April 25, 2009 - Our Town in USA Today
Got this photo I took of the NC Legislative Building in Raleigh on the USA Today's BLOG in the OUR TOWN section. It's also on their Interactive Map. Happy to see that there are four NC towns on that map, more than any other state, as of this writing anyway.
Click Here for the post and to get to the Interactive Map (there is a link on that post). And, submit your own photo for the series.
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
April 20, 2009 - Out and About in Hillsborough, NC
Hillsborough was around long before Raleigh, and it's loaded with historical information markers along the main street. The trendy restaurants and art galleries makes one think of Asheville, but Hillsborough has its own charm. One of the reasons I love it is that there is always something going on.
I walked around town then stopped for a latte at Cup A Joe's (the best!). A short drive outside of the historic section (heading toward the highway) are the Shops at Daniel Boone, a series of antique shops in an outdoor mall-like setting. I stopped in a few to peruse the goods - will definitely have to make the trip back and do some shopping.
I'm a cemetery buff, especially the older ones with funky gravestones. Was pleasantly surprised to find the one at Saint Matthews, which I hadn't seen from the street. The church is beautiful and the cemetery is great, loved the large circle in the northern (?) corner - thought it was a labyrinth until I got closer. Nobody to ask about it (meditation/ reflection?), will dig up the story for my section on Hillsborough on this site, which is still being developed. Check back for updates. Hillsborough is listed in the NC Heartland section (above).
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
April 16, 2009 - Out and About in Selma, Smithfield, and Raleigh
, NC
En route to Smithfield for the shopping mall, but had two serendipitous discoveries! First, Selma, a small railroad town that has great little shops and lots of antiques. I spoke with Bruce at the Selma station while I was waiting to photograph the train that was due in. He was very nice, and told me a bit about his many years working for the railroad. Quite interesting! I'll post more about Selma in the NC Coastal Plains section soon, so be on the lookout for that. I think what impressed me most was how friendly everyone I spoke with was.
I went from Selma to Smithfield, where I found the small, but lovely, Ava Gardner Museum. Ava was from the area and is buried a short drive away from the museum. I have always been a fan, but after going through the museum, featuring some of her costumes, personal items, awards and such, and learning more about her history, I am completely star-struck now! Again, I have to say that the staff there was wonderful. Really nice people in that part of the state.
Photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
April 13, 2009 - Out and About in Raleigh, NC
Sunday is probably the best day to take a walking tour of the Capitol District. Traffic is much lighter, and there are many parking areas open that tend to be full during the weekdays. The State Legislative Building and the museums are open too. Since we had family visiting from Seattle that hadn't been to North Carolina before (and were in the second leg of a statewide tour), I grabbed the camera and we piled into the car and headed for Raleigh.
The parking was plentiful and weather perfect for walking around town. Construction on the grounds of the State Capitol Building made it difficult to walk in certain areas, but there was still plenty to see. The staff at the Legislative building couldn't possibly be any nicer - talk about southern hospitality! Now I'm itching to see a General Assembly session.
Because of time, we had to choose between the North Carolina History Museum or the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. I let my guests make the choice, they picked Natural Sciences, and were quite impressed. I never tire of going there so I was happy too, especially when I learned that the new special exhibition coming in on May 9 will feature all things Chocolate! A (very) late lunch at the museum's Acro Cafe was yum!
After the museum, a walk to see the Governor's house, a/k/a the Executive Mansion, just a few blocks away was a great way to end the day. While there weren't any tours at that time, we were content to peek through the fence and admire the grounds and the architecture of the beautiful building. Tons of tulips and blooming flowers and trees added to its beauty.
Curious about how your government works? Take a look at the North Carolina General Assembly. If you can't get a seat to watch in person, check out a session online. For info, Click Here
Photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar:
Top-left: Bicentennial Square; Bottom-right: Governer's House
April 10, 2009 - Out and About in Durham, NC
Took a spin around downtown Durham, particularly near the Bulls' Stadium to see if anything was going on. Might have been a tad too early as there isn't much to report. Opted instead to look around the American Tobacco Historic District where people were enjoying the sun before the thunderstorms roll in later today. Things were looking good with flowers blooming and the buds on the trees growing to a noticable size. They'll pop before you know it.
If you're in need of a serious flower-fix this weekend and you're in the Piedmont, pop over to Duke Gardens in Durham or the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill. Both places are lovely with spring blooms. If you're anywhere near the mountainous part of the state, don't miss the Biltmore's Festival of Flowers, going on now until May 17. It is truly a sight to behold, and Asheville is always such fun. Flowering trees and shrubs are going strong everywhere in the state, especially as you head south. If you're not near a garden area, take a walk or ride around your neighborhood. There's something about the beauty of flowers that always leaves one feeling good.
Stopped at Sitar Indian Palace for their super-yum buffet lunch. Now at their new location, the buffet is larger and offers more items. Vegetarians will not be disappointed. Unlike some buffets that offer only a few veggie options, Sitar's buffet always has a good selection of tasty vegetarian dishes to choose from along with quite a few meat dishes too. Of course, you can always order from the menu, but that buffet is definitely worth checking out. Sitar is just off the 15/501 in Durham.
Decor - A / Food - A+ / Service A+
Photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
April 7, 2009 - Out and About in Chapel Hill, NC
Detoured from my planned trip to another location to be on hand for the return of NCAA National Basketball Champions, the UNC Tar Heels! Utter madness! Celebrations galore for the team's homecoming, and NCAA Champ merchandise flying out of the stores - most of the time before it even touched a shelf. Although the Tar Heels went into the final game as the favorite, you never know what's going to happen on the court. Needless to say, there were lots of happy faces in Chapel Hill today.
Only downside - In my haste to make it to Chapel Hill before the team arrived home, I grabbed what I thought was a freshly charged battery for my camera with the intention of taking oodles of celebratory pix. BAH! Turned out it was one from the dead zone. Good thing the odds weren't on me.
Congrats Tar Heels, well done!
April 3, 2009 - Out and About in Durham - Full Frame Film Festival
Had to catch some of the Full Frame Film Festival in Durham, and was not disappointed. If you're as nutty about documentary films as I am, you'll be over the moon! This year's schedule has more than one-hundred films being screened. That's paired down from thousands of entries.
To read more about the Full Frame Film Festival, click here.
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
April 2, 2009 - Out and About in Chapel Hill, NC
In Chapel Hill on this rainy afternoon to do a bit of investigating. Noted the Chapel Hill Museum and a Children's Museum to check out at another time. Walked the UNC quad w/ the camera in the hopes of getting some nice snaps, but the overcast sky (low contrast) and the mostly barren trees made me stop at only a few. I think a brighter day and fuller trees will make for nice pix. I have enough bare branches for now, thanks. Fortunately, the wait won't be long as spring has definitely arrived in the Triangle.
Was tempted to stop in the Aveda Institute for some pampering, but it was getting late. I learned that they are having a fashion show on the evening of April 21. It's their Earth Jam Benefit 09, Fashion Night Benefit. Advance tickets for the benefit fashion show are on sale now for $35 general admission and $70 VIP. The day of the show, they'll be $50 general admission and $100 VIP. The proceeds benefit Triangle Land Conservacy (tlc). For info or to purchase tickets, call Aveda at 919.960.4769 Web: http://www.avedachapelhill.com
Popped into Noodles & Company, just down the block from Aveda on West Franklin. Had a delish lunch of Japanese Pan Noodles. The place is clean, bright, and the price is right. Friendly staff made this a YUMMY experience all-around.
Decor - B / Food - B+ / Service - B+
Photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar