My wife and I often comment about how it doesn't take a lot to entertain us. We really never go to sporting events, concerts or even movies. Not that we have anything against any of those pursuits, we just don't do them, at least not very frequently.
Several months ago, I became a member of the N.C. Train Host Association. As train hosts we are required to complete at least one trip every 60 days on board The Carolinian. Most hosts complete at least one per month. My trip takes me from Kannapolis to Rocky Mount and back. We meet and greet passengers, answer questions about the area and about train travel, as well as assist the crew as needed.
I have talked with a number of people, including school groups who take the train to Raleigh for a day trip. So, my wife and I decided we would do that. We ordered two Business Class round trip tickets. Our original plans were for me to do a hosting trip on the Friday prior to our trip, as I had a friend who was to travel from Charlotte to Durham. I knew that we could spend some time together on the trip and I could still fulfill my duties. He was to return to Charlotte on Monday, so my wife and I decided that is when we would take our day trip, and he would join us on the trip back that evening. The Host scheduled for that Monday is a friend and we were all four going to have supper in the Cafe' Car.
Well, the friend had to completely change his plans and did not get to travel at all. I did the Friday hosting trip though. The weather turned snowy before the end of the trip and by Monday the secondary roads were still slick, so the host friend was not able to travel as Host that day.
However, my wife and I did get to go and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It is really nice to sit back in the seats on the train and let someone else drive, while enjoying the scenery. This particular day was especially nice since the sun was shining on the slowly melting snow as we traveled through the towns and rural areas to our state capitol.
We arrived in Raleigh and walked to The Pit Restaurant, a popular barbecue restaurant in downtown Raleigh. It would be worthy of a Blog Post some time. There is so much good to say about that place, that space here just doesn't permit it. I will say it was some outstanding 'cue and we did not go away hungry.
We then went to the Museum of History, followed by the Museum of Science. We enjoyed both, but my favorite was the Science Museum.
The sidewalks were either very clear or still snow and ice packed, with little in between, except one that was very slushy. After the museums, we stopped in at Port City Java for a Mocha, then headed back to the train station, all the while taking pictures of downtown Raleigh.
We were so full from lunch, we never made it to the Cafe' Car. We enjoyed the trip home and met and talked with several people along the way.
We arrived home tired from the day, but certainly less tired and less stressed since neither of us had driven on the trip.
It was a simple, but very enjoyable day trip and not all that expensive. We bought the train tickets and used our AAA discount and the museums were free. It is a really simple way to spend an enjoyable day.
0 comments:
Post a Comment