A Few Weeks Away

We returned this past Sunday from a two-week getaway in Apex, NC.  While it may not be making the “Top 10″ lists of US travel destinations, for us, it was a nice change of pace from the everyday.   While it’s nice living in SoFlo, having a web/graphic design company affords us the luxury of having a mobile office.  All we have to do is pack up our computers and we’re ready for business virtually anywhere around the world (with a power source and internet connection, that is).  I don’t think we’ll be operating out of a hut in the middle of the African plains anytime soon, but we do enjoy the ability to have that freedom.

You’re probably wondering why Apex, of all places?  Well, Michael’s dad lives there for one, meaning boarding is complimentary.  Two, we didn’t want to have to abandon our precious Tank (the extraordinary English Bulldog) for an extended period — we could drive to NC, meaning he could come along.  And three, it’s still hot here!  NC offered a change of seasons.

We packed up the car with all the essentials (i.e. half of the house), and ventured up I-95 to Apex, NC.  The 12 hour drive isn’t the most interesting, but we were surprised how painless it was.  Granted, our derrieres started to numb partially through the drive, but the side effects were minimal.  The leaves were starting to turn as we reached his Dad’s house, and we continued to watch them transition from a lively green to beautiful golden and red shades.

It was nice meeting up with some of Michael’s old friends while we were there, as well as attending a wedding in Arlington, VA (we drove there, too… thankfully Michael’s Dad was flexible enough to watch Tanker for a few days while we were up North).  Some of my high school friends were living in Washington, DC, and we were fortunate enough to get to spend a little time with them as well.  Our first evening there, we met up at Comet Ping Pong, a neat little pizza/bar hangout with (you guessed it!) ping pong tables for guests to keep active with while hanging with friends.  The pizza was actually really great, and with lots of flavor choices, there’s something for everyone.  A cool spot.

After spending the night outside of DC, then going to the wedding, we went to Baltimore for the evening.  We’d heard about this rad restaurant, and were dying to try it out.  Woodberry Kitchen is one of those places that only uses the best of the best, in terms of ingredients.  They’re all about great flavor and testing the palate.  We had a great pear flatbread, country-fried pork chop (fancier than you’d think), and crab cakes, followed by the CMP.  In all honesty, we were there for the CMP, but were a little disappointed.  It was too darn sweet.  Maybe if we weren’t already filled to the brim from dinner, and it wasn’t 11:00 at night, we’d have enjoyed it more?  A great place if you’ve got a pretty penny to spend, and want something off the beaten path.  Be forewarned, this place gets busy, so make a reservation a few weeks in advance for a weekend.

The morning we were headed back to NC, we had a little time to spend before needing to get on the road.  We had breakfast at Miss Shirley’s Cafe, a place that seemed to consistently make the top spot.  Since we don’t do eggs, of course the griddle stuff is always on our radar.  We ordered pumpkin pie stuffed french toast and cinnamon bun pancakes.  Both were quite tasty, but I wish we could praise the service.  In fact, it was downright awful.  I’d say if you want to give Miss Shirley’s a chance, try the location that’s not downtown, and maybe not at noon on a Sunday.

Back in NC, there were a few neat places we stopped at for a bite.  We tend to visit Tyler’s often when in town, since it’s right around the corner from the house, which works as far as a pub/tavern goes.  One of the best places we ate at was Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen, located in Cary, NC.  The menu was full of seasonal and locally grown ingredients, which sparked my interest.  We happened to be there for lunch with a large group of people, so I was able to get a peek at a diverse selection of menu items.  Delish!

On the return trip from NC back to our humble home, we make the decision to make a pit stop in Charleston, SC.  Neither of us had been before and we had heard great things about the coastal community.  We made it to the area by around 3:00, just long enough to drive around some and take a short walk with Tanker to explore King Street.  We passed an adorable french bakery and I couldn’t resist trying a chocolate macaroon.  Boy, was that good!  To anyone ever in the Charleston area, I highly recommend checking out the dessert/pastry selection from Macaroon Boutique.  So cute.

Dinner that evening wasn’t anything to write home about, but dessert, on the other hand deserves a mention.  While we were stuffed from our meal, we had heard about this great dessert restaurant/cafe, with amazing cakes and sweet beverages.  Dessert?  Yes, please.  The place – Kaminsky’s.  Our eyes were locked in the confections, but our stomachs knew they couldn’t handle the massive quantity.  Instead, we opted to sample two of their dessert drinks.  I ordered a Hot Buttery Chocolate (hot chocolate and butterscotch schnaps), so amazing it made my knees weak.  The hubby opted for the Toasted Marshmallow steamer (with irish cream and caramel).  We shared (duh), and were delightfully giddy.

Overall, our impression of Charleston was a mixed one.  The peninsula which houses a good deal of the historical architecture and downtown scene was beautiful.  Some cobblestone streets, magnificent homes, award winning restaurants… what’s not to love?  The outskirts, on the other hand, seemed a little lacking.  That, and there was a strange smell to the city; an unusual mix of sour apples and horse-you-know-what.  I would go back, but I’m not sure all would agree with me.

And now, we’re home, back to the swing of things.  It’s funny how we always long to get away, but once we’re home, it feels good again… something about the comfort of the familiar.  The holidays are coming up fast, and I’m excited for all that they hold – good food, good smells, white lights, family, friends… oh, and hosting our very first Christmas Dinner (more to come on that front later, as I try to determine the menu and decor).