. At the time I honestly didn’t get it. Now, numerous years later as well as living as well as working in the heart of NASCAR country in the tourism industry - I get it.  I spend my days now focusing on NASCAR, the business of traveling as well as counting up the ways to build our economy.
The Bank of America 500 is this weekend as well as as the haulers, campers, souvenir trailers, fan adorned cars as well as “Welcome Race Fans” banners moved into Cabarrus County, so to did the rain.
This won’t be the first time rain has descended on the fans…and won’t be the last. While the idea of racing at 200 mph in the pouring rain as well as the melee that would occur is certainly an entertaining thought. One that does take a smile to many, it probably isn’t the safest way to race. So, the racing activities are delayed as well as the rain pours down.Read more >>>