When I heard that Catawba County, in Piedmont North Carolina, is home to one of two original covered bridges in North Carolina, I figured why not check it out! My right-brain self was not able to appreciate the unique lattice truss that went into the engineering of the bridge but Bunker Hill Bridge did make for a scenic photo op. After our less-than-thrilling bridge experience, my daughter Katy suggested we look for a nearby historic mill site she had read about. We found Murray’s Mill still operational and open for visitors along with a nearby general store, open since the 1890s, all in a tranquil setting that was worth the trip.

Katy and I left Catawba County and drove through Iredell on our way back home, stopping in Statesville for lunch. What a pleasant surprise Statesville turned out to be, a small town with a picturesque and thriving downtown! Even better, Statesville is the hometown of one of Katy’s fellow teachers and she and her son (one of Katy’s former students) joined us for a fun lunch at a restaurant, Groucho’s, with a sign over the door that made us feel right at home.

June 19, 2021, Counties #46 and #47 – Catawba and Iredell