As we celebrated America's 250th birthday, I hope your businesses were busy and maybe, just maybe, you had the opportunity to enjoy a little rest and recreation. 

I happened to catch a little of ABC's Disney 24-hour July 4th programming. The staff did a clever feature on America's Seven Natural Wonders. 

It caused me to think about our local natural wonders. We could have easily featured our Seven Natural Wonders in our little slice of heaven. 

My top wonder would be The Point, the beautiful tip of Topsail Island, preserved, and where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Inlet.

There's Holly Shelter Game Land, a place where plants grow that can only be found in Southeastern North Carolina. Another wonder would be Stump Sound and the aquaculture of the region.

Within Pender County, I'd add the Black River, one of the most pristine rivers in the United States, and of course, the Northeast Cape Fear River for its tea-colored waters. 

Lastly, I'd add the area's agriculture with blueberries that thrive in our sandy soil, sweet strawberries fresh from the field, and the fresh produce grown by local farmers. 

We live among some of America's natural wonders. 

Explore our local wonders this year!