Three Great Things to do at Freedom Park in Charlotte, NC

By Nate Feldman

I read somewhere that Freedom Park in Charlotte is the city's equivalent to New York's Central Park.  Of course, Freedom Park is much smaller, but that doesn't stop it from being a fabulous way to spend a day while in the Charlotte area.  Here are three things you can do there to make your stay a worthwhile time.

1. Take a stroll around the duck pond

This is the most scenic area of the park.  There are many ducks swimming there, and there is a giant fountain bursting out water in the middle of the pond.  There is a trail which loops around the pond, ideal for walkers and runners. 

The Duck Pond

2. Train at the NFL Play 60

In collaboration with the Carolina Panthers, the park has an area for children to do a variety of exercises, such as a 40 yard dash and different obstacle courses, as if they were training for the football season.  The goal is to have young children do physical exercise at least 60 minutes a day. 

NFL Play 60 at Freedom Park

3. Go inside an old steam engine train

The train, which has the nickname "The Freedom Park Express," has been on display there since 1959 according to different websites.  You can walk inside it and sit down. 

The Freedom Park Express

Three Great Things to do at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, Georgia

By Nate Feldman

The Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta was built prior to the city hosting the 1996 summer Olympic games.  Situated in the heart of the city, it is surrounded by many great tourist attractions.  While you are at the park, however, there are a lot of fun things to do.


1. Go to the Fountain of Rings

For most of the day, visitors can dance in the water spraying out of a replica of the Olympic game's insignia.  At different hours, the park puts on a music show that accompanies the fountains.

The Fountain of Rings

2. Go up on the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel

You can get a great view of the Atlanta skyline and the surrounding region on this 20-story ride.

A view of the sunset in Atlanta

3. Walk along the park's many paths

There are several paths crisscrossing the park on which walkers and runners can exercise. 

Two paths meet at the Centennial Park

Three Great Things to do at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia

By Nate Feldman

Stone Mountain is a unique landmark located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.  Although some controversy surrounds its history, there are many reasons it is a spectacular way to spend a day.  Here are three things you should do while visiting it.

1. Climb up Stone Mountain

From the base to the summit, it is about a mile long hike.  It gets quite steep as you get closer to the top, so make sure you have good sneakers on.

The walking trail on Stone Mountain

2. Enjoy the view of the surrounding areas of Georgia

You can enjoy a splendid view of downtown Atlanta in one direction and Kennesaw Mountain in another.

A view of downtown Atlanta

3. Take a walk in the woods

There are many trails at the foot of the mountain that go into deeply wooded areas.

Woods at Stone Mountain

Three Great Things to do in Downtown Charlotte

By Nate Feldman

Charlotte, North Carolina is a city on the rise.  Here are three great things you can do while spending an afternoon in its downtown area.

1. Have a meal at the 7th Street Public Market

This assortment of locally run food stands has selections from all over the world.

2. Go to Imaginon 

A children's library, this building also houses a children's theater, a large play area, an area to perform puppet shows, and two floors with many books.

3. Run through fountains at First Ward Park

Located across the street from the market and library, visitors can cool themselves in the summer heat by running through fountains.  They can also enjoy a picnic in the park's grassy area or exercise using the variety of workout equipment there. 

Visiting Kerr Lake State Park in North Carolina

By Nate Feldman

When you enter North Carolina from Virginia heading south on I-85, you will see several exits for Kerr Lake State Park.  The lake has several entry points you can choose from.

Kerr Lake, North Carolina

Kerr Lake is a wonderful slice of serenity.  The lake and woods sprawl out in all directions, giving a captivating view.  In many spots, the lake actually covers the tree trunks.

It was not particularly crowded when I went, so I was able to enjoy peace and quiet while looking at the scenery.  I was only there for an afternoon, but most visitors bring trailers with them, most likely for overnight stays.

A Journey to the Southeastern Part of the United States, Day 1

By Nate Feldman

I am using the next week to explore different states in the southeastern part of the United States.  I began my journey yesterday going down US-route 1, a slower, but more scenic way to travel than using the I-95 highway.  Along the way, I stopped at Gunpowder Falls State Park in Maryland, just north of Baltimore.  I wasn't there long enough to see everything this park has to offer, but it was still a nice experience.

The River at Gunpowder Falls Park

Fortunately, the sky was mostly clear, and the temperature was relatively mild for June, so it was a very pleasant walk.  I got on a trail in a densely wooded area alongside a river.  Being the first full day of summer, the area was extremely lush with plant life.  In parts, it felt as if I were walking through a tropical rain forest.

Below is a video of the woods and the river at the park.

A Day at Long Beach Island

By Nate Feldman

My trip to Long Beach Island, New Jersey was a wonderful journey.  I have been going to this part of the Jersey shore for over 10 years, and with a pleasant, sun-filled day on Father's Day weekend, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to return with the family.

The trip began with the GPS guiding me in a way I was unfamiliar with.  Instead of using I-76 east to go through downtown Philadelphia and cross into New Jersey over the Ben Franklin bridge, like I have done most of the time, I entered New Jersey via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, leading me over the Delaware River Bridge.  I immediately took the first exit onto U.S. route 130, which led me through an extremely bucolic part of the Garden State.  I drove through areas of wide fields and dense forests, and if not for my plan to go to the shore, I would have pulled over and explored the lush scenery.

For lunch, I stopped at the Columbus Farmer's Market.  This complex has a variety of shops for food, clothing, and accessories of all sorts.  The food choices range from local pizza and sandwich shops to international options, such as Mexican, Korean, and Chinese food, as well as a large Amish-run store with a variety of Pennsylvania Dutch specialties.

The Parking Lot at the Columbus Farmer's Market

After lunch, I drove through the town of Pemberton, New Jersey and eventually reached New Jersey route 72, which leads to the town of Manahawkin and crosses over Barnegat Bay onto Long Beach Island.  There, I headed south towards Brant's beach and found one of the island's many conveniently located parking spaces.  Unlike many parts of the Jersey shore, even during the summer, parking is always there.  I arrived at the beach, and with the clear skies, the view of the ocean was spectacular.  The wind was blowing, so the waves were coming in rapidly.

After getting sand blown in my face and stuck in my hair, we went across the street to Bayview Park, which was much calmer.  This park faces west towards the bay, and because it was early evening, the setting sun glowed splendidly off the water.

A view of the Atlantic Ocean at LBI

A view of Barnegat Bay from Bayview Park

Bayview Park is a wonderful place to take children as there is a playground in the sand there as well as basketball and pickle ball courts located across the street.

In the evening, we had dinner at La Bamba, a local Mexican restaurant.  From there, we got one last glimpse of the ocean in the waning daylight before beginning the journey back home. 

Remembering a Relative Who Died at the Battle of Gettysburg

By Nate Feldman

Last week was Memorial Day, a time for Americans to remember people who sacrificed their lives in battle for this country.  I have a relative who did this.  His name was Reuben A. Howerter, and last week I submitted a letter to the Reading Eagle, a local newspaper, about Reuben and his death at the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.  This letter can be found here: https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/letter-honoring-a-relative-who-perished-in-battle.  I hope I am able to honor Reuben's memory as best as possible with letters and posts like these.