back home

so, a week ago I was in a car on my way to eat BBQ, and eat we did. I want to finish up this trip before we leave next weekend to go to Cleveland.

Sunday:
Usually when you are traveling the day you leave is basically just a travel day. maybe you get some breakfast but mostly your focus is on get home and all that jazz. Our flight didn't leave until the late afternoon, though, so we were able to enjoy a decent portion of the day in Charlotte.

Carolyn took us to this bagel place that makes steamed bagel sandwiches. I had gone there with her the last time I visited, and it did not disappoint. (anyplace that lets me put cucumbers on my sandwich is a good place in my view.) We had wanted to meet onyx's cousin chance, but Carolyn's brother wasn't around/ awake when we called so we changed plans and went to the US Whitewater Rafting Center.

From BBQ pt 1

This place was really cool. I wish the main zip line had been open, because Bill and I were basically convinced to do it before we got there, but as it was we had a great time. The highlight was just enjoying the beautiful weather. This place is really cool, though, and if we lived closer I would totally sign up for kayak lessons with Carolyn. As it was, we walked around the perimeter of the rafting area and watched the kayakers struggle through the slaloms. We also got majorly sun burnt. Not knowing we were going here in the morning when i got ready i didn't put on my 45spf, and that coupled with the fact that it had been overcast the previous two days i figured i would be fine. not so much. the last few days my forehead and nose looked diseased from all the pealing.... but as i see it it is like getting a "natural" chemical peal.

From BBQ pt 1

yeah you can already see my face getting red

From BBQ pt 1

Overall, we had a wonderful time in Charlotte. A HUGE thank you goes to my good friend Carolyn who gave us her car and her bed and was a personal tour guide for the weekend. I wish I lived closer to you brudder. Bill and I had a great time and are already looking forward to August and the next leg of our trip.

Biltmore

Saturday started of for a quick run for some people in the group. others, me, slept in.

after getting ready for the day we went to a french bakery for some breakfast. after that we settled in for the drive to the Biltmore Estate. We drove through S. Carolina to get there which makes sense if you look at a map.

From BBQ pt 1

From BBQ pt 1

The Biltmore was amazing. They don't allow pictures inside the building, which is just fine because if you haven't gone you should see it your self. after touring the house for about 2 hours we drove out to the winery. they have wine tastings there along with seminars. we signed up for an aroma seminar and then toured the winery and went through the tasting. the seminar was interesting... they tried to teach you on how to taste and smell a wine... something none of us had ever been taught.

From BBQ pt 1

From BBQ pt 1

After the winery we strolled through some of the many gardens. I could have spent days exploring the gardens, but i think we made the most out of the time we had.

From BBQ pt 1

From BBQ pt 1

From BBQ pt 1

Around 5:30, we left for Sims BBQ and Country Clogging. Some co-workers of Carolyn had recommended this place for a unique southern experience. The drive into the remote area to get there was long and twisty. I can't give as many anecdotes as Carolyn or Bill as I was trying to get my itchy eyes to behave. But, I was awake during the end of the trip which involved climbing to the top of a mountain turning down a dirt road driving past some dilapidated houses and reaching a big lake with a shack-like building nearby.

From BBQ pt 1

From BBQ pt 1

We were skeptical, but our 11$ all you can eat BBQ was delish. and the country music and clogging was fun to watch.

I didn't take video until the end of the night so the first the band is on break but you can see the cloggers and the second the band came back but most of the cloggers had already left.





You would think after such a long day we would just go right to sleep, but we stayed up and watched a movie before calling it a night.

Next up: steamed bagels and rafting centers.

Charlotte and Lexington

Well gentle readers we are back and boy did we do a lot in such a little time.

We arrived on time Thursday evening and were picked up by Carolyn. We got settled chatted for a bit and then all went to bed. Bill and I were going up to Lexington the next day for lunch and Carolyn had to work.

Lexington

Lexington proudly proclaims that they are the BBQ capital of the Unites States. I have a feeling we might visit more towns on our quest that all proclaim the same thing. BBQ in Lexington isn't like the BBQ in eastern NC (with a vinegary sauce) but it is based on slow cooked pork. We ate at two restaurants and at both they served their chopped (or sliced) pork with a chopped coleslaw that had a vinegar dressing on it. Bill ordered hush puppies at both places and we both ordered sweet tea at both places.

Verdict:
We really enjoyed Lexington #1 BBQ better than Speedy's. Both were very good, but Lexington was a little less fatty and a little more flavor. Also Lexington's sweet tea was a tad less sweet, which was a good thing in my book.

Notes:
This was the first time either of us tried sweet tea. I think our bodies will still be in a diabetic shock next week, but at the same time it wasn't as bad as i thought it could be and certainly nothing like presweetened brisk tea. Also, this was my first time having hush puppies. They were good, but I think I'll stick to my fried potatoes and baked beans. I think both of us enjoyed the vinegar coleslaw better than the mayo based that we are used to, and I thought it was a good topping on my BBQ sandwich.

From BBQ pt 1

From BBQ pt 1

Friday afternoon we spent some time at Freedom park with Onyx.  Bill and I both thought that this was a really nice park.  I have to say that throughout our trip we were so impressed by the dog friendliness of Charlotte.  We had a very tasty dinner at 300 East with Carolyn and her brother Brian (the pecan crusted trout was phenomenal).  Then we all went for drinks and dessert at some place whose name escapes me.

That is it for this installment, I will write about Saturday (Biltmore and clogging) and Sunday (kayaking and sun burning) tomorrow.

ps here is a picture of Winnie in her BBQuest tee

From BBQ pt 1