There may be winter weather during February in North Carolina but that shouldnt stop you from seeing and doing all that North Carolina has to offer. There are some of the highest ski slopes ease of the Rockies and numerous local events and festivities. In Pinehurst you will find the annual Heart n Soul of Jazz event. This is a pre-Valentines Day event that often features Grammy-nominated artists amongst many other excellent performers. If you choose to stay at the Pinehurst Resort you can get a package deal that includes your overnight accommodations, gourmet dinner, breakfast buffet, a bottle of champagne and a ticket for the concert per each nights stay. There are also Meet the Artist Dessert Receptions after each performance. Individual tickets are also available for the concerts.

In Durham, you will find the Annual Native American Powwow. The powwow features Native American dancing, feasting, singing and crafts. There are also intertribal dances. This is one of the largest powwows in the Southeast and attracts up to 150 dancers, six drums and crowds in the thousands. There are several crafts at the event that include beadwork, silverwork, woodcarving, and leatherwork. Foods featured include fry bread, Indian tacos, buffalo soup and corn soup.

In Wilmington you can find Fort Fisher. The port remained open longer than any other Confederate ort and was a town of about 10,000 people. The port placed an important role in keeping the Confederate troops supplied. The Fort is located on the ocean side of the Cape Fear River and the cannons of the Fort were able to keep the Union army ships at bay for some time. This allowed the blockade ships to supply the port, which were then placed on the Weldon Railroad to supply the troops.

Up the coast from Wilmington is Fort Macon. Fort Macon was built to protect Beaufort, however, it was taken by the North Carolina Militia in April 1861 and then fell again to the Union forces in April 1862. The fort is now in good condition and is the site of a state park. Many people do not realize how vital North Carolina was in the Civil War and, in fact, there is a long Civil War Trail that makes its way up the coast of North Carolina. In Creswell, you can find Somerset Plantation. This is one of North Carolinas largest plantations. The plantation was more than 100,000 acres at its peak and was home to more than 300 slaves. The plantation house is open for visitation and features information on both the planter and slave culture on the plantation.

Rob Vrabel
http://north-carolina.2havefun.com