North Carolina Store Owner Hoping To Find A Good Home For Mechanical Horse

I think each generation has their things that remind them of a simpler time in life.  Most of the time (at least for me) that simpler time is childhood.  And if you want to take me back, have me come into contact with anything that took a quarter to operate.  I smile every time I see a stand-up arcade game (specifically, "Pac Man").  And I really smiled when I saw the story of "Critters" in Salisbury closing.  No, not because of the business shutting its doors, but because one of the priorities of the owner is the relocation of the mechanical, coin-operated horse that sits out front.

If I begged my mom once to let me ride one of these going in and out of the grocery store as a child, I begged her a thousand times.  I haven't seen one in operation in years.  Apparently, I needed to visit Critters in Salisbury.  For lack of a better term, Critters is a "novelty" store.  "Champion" the horse has been a fixture in front of the store nearly since its opening.  It's as big a landmark as the irreverent store it fronts on South Main Street.  And although Critters is saying goodbye, owner, Bob Lambrecht wants "Champion" to stay.

However, according to The Salisbury Post, Lambrecht has a huge condition, “People have been reaching out to me. I could’ve sold it 10 times over, but people want to take it home for their kids in their playroom. I’ve been saying, ‘Nope. Sorry, he’s got to stay on Main Street in Salisbury.’ Or I put him in storage."

So...anyone on Main Street looking to buy a horse?  All it eats are coins.  All it does is make people smile.  And for some of us, bring back a simpler time.

USA Today recently had their readers vote for their "10 best" campaign. One of those categories was "The Best Small Towns for Adventure". And not one but two North Carolina towns made the top 10 list! And both are on opposite ends of the state, showcasing the true diversity North Carolina offers. Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors whether you enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, or something else. I was surprised at the top spot on this list, it was actually a town I had never heard of. Whereas the destination I would have guessed would have that spot came in at number 8.

The other thing that surprised me, is that as someone who is not that into outdoor adventures I've been to a fair amount of these.  It's not too late to plan your summer getaway and each of these small towns offers something unique to make it a fantastic option! Or as a handful are mountain towns there could be a good ski trip destination this winter. We've got multiple areas of the country covered as well, so whether you want to fly or drive one of these is doable!

View the full article here or keep reading for the list!

According to USA Today Readers

Gorham is tucked in the Androscoggin Valley of New Hampshire adjacent to the picturesque Presidential Mountain Range making it the perfect adventure destination.

This coastal town gives adventure lovers plenty of options on the water and off!

It's no surprise this mountain town near the Grand Tetons makes the list, the only shock is it's not higher on the list!

Sheridan is halfway between Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore on the eastern side of Wyoming. Adventure lovers can roam the open range on horseback, backpack, or fish in the Wyoming waters.

Any season is the perfect time to take in all that this Vermont mountain town has to offer.

This college town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is just steps away from hiking, rafting, and more.

Its location at the base of Mt. Washington propelled North Conway to the 4th spot on this list.

Taos while home to rich history also has some of the best rafting in New Mexico!

The self-described Western New York playground for outdoor fun is Ellicottville. Activities include skiing and snowboarding, golf, mountain biking, hiking, fishing,  paddle boarding, and kayaking.

Located along the Mississippi River is Savanna Illinois. It's the beginning of the Great River Bike Trail, which is 60 miles of trails. It's also home to the Mississippi Palisades State Park.