Special Post

Durham & Raleigh 24 Hours of Kid-less Freedom

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About 6 weeks before Claire was born, we had the ultimate luxury of dropping Ashley off with good friends for a day and overnight visit!  Ashley is about the same age and besties with their little girl so we knew she’d have lots of fun (she’s still talking about seeing Elmo on stage)!

Not having a toddler overnight made our minds crazy with ideas…Projects around the house? Nah, need to chill out! Beach trip?  Nah, I may never come back. Vegas? Nah, too crazy!  So, in the end we decided to enjoy what we have here and stay in the area.  Then came the outpouring of ideas on our shared Google doc.  You mean to tell me we could fill our day with 24 hours of uninterrupted together time that didn’t involve having to go home in the middle of the day for naptime or needing to be home by 7:30pm and then under house arrest until 8am the next morning?  Get out!

img_3319After lots of options we decided to spend our morning in Durham and our afternoon/evening in Raleigh exploring places and doing things we had never done before.  After dropping Ash off with friends we headed out to the Sarah Duke gardens because Bill had never been before.  We walked through the Asian gardens and then made our way around to the new (to me) rose garden.  The morning was beautiful and within 45 minutes we were done…no one had asked for a snack or to be held or to be put down or for a toy, etc, etc, etc.  To kill some more time at the gardens we decided to stray from our original plans and try the ultra nerdy pastime of geocaching.  Bill scouted the Geocaching website and found several in the immediate area of the gardens. Geocaching is like being on a treasure hunt except you use GPS coordinates and helpful online hints to locate the “treasure” that you don’t actually get to keep.  Growing up, my aunt and Mimi frequently sent us on treasure hunts around their houses, so it brought back some fun memories for me.  Being geocaching virgins we decided on one with an easy skill level that had been previously discovered the day before.  After spending way toooo much time looking for this geocache we finally found it hidden under a rock on the northern side of the gardens.  It was a small plastic container with little trinkets (stamps, toys, journal).  We signed our names and dated the log and made mental notes to try this again with Ashley.

img_3336After the gardens, we headed to Bull City Burger and Brewery in Durham.  For Raleigh folks, think Chuck’s except with a larger menu and hand crafted beers.  We both didn’t think the burgers held up to the Chuck’s standards, but agreed the food was still delish, the beers were refreshing (I just had some sips), company was excellent and the patio out back was super relaxing.  Pickle chips and fries are must-have complements to their gut-busting burgers!

After our mega lunch we headed home for some quiet time at our neighborhood pool…in the pool chairs beside the big pool.  We didn’t even glance over at the baby pool to see if our sucker friends were there with their kids.  We just sat and it was marvelous!

Post-pool we went to Glenwood Grill for dinner.  The food was delicious but based on recommendations we thought the restaurant’s atmosphere would been more upscale.  Some patrons were dressed up, but for the most part it was a random collection of people in jeans and flip flops or jumpsuits (not kidding) and then families with toddlers.  We had their pork belly appetizer and scallops and fish dinners, which was all delish!

img_3731After Glenwood Grill we headed south about a mile to Hayes Barton Cafe for dessert.  Bill had a piece of dark chocolate cake and I had the lemon blueberry cake.  These pieces of cake were about $9 each and very dense, but so amazing!  We took to-go boxes home and slowly devoured them for days.

At this point it was about 7:30pm and we couldn’t possibly call it a night.  With amazing weather, we decided this night needed a finale of something outdoors.  After some extensive googling we decided on an outdoor movie at the NC Museum of Art.  After a quick outfit change at home, we grabbed our lawn chairs and blankets and arrived just in time to see “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”  The movie is a must-see with a great cast of British actors (think Downton Abbey explores India). It was a jam-packed night for outdoor movie watching so we ended up sitting on the hill just past the entrance and couldn’t have gotten a better view.

The entire day and night were absolutely wonderful and a great time for reflection on our marriage and growing family.  We felt more united than ever and were so happy to see Ashley the next morning and so anxious to meet little soon-to-be Claire.

Thumbs up: Sarah Duke gardens, Bull City Burgers & Brewery, Hayes Barton Cafe, Glenwood Grill, NC Museum of Art’s outdoor movies

Thumbs down: Almost not being allowed to bring my own non-factory sealed water into the NCMA

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Cedar Hills Park & Fun News

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img_3087A few months ago Ashley and I explored Cedar Hills Park, just a fews minutes from our new neighborhood.  Cedar Hills is located in North Raleigh at 5600 Sweetbriar St , which is the main entrance to access the playground, tennis courts, basketball courts and pavilion.  There are also entrances at Rosehaven Dr and from Spring Forest Rd but those provide easier access to the softball fields.  The frisbee golf course is accessible from all entrances, with hole #18 located near the main entrance.

After following the park signs from Millbrook Rd, we arrived at the Rosehaven Dr entrance, unsure how to get to the playgrounds.  The lack of signs made it difficult to figure out where we should go, so we got back in the car, broke out the iPhone and eventually arrived at the Sweetbriar entrance to play on the playground.

img_3091The playground has a wood chip base with a small sandbox play area.  There are two playgrounds – one for tots and one for the older kids.  Cedar Hills also has plenty of swings for everyone – four tot swings and four big kid swings.  There are a few benches along the perimeter of the playground.  Adjacent to the playground are the tennis courts, complete with a backboard for single play.  The basketball courts are also nearby.  The park sits amongst a dense forest, which is a great backdrop for the 18-hole frisbee golf course.  Each time we’ve visited this park, the playground has been rather empty while the frisbee golf has been pretty busy.

We’ll have many reasons to visit this park for years to come especially since we’ll be welcoming baby #2 this summer!  I had my 20 week check-up today and baby Montgomery is happy and healthy and looking forward to surprising his or herself on or around July 14th!  Bring on the hot and humid North Carolina summer!

Thumbs up: playground area, shady spots, tennis courts, swings

Thumbs down: lack of signs to other park features

 

 

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Fun Father’s Day Ideas in Raleigh

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This post originally appeared on Southwestraleigh.com where you learn more about how to live, work and play in the Creative District.

With Father’s Day around the corner, now is the best time to plan some fun with dear ol’ Dad.  And being in the Creative District, we’ve got some fun, fresh ideas on the perfect way to say thanks to dad. Here are a few Father’s Day events along with some suggestions of great lunch/park combinations:

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

Mother’s Day Ideas in the Raleigh Parks

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Mother's Day 2011 at the Rose Garden

This post originally appeared on Southwestraleigh.com where you can learn more about how to live, work, and play in the Creative District.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s about that time to start planning a special way to celebrate her. And being in the Creative District, we’ve got some fresh and cool ideas on the perfect way to say thanks to mom.

Here are a few Mother’s Day events along with some suggestions of great lunch/park combinations:

  • Mother’s Day Brunch at the Rose Garden – Sunday, May 13; first seating at 10:30am or second seating at 1:30pm; $35 for adults; $12 for children (ages 5-13); children under 5 are free; ticket includes scrumptious brunch buffet, drinks (mimosas served after noon), professional photograph, live guitar music, special gift for mom, special appearance by RLT’s Cinderella; reservations are required and spaces fill quickly
  • Mother’s Day Hike – Sunday, May 13 from 11am-noon; Historic Yates Mill Park; for all ages with accompanying mom; $5/family
  • Ashley and I at the NC Zoo this past weekend...what a difference a year makes!

    Family Fun Saturday: Adventures in Color at the NC Art Museum – Saturday, May 12 at 1pm; NC Art Museum; fun family workshop to discover each other’s creativity; families with children ages 5-11; $3 members/$5 non-members; grab lunch from Whole Foods on Wade Ave and have a picnic in the Museum Park beforehand

  • Lunch in the Gardens – grab lunch from Neomonde on Beryl Rd and head to JC Raulston Arboretum for a picnic among the flowers
  • Brunch at the Park – order brunch-to-go from Flying Biscuit and then walk over to Edna Metz Wells Park for a picnic and nice stroll
  • Hot Dogs & Ice Cream at the Park – for the more casual mom, grab some hot dogs and ice cream from Snoopy’s on Hillsborough St and then walk over to Pollock Place Playground for a picnic and some playground time with the kids

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

My Raleigh Bucket List

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Most of us have a bucket list of some type.  Whether it’s a list we’ve written down or something we recall from memory, it’s something personal to everyone.  Since moving to Raleigh nine years ago, my bucket list has always been a random list of things I remember only when I’m passing by a certain place.  At that time I’ll think, “Oh, that’s on my list of places to try” or “What did I want to try the other day”? So many times I’m reminded of these places or ideas, but I’ve never actually written them down until now.  Walking around downtown Raleigh the other weekend with the family and going to Side Street Restaurant last weekend reminded me that I should write down my list, refer to it, and start checking items off.  So, here’s my little Raleigh Bucket List (that will grow and shrink over time, I’m sure):

  1. Eat at Side Street Restaurant (completed, April 14, 2012)
  2. Eat at Second Empire
  3. Visit Jordan Lake Park (completed Father’s Day, 2012)
  4. Run the Krispy Kreme Challenge (run completed, 2010)
  5. Take a day trip to Charlotte via train
  6. Find the perfect turkey burger
  7. Visit Falls Lake
  8. Visit the biker bar on US-64 (completed pregnant, circa Feb 2011)
  9. Go to the Goat (completed, circa summer 2010)
  10. Go to the Raleigh Drive-In (completed, circa spring 2011)
  11. Eat at The Rockford (completed, circa 2009)
  12. Eat at Clyde’s
  13. Eat at Mecca
  14. Visit Father & Son consignment
  15. Visit the Eclectic Furniture Garden (completed, May 2013)
  16. Eat breakfast at Finch’s aka “The Feed Lot” by friend, Steve (completed, circa 2007)
  17. Mother’s Day brunch at Rose Garden
  18. Visit Historic Oakwood Cemetary
  19. Take the Historic Oakwood Christmas Candlelight Tour
  20. Take the Governor’s mansion tour
  21. Ride down Fayetteville St in a rickshaw (yes, Bill, I’m that simple) (completed July 6, 2012)
  22. See a race at Wake County Speedway (completed, circa 2008)
  23. Eat at Crowley’s (completed, February 2012)
  24. Eat at Glenwood Grill (completed, June 2013)
  25. Sell a house, btw cute cape cod for sale! (completed Sept 2012)
  26. Dinner at Angus barn (completed several times over the years)
  27. See an IMAX movie at Marbles
  28. See “A Christimas Carol” at Theater in the Park
  29. See a concert at Lincoln Theater
  30. Watch the Canes play (completed several times over the years)
  31. See a country concert at Alltel Pavilion (completed several times over the years)
  32. See a ballet at Memorial Auditorium (completed, circa 2009)
  33. Attend First Friday in downtown Raleigh (completed several times over the years)
  34. Watch the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra
  35. Eat at Berkeley Cafe
  36. Visit all the Raleigh parks
  37. See a concert at the downtown Raleigh Amphitheater
  38. Take a ride on the Pullen Park carousel (completed, Nov 2011)
  39. Take a day trip to New Bern, NC
  40. Visit the Smithfield outlets
  41. Eat at Hayes Barton Cafe (completed, June 2013)
  42. Have drinks on Raleigh Times Bar rooftop
  43. Visit all Raleigh breweries (Big Boss, Gizmo, Crank Arm, Boylan Bridge, Trophy, Lonerider, Raleigh Brewing Company, Natty Greene’s, Nickelpoint Brewing, Sub Noir Brewing)

Are there items not on my Raleigh Bucket List that I should add?

Boyce Farms

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Looking for a way to spend a gorgeous Sunday Funday outside while celebrating the Christmas season?!  Why not pack up the family (don’t forget the dog) and head out to your local Christmas tree farm at Boyce Farms in North Raleigh. Since volunteering here as part of the Raleigh Jaycees fundraiser, I’ve made choosing our tree at Boyce Farms part of our Christmas tradition.

Boyce Farms is a family-owned and operated farm located at 2813 Mount Vernon Church Rd. The tree farm is open Mon-Fri from noon-7pm and Sat-Sun from 9am-7pm.  You can choose from a huge selection of fresh cut fraser firs from the NC mountains or choose and cut your own tree right on the farm.  Every year I’ve gotten a tree from Boyce Farms, I’ve always been incredibly pleased with the quality of the tree.  The tree needles stay on longer, the fresh fir scent lasts through the New Year, and even with our slack watering the tree doesn’t dry out.  The prices are also incredibly reasonable…this year our 7ft tree only cost $42!

The experience at Boyce Farms wouldn’t be complete without the help from the friendly staff.  Once you pick out your tree, they carry it to the tree shaking machine to clear away the few dead needles, cut off any branches near the trunk, run it through the netting machine, and then securely tie it to your car.  They also have a great selection of pine roping, fresh wreaths or centerpieces, tree stands, and more.

The Raleigh Jaycees will be out there again today selling treats and helping folks find the perfect tree, so be sure to stop by and you’ll quickly make it part of your Christmas tradition too!

Thumbs up: friendly staff, quality trees, reasonable prices, fun Christmas atmosphere

Thumbs down: nothing to report

Naylor Family Farm & All Things Halloween

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Pumpkins, beer, Hokies & family…those were on the agenda a few weeks ago when my in-laws came into town. After some suggestions from my mommy group, we decided to head down to the new Naylor Family Farm in Fuquay-Varina to visit the pumpkin patch. Before setting out on the search for the best pumpkins, we stopped at Aviator’s Smokehouse restaurant in downtown Fuquay-Varina to enjoy a yummy lunch and tasty microbrews. I would recommend the wings paired with a beer flight while Bill would recommend the Monster sandwich and its four different types of meat with the Oktoberfest.

After lunch, we headed a few miles south to Naylor Family Farm. It’s not the typical “park” I should be blogging about, but it has great outdoor activities for the entire family.  Being new, there wasn’t a crowd on hand so we were able to leisurely take our time through everything. We paid $15/person for a Master Pass to all the different areas. There are different admission passes depending on what you’re interested in doing. They have a large corn maze, relaxing hayride to the pumpkin patch, petting zoo, barrel slides, straw bale playground, and larger pumpkins/fall produce for sale. The family was extremely nice to chat with and excited about their first year of operation so be sure to check them out.  After the pumpkin patch, we headed over to Carolina Ale House with the RTP Hokies to watch the Hokies beat Wake Forest!

With the last weekend in October coming up, I encourage you to get out and enjoy some of these fall activities. Naylor Family Farm is open until Nov 5th; Aviator Brewing Company still has the Oktoberfest, and the Hokies are playing at Duke at 12:30pm! In addition, be sure to check out these other favorite Halloween activities of mine:

Happy Halloween to all!

A Tribute to Jerry

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Note: I’m apologizing in advance as this may make you sad.

This has been a rough week, so unfortunately we didn’t make it to any parks.  After a year and half struggle with seizures and a sudden, rapid decline due to a probable brain tumor over the last month, we made the tough decision to say goodbye to our first baby, Jerry, this week.  Being only 7 years old, he lived the life of a much older dog, having traveled to many places (Blacksburg, Richmond, DC, Wintergreen, Virginia Beach, Caroline, Stafford, Atlanta, Vermont, NYC, Nags Head, Maryland, Charlottesville, Pittsboro, Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, Smith Mountain Lake, and Asheville, to name a few), enjoyed a variety of activities, and romped with so many people and furry friends.  Words can’t express what he’s meant to us and how much he has enriched our lives, so here are pictures and videos from over the years that show the wonderful memories we had with him and his furry friends.  Thank you to our friends and family who brought him into your lives and befriended your dogs.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…. 

– Author unknown

Hello World

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So, what do you do when you have a new baby, are no longer working, and have lots of free time? #1 Get out of the house (baby cries are less ear-deafening with trees, cars, and people to absorb them) and #2 find free things to do. Since I’ve got baby Ashley with me we needed to find some appropriate mommy/daughter things to do (unfortunately free beer/wine tastings were out…so sorry Wine Merchant and Lonerider).

Growing up my mom spent a lot of time taking me and my brother and sister to the local county parks and pools in Stafford, VA so I thought it was only natural to introduce baby Ashley to the various parks throughout Raleigh.  Unfortunately the county and city websites in Raleigh lack a lot of details on each park and there’s not an easy way to search for what you’re looking for in a park.  So, we’ve decided to venture out to all the parks, playgrounds, trails, and pools in Raleigh and report back with photos, details, and our general feedback on each one.

My husband, Bill, and I have been to several of the Raleigh parks in the past but we were more interested in the bike trails and tennis courts.  With baby around now, I’m looking for even sidewalks, shade, and long trails.  Even though baby Ashley is years away from personally enjoying my crazy get-out-and-explore mentality I’m sure she’ll enjoy looking at the pictures and stories of our adventures when she’s old enough. Who knows…maybe she’ll take her daughter on similar adventures one day 🙂  So, here we are at one of our first adventures at Lassiter Mill Park:

Sitting at Lassiter Mill Park
One of our first adventures to Lassiter Mill Park