Snapshots Around Greensboro

Despite being one of the largest cities in North Carolina, Greensboro is pretty small. It doesn't take long to walk from end-to-end. However, when you include all the outlying neighborhoods that border downtown, it IS quite vast. Here are some of the snapshots from my tour around the city.

Back in 1960, at the Woolworth's lunch counter, four black students staged a sit-in after being denied service. Woolworth changed its desegregation policy after hundreds participated in the sit-ins that followed. The International Civil Rights Center and Museum (above) opened on the 50th anniversary of those sit-ins on February 1, 2010. For more information on the center, click here.

Center City Park hosts outdoor events in the heart of downtown. Sitting by a fountain, having dinner with some friends after work under the night sky, and listening to a live band (on a stage not pictured here)... sounds like a good night to me. (The Greensboro Cultural Center can be seen in the background).

One of several approaches to Historic Greensboro.

I would not have spotted this fountain squeezed between two buildings, had I not run into a child fixated on something inside this alleyway.

The buildings above are reminiscent of the style of architecture found in almost every city I've visited in North Carolina so far.

Catch a movie, or a performance, at the 1100-seat Carolina Theatre (downtown) and when the show's over grab a drink or late-night bite within walking distance of any number of cafes and restaurants...

...and if the weather's warm enough, sit outside.

The Lincoln Financial Group Building is the hallmark of Greensboro's skyline.

Just Be

Last week I ventured into Greensboro, North Carolina, about one hour northwest of Raleigh. It's the third largest city in the state. My first stop was "Just Be", a boutique on the corner of South Elm and McGee Streets. Meagan, the store's director, was extremely friendly and welcoming. She informed me all about the store and the city's past and present state. It seems Greensboro has had quite a turnaround in the past decade, and continues on an upward climb with the development of a new Coliseum and Cultural Center. 

Just Be carries fair-trade products and hand-made arts and crafts from around the region. There's quite a selection of gifts, accessories, jewelry, home and wall decor, cards, pillows, mirrors, ceramics, lotions, honey and teas—and that was just on first glance. I'm sure the list goes on. If I lived close by I would make this a first stop during gift-giving season. But then again, if I lived close by I'd be doing some serious damage to my bank account year-round.

If you'd like more information on Just Be, click here to go to their website.

It seems Greensboro has had quite a turnaround in the past decade and continues on the upward climb with the development of a new Coliseum and Cultural Center. 

Spring's A-Comin'

The signs are all here. Spring is on it's way and it can't come fast enough! Took this at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum over the weekend. 

Zoo, Part II

Welcome back to the Zoo, Part II. The flamingos were the highlight of my trip. They are such unusual creatures — standing on one leg, twisting their necks in order to bury their heads inside their own feather down pillow. Flamingos get such a bad wrap when they're molded in plastic and staked on the front lawns in America. These birds are cool and the real deal!

I give the North Carolina Zoo props for their creativity. Throughout the park there were things for kids (and adults alike) to do and look at—from their "Hide, Seek, Skip and Run" structure made solely of twisted branches, to their signage, poetry and sculpture. 

I felt for the bear above. It paced from one end of the ledge to the other, over and over. Perhaps it was hungry, awaiting mealtime, or just stir crazy, having lived in the same quarters for so long. Or perhaps it was just making sure I highlight it's good side.

Too bad these bears couldn't meet up for some play. This one just looked bored. Bad photo through some streaky glass, but wanted to show the in-and-out of-water environments.

Moving inside to the steamy jungle environment of the "Forest Aviary". Birds were flying around and swooping in pretty close, cawing and doing what birds do. Watch yourself. This was another cool building with two levels... one kept you high in the tree branches looking down, the other left you staring up. This place was a hotbed for photographers shooting all the exotic plants, trees and flowers. Orchids everywhere!

And just when my body was acclimated to the jungle-like climate, I stepped out and headed towards the dry grasslands  of the African Pavilion.

It was here that I found ten minutes of sheer silence - a nice break from the busloads of tourists. For some reason no one ventured down the long, wooden pathway to get to the viewing station and pavilion. Rhinos were feasting and lounging in the sun. I felt good about the zoo here, since the land was vast and offered plenty of room for these animals to roam.

Is a caption even necessary here? I didn't think so. Thanks for visiting the zoo with me.