Did you miss Part I? If so catch up here, don’t worry I’ll wait. Ok? Good. Where did I leave off. Right Sunday…
WARNING: This post is going to photo heavy and long so I don’t drag it out another day. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, we did a lot!!
Well, let me just say that I slept until 8am, this never happens! Seamus is my early morning wake up call regardless of the day so this felt so decadent. Once Maddie was awake she came down to my bed and we chatted for a bit then decided to head to Dunkin Donuts for some breakfast. When we got back to her house I helped her setup a new domain and redirect her blog to the new domain. She is a blogspot no more!! We then got ready for the day and headed out for some lunch in Durham. We went to Parker and Otis which has a really fun gift shop as well as outside seating.
Then we drove through all the different campuses of Duke University. I felt like a bit of a traitor to Ohio State but it was fun to see the campus.
The World Cup game was playing and we cheered and boo’d while it was on, while still being able to watch the baseball game. Sadly neither team pulled off a win. Maddie and I took so many pictures that our phones died mid game so we don’t have very many pictures after that point. We headed back to the house and just relaxed in our jammies and laughed the night away.
Monday:
Maddie had to work since it was a spontaneous trip, which was fine since it allowed me to explore the town and to just relax for the day. First we stopped at Chick-Fil-A for breakfast. Since it was my first time there, they didn’t charge for my breakfast. How’s that for customer service.
I then wanted to get some exercise after all the amazing food so I headed to a park, the E. Carroll Joyner Park. I had a hard time figuring out the map since it was animal shapes but I just kept jogging until I hit just under 3 miles.
We hung out on the couch and talked some more, laughed a lot and planned my trip home. It was so bittersweet. The plan was for me to leave at 3am after catching about 5-6 hours of sleep. So I went to bed early. She got up to help me pack the car and hug me goodbye. It was a 12 trip home but I also had to drop off the rental and pick up Seamus from my Dad’s since he was babysitting him so it was more like a 15 hour drive. I was exhausted but it was still the best trip ever.
I can’t express enough how amazing Maddie and Tony were as host, they were so generous and made me feel so comfortable in their home. Tony is a wealth of knowledge and shared so many cool facts about the places we saw. Maddie is so warm, kind and down to earth. We talked politics and didn’t hate each other after, we differ on some but share the idea of respecting each others opinions. We talked a lot about blogging and bounced ideas, and thoughts against each other. I really feel like we are friends and not just blogging friends though either is a title we would both be happy with either way.
Like I said before I am not spontaneous often, but I am so glad I decided to go. North Carolina is such an amazing place. The amount of times I heard Y’all and Ma’am was endearing. Southern hospitality is a way of life and it is the way to my heart. Raleigh, Maddie, Tony this is not goodbye but I’ll see you later.
What a beautiful connection you had. The internet is really a miracle if used properly. None of us would have ever connected. I know you will see my Stephanie today. The whole thing is just awesome. Your hosts are wonderful people! Just a lovely,lovely visit. Enjoyed all the pictures and the virtual tour. Spontaneous is good!
Love, SMD’s Momma
Thank you, yes I am so lucky to have found a great person who has become a great friend. I am so excited to finally meet Steph! One of my favorites for sure. I had the best hosts, and they showed me so much of their cities. Spontaneous can be really good! Thank you so much!
that was so nice of you to help her with her domain! first time ever at chick fil a?!?! what did you think? i love tracking stuff with my fit bit 🙂 these pics are so gorgeous! sounds like you had a blast!
Thank you. Yes, first time. I really like it, the chicken was so fresh. I am not sure I could eat there often though, I mean even the nuggets were on buns. Haha! It was such a blast and I miss it already!
You poor deprived soul without my beloved Chick-fil-a! I can’t speak for the breakfast burritos (I don’t like eggs) but it is my go-to for a quick dinner so I’m glad you got to sample it. Raleigh seems like such a great place to visit and I love how you “double-dipped” your sporting events at that bar. What a fun trip!
Haha! It was an experience and good in moderation. Raleigh was such a great place to visit, with so many places to explore. It was really beautiful. The rooftop had an amazing view and being able to watch both was nice.
Oh man I am absolutely loving the pictures and everything you did here. I wish I would have known because I would have drove over! Next time you’re in NC, you have to come see me girl! It is so weird reading about people who aren’t familiar with Chik-fil-a or Cookout. They are the BEST! And I can’t believe you guys don’t have Ross either! All of my home decor is from there. We in NC know how to eat girl – best food pictures ever!
I know I would have loved to sneak some time in with you but it looked like it was very far from you. Next time i will plan a longer trip! They were both so good. I am almost glad they aren’t near me or the Cookout would be visited a lot. 😉 Thank you, the food was amazing but I am looking forward to detoxing too. 😉
What a fun trip!! I love all the goodies from world market and you got pool time in too – sounds like the perfect trip!
Thank you it was a blast. It was a good mix of busy and relaxing. I loved being able to get some pool time.
You crammed so many fun things into your trip! I’ve never gone to a Ross store either. They have some in NJ but they’re all pretty far from me.
-Sharon
It was busy but we got a lot of lounging, and laughs in too. The perfect balance. It was very similar to a Marshall’s or T.J. Maxx.
I love me some Chick Fil A. And the fact that they gave you a free breakfast does not surprise me in the least.
Your pictures are amazing and make me want to get in my car and travel there. Immediately.
The chicken was so fresh and they were so friendly. Thank you, that is such a wonderful compliment. You should visit there if you ever get the chance.
fabulous recap! i have family in NC so perhaps one day I can go visit and do some of the same things 😉 the food looks amazing, and the park looks beautiful!
Oh you should. It was so beautiful there and so many places to go! The people are pretty amazing too!
That grilled cheese looks amazing!
I’m from Michigan so I’m technically not suppose to like you since you’re an Ohio State fan but I’ll let it slide. 🙂
It was so yummy!! Oh no we are technically rivals! I like you anyways though! 😉
We had such a great time! I cannot wait to come back to Boston and see you in August! And hahaha, since you and Tony are exactly the same politico, it would be hard for me not to do well with discussing politics;) haha I heart you!
Haha! That is true, you’ve had practice debating. So look forward to you coming up again! I heart you!
It sounds like you had such a great trip! Sleeping late is a big getaway perk for sure 🙂 North Carolina is awesome- I’d love to explore it more. And how cool that you got a free breakfast! Wow!
It was a blast! It was so refreshing to actually sleep in. There was so many places to go, very impressed.
Thank you. It was amazing. I never get much sleep so that would have been enough but it was even better!
Looks like such a great time, AND you got to go to World Market. Score! 🙂
It was so fun getting to go into an actual store and not just online.
All your pictures are so pretty! And the food once again!!! My favorite part of visiting other cities is trying the food there.
I cant believe you have never been in a World Market?! I LOVE that place! Love it! And your make up organizers at Ross?!?! Why can’t I find those when I go to Ross. I haven’t purchased anything at Ross in years. The few that we have are so over shopped that all the good stuff is gone before its even really out.
Thank you! The food was amazing! The Ross was a little picked over and the organizers I got were the last ones. The World Market though was heavenly!
Your pictures are AMAZING! I live in Raleigh and you made everything look fantastic! Next time you come down you should explore Raleigh too.
Thank you. The funny thing is I left my real camera at the house and used my iPhone. Haha! We saw a lot but I will be sure to explore even more.
I think North Carolina is beautiful and you got some great photos. I’m glad you got to be spontaneous for change and take some time to relax and see a good friend!
Thank you. It was such a great trip and being able to spend time with them was so fun! Spontaneous is good!
It sounds like a fabulous trip! I’m so glad you had a nice time and deepened a friendship.
Thank you, Heather feather! It was a fabulous trip! I am looking forward to our trip too!
loved seeing your pics!! i’ve not been there since sept. my beloved late great granny was from NC, so i’ve always felt at home there.
It was just so beautiful there, and so much to do. The people were just so nice. It really makes me want to live in the South.
I’m jealous of amazing campuses like that! I went to school in the OC and people in SoCal is such commuters that we don’t have huge campuses or school spirit…plus our schools are so much newer 🙁
Looks like you got a lot in!
Yes, I felt like I was cheating on Ohio State but it was fun to see a different campus setup and compare. We fit so much in, but it was relaxing too.