Jaunted - NC

North Carolina's Ready To Go Hog Wild For Its Barbecue Festival

kjb — 2009-10-16T14:23:38-05:00

There’s loads of food festivals dedicated to different kinds of snacks, fried things, and other goodies. However, the key to finding a good festival is to seek out the festival that best represents a famous foodstuff. That’s where Lexington, North Carolina comes in with its annual Barbeque Festival. No clever name here, it just is what it is, and it celebrates one thing—delicious smoked pork.

Annual festivities have been running for over a quarter century, and every year the town’s population swells as over 100,000 visitors hit the town to check out the latest and the greatest related to all things barbeque. The town is famous for their vinegar-based sauce; so don’t come here looking for some super-sweet ribs or brisket. They might have some other cuts of meat for out of towners, but it’s primarily going to be pork shoulder that you’ll be enjoying. Just make sure you save room for some of the area's unique coleslaw. It’s like regular slaw except you replace the mayonnaise dressing with one based on the almighty power of ketchup—don’t knock it until you try it.

Silversun Pickups at the Brand New Fillmore Charlotte

markj — 2009-10-12T12:25:56-05:00

When you think of the Fillmore the first thing that pops into your head is sparkling chandeliers, thick ruby curtains, a wooden dance floor and legendary shows. The legendary auditorium on Fillmore and Geary hosted *everyone* in the sixites, and when it was reopened in the eighties it didn't skip a beat. We have been lucky enough to see plenty of shows at the SF Fillmore, thus when we heard Charlotte was opening a new Fillmore in June of 2009 we were anxious to check it out.

Charlotte is a millennial city in every way and in the midst of a ten year boom, so it makes perfect sense that the Fillmore brand chose the Queen City as a key spot for Fillmore brand expansion.

We May Never Again Be Graced With 'Hooters Air'

kjb — 2009-09-30T08:39:05-05:00

Back in the day (meaning a few years ago), Pace Airlines was the charter company behind the brand Hooters Air. Despite America’s love for short shorts, the scantily clad airline folded and Pace went back to what it did best—chartering flights for rich people and sports teams. However, things aren’t going as well as they once were, and now Pace Airlines is in some hot water.

The airline has been struggling as it’s been losing contracts, and it doesn’t help that the CEO is facing a felony charge because apparently he wasn’t making payments to his employee’s group health insurance. As of last week, coverage for over 300 workers was dropped, because that’s what happens when you don’t pay the bills. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is now after the airline as they’ve filed a lawsuit against Pace on behalf of a flight attendant who is claiming discrimination in the airline’s promotion practices. When it's not one thing it's another.

Weeks Later, There's Already Another Dale Earnhardt Coaster

kjb — 2009-09-03T09:14:45-05:00

The Intimidator has already risen again. Just a few weeks after the announcement of a new record setting Dale Earnhardt themed coaster, another theme park in the south wants a piece of the NASCAR action. Carowinds, just outside of Charlotte, has revealed the details on their biggest and baddest roller coaster yet.

This new thriller is different than the initial Earnhardt ride, so coaster fans from across the country will have a couple new things to test out for the 2010 season. This ride will climb to 232 feet tall, and then pretty much drop you right back down, as the first drop is 211 feet towards the ground. Of course after that they’ll be plenty of twists, turns, and drops that will make anyone regret that corn dog that they had before boarding. Although not quite racecar speeds, the coaster will hit 75 MPH, which is not too shabby.

Labor Day Is The Apple Of North Carolina's Eye

kjb — 2009-08-18T14:09:36-05:00

Of course we’re sad that summer is winding down right before our eyes, but Labor Day is usually a good send off into the crisp days of the fall. That’s why we’ve picked the North Carolina Apple Festival as a cool way to ease us into an autumnal attitude. After all, a few apples in the system will probably help counteract all the overindulgences we’ve experienced this summer.

Set in the western part of the state, among the mountains, is Hendersonville, and their main street area is going to be buzzing with the sights of Red Delicious, Galas, and Rome Beauties. The state is in the top ten of apple production in the country, and they certainly want you to know it. Music, arts and crafts, and of course food will all ring in the harvest season. Make it a priority to get an applejack; it’s pretty much an apple fritter, but with a better name and a better taste.

Cool Off In North Carolina With Nature's Own Water Slide

kjb — 2009-07-20T16:48:11-05:00

We’ve been tempting you this month with some of our picks for the best tubing spots around the country. However, we understand that tubing might not be everyone’s idea of a great summer afternoon, and that’s why we've tracked down some more ways too cool off. This next one happens to be a little more natural and a little less commercial.

Located within the Pisgah National Forest, about an hour outside Asheville, North Carolina, sits nature’s own water slide. Sliding Rock is a huge, smooth-faced rock that constantly has cool water running down its surface thanks to a mountain spring. The rock is about 60 feet tall and gladly deposits visitors into chilly water at its base all summer long. We’d recommend wearing something a little sturdier than a bikini for your trip. It is a rock after all, so pack your favorite pair of cut-off jean shorts—you’ll fit right in; it’s the South.

The rock slide is open daily throughout the summer, and usually wraps its season up around Labor Day. Parking is only $3 and you’ll have access to the slide all day long. Just remember to bring your own picnic with you as there’s nothing for sale, not even overpriced candy and souvenirs.

Related Stories:
·Sliding Rock - A Natural Water Slide [ExploreAsheville]
·Celebrate Beautiful Living at Bele Chere [Jaunted]
·North Carolina Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: LouisL]

US Airways Says Aloha All The Way From Charlotte

kjb — 2009-06-22T12:47:15-05:00

Despite the slowdown in the travel industry and flight capacity cuts, US Airways is moving forward with a new route to Honolulu. Beginning on December 17—ideal timing for Christmas vacations—the airline will be sending a Boeing 767 all the way to Hawaii from Charlotte. This will be the airline’s longest nonstop flight from its North Carolina hub, with the 10-hour flight easily beating out trips to Europe.

Tickets are available now, and if you really want to get on the very first trip, it looks like it will set you back about $964. We’d look for a better deal, since there probably won’t be too much fanfare to celebrate this inaugural voyage. At least it leaves at 9:45am, so you’ll be able to kick-off your tropical trip when you arrive at 2:59 pm Hawaii time.

Our biggest concern with this new plan is that it’s a really lengthy flight on an airline not known for their in-flight amenities. Remember that they just recently reversed their position on charging for drinks. And a quick reference check of our handy dandy in-flight entertainment guide reveals that we’ll be struggling with an overhead movie and 10 channels of rad music—if we’re lucky.

At least once the plane lands in the Aloha State, all will be well with the world—until you fly home.

Related Stories:
· US Airways To Offer A Nonstop Flight To Hawaii [Charlotte Observer]
· Sip Pre-Flight Mai Tais Upstairs In Delta's Newish 747 To Hawaii [Jaunted]
· Airline News coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: John Creasey]