As the day dawned on the Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2001; all in the NASCAR world waited with baited breath.  For the new season was upon them and it started with the biggest race of the year.

 Drivers, crews, and fans were on the edge of their seats waiting for the green flag to wave.  The three month wait was over and all couldn’t wait to see what was in store next.   This one race could set the tone for the upcoming season.  And a victory in the Daytona 500 could change a career.

 One driver started the day looking for his second Daytona 500 Victory and a jump on his eight championship.  This one driver was the driving force of the sport.  The one driver the fans came to see.  On the track he was tough as nails but off he was loved by all.

By the time the day ended, that one driver was gone for good.  His life taken in the final turn of the final lap, as his driver and his son took the checkered flag one-two.  And the sport lost its most important player.

While the sport has tried to move on from that faithful February day, the death of Dale Earnhardt has left a hole in the heart and soul of NASCAR.  It still weighs heavy on everybody’s minds.  And leaves one unanswered question; “What if Dale had not died?”.

Neighbor fought neighbor, father fought son, and brother fought brother.  It didn’t matter who you fought it was war and each side thought they were right.  In some ways what happened from April 1861 to April 1865 is forgotten, but America still has the scars to prove that at one time she was broken and it was her sons and daughters that broke her.

Across this land from the east coast to the Mississippi, from Maine to Florida there are reminders of just what happened during this time in American history.  States have open fields that were once battlefields, houses that were once used as field hospitals or army bases, and an island fort where it all began.

As this country has grown a lot of the reminders of war have been covered up but there are still places where war has been preserved.  Where the lives that were lost are a daily reminder and a forgotten era is put on display.

Atlanta rose from the ashes to thrive.  Charleston survived the wrath of being the ones that started the war.  And Gettysburg will forever be known as the greatest/bloodiest battle.  Almost every state/territory that was around in the 1860’s has reminders of the War Between the States.

There are no more Civil War survivors.  All that is left are the books about it, artifacts and of course the thousands of graves were both Union and Confederate soldiers lay.  As we celebrate America and all that she is remember that if the result was different we might still be two different countries and life as we know it would be different.

Nashville like Atlanta and Charleston survived the Civil War.  A short drive south from downtown sits the city of Franklin.  It was here that a late war battle took place and they have the scars to prove it.  Franklin has two plantation homes open for tours.  One has visible bullet holes from the fighting on its outside walls and the other was used as a field hospital during the battle. 

To the east of town sits the Hermitage.  This was the one time home of late President Andrew Jackson.  The Hermitage and its grounds are open for public tours.  Visitors can learn about the late President, the way he lived, see his tomb and get a glimpse at slavery in the south.

Just to the North of downtown is the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  Maybe the most famous hotel in Nashville it is known for its extensive indoor gardens and extravagances.  The hotel is like an indoor town with waterfalls, a stream running through it, a boat ride, restaurants and shopping.

A short walk from the hotel sits the summer home to the Grand Ole Opry.  For over 80 years now Saturday nights in Nashville have been Grand Ole Opry Night.  Started as a radio show with live entertainment, comedy and up and coming country stars, it can now be seen on TV.  But it has not lost its roots and still airs on the radio, even satellite radio.  And today it is not just a Saturday night tradition; they have shows on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Downtown Nashville houses the winter home of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium.  Downtown is also where the newly built Country Music Hall of Fame is located, if a visitor wants to see a little music history.  But downtown Nashville might be better known for its night life.  Clubs, Bars and Restaurants line the streets.  Step into Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and one might hear the next big thing in Country Music.

Nashville, TN might not be ones first choice in a vacation spot but this southern town has a lot to offer.  It is a traditional town with a lot of history and just enough spunk to keep it modern too. 

Note: The Hermitage’s web site was visited to get a feel of what is visible to the public.

At Hershey’s Chocolate World visitors get a feel of how their favorite candy is made in the factory tour ride.  Visitors also learn how chocolate is made so it can be made into the candy bars they love to eat.  If a visitor takes the trolley tour they can see the land Milton Hershey made for himself.  It takes you past his home, his factory, and gardens as well as gives you the history of the man himself, Milton Hershey.  Maybe the coolest thing at Chocolate World is one can taste the chocolate as it should taste, fresh, not sitting on a store shelf for who knows how long.

Next door to Chocolate World is Hershey Park, an Amusement Park with shows, rides, and characters.  From roller coasters to kiddy rides the park has the whole family covered in the ride department.  If rides are not ones speed then they have a number of shows to entertain visitors.  Don’t forget the camera; kids can get their picture taken with Mr. Hershey Bar, Mr. Kiss, or Mr. Reese Cup. 

Hershey is not just for kids, adults can enjoy it too.  How about a chocolate spa treatment?  At the Hershey Hotel Spa that is just what one can get.  And while the female visitor is soaking in a tub full of chocolate the make visitor can take in 18 holes on the golf course. 

If ones looking for a place to stay they don’t have to look far.  Hershey Resorts offer three accommodation options, The Hershey Lodge, The Hershey Hotel, and The Hershey Highmeadow Campground.  And all with a chocolate feel to them.

Hershey, PA is a town where chocolate is everything.  From the smell of Chocolate being made to the wrapped and unwrapped Hershey Kisses Street lights there are signs of what made this town what it is today.    

 Note: Hershey PA and Hershey Lodging websites were visited for names of places.

Swimming Pool

• Watch small kids at all times
• Know if  life guards are present
• Don’t eat a heavy meal and then get right in the pool

 Summer Heat

• Keep hydrated with water
• Wear light-colored clothes
• Don’t stay in the direct sun light for long periods of time

 Pets

• Keep water on hand for them at all times
• They can overheat just like humans so keep an eye on them
• Bugs can effect them just like they do us so watch for bits

 BBQ/Grilling/Picnics

• Do not keep food made with mayo out in the heat for long periods of time
• Make sure to cook meat to recommended cooking temperatures
• Bug sprays, candles, etc are good things to keep close at hand, just in case.

Cars

• Don’t leave pets, kids, or elderly in a car even for a short time.
• Make sure your car has anti-freeze in it or it could overheat
• Use seatbelts

 Boating

• Wear at all times or know where life jackets are
• Drinking and driving a boat is just like drinking and driving a car
• Make sure you know how deep the water you are in is if you are getting out for a swim

 Beach

• Watch for jelly fish or other marine animals that could sting
• Keep an eye on flags flying to tell you about the water for the day
• Just like with the pool, know if life guards are present

No matter what you do for fun this summer remember to stay safe and if going outside for long periods of time wear sunscreen to protect your skin. 

Please note: these are some helpful hits I have put together to try to help you, use them as you wish.

From February to November for 36 weeks a year thousands of people flock to places like Talladega AL, Martinsville VA, and Watkins Glen NY.  They are there to see one thing, the fastest growing sport in America, NASCAR.

Names like Earnhardt, Petty, and Waltrip have graced its past.  NASCAR has the ability to turn small cities into large cities and turn large cities into even larger cities twice a year.  Fans camp out in old school buses turned RV’s for days leading up to a race.  NASCAR has tickets that fans wait years just to get.

Baseball has names like Ruth, DiMaggio, and Mantle in its past.  Baseball has big city teams and even bigger city teams.  Baseball has fans that camp out overnight to get opening day tickets.  Baseball has its stadiums that sell out and those that don’t.

Each is different in so many ways but each are similar in the fact that their fans are diehards.  To their fans their sport is everything.  Their world revolves around watching their team’s games or each race.  And each of their fans have the player/ driver they love and the one they love to hate.

So maybe America has room for two sports.  After all a little competition is the key to these sports.  Maybe a little competition between the two sports wouldn’t be all that bad.  Wither a baseball fan or a NASCAR fan, these two spots are loved by Americans, and their popularity can proves it.

These barrier islands are home to Kitty Hawk, NC, the place Wilbur and Orville Wright took their first flight in December of 1903.  Today there is a memorial commemorating their place in aviation history.

The Outer Banks is also known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”.  Ships have been known to go down on its rocky shores when storms move through.  Most of the wreckage has been covered by sand.   But the ones that are visible are open to tourist to see first hand.

These islands also house five lighthouses.  The light houses were used to guide ships in the night around the islands and keep them on course, before modern technology could do it from in ship.  Today the lighthouses are open for visitors to tour, to look out over the land and sea.

Roanoke, one of the islands that make up the Outer Banks, was home to a lost colony.  In the 1500’s Sir Walter Releigh’s men and their families from England settled there in hopes of building a colony.  But after they started their settlement they were never heard from again.

Maybe the most amazing thing to see is the wild horses.  Believed to be over 200 years ago a Spanish Ship carrying horses sank.  The horses are thought to have swum ashore and took up habitation on the island.  They learned to live off the land and still roam the beaches north of Corolla, the northern most city on the paved road.  Tourists can go out with four-wheel drive vehicles and see the wild horses graze and live their lives in the wild.

No matter what era of history one enjoys there is something in the Outer Banks to keep you interested.  From the lost colony to the wild horses that still roam over 200 years after the first heard made the Outer Banks their home.   And after a vacationer takes in the sights of history they can still sit back and relax by the ocean. 

Note: For exacted Dates and Names the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce’s website was visited.