Jean Wells Travel: Southern Samplings
Motorsports and Mountain Adventures Printable Itinerary
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5 nights, 6 days

Start your engines and head for the Charlotte, NC, area to take a look at one of America's fastest sports-Nascar racing. You'll get a "behind the scenes" look at the race shops, pit crew and car builders in action, museums, Lowes Motor Speedway and more on this fun trip. Plus, you will love the Richard Petty Driving
Experience-Ride shotgun for 3 laps with a professional instructor for a mock qualifying run at the Lowes Motor Speedway.

After three nights, you'll head for Asheville, NC, for two additional nights, where you wilt enjoy this historic area--downtown Asheville. Highlights include the Biltmore House, a white-water rafting trip down the French Broad River, a cookout, and a Hot Springs Spa-Hiking at Chimney Rock---So, Much More!!

Day 1

Let's begin your Racing Adventure! We'll start with a delicious North Carolina Barbeque lunch at Lancaster's BBQ where the race teams eat. After Lunch, it's museum "hopping" with visits to the North Carolina Racing Hall of Fame and Memory Lane Museum. These are two great places to learn the history of motorsports. Next, we'll visit 5 OFF 5 ON Racing to see demonstrations of the training and skill required by a professional pit crew on the Nascar circuit. Then, we'll arrive at our host hotel-Wingate Inn, located at Speedway Blvd., in Concord, NC. (The hotel has a racing theme!)

Day 2
Breakfast at your hotel.
We'll begin the day at Lowes Motor Speedway and see how a major Nascar event is staged. See the Winston Cup garage, infield hospital and scoring stand. You'll take a photo in Winner's Circle after you make a lap around the 1.5 mile oval. Then, your chariot waits for the ride of a lifetime!! You will enjoy the Richard Petty Driving Experience where you will ride along in an authentic Winston Cup Style stock car. It will be an unforgettable experience as they unleash 600 horsepower and you feel the rush ot'up to 165 mph!! We'll visit the huge gift shop before departing the track.

After a quick lunch in the Mills Mall food court, we tour some of the top Winston Cup race shops. We'll visit Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Racing, and Dale Earnhardt, Inc., where you see the cars and highlights of such stars as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Michael Waltrip, among others. After our shop tours, we'll return to our hotel to freshen up for the evening's activities.

We'll head back to Lowes Motor Speedway for a delicious dinner in the exclusive Speedway Club. You'll have a fabulous view of the Speedway while enjoying your meal.

Day 3
Breakfast at your hotel.Today, we'll see some of the history of the area with a visit to Bost Grist Mill. The mill is on the National Register of Historic Places and filled with original milling equipment. Step back in time as you watch corn being ground into meal and grits. Then, we tour Reed Gold Mine where the first gold discovered in North America is located. You see the mine shafts and how they operated this gold mine.

After lunch, we'll see the "artistic" side of motorsports with a visit to Sam Bass Gallery. Sam has designed many of the race car paint schemes, uniforms, logos and many other items such as cereal boxes and guitars. Then, we'll make a quick stop at Action Performance, your one-stop souvenir shop to pick up those items for the Nascar fan back home. Visit Kannapolis, the boyhood home of Dale Earnhardt. We'll take a driving tour and hear stories of his early racing career and his rise to stardom. Drive by his boyhood home. See the tributes and statues dedicated to his legacy in the downtown area including the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Center. Dinner tonight will be at DJ's Restaurant, a place with great atmosphere and food.
**Added Bonus: A reception and visit with Dale Earnhardt's mother at the Visitor's Center. (Availability pending; if dates are established far in advance, this is a delightful experience!)

Day 4
Breakfast at your hotel.
You'll depart Nascar country with fond memories and a greater
appreciation of one of the fastest growing sports in America--Nascar Racing.

Morning arrival in Asheville. You will be met by your tour escort and begin your guided tour of the Asheville area: The Western NC Farmers Market, The Montford Historic District, The Pack Square Historic District, The Grove Arcade, The Basilica of Saint Lawrence, The Folk Art Center.

Lunch on your own in the Historic District in Black Mountain; view The Ben Long Fresco at the Chapel of the Prodigal in Montreat.

Welcome Reception and hotel check-in at the Hampton Inn. Dinner at the Pisgah View Ranch (You'll not want to miss this,
so plan your visit after Friday, April 9th, 2004. Meals are served family style in a casual atmosphere.)

Optional activity: Visit some of the nightspots in the Asheville Downtown Historic District.

Day 5
Deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel.
Load motorcoach and depart for the Biltmore Estate, with a step-on guide escort. There will be a self-guided audiotape tour of the House, Conservatory, Gardens and Winery. Buffet lunch at the Deerpark Restaurant located on the grounds of the Estate.

Afternoon: Depart for Marshall, NC, where you will enjoy a White-Water Rafting trip on the French Broad River. (There is a guide on each raft; the guides with this company have an average of seven years experience. The company is fully insured and includes all needed equipment with their trips. They can offer calm water float trips, but your group will enjoy a four-mile white water experience.)

Hot Springs Spa-Relax in the warm water mineral spa tubs, while dinner is prepared. Cook-Out Dinner (Grilled steak, baked potato, salad and dessert) under a covered pavilion.

Return to the hotel.

Day 6
Deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel. Check out of the hotel. Head for Chimney Rock.
Chimney Rock Park-Guided Trail Hike led by a CRP Staff Member. (For anyone just wanting to enjoy the views, there is an elevator to the top of the mountain. There is a new Native Plant Nursery to visit at the Park, staffed by a horticulturalist. Optional Park activity: There is a Climbing Tower to try your climbing Skills on. Additional fee involved.)

Lunch on the Meadows (BBQ Chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, rolls, fresh-baked dessert, tea or lemonade) Notation: This is an outdoor meal. Depending on the exact dates chosen by the group (and the weather), an indoor meal option at the Park can be arranged. It may not be this exact menu, but still, GOOD FOOD!!

Following lunch: Lake Lure Guided Boat Tour

For more information call Jean Wells at:
336 725-1624 (Fax: 336 724-5852)
OR email:
jean@jeanwellstravel.com