We spent Thanksgiving week in Carolina visiting family in Greensboro and then Chapel Hill. It was lovely to see fall colors and to scuffle and crunch along in the fallen leaves. Thanks to Ann and Paul, in Greensboro, we enjoyed several outdoor attractions plus a museum. Here are some of the highlights.
ATTRACTIONS
Greensboro Arboretum
The 17-acre Greensboro Arboretum combines paved paths for easy walking and a host of special plant collections ranging from conifers to hostas to a rhododendron garden and a shade garden. For us in late November, little was in bloom, so what was most appealing were the tall trees holding on to yellow gold leaves. Adding to our enjoyment were several sculptures, one tall one with chimes. It was quiet and serene on a Sunday afternoon, and we only passed one other visitor.
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Guilford Courthouse, a small village, was the scene of a critical battle in the Revolutionary War in 1781. Although the Americans were defeated, Major General Nathanael Greene lost only a few soldiers. Nearly a quarter of British Lt. General Cornwallis’ troops died in this battle, resulting in a change in course for the Southern Campaign. Cornwallis was reputed to have said, “Greene is as dangerous as Washington. I never feel secure when encamped in his neighbourhood.”
The park’s small museum has exhibits describing the key players in the battle, figures dressed in the uniforms of each side, and facts about life in this rural area. We watched a 10-minute introductory film which provided a very helpful animated depiction of where the American and the British troops were positioned and how the battle played out.
Outside we wandered around the battle site noting the occasional sculpture or memorial marker. It was an informative morning and much more interesting than I had anticipated!
Green Hill Cemetery
Opened in 1877, this large city-owned cemetery is full of history. Many prominent families in Greensboro purchased plots here. Many of the family plots are circular ones, a popular style in the 19th century, which allowed for a central piece of sculpture such as an obelisk to be ringed by individual headstones.
At Guilford Courthouse, we noted a pedestal dedicated to one of the founders of the military park along with the names of two other men. In the cemetery, we wandered, took photos, noted some exotic tree species (Chinese parasol tree, for one), and found the gravesite of one Guilford Courthouse’s founders. It was a lovely afternoon with splashes of sunlight, and the surrounding trees were especially beautiful!
LUNCH OUT
Osteria
Osteria is in a small shopping strip. We had eaten here before with my sister and brother-in-law and were delighted to return. Their menu includes salads, homemade pasta, and more substantial entrees. Several of us began with the house salad or the panzanella and both were very good and good sized. Their mushroom soup was also pronounced excellent. I really enjoyed the strozzapreti pasta with creamy tomato meat sauce while others sampled fettucine with peas and prosciutto and gnocchi pesto. Not only was the food very tasty, but it was also a good value!
BOOK SHOPPING
Scuppernong Books
A visit to Greensboro is not complete without some time to browse and buy in Scuppernong Books. An independent bookstore with a café (offering wine), it both feels and smells like a bookstore should! In stock are the latest fiction and nonfiction hardbacks, newly released paperbacks, and an extensive and well-curated children’s section. In the back are two walls of gently used books.
We browsed and lingered and even bought! For the curious, the store is named for a Southern grape used to make a sweet wine.
Note: All unattributed photos ©JWFarrington. Header photo is of metal silhouettes of soldiers at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.
