Travel NC With Kids: October 2013

Sunday, October 27, 2013

SCarowinds – Are You Looking for Ghosts, Skeletons, and Frightful Fun?

SCarowinds at Carowinds © Katrena

Visit Carowinds in October and you just might be in for a frightful time. SCarowinds is the Halloween theme of the popular amusement park that is split between North Carolina and South Carolina.

Scary October Activities in NC and SC © Katrena

Visiting Carowinds during daylight hours will give folks a sneak peek for what lies ahead in the after-dark SCarowinds activities. Those with a season pass may have admission to SCarowinds entry included with admission.

Haunted Thrills at Carowinds © Katrena

People who are particularly wanting to ride certain roller coasters may do well to visit during warmer daylight hours in October if the weather turns very cool. Some steel coasters at Carowinds may require a minimum temperature in order to run.

Graveyard at Carowinds © Katrena

When we visited on 10/26/2013, several of the biggest roller coasters, including the Intimidator, were not running for the earlier morning hours due to cold temperatures. Temperatures have been unusually cool for this area for the last few days.

Scare Zones in SCarowinds © Katrena

The amusement park offers quite a few scare zones along various major walkways. Some use strobe lighting and other special effects to add sights and sounds to frighten those who decide to walk through the areas. Large boxes undoubtedly house scary surprises awaiting the brave souls who dare to enter.

SCarowinds Pictures from 2013 © Katrena

Some areas featured in 2013 include: Blood Drums, London Terror, Mass Acres, Scary Tales, The Asylum, and Zombie High. Mazes in SCarowinds for 2013 include: Cornstalkers, Defex, Fury, Last Laff in 3D, Silver Scream, and Zombie High. Feeding Frenzy, London Terror, Mass Acres, Scary Tales, and The Playground made the list for scare zones in SCarowinds for 2013, and shows include Blood Drums, Eternal Jamnation: Lost Souls, and Night Terrors.

Thrill Rides at Carowinds © Katrena

Quite a few thrill rides and roller coasters offer Carowinds visitors a creepy after-dark experience. Wooden coasters at Carowinds include: Hurler, Carolina Goldrusher, and Thunder Road.

Haunted Fun House Theme Near Thunder Road at Carowinds © Katrena

Those who want to a long, high, and fast ride on a steel track will be drawn to the Intimidator. Although this ride often attracts large numbers, we have found this line in particular to move quickly, especially when they are running three trains on the track.

Scary Car Scene Near Vortex at Carowinds © Katrena

Want to stand? Vortex has you covered – make sure your knees are slightly bent when they lock in the seats to ensure you don't have another type of frightful experience!

Freaky Scene Near Nighthawk at Carowinds © Katrena

Looking for inversions? Carolina Cyclone and Carolina Cobra offer a ride that will turn you upside down. The Cyclone has had shorter wait times than many coasters – I remember waiting over an hour and a half to ride this one the year it opened! The Cobra tends to have longer wait times because they can only run one train on the track, but that sudden stop at the end and reversal of direction might take your breath away!

Nighthawk Scary Water Scene at SCarowinds © Katrena

The Afterburn might leave you hanging. Actually, riders' feet hang underneath. This coaster offers speed, inversions, and a memorable ride.

Skeletons at SCarowinds © Katrena

Tired and want to lie down? Nighthawk places riders in a lying position. This one takes a while to load but will certainly offer a wild and thrilling ride.

SCarowinds 2013 Pictures © Katrena

I would not recommend SCarowinds for small children and those who do not like creepy, scary decorations. This one is geared more toward older kids and adults who are looking for a haunted-type Halloween activity. My photos of SCarowinds decorations are in the daytime. The décor may appear much scarier at night.

Scary Scenery at Carowinds in October © Katrena

Additional articles:

SCarowinds Halloween Haunt Vehicle © Katrena

If you like my articles and pictures, visit my Travel NC With Kids and Love 2 Travel With Kids site maps to find lots more fun places to see and enjoy.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Old Salem Tour of Vierling House – Vintage Medical Supplies and Apothecary Shop

Old Salem Tour of Vierling House and Apothecary Shop © Katrena

The Vierling House, one of several homes on the Old Salem tour, offers visitors a glimpse of medical practice in the early 19th century. This was one of my personal favorites on the tour. I am a registered nurse, and I found it very interesting to step back in time to see what medical supplies and treatments were available in the 1800s.

Dr. Vierling's House at Old Salem © Katrena

Dr. Samuel Benjamin Vierling lived in an upscale house compared to many of the homes in Old Salem at that time. The furniture was very well preserved, and my kids were excited to recognize items like the vintage spinning wheel. The size of the rooms seemed similar to those of the tavern. I am sure it must have taken quite a bit of work to heat rooms with such high ceilings back then.

Learn About Moravian Culture in the Early 1800s © Katrena

The dining room included place settings with silverware that captured my girls' attention. We had the opportunity to learn how families in the early 1800s used cutlery differently than we do today, hence the difference in the sizes of utensils when compared to those of more modern times.

Kitchen and Cooking Fireplace in Old Salem © Katrena

Many of the homes on the tour feature a fireplace, and the kitchen in this home seemed quite large when compared to other homes for individual families. We visited when the tree just behind the house was loaded with figs. I can imagine the cook of the house making a lot of dishes from freshly picked fruits and vegetables found right out the back door.

Old Medical Supplies - Vintage Bedpan © Katrena

This residential home was rather unusual because it featured two levels. The upstairs contained a museum packed full of medical supplies. Many of the supplies resembled those still used today, such as the old metal bedpan. It was quite interesting to hear my daughter's guesses as to the use of that strange apparatus since they had never seen a bedpan before.

Old Obstetrical Supplies at Old Salem © Katrena

After taking a look at the older obstetrical supplies and adaptive devices such as early hearing aids of the early 1800s, I gained a new appreciation for advances in health care that we enjoy and often take for granted today.

Old Doctor Bag And Medical Supplies © Katrena

Doctors would often carry their "office" with them for house calls. I can imagine that Dr. Vierling's black bag would have quite a story to tell of house visits for everything from injuries to illnesses to delivering babies.

Old Medical Journal from 1800s © Katrena

It was difficult for my children and me to imagine home visits by a physician or walking a few blocks to the doctor's home in search of medical treatment. Doctors of the time must have spent countless hours studying the human body and researching treatment options without the benefit of medical journals and forums via the Internet. I can imagine that this doctor was quite organized and attentive to detail since the items in the museum were so well preserved.

Doctor's Office and Sick Chair in Old Salem © Katrena

Some treatments described in the museum and apothecary shop seemed rather timeless. The sick chair looked like many a person sat there in the hope that Dr. Vierling would be able to diagnose and treat whatever ailed the person, just as many people today may spend quite a bit of time waiting to be seen by a healthcare provider.

Medicinal Herbs used in Old Salem and Moravian Culture © Katrena

The apothecary shop included an impressive display of herbs and supplies that pre-dated modern pharmacies. Scientists have studied the effectiveness of many home remedies and have discovered that some of those older treatments were right on the mark. Modern medicines often contain ingredients similar to those used hundreds of years ago.

Old Scale for Weighing Medicine from 1800s © Katrena

It was interesting to have a chance to look at the scales for weighing various ingredients and seeing the mortars and pestles in the shop. I have used a mortar and pestle myself and found them to be very effective in grinding pills into powder form. I actually found the old mortal and pestle to be a bit superior to the newer, modern versions in many ways.

Old Salem Tour in Winston-Salem NC © Katrena

Many physicians today are challenged to help patients who come in with various problems that seem to defy diagnosis and/or treatments. Medical doctors of the early 1800s were highly respected by many in the community, and much of their success may have stemmed from the physician's genuine concern for his neighbors, friends, and family members who sought his help.

Vintage Surgical Instruments from 1800s © Katrena

I am fortunate to know a retired physician who used to make house calls. He still walks every day with his dog and often has a treat for the various dogs and cats along his walking route. I can imagine Dr. Vierling having that same sort of caring attitude toward his community!

Vintage Medical and Surgical Supplies © Katrena

Additional articles about our Old Salem Tour:

Vintage Pharmaceutical Instruments from Old Salem © Katrena

Find additional family-friendly reviews, tips, and pictures at Katrena's Travel NC With Kids and Love 2 Travel With Kids site maps.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Statesville's Carolina BalloonFest – A Feast for the Eyes!

2013 Carolina BalloonFest in Statesville, NC © Katrena

Many families and photographers in and around the Piedmont area of North Carolina travel to Statesville Regional Airport in October. They are in search of spectacular colors ascending or glowing in the Carolina BalloonFest.

See Balloon Crews Set up at Launch in Statesville © Katrena

This annual event offers guests the opportunity to see a balloon launch up close and personal. Those who arrive early might even mingle with the balloon crews and learn a bit about the balloon and great stories of previous launches and landings.

Carolina Kaleidoscope at NC Balloon Launch © Katrena

I would highly recommend planning to arrive to this event early...very early. The web site suggests arriving by 2:00. That is a great idea because thousands of people enjoy this event, and the road to the airport is small. They also offer a shuttle bus that will transport people from the fairgrounds.

Balloon Festival Near I-40 © Katrena

Those looking for discounted prices will find lower prices on Friday and Sunday. The Saturday date offers the extra treat of seeing the night glow after dark as the balloon crews return to set up and create a most unusual light show as fire illuminates the balloons on the ground in the Night Glow.

See Hot Air Balloons in Statesville © Katrena

Children can enjoy a nice variety of games included with admission. My kids were drawn to an inflatable obstacle course with a slide. Bounce houses, sporting games, and lots more can get the kids active while having a blast. Some of the children's activities, such as the zip line and bungee jumping, require tickets.

2013 Balloon Launch from Statesville Regional Airport © Katrena

Food and drinks are available for purchase and live bands add music to the mix. The balloon festival offers a great time to bring a blanket or lawn chair and sit and enjoy a fun family time together. The family might even sign up to run the 5K or Fun Run.

Those who are always looking for an educational opportunity can turn this into an exciting hands-on classroom by identifying colors and shapes of the balloons while counting them. You can also research the science behind hot air balloons or hot air balloon terminology. History buffs can learn more about the birth of balloons and those interested in social studies can learn about various famous launch pads and perhaps meet a few crews. A few schools in the area were delighted to have balloon crews set up on school lawns before the event.

Folks who want to take a ride in a balloon can purchase tickets for a tethered balloon ride that will take riders above the crowd. Those who want to go up and out can coordinate a ride with one of the pilots through the Carolina BalloonFest web site.

Watching a balloon launch is a memorable experience. The crews work well together as they take their positions unpack the envelope and fill it with air. The hum of the large fans is replaced with the blast of fiery fuel as the crew eventually tips the basket to an upward position with the balloon floating above. As the bright colors take to the sky, the crowd might cheer, clap, and wave. It's a celebration! Those below are left to imagine the peaceful serenity of flying in a basket topped by a balloon.

This event gives more people hope by supporting the Statesville's Relay for Life Team and the American Cancer Society. The Carolina BalloonFest is one of my personal favorites. My dad was a Navy pilot, and I always think of him when I see the balloons soar. Photographers will be delighted at all the opportunities. The 2012 Fall first place photo for Our State magazine featured the Night Glow at the Carolina BalloonFest.

Visit Katrena's Travel NC With Kids or Love 2 Travel With Kids site maps to get more ideas for fun family activities.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Old Salem Tour of Single Brothers' House in Winston-Salem NC

The Single Brothers' House was another memorable stop on our tour of Old Salem, located near Business 40 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This was one of the larger buildings on the tour. Unmarried Moravian men in Salem would live here together. They would learn a trade and were often mentored, perhaps for several years. I can imagine that these men were quite adept in their chosen trade.

The Moravians often created functional items that could save time and tended to focus on quality, as evidenced by the amazing number of buildings and many household items that have survived through quite a number of generations. The Moravians of the area also seemed quite innovative and seemed to have a thriving community years ago, as evidenced by many detailed records of various community members.

Visitors are invited to sit in rows of wooden seats similar to what one might find in an older church while speakers talk about how unmarried men would live and learn together in this home while unmarried women in the community would live in a separate building. This room also housed a variety of old paintings.

The guide showed various ribbons that women would wear to tie their bonnets. These were color-coded to indicate whether they were single, married, widowed, etc. The ladies who work in the various buildings on the tour wear period costumes, so my kids were watching to see if they could remember what the colors meant. I suppose the men in the community years ago watched those colors rather closely as well!

One of my favorite parts of this the tour was having the opportunity to see the old pipe organ. I play the piano for my church, so it was particularly interesting to me to see this piece of musical history and some old hymnals and Bible. The keys on this pipe organ are black and white, but the colors are on the opposite keys that one usually sees on organs and pianos today. Old Salem houses the largest surviving Tannenburg pipe organ.

One of my daughters was thrilled to have the opportunity to come up and tread the bellows. In other words, she was pumping a large stick up and down so that the organ would make music. The organ can now be played without treading the bellows or with the help of a young volunteer. Years ago, boys would tread the bellows upstairs in the attic. I can just imagine the congregation beginning to sing and wondering if the fellows upstairs were paying attention during the service!

Visitors can look at several rooms containing quite a few supplies that represent several common tools and trades. The guides were happy to answer my daughters' questions as they looked at these pieces of equipment and supplies.

We also had the chance to meet a cobbler, someone who makes shoes. He talked about how he would measure a person's feet and showed us different examples of materials he used for making the shoes. Some of the guides wear shoes made on site, and he said that he gets orders for custom shoes on a regular basis. He also assured us that his shoes were actually quite comfortable and would last for many years.

It was interesting to see the nice variety of colors, styles, and sizes he had in the shop. In those days, older children would hand down shoes to younger children who would hand them down to the next ones in line when they outgrew them. My youngest child did not think that was a very good idea!

The Single Brothers' House houses a lot of history and gives visitors a chance to learn quite a bit about the Moravian culture and how this group worked together to provide for the community and earn a living.

Additional articles about our Old Salem Tour:

Find more articles about family-friendly destinations in North Carolina on Katrena's Travel NC With Kids site map.