Yes you read that right. After a uneventful drive from North Carolina’s Outer Banks we arrived at the Fairgrounds centrally located in Raleigh.
With over seven thousand miles traveled since September, this proved to be the nicest reception we had received. We were directed to pull just inside the fairgrounds property from the main street and wait for our campground escort. The grounds were busy with a massive swap meet, a gun show, a horse event and the rival college football game between University North Carolina and North Carolina State. The football stadium is adjacent to the fairgrounds and contributes to the traffic.
Upon waiting for our escort we couldn’t help but notice the “No Gun Sales” sign in front of us. We thought this was obnoxious since they were offering “Free Crack” just inside the swap meet.
Our armed escort arrived in his undercover jeep paying no attention to the crack in plain view. He beckoned us to follow escorting us a half a mile through the fairgrounds, past the equestrian center and football stadium to our full hook up site. He suggested we drive around and find the site we like and he would come back to check us in.
Something we missed on our packing checklist, inflatable hot tub. It wasn’t until a late foggy night when he fired up the jets that I realized that was a hot tub. I mean who would have thought to take a hot tub camping? But after a couple months on the road, you realize it’s genius!
We visited our family who took us to the local farmers market which is open year round. Among the boiled peanuts, fresh vegetables and baked goods we discovered a most peculiar item for sale.
We have family in Raleigh and so do our traveling friends from New Zealand. We were to see them before they left making their way back home via Nicaragua after their year long travel in the states.
We miss our New Zealand friends. We had met them the third week of our adventure and had the good fortune of connecting several times over a couple months on the road. We are blessed to have spent time together in beautiful places, making life long memories. They are in New Zealand now settling back into a life that is forever changed by the adventures they had on their journey. Having another family on the road to share this adventure was a special part of our journey that will never be forgotten. We think of them often wondering how life is after their adventure and reminiscing of our time together. We stay in touch on-line and especially look forward to our paths crossing again one day.
After a wonderful home made dinner from my niece and a backyard bonfire, we headed back out to the coast to Washington, North Carolina to visit more family. A visit was long overdue with Uncle Bill. He is the definition of a Southern Gentlemen. Soft spoken, polite and extremely well read, he was editor in chief for two large publications in his career. He lives close to the water on a beautiful property and is soon to be remarried. In our short visit he shared much family history. Our visit was brief but such a highlight. We left with a deeper connection to our family and family roots.
Sad to say goodbye but thankful for our time together. Next stop Myrtle Beach State Park in South Carolina.
windryder5 