Southern Pines, NC

We  did make it back to Southern Pines to do some exploring. It was threatening rain so our visit was short. The town has railroad tracks that run right through the middle of the business section of town. To make this a positive instead of a negative the town placed an old fashioned train station in the middle of town and then planted trees and bushes on either side of the tracks that go through town. In other words there are a row of buildings with various stores, sidewalks and in some places cafe tables and chairs then curbs with diagonal parking, then the street, then the park setting of trees and bushes, then the railroad tracks, park again, the street, more parking and more shops on the other side. The trees and bushes are so high and plentiful that you can't see the train tracks or the other side of the street.
Here is a picture of the train station.

In the middle of each block there are small walkways to go over the tracks so you don't have to walk a block out of your way. Here is a picture of one of the walkways. You can see how lush the vegetation is. There are even park benches to have a sit to watch the train pass if that's what turns you on.

Next is the ice cream shop with outside as well as inside tables to lick your favorite flavor.

And finally the local candy store has everyone beat. Attached to the flower planter that is below the front store window is a bubble blowing machine. You walk through bubbles everytime you go by. The bubbles are hard to see in this picture.

There is also a large recreational park at the end of the business district that had tennis courts, basketball courts and I counted 4 different playgrounds. It was a really nice sleepy type town with lots to offer. If it was further south, I'd consider it a contender for a retirement town.