Albemarle, NC
Summer is here and I am back on the road discovering nearby small towns. Today I drove from the Charlotte area about one hour to Albemarle, NC. It's a bigger town than I expected with lots of side roads off Main St. to explore but like so many small downtowns several of the beautiful old buildings stood empty. Nevertheless I found plenty to do learning when I arrived that the town was celebrating "Downtown First Saturdays." All of the shops and restaurants were open offering special sales, music and more. I started at the Farmer's Market. It was small but offered a nice variety of plants, produce and handmade goods. I couldn't resist a beautiful sterling silver necklace by jewelry designers Art W. Heinrich and Colleen M. Clark. www.sweetwhispers.org
I also delighted in the fragrance of lavender lotion handmade by "Oak Hill Creek". And I just had to have a blueberry muffin to enjoy for later!
Next I wandered the streets poking in and out of the shops. There were a couple of thrift and consignment stores, dress shops and gift shops. Many had sidewalk sales and great deals going on inside because of the First Saturday festivities.
At the Stanly Arts Guild and Falling Rivers Gallery www.fallingriversgallery.com they were having an opening reception for the artist Roger Thomas. I sipped on ginger ale and chatted with the him about his detailed "Timberlake" like landscapes. I also enjoyed the many other local artists featured there. The gallery displayed all mediums including jewelry, pottery, collage, wood work, glass work and more.
There were many small nooks where one could rest on a bench and watch the world go by. There was a nice war memorial and another spot with benches and a fountain.
I also delighted in the fragrance of lavender lotion handmade by "Oak Hill Creek". And I just had to have a blueberry muffin to enjoy for later!
Next I wandered the streets poking in and out of the shops. There were a couple of thrift and consignment stores, dress shops and gift shops. Many had sidewalk sales and great deals going on inside because of the First Saturday festivities.
At the Stanly Arts Guild and Falling Rivers Gallery www.fallingriversgallery.com they were having an opening reception for the artist Roger Thomas. I sipped on ginger ale and chatted with the him about his detailed "Timberlake" like landscapes. I also enjoyed the many other local artists featured there. The gallery displayed all mediums including jewelry, pottery, collage, wood work, glass work and more.
There were many small nooks where one could rest on a bench and watch the world go by. There was a nice war memorial and another spot with benches and a fountain.
I decided for lunch I would get back in my car and drive a couple of miles outside of the downtown area but still on Main St. to Thai Spice. It's in a rather non-nondescript little building on a not particularly picturesque road but the interior is pleasant and the service was attentive. I started with a flavorful broth soup that they always serve with lunch then some vegetable spring rolls and for my entree one of my favorite Thai dishes Massaman Curry. It was delicious!
Albemarle is a delightful town to wander. It was quiet and friendly and the town had plenty to see and do for a day trip destination.
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