Se LIFESTYLES NC sandhills offer a variety BY ALAN HODGE Staff Writer Layout by Shelley Campbell There's something special about the Carolina Sandhills. Besides having some of the most unique topography in our state, the sandhills offers an amazing variety of sights and activities to visitors of the region. Combine that with a mild climate, and you've got a prescription for year round fun. : Lying in the area between the coastal plain and the Piedmont, the Carolina Sandhills landscape is characterized by plenty of pine forests and loamy soil. Highway access is via U.S. 1, N.C. 24/27, and U.S. 15/501. Interstate 95 also passes along the eastern edge of the Sandhills. When many folks think of the Sandhills region, their minds turn to golf. Considered the golf- ing capital of North Carolina, the towns of Pinehurst and Southern Pines in southwestern Moore County is home to some of the best and most revered courses in the world. Besides quality, there's also golf quantity in the Sandhills with more than 40 courses avail- able. Golf in the Sandhills dates back to the late 1890s when developer James Walker Tufts and course designer Donald Ross brought the game to Pinehurst. Still a gem of a desti- nation, the Four-Diamond Pinehurst Resort takes patrons back to days of elegant splendor. Besides the championship cours- es, luxurious lodging, and fine dining, The Pinehurst/Southern Pines area is also home to the PGA Hall of Fame. People who fancy plants can see a wide variety of species at the Sandhills Horticultural os i — py pe 4x4 Local Trade, Xtra Nice! Off Road Fun! 8,798 01 Ford Explorer Sportrac Impossible to Find Used! 2 Save Thousands! $22,914 Kings Mountain Herald . December 28, 2000 Gardens at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst. Featuring 10 distinctive gardens on 27 acres, the site is a showcase of the col- lege’s Landscape Gardening ‘School. A stroll can include the formal Sir Walter Raleigh Garden, the Atkins Hillside Garden with rock-filled stream, a Fruit and Vegetable Garden, Ebersole Holly Garden and more. About a half hour drive north- east of Southern Pines on U.S, 1, the village of Cameron is an antique shopper's paradise. Once known as the “Dewberry Capital of the World,” Cameron was so famous for, this blackberry-like product that a special railway was built to carry the fresh com- modity to Raleigh. After the dewberry craze died out, Cameron went downhill for a period. Looking for a way to save their town, locals hit upon the idea of turning abandoned: storefronts into antique shops. The concept was a hit from the word go. In addition to buying or looking at antiques of every description, callers to Cameron can also have a treat at a restored soda shop. Near Pinehurst, but in many ways a world away, Weymouth Woods /Sandhills Nature Preserve takes its name from the village of Weymouth in England. Containing over 500 acres of lon- gleaf pine forest, the preserve is’ home to many interesting species of plants and animals. Besides wilderness, the area has a nature study museum 4.5 miles of trails, and guided tours. The town of Aberdeen in southern Moore County has a nice historical site in the Malcolm Blue Farm and Museum. This restored 1825 farmhouse also fea- tures a gristmill and barns. During the Civil War, the farm 50 ————— 99 an Z-71 Silverado 4 Wheel Drive, Custom Wheels, Local Trade, Hard to Find! $25,557 01 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab 4.0 V6, Auto, 4 dr., A Steal! *17,341 ‘Whigs and Tories fought it out ‘Two-tone paint, Move over Marlboro Man! of sights and activities was used as headquarters by Union General Jordan. The battle of Monroe's Crossroads was fought nearby: The Sandhills area has a nice State Park at Raven Rock near Lillington. Situated near the Cape Fear River, the park has 11 miles of hiking trails as well as seven miles of trails where folks can bring their horses and ride. Camping out is a favorite activity at Raven Rock State Park with an area reserved for primitive sites. Natural features include rock outcrops and a steep bluff over- looking the river. Sanford in Lee County is spe- cial for its House in.the Horsehoe State Historic Site. This circa 1772 dwelling was the spot where on August 5, 1781. Musketball holes from the fight can still be seen in the walls. The house was also the dwelling place of four- time Tar Heel governor Benjamin Williams. He lived there from 1798 until 1814. Yet another Sandhills historic home is the Bryant House and McClendon Cabin near Carthage. Dating back to 1760, the McClendon Cabin is the oldest structure in its original location in Moore County. Bryant House has been around since 1820 and is also in its original spot. Taking a huge bite out of the Sandhills is Fort Bragg. Home of the 82nd Airborne, Fort Bragg is named after Confederate general Braxton Bragg. It was said by his troops that Bragg could “create defeat from the jaws of victory.” A trip to Fort Bragg can include a tour of the 82nd Airborne War Memorial Museum and the John FE. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum. Both offer a glimpse into the world of our fighting history. Last stop on a Sandhills sojourn is Bentonville Battleground State Historic Site battle ever fought on North Carolina soil, Bentonville saw SUV INVENT 2000 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT, Two-Tone, Loaded Ram Tuff! $18,911 Bedliner, Alloys, 5.7 V8, Hard to Find, Don’t Miss! 99 Ford F150 XL Reg Cab Local Trade! Tons of Warranty Left! 97 Ford F350 XLT Powerstroke Diesel near Four Oaks. Site of the largest 2000 Dodge Dakota —— Photo courtesy of NC Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development action in March, 1865 between Confederates led by Joseph Johnston and Union troops led by William “Uncle Billy’ Sherman. Today, the restored Harper House is on the actual battlefield. Visitors can also tour a a a AS TOI! 98 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, 4x4, Dual A/C, Loaded! $23,433 Club Cab, Auto, V6, Alloys, Sav-A-Bunch! remaining breastworks. Once known as the “pine bar- rens,” the North Carolina Sandhills are anything but that in terms of history, culture, and travel richness. 7s 97 Ford F-250 XLT, 4x4, All Power, Power Stroke Diesel $22,743 98 Ford Windstar GL Rear Air, Power Everything, Mama's Limo. 2000 Ford Windstar Dual A/C, Power Window & Locks, 4 door, All the Toys! $18,444 98 Ranger XLT Sportside 4x4, V6, Wheels, Come See! Come Drive! HE 00 Ford F150 Supercab Alloys, Power Package, Lots of Warranty Left! 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