Week 5 - Raleigh, NC (The City of Oaks)

Hello Family and Friends,

Brett is either getting really good at packing the car or we are whittling away at what we really need for this trip as there is more and more space in our vehicle. Raleigh, The City of Oaks, is definitely a city that kept a little more of it's history than Charlotte. For the first time on our trip we are staying in an actual hotel. From our hotel window we can see Nash Square, which is a park dedicated to first responders who have given their life in service of the state. It is also a great spot for both Atlas and Bruce to get some exercise.

Atlas taking his dog, Bruce, for a walk.

"North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Memorial" in Nash Square

Already we have started to investigate the food scene. We found this one spot, Mac's Speed Shop in five points, that had $2 burgers and endless hush puppies for $1.50 (on Mondays). They donate the $1.50 to local youth organizations and it was the best $2 burger we have ever had.

After the overwhelming task that was exploring Charlotte, we needed a better method for exploring Raleigh. This time we started with elementary schools that were rated 6 or higher on greatschools.org. Then we checked out the neighborhood zoned for that school for walkable playgrounds and grocery stores. There were four that made it on the list. We spent quite a bit of time around the Underwood Elementary school area. This school did not originally make the list, because the school isn't rated highly. However, the neighborhood around the school possesses the only playground in a 20 min radius. The playground was in the middle of the neighborhood and it was stacked. There were push toys, riding toys, swings, slides, climbing gym, sand area, play houses, dig toys and a basketball court. Atlas really enjoyed the riding toys and the fire truck. Brett and I took advantage of the basketball court. We had a surprisingly good time just shooting some hoops. I beat Brett in HORSE, but he made the first 3-pointer. There were so many kids with their families at the park. One of the dad's there told us that this is like ground zero for the neighborhood. The one major deduction for this area is that the closest grocery store is almost a 30 min walk.

At this point, we are pretty much done exploring potential neighborhoods in Raleigh and it's only Tuesday. We decided to shorten our stay to only one week and with the remainder of time just enjoy the city and recover from Charlotte.

Raleigh is a nice small city with lots of little cool things to see. Atlas, Bruce and I spent some time walking the "Sip and Stroll" perimeter. It is the part of the city where you are allowed to have open containers. We figured it was a good way to see the most popular parts of the city. We found a park and Atlas has very much taken to the slide. We also ran into the home of the first North Carolina licensed African American doctor. His home is a museum that we were able to tour.

A triceratops on Fayetteville St.

Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope home.

Dr. Pope NC medical license

Street art in Raleigh

Atlas sliding at Moore Square on our Sip and Stroll through Raleigh

We did take advantage of the Marbles Kids Museum. It was absolutely wonderful! I think Brett and I were enjoying it more than Atlas. We were just thrilled with their farm to table representation. They had a section where the kids could grow their own food, ship it to the market, shop for the food, and then cook it. Brett and I then found (and maybe took over?) the interactive water flow table. We cut off all the water for the kids playing downstream and setup dams, a levy, the boat lock system and diverted the streams. We weren't gonna let these kids just splash around in this amazing display without them learning how to "play correctly." Also, about an hour and a half in I realized that I hadn't told Atlas "no" once. Instead I was telling him to come over here and "touch this" and " look at this". It was such a refreshing change to be in a space where everything is kid friendly and I can let Atlas touch everything!

We have a future firefighter on our hands! (looking at you, Stacie!)

One day we will get in a real canoe, but this may be the closest Atlas comes to camping.

Atlas practicing his shot.

I also just have to mention this super cool restaurant we found in downtown Raleigh. It's called "A Place At The Table" and is a pay what you can cafe. Yes, you can pay the suggested price or less. If you can't pay anything, you can work for an hour to earn your meal or check with the desk to see if another patron donated a meal! It is the truest example I have ever seen of a business making their community a better place. They even pay their workers a living wage so that all tips become a donation to help feed those who can't afford it. Just a super neat concept that is working. They recently celebrated 7 years in business.

One of the dining spaces at "A Seat At The Table." They call it their "Sunflower Room"

On our last day in Raleigh we got to spend some time with some really special people (Dad, it's ok to be jealous). They are such busy people that we just barely caught them on our last day here. My Aunt Desi told us to check out Chapel Hill, which we had not considered as an option. And wouldn't you know...she was right...we really liked it! We drove down Franklin Street, which was absolutely full of people just being out and about. Found Weaver Street Market due to all the people hanging around outside. It's like a Whole Foods, but more local. Also went to Carr Mill Mall. It's a small boutique mall in a very old building that holds so much charm. My aunt knows me so well to suggest this location.

Just on a super personal note, you all know that a huge reason for this trip is losing Nathaniel. If you have spent any time with Brett and I, you'll know we are always mentioning Nathaniel as if he is here with us. I'm sure people are super confused when we talk about "our first son" or "Atlas's older brother" and we have Atlas with us, but no other child. Well, my Aunt Felicia, Aunt Desi and Uncle Michael just let us talk about Nathaniel. They really wanted to know about the necklace I wear all the time in memory of him and even let me show them Nathaniel's memory box. We have not shared it with many people, but they made me feel that if we were not in a parking lot, they would have let me go through the whole of its contents. All of them have lost people who were very close to them. Loss is this terrible, terrible thing that you wish no one else will have to experience. And you spend a lot of effort trying to escape the pain, cover up the pain, distract from the pain; anything so that you can keep living on this side of eternity. But when you find someone else who has also experienced loss and is willing to share in your loss, there is a special bond that only loss can create. It is the most terrible thing to lose someone you love, but it is the most human.

Desi, Samuel, Danielle, Felecia, Brett, Atlas, Michael

Ok guys, hope I didn't make you cry too much (made myself cry). Wipe your tears, because we have a lot more traveling to go. Only one week in Raleigh, but the next location is Alexandria, VA and the greater DMV!

Atlas helping me with the laundry by putting quarters in the machine.