Overview. To celebrate John’s birthday, I took him to our state’s capital, to Raleigh to celebrate. We stayed in style and comfort and the Cambria Suites located as close to RDU as you can get without being on the tarmac. John is a huge…Read More

Overview.


To celebrate John’s birthday, I took him to our state’s capital, to Raleigh to celebrate.

We stayed in style and comfort and the Cambria Suites located as close to RDU as you can get without being on the tarmac.

John is a huge fan of the Hurricanes , our NHL team and Stanley Cup winners. So I surprised him for his birthday with tickets to the game. This game, they went up against the Atlanta Thrashers.

On that Sunday we woke up to a nice, soggy day. Despite the bad weather, John and I went to the Tiger Preserve Trust . These wonderful people take in big cats that have been abused and left on their own. This isn’t a zoo but a place to see these wonderful creatures up close.

Speaking of creatures, we had to have a place for Boo Boo to stay. So we put him up at Suite Paws a pet resort so your baby can be surrounded by creature comforts.

Before the Canes game, we had to have some food to get us through the evening. Our first choice for dinner, has a mile long wait. So we went to nearby Stromboli’s Italian Restaurant . This ended up being another bad decision of our trip.

Before picking up Boo Boo, we stopped in the Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe which served up some healthy and delish food.

Suggestions/tips.

My first suggestion is to go to the visitor’s website and take a look around or order one of their visitors guides. Their website is www.visitraleigh.com.

Raleigh is a big college town with NC State and several other colleges. With Durham and Duke University and Chapel Hill with UNC-Chapel Hill nearby, this is a major area for college students. If you are bringing your baby to their new home or attending homecoming games, you would be wise to make hotel reservation in advanced.

If you are planning on attending a Hurricanes games, you will want to get tickets in advanced. Another popular event here is the NC State Fair in the fall. People come in from all over the state for the event.

Check out my other journals on Raleigh and Durham for the many suggestions on this to do in the capitol city.

Think outside of the box! This is an amazing city that seamlessly blends the old and new. There are museums, concerts, tours, a performing arts center, and more here to give you a wonderful weekend away.

Raleigh is about halfway between our beautiful coast and the triad. So it was a wonderful halfway point to stop and enjoy yourself before heading out.

Getting around

Raleigh Durham (RDU) airport is about 15 minutes from downtown. It is a major airport and most major carriers fly in and out including low cost carrier South West.

Unless you are going strictly to fly in and go to your hotel or styling within the downtown area, you will need to rent a car. You can readily pick one up from the airport.

If you are coming in for the state fair, there is a special Amtrak train that runs to Raleigh to the state fair (the fair grounds are close to the train station). You can also take the train into Raleigh and rent a car. For more info go to www.bytain.org.

* Disclaimer. Please note unless it is for media or publication requests, do not contact me in regards to my journals or photos. I do not allow any part of my journals or my photos to be used by anyone.
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Most of the pre-Civil War antebellum plantation homes that we think of when we think of the Southern plantation homes did not start to appear until the 19th century. The Mordecai House is one exception to the rule. This grand home was built in 1785…Read More

Most of the pre-Civil War antebellum plantation homes that we think of when we think of the Southern plantation homes did not start to appear until the 19th century. The Mordecai House is one exception to the rule.

This grand home was built in 1785 for Henry and Polly Lane. They, too, came from prominent Southern families as their families were part of the originators of Wake County and connected to the Joel Lane family. It is the home's second owner, where the home acquired its name. Moses Mordica moved into the estate after marrying Joel Lane’s daughter, Margaret. Moses was one of the few Jews to relocate to Raleigh. The home originally sat on over 1000 acres of land and was the largest plantation home at the time.

When it was first built, it was a smaller home. Eventually, architect William Nicolas, who had also remodeled the State House, added on to the home. He would add five more rooms to the front of the home and the northern face was given an additional story. The front features Ionic columns to support the second story portico, which gives it its Greek revival appearance. You first walk into the double door to the entryway to the receiving room where guests would have been met in the time of the original owners. You walk down a very long hall way and through five rooms on the lower level. One of the first things that catches your eye when you arrive in the home is the beautiful grand staircase. In 1842, an outdoor kitchen garden was added and has been reintroduced to the home. In 1907, as Raleigh was expending, portions of the home had to be sold. The home features exquisite antiques, many of which belonged to the family. In additions to furnishings, visitors can see paintings, portraits, photos, china, book, and personal items belonging to the family. About 75% of the furnishings here belong to the family. The home remained in the family until 1968. Today, the home is owned by the city of Raleigh. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The park also features several other buildings. One such building was built in 1795. This home was where our 17th president, Andrew Johnson was born. The building was the kitchen for the tavern his parents worked at and the president was born upstairs. The home sat for many years in the yard of Peter Casso’s Inn where Johnson’s parents were employed. It was subsequently moved to the park in 1975 where it has been restored to its original appearance. There is also a simple yet beautiful St. Mark’s Chapel built in 1847 by slaves. There is a small one-room Badger-Iredell law office that would house two US Senators. The Allen kitchen is also part of the village.


Now, given the long history of the family, it wouldn’t be unusual that some former residents have been seen around here. Indeed the home is considered to be quite haunted. In fact Jason, Grant, and the crew from TV’s Ghost Hunter’s were here. Read my separate entry on the haunting of this place!

The home does have a gift shop and restrooms. Given the age of the home, it is not handicapped accessible. Through the year there are a number of events held through the year including cooking demonstrations, High Tea, and holiday celebrations. The park is also available for rentals and the St. Mark’s chapel is one of the most popular places for local brides. There is free parking available. You can take photos inside.

Hours/admission/info

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 9am to 4pm
Sunday 1-4pm.
Tours are given on the hour and last tickets sold at 3pm, but should it be pouring outside like when I arrived, go on in when you arrive. I got here about 1:40pm and was going to wait around until 2 for the next tour. I saw one family make a mad dash for the entrance. I waited a few more minutes and went on in. They had already started the family on the tour. They just got me to the group and went back and took me through what I had missed. I guess they figured on such a horrible day they would take people on the tour as the come. Also, normally the outbuildings are open, but they weren’t on this day. I did take the time to walk down through the village and look around, but was not able to go in.

On Saturdays, from March to December, ride the Historic Raleigh Tour. The tour operates from 11am to 3pm. The tour is one hour and runs throughout downtown. Tickets are $8 (a) $4 (c). Under six free. Departs from Mordecai Park.

Admission:

$5 (a)
$3 (c/s)
Under 6 free.

Website: www.raleighnc.gov/mordecai

My two most trusted resources:

Bob Vila’s Guide to Historic Homes of the South by Bob Vila . Out of print so look at Ebay. Amazon, or your favorite used book seller.

Marvelous Old Mansions by Sylvia Higginbotham . Available from your favorite bookstore or directly from the publisher at www.blairpub.com.

This home is a fascinating look at one of the oldest and most beautiful homes in Raleigh. History lovers should make sure to stop when in town.

Very highly recommended
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I learned of Josh by the way of two young relatives. I heard them talking about him all the time, but I assumed he was just another over annoyingly, overrated, and under talented boy singer like Justin Timberlake. One night on the way home from…Read More

I learned of Josh by the way of two young relatives. I heard them talking about him all the time, but I assumed he was just another over annoyingly, overrated, and under talented boy singer like Justin Timberlake.

One night on the way home from work I had Delilah on the radio and I heard The Prayer with Josh and Charlotte Church. I knew her angelic voice and was just sobbing by the end of the song. Then I heard Delilah name the song by Josh and Charlotte. Josh Groban? Could this be the same Josh Groban my young cousins had gone on about?

I was coming down I-85 near the Speedway Blvd. Exit. In moves that belonged on the racetrack, I quickly cut across 4 lanes of traffic to make the exit and head towards the mall. I slid my van into the parking lot and made a mad dash for FYE. I then almost attacked the poor clerk in such a way Vic Mackey and the strike team from The Shield would have impressed! After apologizing to the poor guy, he directed me to the classical section and Josh where by I picked up a copy of his first CD Josh Groban and made a mad dash for the cash register to check out. I quickly ran home and drew a bubble bath. I turned on my Jacuzzi jets, turned my CD player on full blast, and for more than an hour I listed to the moist beautiful voice I had heard in a long time. Oh, and somewhere along the line I did notice this guy was absolutely gorgeous.

Josh’s professional start began in 1997 at Grey Davis’ Inaugural Event. Producer David E. Kelly heard his remarkable voice and saw the audience’s reaction to him, so we wrote him into his popular TV show Ally McBeal . A year later he stood in for the equally talented Andrea Bocilli to perform The Prayer with Celine Dion at The Grammy’s. Rosie O’Donnell saw his riveting performance and promptly had him to perform on her show. He has been going strong ever since then.

Josh is often credit as being a classical singer. But his music ranges from classical and opera to pop and Broadway. He has preformed at the Olympics, the Superbowl, and the Oscars (where he should have preformed by himself and not with the annoying Beyonce). He also sang last year at the Kennedy Center Honors. He preformed Music of the Night from the Phantom of the Opera when Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber was honored. He will also be performing at the Concert for Diana next month with Sarah Brightman. His first PBS Special in 2002 resulted with the #1 selling CD of the year. This hot 26 year old has received the love and adoration of millions of fans throughout the world. From his self titled debut album to his current Awake CD, millions of fans have fallen in love with his powerful and angelic voice. Me included.

What is most unexpected about Josh’s fan is the diversity. Go to a Josh Groban concert and you see young squealing pre-teens, not known for their musical taste, to those who qualify for senior discounts. As witnessed by 5 women who sat beside of me. It was a great grandmother, grandmother, mom, and her 2 daughters. They screamed and shouted for Josh and during his more somber songs, they all sat holding hands and moving to the music. Unlike many other musicians, I don’t think Josh’s fans can be pegged into any particular statistic.

What is also surprising is that Josh performs at major concert arenas. I saw him at the RBC Center which is where the Hurricanes play. I also found out from my waitress, that they moved the women’s basket ball game to another venue to allow a bigger arena for Josh and his fans! Normally singers given the label "classical" singer perform at performing arts centers, not at the places Bono and U2 perform at. Over the years I have had the honor to see Charlotte Church, Sarah Brightman, Rene Flemming, Linda Eder, and Yo Yo Ma perform. And I have seen them perform at the performing arts center with about 2500 fans. On April 15, 2000 I did have the immense honor of seeing Luciano Pavarotti perform and now he performed at the Charlotte Colsieum before a crowd of more than 10,000 fans. But he’s Pavarotti .

I had the great opportunity to see Josh in 2005 when he was in town. So there was no way I was missing Josh again. His new Awake CD is a delight and if you have never heard Josh, now would be the time to start listing. Two of his songs, Lullaby and Weeping are preformed with the equally talented Ladysmith Black Mambazo and features the hit You Are Loved . For almost 2 hours Josh sang a mixture of classics and opera arias. Josh doesn’t use a lot of pyrotechnics and stage props in his show. When you have his voice you don’t need to. During the pop song "Machine" there is a nifty video playing. He started out the Night with "You are Loved ". He also performed the beautiful African inspired song "Stone in Her Heart" with his opening act Angelique Kidjo. Her voice is as smooth a silk and rich. She sounds a lot like Tsidii Leloka (she played Sukeena in Stephen Kings’ Rose Red ) who played the original Rafiki in the The Lion King . During "In Her Eyes" Josh appeared out in the audience and made his way through the throngs of yelling and screaming fans back to the stage. He came down our aisle and yes I was lucky enough to shake his hand and get a peck on the cheek! The night ended with the emotionally stirring "You Raise Me Up" with a local choir for back up. Josh preformed the song at Superbowl XXXVIII to honor the crew of the spaceship Columbia disaster. When you go see Josh make sure you bring Kleenex, you will need them.

Also performing with Josh were cellist, Colette Alexander, and violinist, Lucia Micarelli. Lucia played with him when I saw him in 2005. She has been performing professionally since the age of 6! Both women are astoundingly talented. During a break, Lucia, Colette, and the rest of the band performed the song "Cashmere" by Led Zeppelin . Leaving me thinking "dang those girls have skills!". Imagine this hard hitting rock song performed to perfection by an orchestra and Lucia’s violin replacing Robert Plants vocals. Amazing! The show was just mind-blowing and Josh and his crew received several standing ovations. The only thing missing was Josh performing ‘To Where You Are". This hauntingly beautiful song was written by Richard Marx (yes of 80’s fame Richard Marx) in tribute to the families and victims of 9/11. We played this solemn song last year at my grandmother’s funeral and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

If you have never heard of Josh, I recommend you go out and buy his CD’s immediately. This young mans voice is truly the voice of an angel. His songs are so passionate and he pours all of that passion into his concerts as well. If Josh is coming to your town, make sure you go see him. For more information on Josh you can go to www.joshgroban.com

Very highly recommended Close

Unlike its big-city competitor Charlotte, Raleigh has a sense of pride in its history. It has sat as the capital of North Carolina since 1789, when it was marked as the capital, and then permanently established in 1792. The original state capital was in New…Read More

Unlike its big-city competitor Charlotte, Raleigh has a sense of pride in its history. It has sat as the capital of North Carolina since 1789, when it was marked as the capital, and then permanently established in 1792. The original state capital was in New Bern, which sits in the coastal area of NC. Tryon Palace was the first governor’s residence. This stunning home can still be toured today. Raleigh was named after Sir Walter Raleigh. Raleigh, along with Chapel Hill and Durham, makes up an area known as the Triangle after the well-known Research Triangle Park. Today some 300,000 people call this metropolis home.

Here in Charlotte they would just as soon bulldoze over every historical property to make room for million dollar condos and sports stadiums. Visitors to Raleigh will enjoy strolling down streets where centuries-old buildings sit right along modern day skyscrapers. Many old buildings have been given new lives, such as the 1831 home of bank president William Polk that now is home to the State Employees Credit Union. There are old historical houses such as the Joel Lane House and the Mordecai Historical Park, and you can tour the lovely 1891 Executive Mansion, which is still occupied by the governor.

Also unlike Charlotte, Raleigh balances its sports attractions with venues for the whole family. Here you will find world-class museums, galleries, parks, and historical destinations. Raleigh also has its own theater company (the Burning Coal Theater Company) as well as a resident symphony, ballet, choir, and opera. Raleigh is also home to the world renowned hand bell choir, the Raleigh Ringers. Food fanatics and shoppers will be sure to find something here to fit every taste and budget.

Raleigh is very much a college town. NC State University as well as St. Augustine is here. The NC State Wolfpacks were of course led by Jim Valvano when they won the 1983 national championship. Later Jim went on to teach us the true meaning of being a champion when he bravely fought cancer. His foundation, the V Fountain, honors the late coach’s legacy and still raises money for cancer research. Two of the best women’s colleges, Meredith and Peace colleges, call Raleigh home. The oldest historical black college, Shaw University, draws students from all over. The Southeast Baptist Theological Seminary is one of the five largest seminaries in the country. Nearby are UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University, which are amongst the top colleges in the world. All of the universities boast incredible campuses and may be toured.

If you are ever visiting you may notice plaques all over the state with tidbits of information. This mile marker program highlights historical places all over the state and gives brief information about the site. Some places are no longer in existence, while many others are still standing proudly. There are more than 1000 markers all over and there is even a website dedicated to the markers. Go to www.ncmarkers.com, where you can also order a book listing all the markers. Raleigh and the cities that make up Wake County are hopping with mile makers. There are over 100 in Wake County. Everywhere I went in Raleigh I found a mile marker.

One note: Raleigh is home to the very lovely Emily Proctor, who plays the smart and feisty Calleigh Duquesne on CSI Miami .

Whether you are in Raleigh for business or pleasure, Raleigh is a most welcoming hostess. You will find all the comforts and conveniences of the big city, yet a city that still retains that small city southern charm. No matter if you have a day here or a week, you will simply be amazed at all the marvelous things you can do in the southern capital city.Close

Ticket to the Monet exhibit: $15Gas to Raleigh to see Monet: $30Monet exhibit catalog, Monet exhibit poster, postcards, and cube notes: $60Standing less than 12 inches from Waterlillies: Priceless. Raleigh was one of only three cities to get this once-in-a-lifetime, dream event, so you better…Read More

Ticket to the Monet exhibit: $15
Gas to Raleigh to see Monet: $30
Monet exhibit catalog, Monet exhibit poster, postcards, and cube notes: $60
Standing less than 12 inches from Waterlillies: Priceless.

Raleigh was one of only three cities to get this once-in-a-lifetime, dream event, so you better believe this was a big deal. Newspapers all over the Carolinas ran articles, local and state publications such as Our State ran articles, and it was mentioned on local shows such as Our State and NC Weekend . Our local PBS station even gave the exhibit its own hour-long show. The show was expected to draw around 185,000 visitors. More than 214,000 visitors ended up coming to see this remarkable show. And since the tickets were sold out well in advance, I can guarantee you they could have easily surpassed more than a quarter of a million if they had more tickets. The exhibit drew art lovers from all over the US. Thanks to my wonderful husband I was lucky enough to be among the masses that got this rare chance to see something so astounding.

When most Americans think of Normandy, we naturally think of WWII and the tragedy that unfolded at the beaches there, so vividly depicted in the stunning film Saving Private Ryan , directed by Steven Spielberg and starring the very talented Tom Hanks. Before that time and since that time, Normandy is an amazing and vibrant area just outside Paris. Monet’s family moved to the area when he was only 5 years old. Later he would return to Paris to study art and would stay there and work for many years. When he was in his 40s, he moved back to the area (Giverny) with his family, where he would stay through the remainder of his life. He died in 1926 at the age of 86.

Claude Monet is considered the father of impressionism. Most of his paintings centered on landscapes and the outdoors. He used shading and made use of vibrant colors. He was one of the most high-profile artists of his time and more than 100 years later his works still inspire us. More than any other artist, his work is also the most reproduced. Not only in reproduction paintings and prints, but shower curtains, scarves, notebooks, playing cards, post-it notes, and so on. One has to wonder what Monet would think about his art being reproduced in such an odd fashion. Yet then again, he might get a kick out of knowing we are so enamored of his work that we want to snuggle up at night with his artwork blazoned across our comforter. Today more than a half a million people come to Giverny to see the amazing gardens that so inspired Monet (www.giverny.org). Here you can become your own artist with an artist’s canvas or a camera.

Sometime as a young child, (I can’t remember exactly where, but I would imagine in London) I remember going to an art museum. As I saw the works of artists such as Dali and Picasso, I remember being somewhat frightened. After all, noses growing out of the side of a head can be quite scary and confusing to a child. Then I see a Monet. I like the colors and the beauty of the painting. I have been a lifelong admirer of this man's work since then. In fact, a print of Monet's Poppies hangs over our bed. So one can imagine my happiness factor when my wonderful husband asked me if I would like a ticket for Christmas. There was no way I was missing this exhibit.

There are several of Monet’s haystacks paintings here, as well as the Cliffs of Eretat, cathedrals, cliffs at the beach, and of course, his garden. There are 50 paintings that have been assembled for this one-of-a-kind exhibit from private collectors and from some of the finest museums in the world. While I won’t list all 50, I will share my top five.

1. Waterlillies 1914-1917. This sublime painting, which stands around 6 feet tall, is by far my favorite Monet painting. I just admire the beauty, the simplicity, and the rich colors of this work. Amazing while this line of paintings is often what he is known for, he didn’t draw the painting until he was 75!

2. Beach at Trouville. The Normandy area was one of the first areas touted as a tourist destination. Monet painted vacationers along the boardwalk with their parasols and Parisian fashions.

3. The Seine at Giverny, Morning Mists. Monet so beautifully captured with Seine River in this scrumptious painting. It looks as if someone took a picture of the river using a soft filter lens. The colors brilliantly fade together to give you this lovely view of the river.

4. Garden at Sainte-Andresse. What a brilliantly colorful picture. We look out at the sea surrounded by this beautiful garden as a perfectly dressed couple stand as boats pass by while another couple sits back and enjoys the view as mush as we do.

5. Wisteria. I love the subtle shading in the background and the vibrant colors that just make this picture pop. This is just one of the many uses where Monet infuses such brilliant bursts of color while still keeping to his subtle shading he is known for.

There were only three showings of this collection in the states. San Francisco was the first to get it. We had it next in Raleigh. Next up are you nice folks in Cleveland at the Cleveland Art Museum, who get it from February 18 to May 20. You can go to www.clevlandart.org for more information and to order tickets. If you are going in Cleveland here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Order tickets early. John asked me before Thanksgiving if I would like a ticket and we went ahead and ordered them. By Christmas all tickets were sold out. So decide on your date and order them early. Don’t be left out like many dozens we saw milling around trying to get a ticket.

2. Photography not allowed! Booo! But understandable.

3. It will be crowded and this will not be to the place to take in Waterlilles in all of its forms. Basically if you stayed in one spot for too long you were just herded on to the next painting.

4. Check with the museum about strollers. When I was here in Raleigh, large strollers were not permitted.

5. Bring your credit card. There is a massive gift shop devoted entirely to all things Monet. Not only do they have exhibit catalogs ($30 soft cover, $45 hardcover) but cube notes, exhibit posters, journals, scarves, T-shirts, magnets, soaps, and, well, you get the picture.

For more information on this unique exhibit, please go to www.monetinnormandy.org.

Very highly recommended.Close

In the very center of the downtown area of Raleigh you will find the State Capitol. Whether you simply stroll around the perfectly manicured lawn and check out the about a dozen statues found within the yard, or come on in a check out this…Read More

In the very center of the downtown area of Raleigh you will find the State Capitol. Whether you simply stroll around the perfectly manicured lawn and check out the about a dozen statues found within the yard, or come on in a check out this impressive building or take a tour, you are sure to be captivated.

The state capital was completed in 1840. It is built in the Greek Revival Style of architecture. It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Though this was the second state capital. When Raleigh was permanently established as the state capital a simple 2-story building was designed by Rhodam Atkins and built between 1792 and 1796. In 1831 the original building burnt down thanks to a few careless workmen. Only 2 chairs and a painting of George Washington survived the fire. Today visitors to the Capitol Building can still see the surviving articles as well as pieces from the building including part of what was once the statue of George Washington sculpted by Antonio Canova.

In August 1883 NY architects, Ithiel Town and Alexander Jackson Davis, took over designing the new capitol building. William Nichols was originally hired to design the building and in 1834 David Patton was the final architect of the building. The building was inspired by the Greek Temples and the exterior columns are Doric and modeled after the Parthenon. The ironwork, chandeliers, hard wear, and marble came from Philly as well as the workers.

The design is a cross shaped bulling. It reaches 160 feet from north to south. It is 140 feet from east to west. When you stand in the rotunda you can look up and see the top of the crown of the building which is almost 100 foot tall. The exterior walls are made from a form of granite called gneiss. The interior walls are made of stone and brick. The dome has a copper top. There is a wooden truss system in place to support the large domed roof.

Up until the 1880s, all forms of the state government were housed here. In 1888 both the NC Supreme Court as well as the State Library moved to nearby buildings. In 1963 the General Assembly moved to their own building. Thusly making it the first building made exclusively for legislative use. Both the Governor of NC (currently Mike Easley) and Lieutenant Governor (currently Beverly Perdue) and their staff have offices here.

On the first floor are where you can buy souvenirs, where you check in at, and where tours begin. In the middle is the rotunda which features a striking statue depicting George Washington as a Roman warrior (think Chucky Heston in Spartcus or even better Gerry Butler in the up coming movie 300) instead of the powered-wigged President we typically see. Since the original burned in the fire a copy was made in 1970 by Italian artist Romano Vio. In the early 1900s the Italian government generously donated the NC Capitol Building the plaster cast of Canova’s statue. There are also a couple of offices here and you can see Mike Easley’s office. There is also the display of the chairs and paintings saved from the fire.
The second floor houses the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the West Hall committee room. These rooms are still used on occasions by members and for public events. The rooms are open on the public but you need to be on a tour to get completely inside the room. The third floor holds the State Library room, the State Geologists office, and the House and State Galleries.

Today more than 180,000 people stop in to admire this dramatic building. You can simply tour the building on your own or take one of the guided tours offered. Take the time to also walk around the outside building which boasts a number of amazing statues honoring the military, governors, and presidents.

You can simply enjoy the capitol on your own everyday from 10am-4pm. Guided tours are offered on the weekend at 11am and 2pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday. All adults over 18 must have ID in order to be in the building. The building is handicapped accessible. You can walk around the grounds of the capital at any time. There is no fee to tour the building. They can arrange private tours for groups of 10 or more. My guide on this tour, Patty Gibson, was just a fantastic guide who certainly knows her NC history.

The capitol building is close to both the NC Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. So while you’re at these places make sure to stop in. The building is truly an historical gem. It certainly seems to be popular with all ages. Our group ranged from a group of boy scouts to senior citizens, and everyone in between. They do hold a number of events through the year. Please go to www.ncstatecapitol.com

Very highly recommended Close

One of the most beautiful places in the major city has to be the scrumptious Pullen Park, located only about 15 minutes away from the busy center city. The idea for the park began in 1887 with a land donation from Richard Stanhope Pullen. In…Read More

One of the most beautiful places in the major city has to be the scrumptious Pullen Park, located only about 15 minutes away from the busy center city.

The idea for the park began in 1887 with a land donation from Richard Stanhope Pullen. In 1888, Wiley A. Howell was hired as the first park keeper and the park was on its way. In 1891, Mr. Pullen had the city’s first swimming pool built at the park, but it was strictly for men. By 1895, he had a second pool built, but this time open for both sexes. More than a hundred years later, this stunning park is still going strong and the park continues to expand and add more features for visitors. The park is the 14th-oldest park in the world.

In 1900, the park acquired a carousel built by the legendary Dentzel Carousal Company. The intricately carved animals were restored to their original appearance in the 1970s and the ride was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The ride is only one of 23 of the Dentzel carousels still operating and only one of 14 Dentzel menageries. It is a ride that brings back memories for many and offers future memories for many more.

This lovely park covers over 70 acres. It features blossoming and superb gardens, gazebos, picture perfect bridges, playgrounds, and a man-made lake. Visitors can ride the historic carousal, take a ride on a miniature train, or paddle around the park via one of the paddle boats.

In addition to the historical carousal, the park also features another treasure. The TV Land statue of Andy and Opie. In 2003, the network unveiled the statue of NC’s most famous resident, Andy Taylor. The statue depicts the characters of Sheriff Andy Taylor and his son, Opie, featured in the still popular The Andy Griffith Show. The characters were played by Griffith himself and a young man who would later go on to be one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and Oscar-wining directors, Ron Howard. The statue depicts Andy and Opie on their way to their favorite fishing hole as seen at the opening of the show. This is one of three statues dedicated to TV’s most beloved timeless shows. The other two are Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards in the classic TV show The Mary Tyler Moore Show which was dedicated in Minneapolis in 2002. The first was dedicated in 2000 in NYC and honored Jackie Gleason as everybody’s favorite cranky bus driver, Ralph Kramden, in The Honeymooners.

The park offers a concession stand, restrooms, and picnic tables for guests to use. In addition there are nine picnic shelters as well as a patio that can be rented out. The park is handicapped accessible.

Even crappy weather shouldn’t deter visitors to the park as the place takes on a hazy beauty. The raindrops hitting the lake made it sound peaceful and allowed you to just sit mesmerized and gather your thoughts. But if you prefer to be inside when it is raining, then head on over to the Pullen Aquatic Center. The center offers year-round swimming. They have recreational swimming, swim teams, and lessons. Or you could check out the Pullen Arts Center. The park is also host to the popular Theater in the Park.

Hours/admissions/info

The park its self is open from sunrise to sunset. Hours change seasonally for the rides and indoor venues.

There is no admission for the park. Rides, swimming, and some events carry an admission.

The park hosts a wide array of opportunities through the your for the whole family. Concerts, classes, and many events are held in the park.

Website; www.raleighnc.gov. Then click on parks and rec. Also try www.parkgeeks.com for great parks all over the country.

When looking for a place that offers something for the whole family, Pullen Park is the perfect choice.

Highly recommended
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Since I don’t have the best memory in the world, most things from my childhood are fuzzy memories at best. Especially at age three. But one thing I do remember is April 4th, 1968. I remember that date because I can still recall my mom…Read More

Since I don’t have the best memory in the world, most things from my childhood are fuzzy memories at best. Especially at age three. But one thing I do remember is April 4th, 1968.

I remember that date because I can still recall my mom screaming when she found out Dr. King had been assassinated. My parents were great admirers of the late civil rights leader.

I grew up in the turbulent '60s and '70s when civil rights were on the conscience of all Americans. I grew up, however, in a military environment surrounded by people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds and never thought much about it. Thankfully, my parents always encouraged me to look inside a person and not to worry about the outside. After all, the heart and soul of a person can’t been seen on the outside.

Dr. Martin Luther King was, of course, a great civil rights activist. He fought hard and, ultimately, gave his life for the rights of African-Americans. Because this one man was on the planet, he untimely changed the way of life for not only African-Americas, but for all people. He is well known for his tirelessness and for his determination and his eloquent speeches. His most famous being of course I Have A Dream:

"And when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children-black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Catholics and Protestants-will be ale to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last ".

Dr. Martin Luther King. 1963

That emotionally stirring speech was delivered on August 28th, 1963, at the March on Washington. It was delivered to thousand of Dr. King’s followers of all races on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Every since I was a little girl, I have always admired this great man. What he fought for was more than just the rights of African-Americans. If it were not for Dr. King's tireless crusades I wonder how life would be today. Prior to Dr. King's protests, African-Americans were second class citizens. Today, I am very grateful everyday for the things Dr. King did.

I am thankful for the friends in my life such as my friends Tonya, Shelia, Mai, and Dennis. Before Dr. King I certainly would not been able to have African-American friends.

I am thankful when I go to the movies and see some of my favorite actors such as Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, and the lovely Queen Latifa. I am thankful when I turn on the TV and watch all my favorite TV shows which feature African-American actors. I am especially thankful on Friday night when I watch Law & Order with one of my favorite people, Jessie L. Martin, on Wednesday night when I watch Criminal Minds with the smokin’ hot Shemar Moore, and Thursday when I watch Shark with the yummy Henry Simmons . Before Dr. King African-Americans would have rarely ever been a major star on TV or in the movies.

I am thankful when I go see The Alvin Ailey Dance Company, the Dance Theater of Harlem, or Savion Glover, as African-Americans would have never been major dancers. And I am very grateful when I go see the prominently African-American cast of the Lion King, which was choreographed by Garth Fagan.

I am grateful when I go see performers such as Tina Turner or when I saw the late Luther Vandross, when I am laughing myself silly at Wanda Sykes or Sinbad, or when I go out for a night of beach music and shagging.

So imagine how shocked I was when I turned onto Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. and discovered that the Dr. King Memorial Park consisted of a beautiful statue of the late civil-rights activist, some trees, flowers, and a fountain dedicated to other activists. Yet, it still should not be missed.

The one-acre park consists of a life-sized bronze statue of Dr. King. It is thought to be the only statue of King that depicts him in his Doctorate clerical robe. There is a 12-ton granite water monument dedicated to other pioneers in the civil rights movement. The park is surrounded by over 5,000 trees, shrubs, and flowers. There is a memorial wall that lists the name of 2,500 individual donors, businesses, and churches that helped make the park a dream. The park was built in 1989 and is the first public park to honor the late leader.

There is an adjacent parking lot. The park is open 24 hours a day and there is no fee to visit. It is handicapped-accessible. There are benches in the area offering visitors a chance to sit and reflect in the life of this great man. There are plans to expand the park from one acre to four and include such expansions as a playground, interactive display of King’s life, picnic benches, and restrooms.

While this garden isn’t huge, it is still a somber place to come and remember a man who did so much for the world. Surely, a man who helped change the world deserves a huge botanical garden to help bring peace and beauty into the world. For more information, please go to www.king-raleigh.org.

Highly recommended
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Given the fact the home is over 200 years old, it would come as no surprise that a few former tenets have decided they like their old homestead and, by golly, they ain’t leaving!So what the heck is going on here at the home? Well,…Read More

Given the fact the home is over 200 years old, it would come as no surprise that a few former tenets have decided they like their old homestead and, by golly, they ain’t leaving!

So what the heck is going on here at the home? Well, a variety of things seem to be happening. Staffers and guests have reported hearing a piano play in the parlor when no one is around. Many people have encountered a woman dressed in period costume. When visitors give a description, it seems to match that of one of the owners, Mary Mordecai Turk. She has been roaming the house and often just disappears into a room. One housekeeper in the 1970s saw the spirit walk right past her and she just disappears into a room. Should you make a disarming remark about Mary’s "beauty", then the photo falls of the wall. Staffers have had their hair played with in an upstairs restroom. A child on a school field trip all of a sudden became inconsolable and had to be taken to the van outside. He just kept talking about the man with the scar scarring him. Many visitors and staff members have a foreboding feeling when they step into the Andrew Johnson home. Several of the staff members reportedly do not go into that home alone. Late one night, an employee left for the day and when she turned near the Johnson home, she noticed a lighted candle that seemed to be held by in invisible hand on the first floor and within seconds the candle was upstairs. A person could not have moved that fast.

The house has been investigated several times and the staff often opens up the home at Halloween time hoping to invoke the spirits.

Haunted NC has investigated the home twice. One member felt drawn to one of the rooms, which was later revealed to be Mary’s room. Batteries quickly drained and a flashlight quit working in Mary’s room, orbs appear, and one picture seems to capture the appearance of women in historic dress. Members Jim and David seem to think that may have been a light trick, but people have reported walking past windows and being startled to see what appeared to be a woman not of this period in the window!

The home was almost investigated by Jason, Grant (who work as Roto-Rooter plumbers by day), and the crew from Taps as well as members of Haunted NC, Jim and David. The show "The Ghost Hunters" is an original show from the Sci-Fi channel and can currently be seen Wednesday night at 9pm (EST) with a repeat again at 11pm. It has become one of the channel's most popular shows. The episode can be seen on Season 2, Disk 2 and the series is available on DVD.

Unlike a lot of other investigators, the guys from TAPS and Haunted NC do not go in trying to prove the place is haunted. In fact the opposite, they try to disprove claims made and see if they can find any natural causes for reports of the paranormal. Now, in their fourth season, Jason and Grant have investigated the Queen Mary, The Eastern State Penitentiary, Tombstone, AZ, the Myrtles Plantation, and spent all of Halloween night at the Stanley Hotel (which inspired Steven King’s The Shining). They were due to come to NC to investigate the home. They arrived in pretty much the same weather I had to deal with and set up their equipment. Just as the investigation started, apparently the food they consumed at a local eatery decided to play havoc on them and they had to call off the investigation. They had already committed to going to Wilmington, NC, to investigate the Battleship North Carolina. This massive vessel is also reportedly haunted and after the TAPS crew investigated the ship, they, too, concluded there was something unnatural happening on the ship.

Unfortunately, they weren’t able to investigate the Mordecai home. The staffers I talked with said they were very grateful to the guys for coming though since it has helped bring people to the historical gem. They say they can always tell when the episode airs since people start coming in and asking questions about the investigation. If you’re looking for a great show to watch in a sea of summer reruns, you can’t go wrong with the "The Ghost Hunters"

So, is the place really haunted? Well the staff and plenty of others visitors seem to think so. On my visit, I didn’t feel anything but wet. If there are spirits here though, for the most part, it just seems the former owner of the home is looking out for her beloved family home. I guess since she is still around and peaceful, then she must be pleased with the fact that 200+ years later visitors to this grand estate are haunted by its beauty. Which, may very well be the best way to be haunted.

You can go to the home's website at www.raleighnc.gov/mordecai. Be on the lookout on the events page to see when they offer up another night of frightingly good fun.

To visit the TAPS or Haunted NC web site and see what they are up to go to:

www.scifi.com and you can click on and get episode information and go the TAPS website. Oh and through September you can see how to try out to do a ghost hunt with Jason and Grant.

www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com. The official TAPS website.

www.hauntednc.com. Jim and David’s website.Close

Constructed by Joel Lane himself, the Joel Lane House Museum is the oldest building in Raleigh. When I arrived at the home, it was pouring rain and I wasn’t sure if the place would be open. I made a mad dash for the home and…Read More

Constructed by Joel Lane himself, the Joel Lane House Museum is the oldest building in Raleigh.

When I arrived at the home, it was pouring rain and I wasn’t sure if the place would be open. I made a mad dash for the home and stuck my head in the door and asked if they were open. One of the nice volunteers said "sure," and my guide would give me a tour in a few minutes.

Within a few minutes, out comes my guide in historic dress, ready to take me on my tour. He apologizes for not being completely in costume. But before my arrival he had fallen trying to fix something on the house. I told him as bad as the weather was, I was surprised they were even giving tours. Chuck Jacobs is the curator of the house and is from Ohio. He has his MFA in Museum Studies from Syracuse University. He is also an author and a great tour guide.

The home was built in 1760. It was home to Colonel Joel Lane. He was son of Joseph Lane and his wife Patience McKinnie Lane, both from prominent Southern families. He lived here with his wife, Martha Hinton. She died rather young so he married her sister, Mary Hinton, in 1772. Both Martha and Mary were daughters of Colonel John Hinton and his wife, Grizelle, also a prominent family. Joel served as a Johnson Country representative to the Colonial Assembly in the then-capital of New Bern. In 1770, he introduced a bill for the creation of Wake County, thus giving him the title of "Father of Wake County". He also deeded land to develop the city known today as Raleigh. So he is also known as the "Father of Raleigh".

The two-story home is minimal by today’s standards, but at the time was considered a mansion. Most of the interior woodwork and floors are original. The home has been immaculately restored to the period of 1790-1795, which was when Joel had remodeled the home. Part of the earliest home design can be seen by the garble roof, rather than a gambrel roof, and the porch that extends across the front of the home. The chimney is made from handmade bricks and the roof has hand-hewn and shaped shingles.

You start your tour in the kitchen area of the home. Homes in these days would have been manned by slaves and several of the slaves most likely slept here in order to keep the fire in the fireplace going. Most homes in the 18th and 19th century featured detached kitchens. In the summer, the fires would have made the home unbearably hot and it was also easier for your kitchen to go up in flames instead of your whole house. The furnishings are correct for the time period and most are made by American craftsmen. Some of the pieces are thought to come from the Lane family.

The home was moved about a mile from its original site in 1927 and was purchased by the National Society of Colonial Dames. It was finally restored to the way you see it today in the 1970s. Today the home is run by The Joel Lane House Inc. The gardens have been designed by Donald S. Parker of Colonial Williamsburg. Unfortunately, since it was a downpour I only looked at the gardens from the house. The residence is on the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout the year, they do have a number of special events, including a Colonial Christmas open house in December. The home can also be rented out for special occasions. They do have a gift shop and restroom on the premises. The building is not handicapped accessible.

Hours/info/admission

Hours:

Wensday-Friday Tours given on the hour from 10am-1pm
Saturday Tours given on the hour from 1-3pm
Closed Sunday, Monday, and holidays.

Admission:

$5 (a)
$4 (s)
$3 (c) under 6 free.

Website: www.joellane.org.

Book recommendation: What else? Bob Vila’s Guide to Historic Homes of the South by handyman extraordinaire Bob Vila. The book is out of print so check Amazon, Ebay, or your favorite used book seller.

The Joel Lane home is a treat for history buffs, and Chuck, with all his knowledge, brought the home to life for me. So much so that even the rain didn't put a damper on my history lesson.

Very highly recommended Close