We Be Trippin': The Great DIS-nee Road Trip

[Suz D]

Eric was born in Omaha, lived in Spain, Germany, and California before moving to Virginia when he was only 10!

EEEEK! I was born and raised in Nebraska. Everybody sing! It's a Small World After All. We've had more "Small World" things on here lately. How fun is that?

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

I am here and ready for my leg of the tour......albeit short and sweet (hey like me).

I have had a very long weekend.......spent yesterday in the ER with a friend having severe complications during a miscarriage. Sad.

So, not to bring everyone down, that was more to explain where I have been.....

Back to the boards and so many tough acts to follow.

I have not been able to hang around too much with the business opening THIS WEEK!!! A weight loss program based on individual metabolism results. Not a money maker, like I have mentioned, just something that I am still working on for myself and wanted to share with others.

So, although I am here in spirit ALL THE TIME, I won't be online during the day as much for a bit.

OK, on with the teeny tiny tour of Charlotte......

 

[Suz D]

Hey everyone...super nice job so far. I can't believe how much you have all done to make us all feel welcome. Amy, the lasagna was delish and love the house. Marshay, how did you do it with a trip on the horizon? You are amazing. 3g&g Loved the trip to Canada. We'll be in Toronto next summer for a convention, but our real dream is PEI. HMF, Loved the whole Boston trip. Such history and neat things to see. DISgeeks, have to love everything about your area.

I'm right around the corner so I'd better get going on it. I've got some GREAT things planned. Hope you all like pork tenderloin sandwiches. And do you know where tomato juice was invented? Hmmmm... inquiring minds want to know.

SuzD

 

[Circusgirl]

Mrs. Fleagle - Big thanks for the great party and super cool touring of many special places. I'm so sorry I fell asleep and missed the end of the party - I'm betting that Cat won the Scrabble game and that HMF said many funny things. I love my new hat!

I picked up a new air freshener for the bus. I thought it would help the driver to stay awake on the next leg since everyone stayed up pretty late at the slumber party.

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Dearest Fleagles,

I have not even read your leg of the trip yet (probably a good thing, so I won't feel so insufficient regarding my own).....

I signed on and saw the relay baton had come to me already.

So, I will post and then read yours....k, ?

My husband keeps asking me what I am doing. To which I reply, "Honey, they are HERE, don't you remember....THE tour with my friends from the DIS???" "GOSH!"

 

[3guysandagal]

I'm here as well AnnDisneyFan.
SuzD, maybe meet up somewhere, if we are not up north at that time.
CircusGirl, thanks for the air freshener, if anything else but coffee scent, I'd be wondering and start sniffing myself
On with the tour!

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Mrs. Fleagle - Big thanks for the great party and super cool touring of many special places. I'm so sorry I fell asleep and missed the end of the party - I'm betting that Cat won the Scrabble game and that HMF said many funny things. I love my new hat!

I picked up a new air freshener for the bus. I thought it would help the driver to stay awake on the next leg since everyone stayed up pretty late at the slumber party.

(really thinking I should read the other posts.......feeling very inferior right now......have no plans for a slumber party........HATS?? Games are my thing though, but wasn't sure there would be time for scrabble.....oh, why oh why did I read CircusGirl's post)

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Welcome to Charlotte, NC

The Queen City

Since it is 11:06 pm here....I thought a nighttime photo would be best.....Just landed on the heliport to post this! I spare no expense for the board.

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Here is another one but this one was from this afternoon.......

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina.

It is the nation's second largest financial center.

A resident of Charlotte is referred to as a Charlottean.

I am what is referred to as a "Damn Yankee" though. I came here and never went back.

Born and raised a NYer you see, who doesn't even live in Charlotte, I actually live in a teeny tiny town north of Charlotte......Concord....Charlotte has a bit more pizzazz though (although the Lowes Motor Speedway is in Concord).

On with the show......

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Concord is the site for Lowes Motor Speedway.

Motion pictures such as "Days of Thunder," "Speedway" and "Stroker Ace" and even music videos like Tracy Lawrence's "If the Good Die Young" have been filmed at the speedway.

The Heart Of NASCAR: With a large majority of NASCAR teams based within 30 miles of Lowes Motor Speedway near Charlotte North Carolina this is truly the heart of NASCAR country.


Since 1960 this famous 1.5 mile quad-oval has hosted some legendary races. The World 600, now known as the Coca-Cola 600, on Memorial Day weekend has been a track staple since the speedway opened. The fall NEXTEL Cup race is part of the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup 10-race playoff and is well on its way to building a history all its own.

In addition to a truck series event in May and a Busch series race to compliment both of its cup series event Lowes Motor Speedway also hosts the NEXTEL All-Star Race (formerly known as "The Winston"). This non-points shootout format was designed purely for the fans excitement, and it delivers. Track owner Bruton Smith has a well-deserved reputation for putting the fans first and although the track is over 40 years old, Lowes Motor Speedway is one of the best places on the NASCAR circuit to watch a race. Modern, well-kept facilities, great sight lines, lots of related activities and well-planned traffic flow make any trip to see NASCAR race at its "home track" a great fan-friendly experience.

Not a race fan myself, but knowing how important this "sport" is to some, if you need a place to step away to when going to listen to noise......I am literally four miles from the speedway. So come on over! I know you won't see me there!

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

The NUMBER ONE scared1: )shopping entertainment destination of the Carolinas and North Carolina's NUMBER ONE scared1: )visitor attraction is a, get ready, a MALL?!

Concord Mills features over 200 stores including manufacturer and retail outlets, off-price retailers, and unique specialty stores.

A festive food court, a NASCAR themed fun park, a 24-screen AMC theatre and North Carolina’s only Bass Pro Shops are also part of the shopping adventure.

The center is further enhanced by an oval racetrack layout and dynamic architecture reflective of the Carolinas.

The mall is separated in to neighborhoods. There are seven neighborhoods to the mall, each with its own entrance and distinct theme. For example, Neighborhood 5 is garden-themed, featuring a green palette and stores such as Earthbound Trading Co., while Neighborhood 3 is called Fashion Court and showcases the Off 5tyh Saks Fifth Avenue outlet.

I am not a "shopper" but even I like going to Concord Mills.....but the NUMBER ONE designation?? Maybe it really is just THAT good!!

I am getting a little hungry but not sure my next place is open......good thing I called ahead and took care of it all!

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

OH MY GOSH!!! This food is just the best ever!!!

Not southern food just good! Not even good for you......just flat out good!

 

[madbrad76]

Concord is the site for Lowes Motor Speedway.

Not a race fan myself, but knowing how important this "sport" is to some, if you need a place to step away to when going to listen to noise......I am literally four miles from the speedway. So come on over! I know you won't see me there!

ANN - I AM SO JEALOUS!!!!

If there is on thing that gives me an adrenalin rush, it's hearing and feeling those racecars fly around the track. My DW isn't much of a NASCAR fan either, especially watching it on TV. She did go with me one year to Talladega and she had a blast. Watching them race on TV and seeing them race live are two very different things!!!

By the way, you wouldn't mind having company on ... let's see ... maybe ... around ... I don't know ... how about ...

the weekends of 05/24 - 05/25 or 10/10 - 10/11?

 

[Circusgirl]

Ann - Thank you for the fun shopping. The burgers and fries exactly hit the spot after that!

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Reed Gold Mine (located in Cabarrus County) is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States.

North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California.

The life of a farmer, John Reed, would have been long forgotten had it not been for a chance event one Sunday in 1799.

On that day, Reed's son Conrad found a large yellow rock in Little Meadow Creek on the Reed farm in Cabarrus County. This rock reportedly weighed 17 pounds and for three years was used as a doorstop at the Reed house.

In 1802 a Fayetteville jeweler identified the gold nugget. He purchased it for the asked price of $3.50—one-tenth of one percent of its true value.

The following year John Reed began the Reed mining operation by forming a partnership with three local men. The partners supplied equipment and workers to dig for gold in the creek bed, while Reed provided the land.

Reed Gold Mine is open to the public for panning and tours.

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

ANN - I AM SO JEALOUS!!!!

If there is on thing that gives me an adrenalin rush, it's hearing and feeling those racecars fly around the track. My DW isn't much of a NASCAR fan either, especially watching it on TV. She did go with me one year to Talladega and she had a blast. Watching them race on TV and seeing them race live are two very different things!!!

By the way, you wouldn't mind having company on ... let's see ... maybe ... around ... I don't know ... how about ...

the weekends of 05/24 - 05/25 or 10/10 - 10/11?

I know, I know, you race fans are just a crazy lot! On a warm summer night, sitting out by the pool.....I can hear it sometimes.....just delightful.....

I did like going to the little Legends car race though. LOUD!!!!! And fun too.

Funny, about those dates, I am well aware of the popularity of the October time especially. That was going to be our wedding date weekend and we had to move it because there wasn't a place to stay in town!

So we picked the last weekend in September.

And since we just lost our pool (still regrouping the liner from the flash flood) we aren't travelling and will be here to receive guests for a loooooooooong time here. The pool "looks" awesome right now. Scared for the next rain though.

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

Ann - Thank you for the fun shopping. The burgers and fries exactly hit the spot after that!

Circusgirl, they are soooooooooooo good! Do you have a Five Guys near you?

After seeing your pics, I am guessing you don't. I DO! Hence the weight loss program! I want to have my burgers and EAT THEM TOO! With fries please!!!

 

[AnnDisneyFan]

I am so sorry to have to call it a night so very early ( ) but I have to actually "work" tomorrow. WOW! I will try and pop back in to finish my tour in the am though.

And then I have to read all about the Fleagles and what I missed. I hope they brought us to my favorite area by them....love love love it by the James River (think I have that right) with the little "beach" areas to swim and play by the bridge...and a Ben and Jerry's on the corner. Reminded me of the Hudson River where I grew up.

Have a good night everyone! Again, sorry for being missing in action, trust me, being here versus the ER, I pick door number 1!

Ann