Looking to spend some time with nature or have a little outdoor adventure? There's no need for a cross-country trip because a great spot exists in Lexington just a few miles off the NC 150 Highway. It's called Boone's Cave Park, and there are plenty of reasons you should check it out. more So Many Things to Do The park spans over 100 acres of land and has spaces dedicated to a variety of activities including 15 trails for hiking and biking. There is a sheltered area with tables for picnics that has a beautiful view of the Yadkin River to enjoy while you eat. There are easy access points to the river throughout the park as well that you can use for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Large, open spaces where you can play disc golf are provided, and primitive and semi-primitive campgrounds are available for tent (no trailers) camping. If you are interested in using the campgrounds, the park asks you to call two weeks in advance to confirm availability. Amazing Scenes of Nature Nearly half the park (46 acres) is noted as a Natural Heritage Site and is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. The hiking trails run through a secluded rolling forest of various trees similar to the North Carolina mountains, and several of the trees species are normally only seen in the Appalachian Mountains. Also, one hundred wildflowers native to the land and 125 varieties of butterflies have been observed. You may wish to bring your binoculars to have an optimal view of the migrant birds in the spring and fall. Catch a glimpse of Cedar Waxwing, Brown Thrasher, and others. Animals including deer, hawks, reptiles, and much more all call the park home as well. Walk in Daniel Boone's Footsteps Local legend says that the Boone family--including 16-year-old Daniel--came to live in Yadkin Valley of North Carolina in 1750 and supposedly spent their first year nearby if not at the park site itself. And while there may not be any documentation to prove that this was the case, there his heavy presence of the Boone name throughout Davidson County (Boone's Bottom, Boone's Ford, Boone's Spring, Boone's Cave) to suggest this legend is true. Additionally, many locals have family stories passed through the generations wherein their elders have testified to the Boones having lived east of the Yadkin. So the likelihood of Daniel Boone having roamed through the area is virtually uncontested. Today, the park still maintains 7.5 miles of trails that hold the 200-year-old character that early American settlers like Boone once utilized, and offers the best representation overall of the land they encountered back then. We know all the best places to visit in the area, and proudly serve the communities of Lexington and others surrounding Salisbury in their travel needs. Visit Cloninger Toyota today to speak with a representative and start driving toward your next adventure.
Ready for your Instagram-worthy close-up or to snap some shots of local wildlife? Salisbury, NC has tons of eye-catching, spectacular photo opportunities waiting for you in your own backyard. Don't stress searching for the perfect spot for your next profile pic. Here are the top five photo spots around Salisbury! 5 Top Photo Spots for Taking Pictures in Driving Distance of Salisbury, NC 1. Waterworks Visual Arts Center The Salisbury nonprofit museum is an incredible place to appreciate local art and delve into the art and culture scene. The museum boasts a wide array of art inside and outdoors. The Waterworks' outdoor sculpture garden is a great way to explore art with exhibits and sculptures ranging from abstract contemporary to renaissance gothic. Stop by Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM or Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. more 2. Hurley Park The 18-acre public park is perfect for scenic, enchanting shots. The park is filled with trails, streams, gardens, and woodlands. Visitors love the rustic wooden bridge that crosses over a small brook, an ivy-covered gazebo, and more. During the spring, visitors to the park can enjoy the daffodil gardens and the vibrant red and oranges of the changing leaves in the fall. 3. Crossroads: Past Into Present Mural The Past into Present Mural is one of Salisbury's most famous attractions. Painted by Salisbury's own Cynvia Arthur Rankin, the painting immerses you in the city's past. The whimsical, fun mural features over 100 locals dressed in period costumes and has been featured on NBC, in newspapers, and in magazines. 4. Salisbury City Park The 41-acre park features a 4.25-acre scenic lake. The rustic wooden dock that juts out onto the center of the lake is perfect for photo ops and duck-watching. The park also features pickleball courts, picnic tables, a climbing wall, and two play structures. Visitors enjoy the park's gorgeous trails that take you through city woodlands full of greenery. 5. Old Stone House Less than five miles from Salisbury sits the Old Stone House in Granite Quarry. The two-story Georgian-style house was built by German immigrant Michael Braun in 1766 and is the oldest structure in Rowan County. The old-stone home surrounded by woods makes you feel like you are stepping back in time. The house is open to tours every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM April through November. Whether you are looking for an artsy photo or to capture wildlife, you don't have to go far with these great spots. Hop in your Toyota RAV4 that can take you through any on or off-road terrain, turning heads. The sleek and sporty RAV4 will have jaws dropping whether you are on asphalt or dirt. Stop by Cloninger Toyota today and find the picture-perfect vehicle for your needs.
Blending strong performance with a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a unique find on today's roads. Few vehicles can combine these qualities while also offering all-wheel drive and room for up to eight passengers. This is all complemented by a stylish, comfortable interior and cutting-edge technology inside and out, making this versatile SUV well worth a closer look. A Closer Look at the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Performance The 2023 Highlander Hybrid, which offers both front-wheel (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), comes with an impressive 2.5-liter I-4 engine that pairs with an electric motor to deliver 243 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain system is combined with an electronically controlled transmission that provides the vehicle with smooth, seamless shifting at both low and high speeds. more Also adding to this vehicle's performance is Drive Mode Select, which gives you four different driving modes in FWD models (Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport), as well as a fifth mode, Trail, in AWD-equipped models. As for fuel economy, the gas-electric powertrain helps the vehicle achieve an estimated 36 mpg on highways. Interior This edition's interior comes with a wide array of features to keep you and your passengers comfortable on every drive, like a tri-zone climate control that divide's the cabin's temperature into separate zones with a separate control console for rear-seat passengers. Leather-trimmed seats are available and offer a heating setting for second-row passengers, as well as both heating and ventilation settings for the front passenger and driver seats, and to minimize headlight glare, select models come with an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Technology Combining convenience with entertainment, the vehicle's Toyota Audio Multimedia System has an available eight-inch touchscreen and allows you to either use that or your voice to make and take phone calls, access select media files and apps from your smartphone, and listen to music and podcasts on SiriusXM radio channels, in addition to many other functions. The intuitive Dynamic Radar Cruise Control keeps you distanced from others on the road while also maintaining a pre-selected speed when possible, and for long trips, everybody can jump on the Internet with their smartphones or laptops, thanks to the Wi-Fi hotspot option. Safety The 2023 edition also comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a suite of hi-tech safety features designed to monitor your surroundings while driving. This includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, which uses radar technology to monitor the path in front of you while alerting you whenever vehicles or pedestrians are in your way. The 2023 Highlander Hybrid is not only fuel-efficient but also versatile and ready for adventures with its available AWD and sophisticated cabin. Come see what else this impressive Toyota SUV has to offer by getting in contact with us today at Cloninger Toyota.