Start the day by meeting some 750 exotic animals from six different continents at the Lazy 5 Ranch where children can get up close and personal with the inhabitants. You can see these animals from your own car or by riding on the horse-drawn wagons through the 3.5 -mile safari. Be sure to bring your camera. This is a drive-through experience unique in North Carolina. There is no other collection of animals like this in the Southeast. While at the Lazy 5 Ranch stop by the petting areas, the black smith shop, gift store, horse barn, and play ground.
On your way to Salisbury, you'll pass through the rolling hills of western Rowan County, which was settled by the Scots-Irish Presbyterians in the 1700s. In the spring, you might even stop to buy locally grown strawberries at Patterson's Farm; in the fall, stop and pick out "The Great Pumpkin."

Head on down Highway 150 into Salisbury and stop for lunch in Downtown Salisbury. If you want food fast stop at Hap's and have a hotdog and Cheerwine while you dine on the sidewalk and people watch. If you're in the mood for a soup and a sandwich and the very best homemade ice cream around, you can grab a bite at Spanky's on the square.

After lunch, hop in your car and head to Dan Nicholas Park which is situated in the scenic countryside on Bringle Ferry Road just outside Salisbury, NC. Spend the morning playing a round of putt-putt, riding the little train and Haden's carousel, feeding the ducks, paddling the paddleboats around the lake, and panning for beautiful gems at the gem mine. There's a wonderful hiking trail around the lake and the nature center and petting zoo are full of animals to view or pet.

If there's enough time before nightfall, you might want to take a hike at the Eagle's Nest Nature Preserve.
Continue past Dan Nicholas Park and across High Rock Lake (about 3 miles). After the lake crossing, continue about another 3 miles to the second paved left which is Black Road. Turn left onto Black Road. Road dead ends after 3/4 mile at the entrance to Eagle Point Preserve. Currently a little over two miles of trails including a self interpretive tree and plant identification loop, a *high water canoe access to High Rock Lake, and an additional hiking trail leading to beautiful isolated coves are open to the hiker and nature lover.

A