IOur summer trip started from Raleigh on June 1 with a short hop to our first campground, Crosswinds Family Campground about an hour from Charlotte. It's a beautiful campground and we'll likely camp there again in the future! Our theme this year is Railroad Museums (rolling stock and model train museums). It made perfect sense to stop at the train museum in Spencer, NC. Wow! They've really made some improvements since we were there about 20 years ago! They now have classic cars, a bicycle exhibit and of course TRAINS! There is a short train ride through the facility, but we chose not to ride. Enjoyed our stay, and since it was only about 5 miles from our campsite, we went back into Spencer for breakfast at the Be-Bop Diner. Good food and friendly folks! The second day we drove to Historic Jamestown (right outside Highpoint) to the Mendenhall Plantation.
In 1744 the Earl of Granville sold a sizable tract to James Mendenhall for 10 schillings. James was the grandfather of Richard Mendenhall, the builder of the home. Jamestown was named for James Mendenhall. The first house was built in 1811 and in 1840 was expanded to it's current size. The Mendenhalls were Quakers and their house reflects a humble lifestyle. The site includes a spring house and a Pennsylvania Bank Barn. Inside the barn is a false-bottom wagon which was used during the time of the Underground Railroad. Quakers opposed slavery, and the Mendenhalls assisted blacks escaping north. It is speculated that runaway slaves were harbored in the Mendenhall's basement. It's an interesting place to visit, about 90 miles from Raleigh.
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