Fayetteville the beautiful

CALL OF DUTY: All American pride is on display as Army soldiers carry their rucksacks during early-morning physical training on Long Street on Fort Bragg. The 53,000-plus troops and their families who call the post home boost Fayetteville’s cultural diversity and its reputation worldwide.

JUST CHILL: Family fun goes better with ice cream, a reminder of simpler times and carefree laughter that takes you back to the good old days. Scott and Vicki Shaw, recent visitors from Idaho, treat granddaughter Emma Roberts, 4, at Gillis Hill Farms in Fayetteville, where the history of farming is celebrated with vintage displays.

UP THE LAZY RIVER: There’s nothin’ like fishin’ to bring a father and son together for some quiet time down by the river. Roman Stophel, 7, watches his dad, Nathan Stophel, try his luck reeling in catfish and bluegill on the Cape Fear River, which winds its way southeast of Fayetteville and empties into the Atlantic Ocean south of Wilmington. Trails, parks and natural showcases like Cape Fear Botanical Garden provide vistas that let you go with the flow.

CHECK IT OUT: For a seventh inning stretch at Segra Stadium, how about a game of checkers? Woodpeckers mascot Bunker challenges Christopher Wooten during a game break on June 1 as Jaiden Dingle looks on.

DOG DAYS: Furry friends are our most loyal companions. Kassi Blair knows how a cold nose can warm the heart as she pauses with Bailey and Shelby outside Segra Stadium in early June.

PLAY BALL! The sunset knocks it out of the park at Segra Stadium as the Fayetteville Woodpeckers host the Potomac Nationals on June 3. The minor league team brought America’s pastime to the city in 2019, making downtown a destination for fans of all ages. The view from the stands is a boost for team spirit, giving us something more to cheer about.