Much More Than 3P’s
Goldsboro is known for the 3 P’s Pigs, Pickles, and Planes! However, it is full of beautiful architecture, from homes to the restored downtown. Years ago, the railroad ran straight smack dab down the middle of downtown, not just one but three! Now that the railroad tracks through town have been removed, it allows for a luscious walkway, greenery, and several fabulous art displays. The destinations in and around Goldsboro go far beyond the downtown. Farm and family destinations just outside the city limits are numerous. And just a quick drive from the heart of the city.
I was genuinely amazed at how many farms and what they have to offer, nearly 800. One of the numerous farms you can visit is Odom Farming Company, where Emily & her family produce an array of fruit and flowers. Odom Farming Company hosts gatherings with bonfires in September and November, pumpkin chunking contests, hayride haunts, full moon hikes, and a corn maze. The kids will have a blast seeing the goats along with a cow and a donkey. They offer camping weekends in the spring and fall by the river trail, where you can kayak and go tubing. www.odomfarmingcompany.com
Not far from Odom Farming Company is Holly Grove Farms. Three generations of the Craig family have worked the farm. With the passing of Ron Craig, his wife Debbie has taken over the vision of a family-run creamery. In doing so, she is one of the few woman-owned goat farms and creameries in the entire country. Debbie’s family raised hogs in years past, but in 2004, they added the goats and became a Goat Creamery. They have a small but modest gift shop where they sell their goat cheese, local meats, eggs, and goat milk soaps. The whole process is pretty impressive, and if you time it right in the spring, you can see all the kids. www.hollygrovecheese.com
Another blooming entrepreneur with a green thumb is Morgan Dennis, owner of Morganically Grown. Her Greenhouse specializes in house plants, succulents, cacti, and more. Morgan hosts classes for the not-so-green thumb or those who want to plant and paint. She regularly takes her greenhouse on the road and can be found at local markets and surrounding local farms and online. www.etsy.com/shop/morganicallygrown
Now, back to the 3 P’s Pigs, Pickles, and Planes. The BBQ selection in the Goldsboro area is out of this world delicious! The list is award-winning long. I believe we have eaten at everyone, of them; however, if asked, I’ll have to say I need a refresher!
You can’t have 3 P’s without pickles, and at Mt. Olive Pickles in Mt. Olive, they are a big dill! This year is the 95th anniversary of producing pickles that pop. So pop into the gift shop, purchase a peck or two of pickled peppers to share with your peers. Peruse the plethora of prime pickle products and produce to share with your partner. Mt. Olive Pickles provides a pickled paradise for people of all persuasions! www.mtolivepickles.com
I feel like planes bring out the inner child in all of us. We want to look up in the sky when we hear it and just watch it gliding across the sky. Let’s be real here. These jets are incredible machines, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way I did and want to get up close and personal with these giant birds. Here is a fantastic opportunity.
The City of Goldsboro and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base partnered together to create a monthly tour that is open to the public. Tours are hosted the last Thursday of each month throughout the year. Guests see the F-15E Strike Eagle to learn how we provide airpower on-target, on-time for America. Photography is welcome during the tour. To add your name to the guest list or schedule a group tour, call the City of Goldsboro’s Tourism Department at 919-734-7922 or 1-866-440-2245. To learn more about the history of SJAFB you’ll find a megaton of resources at www.seymourjohnson.af.mil Well, all I can say is it made my day!
