Quick Getaway to Raleigh

s the summer wound down, Christine and I took the kids to catch up with our old friend Sam and Jenny in Raleigh, NC.  Chloe, Anders, and Arden quickly became good friends and romped throughout Sam’s house hiding/finding easter eggs, playing doctor, and other shenanigans.  Every half an hour or so there would be a blowup, and one little kid would be tattling to the parents about a severe (to them) injustice performed on them by another.  These incidents are quickly forgotten, and a new game begins.

Sam had to work during the weekdays, and Jenny is very large with their second child, a son.  So Christine, the kids, and I found time to wander off to Old Salem Museums and Gardens during the week to do some hiking and learn some history.  The Old Salem exhibits were wonderful and seemed very authentic.  The craftsmen all took the time to carefully explain and field our questions.  At the gun shop, the blacksmith explained me that he is a retired general manager of a steel mill in the area.  Old Salem is his retirement hobby!

Christine and I rarely forget to indulge our culinary adventures.  Sam also was kind enough to introduce us to his personal favorites.  Some highlights for my own notes:

• Neomonde Mediterranean Deli – fantastic hummus, kebabs, and side dishes
• Flying Saucer – 50 beers on tap, hundreds of beers in bottle, good times.
• Top of the Hill – best WeisseBier ever, spiced with coriander and orange
• Milner’s American Southern –  souther flavor shines in the small plates
• Cracker Barrel – better than Denny’s and IHOP combined
• Bull City Burger – beer was so-so, but the burger patty was phenomenal, rough mix of fatty and lean

Taking good photos isn’t a priority for us during our getaways nearly as much as before, but I think we did capture some moments to treasure.