New Bonner Bridge Opening Soon

New Bonner Bridge Opening Soon

New Bonner Bridge is opening as soon as March 1, 2019. The new bridge that will replace the Bonner Bridge may open as soon as March 1, 2019. This is what the North Carolina highway engineers recently made public. The new high-rise bridge linking South Nags Head to Hatteras Island has been under construction since March of 2016. The new and improved link to Hatteras Island rises just over 90 feet at its highest point above Oregon Inlet inlet. The length of the new bridge is 2.8 miles and has two 12-foot-wide lanes with 8-foot shoulders for cyclists, pedestrians and disabled vehicles. The high-rise bridge has a life span of 100 years and cost $252 million.

New Bonner Bridge Opening Soon
New Bonner Bridge Opening Soon

Workers are attaching the final metal rails on top of the finished barriers. The bridge will have two 12-foot-wide lanes with 8-foot shoulders for cyclists, pedestrians and disabled vehicles. The old one has only a 2-foot wide shoulder.

The next few weeks the finishing touches are being completed on the new bridge. This includes cutting traction grooves into the concrete deck and pouring concrete for barriers along the sides of the bridge. Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative is now running cables under the bridge’s surface to provide power to Hatteras Island. Hopefully, by March 1st all will be completed and the new bridge will have a grand ceremony for its opening along with a brand new name!

Dare County has gone to Facebook and Twitter to ask the public for help in naming the new bridge. Over 300 suggestions have been sent in with ideas for a new name. Some of the suggestions include naming it for former state Sen. Marc Basnight, Andy Griffith and even Blackbeard. Some suggested keeping the name and calling it the New Bonner Bridge.

The old Bonner Bridge was completed and opened in 1963. The old bridge will be demolished with the concrete being used to add to the existing reefs off the Outer Banks. Part of the south end of the old bridge will remain for the use of fishing. The new Bonner Bridge opening will be an exciting event at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This new bridge will be able to withstand the ever-changing landscape of sea and sand due to wind, surf and storms

Salute to the old Bonner Bridge

The old Bonner Bridge will be missed by those that crossed it on their way to Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Many a vacationer has fond members of the bridge. But the new higher and safer bridge will be a welcome addition to the Outer Banks! Can’t wait to cross the new bridge on my visit to Hatteras Island in the next few week! But the new height will make me nervous!

Map and Location of Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Sir Walter Wally Annual Groundhog Day 2019

Sir Walter Wally and Groundhog Day Celebration 2019

Sir Walter Wally is North Carolina’s own famous groundhog. On Groundhog Day Saturday Feb 2th, 2019 he will make his appearance in downtown Raleigh.  The annual Groundhog Day celebrations takes place at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh February 2. And its on a Saturday so more kids can come and watch the excitement.  Will he see his shadow and predict winter for 6 more weeks? Or will he not see his shadow meaning spring will come sooner? Groundhog Day is an annual tradition. It’s the day we find out if there will be 6 more weeks of winter or an early spring.

Sir Walter Wally Raleigh Groundhog Day Celebration
Sir Walter Wally Raleigh Groundhog Day Celebration

The capital city of Raleigh brings out their own Sir Walter Wally each Groundhog Day.  The exciting ceremony takes place on the steps of the Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh. The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Groundhog Day event is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday Feb. 2, 2019. The shadow ceremony starts at noon on the steps of the museum. There are also several other “activities, including displays about the historyy of Groundhog Day, animal architects, how animals survive in the winter and signs of spring”.  Each year the celebration grows with more people attending and more news stations covering to report the big news.

Update:Sir Walter Wally says we will have 6 more weeks of winter!

Our on Sir Walter Wally is of course named after Sir Walter Raleigh. Sir Walter Wally has a pretty good record of predicting a long winter or an early spring.  Wally has a 50% success rate as compared to a 39% success rate of Punxsutawney Phil in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. In fact the Weather Channel puts him in the Top 11 Groundhogs to watch on Groundhog Day for an accurate prediction! Impressive!

Do you want an early spring or do you want more winter (and more snow)?!

Let us know in the comments below!

Raleigh Southern Farm Show 2019 at NC State Fairgrounds

Raleigh Southern Farm Show 2019 at NC State Fairgrounds

The Raleigh Southern Farm Show 2019 takes place this year January 30 – February 1 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Free admission and free parking. There is a lumberjack show to enjoy and the adults can test drive a few Chevrolet models. There is also a FFA Truck and Tractor Driving Competition. This fun event is not just for farmers. It has gown into a fun event to go to for everybody. Children love all the tractors and large farm equipment at the farm show. Even the big kids love the huge tractors and farm equipment on display. There are hundreds of vendors at the farm show with all types of outdoor, hunting and farm equipment, devices, supplies, products and more. And of course food, there will be five concession stands and one sit-down restaurant.

Raleigh Southern Farm Show 2019
Raleigh Southern Farm Show 2019

At the Southern Farm Show you can test drive a Chevrolet on a track setup just for the test drive. A long line of people were waiting to test drive the bright blue Chevy Camaro, a Chevy Suburban and a Chevy pickup. Ford was also there with several vehicles on display with all their doors open and completely accessible to anyone who wanted a close look. You could sit in the vehicle, inspect it, walk around it, check out the motor. No salesperson around to annoy you!

There were multiple huge tents setup with all types of equipment inside. Things like dirt bikes, four wheelers, ATVs of every size. There were displays of zero turn lawnmowers big and large, farm planters, harvesters, tobacco equipment. grain equipment, combines big, small and ginormous! There were some of the biggest tractors you could ever imagine. Big kids and little kids really enjoy going to the Southern Farm Show to see all the sights.

The Forestry Service is at this event. Many children were at this table talking with and getting their pictures taken with a Forest Ranger. They also have a lot of information about selling timber and how to reforest your timber. There was information proper forest management what to do and what not to mange woodland.

 

You can also do some shopping. Many vendor offer clothing, boots, capes and hats, gloves, coats, tee shirts, hoodies and other apparel. Carhartt was there this year with some nice coats and other apparel. John Deer was there with apparel and other items. There are licence tags, keychains, caps, coffee mugs and more.

The food is also good. Several vendors are setup around the grounds offering funnel cakes, fried twinkes, fried oreo cookies, hotdogs, hamburgers, steak and cheese hogies, blooming onions, curly fries, drinks and more. Inside the Graham Building is the Murphy Barbeque House severing hot meals of BBQ, hamburger steak, hotdog, hamburgers, cake and other deserts and more.

The Southern Farm Show in Raleigh is held each year in early February. The three-day event gets bigger and better every year. If you think you don’t need to go because you are not a farm you’re making a mistake! Take the family, take the children and go enjoy this fun farm show. But dress warmly! This week during the Southern Farm Show the weather will be very cold. Highs will be in the 40’s with overnight and early morning temperatures below freezing.

Bulluck Furniture Warehouse Sale 2019

Annual Bulluck Furniture Warehouse Sale 2019 Starts Jan 26

The annual Bulluck Furniture Warehouse Sale 2019 begins Saturday, January 26, 2019. The warehouse sale for 2019 will be at the same location as the last few years. That location is Phipps Warehouse at 218 N. Church Street near downtown Rocky Mount, NC. Phipps Warehouse is located next to the Imperial Centre on Church Street. See the map below for directions. Parking is to the left of the warehouse when coming down Church Street. The annual Bulluck’s Gigantic Warehouse Sale is one of the most popular sales in Eastern North Carolina. Thousands of shoppers travel from all over the United States to attend this popular sale. This huge fine furniture sale is held every year in late January and goes through February.

Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2021

The annual Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2021 will take place in April 2021. The sale begins on April 3, 2021.

It will still be held at the same location as the last few years, 218 North Church St. in

downtown Rocky Mount, NC at the Phipps Warehouse.

I will post more information such as dates and hours when available.

More information to come!

Complete list of dates and hours coming soon!

Bulluck Furniture Warehouse Sale 2019
Bulluck Furniture Warehouse Sale 2019

The huge warehouse has over 80,000 square feet of area with sale items from Bulluck’s Furniture. Sale items include scratched and dented fine reproduction furniture, lamps, lamp bodies, lamp shades and lamp parts, wood accessories and items, bronze statures and items, crystal pieces, chandeliers, ceramic planters of all sizes, floor and wall screens, traditional and transitional furniture, vases, bowls, statues plus so much more. The sale is huge and after the first seven days the warehouse is restocked with more and different sale items added. So more than one trip to this sale is a must!

Bulluck’s Gigantic Warehouse Sale takes place in an old tobacco warehouse in downtown Rocky Mount. The warehouse is full of fine furniture, lighting and decorative accessories. Row and rows and rows of tables are set up and covered with lamps, bowls, statues, brass, art, vases, pots, candlesticks and more. Chandeliers hang from the rafters, mirrors and art are hung on the walls. Furniture of every type (contemporary, traditional and transitional) are out on display with prices slashed. Even outdoor furniture is included. The furniture is just beautiful! Bed frames, china cabinet, dining room tables and chairs, end tables and more.  The smell of leather is wonderful! Leather couches, leather office chairs and leather formal chairs all on sale.

Here are the dates and times for this year’s sale. It will not be open on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Saturday January 26

Sunday January 27

Monday January 28

Tuesday January 29

Friday February 1

Saturday February 2

Sunday February 3

CLOSED TO RESTOCK

Saturday February 9

Sunday February 10

Monday February 11

Tuesday February 12

Friday February 15

Saturday February 16

Sunday February 17

Monday February 18

Tuesday February 19

Friday February 22

Saturday February 23

Sunday February 24

Monday February 25

Tuesday February 26

Friday March 1

Saturday March 2

Sunday March 3

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

CLOSED TO RESTOCK

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

9:30 am to 5:00 pm

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2019
Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2019 Rocky Mounts Starts Jan. 26

All sales are final. Items are 60-90% off retail prices! The Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2019 is a great event to shop if you want to add or redecorate your home or office. Save hundreds on fine furniture, lamps and accessories. All tables and sections of items are marked down 60-90% in the whole warehouse. As the sale continues into February prices will drop.

The warehouse will be closed and restocked with additional items for sale with even better prices. When the sale resumes items left from the first few days of the sale are slashed for the second portion of the Bulluck Warehouse sale.

Make plans to get to the Bulluck Warehouse Sale 2019! I go every year and the most fun! You do not want to miss this huge fine furniture warehouse sale! To see the old warehouse alone is worth the trip. I love the old tobacco barn with its old wide wood plank floors, huge windows and high wood ceiling. But to add all those beautiful pieces of fine furniture inside the warehouse and put them on sale! Once the sale starts I will post pictures here. Make sure to check back to Travel NC  to see the pictures and find out more information.

Here are some pictures from last years warehouse sale!

Bulluck Furniture Warehouse Sale Location and Map

Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival

Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival 2018

The Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival takes place this weekend, October 5 and October 6, 2018. The fun festival is always held on the first weekend in October each year. This year will be the 47th Annual Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival! The fun starts Friday late afternoon and then on Saturday from 8 am until 6 pm. The festival kicks off  Friday night with bands, dancing, food, and fun for all ages. On Saturday in downtown Spring Hope the community turns into one big party with arts and crafts, food, games, and carnival rides for the kids. At 2 pm the parade begins.

Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival Oct 5-6, 2018
Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival Oct 5-6, 2018

There is the Miss Pumpkin Festival Pageant and Little Miss Pageant where winners take their place on the floats and wave to the crowd.  Then they have a recipe contest and the great pumpkin weigh-in. This year there are almost 20 food trucks and vendors this year. Lots of arts and crafts for all those shoppers! The weather for Saturday may be a little cloudy but temperatures will be in the mid ’80s.  Everyone enjoys the Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival. It’s a great time to enjoy all that great festival food like hotdogs, candle red apples, popcorn, cotton candy, funnel cakes and more!

Bring the whole family and have fun this weekend. Each year about 25,000 people attend this popular fall festival. Way too much fun to miss.

Solar Eclipse Along Blue Ridge Parkway

Solar Eclipse Along Blue Ridge Parkway

Where to see solar eclipse along Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The southern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina will be in the path of the total solar eclipse when the big event happens in August. On August 21, 2017 a total solar eclipse will take place in the continental United States. It will be visible from Oregon to South Carolina. The path of the solar eclipse does include Western North Carolina including sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway’s southern end from milepost 418 to milepost 469 falls in the path of totality.  This is a huge event and very exciting for North Carolina to be in the path of a total solar eclipse. This is the first time in 38 years that a total eclipse has been possible to see in the continental United States. The next total solar eclipse in the continental United States will not be again until 2024.

Total Solar Eclipse Along Blue Ridge Parkway in NC 2017
Total Solar Eclipse Along Blue Ridge Parkway in NC 2017

The time for the total eclipse portion of for the western area of the state of NC and the Blue Ridge Parkway will be about 2:35pm and last about 2 1/2 minutes. The entire event will take about 3 hours from start to finish. It will start just minutes after 1:00pm with a partial eclipse. About 90 minutes later there will be a total eclipse lasting for about 2 1/2 minutes. Then end about 4:00pm. The sun being totally blocked by the moon will only last about 2 1/2 minutes from 2:35:04pm until 2:36:37pm. The darkness or shadow of the moon blocking the sun will cause the earth to become dark in the middle of the day. Some say birds will roost and night animals may make an appearance. Stars may even be seen in the sky while darkness covers the earth.

The areas in the path of totality will experience darkness in the middle of the afternoon for about 2 1/2 minutes. NASA has stated that those people located ” in the path of  totality will see stars and planets become visible in what is normally a sunlit sky.” The area for a total solar eclipse will happen in about a 100-mile wide corridor from Oregon across the United States toward South Carolina. Earth’s moon will pass directly between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking out the sun’s light and making it dark as night for a short period of time that afternoon. From beginning to  end in any one location the entire process will last about 3 hours. That includes both partial phases, one as it begins, totality and one as it ends.

Blue Ridge Parkway in Path of Total Solar Eclipse in NC

Solar Eclipse Along Blue Ridge Parkway in NC 8/21/17
Solar Eclipse Along Blue Ridge Parkway in NC 8/21/17

Some of the best places in North Carolina to view the 100 percent total solar eclipse will be from high elevations located in the NC mountains. This includes the southern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC.  The Blue Ridge Parkway’s southern end from milepost 418 to milepost 469 falls in the path of totality. Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam, Sam Knob, Devil’s Courthouse, and Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway are all in the path of totality. Other mountain sites in the path of totality in Western North Carolina include John Rock in Pisgah National Forest, Wayah Bald and Wesser Bald in Nantahala National Forest, and Whiteside Mountain near Cashiers. Crowds are expected so arrive early.