Visit to the Queen City

This past weekend we drove down to Charlotte and stayed with the Meek Family. It was a long drive from Arlington to Charlotte (around 7 hours) but we took Corbin's suggestion and took the Mountain route (I-81 to I-77). It was a beautiful drive and Henry did great. We stopped a few times at rest stops which he loved because he got to gawk at big trucks. After arriving at Corbin and Natalie's we got settled and then headed to the art gallery where our friend Miranda was having her opening. Henry stayed with Gwennie and Brandy, Gwennie's nanny. After being in the car all day I know he appreciated staying behind and playing with all Gwennie's cool toys. Many old friends came to Charlotte for the show (click here to see some of Miranda's work) and it was great seeing everyone. David stayed for the after party and I headed back to the Meek home. When I got back to Corbin and Natalie's house Henry didn't show any signs that he missed me. He just started handing me the dog toys he had found and had been throwing around this house. On Saturday we got up early (like we do everyday!) and went to a couple local Farmer's Markets. I really loved the Matthew's Farmers Markets. Corbin had warned us we needed to arrive early because local chefs get there early and buy up certain things. Although there was plenty of vegetables and baked goods, twice I noticed people with big bags of beautiful summer squash. When I went looking for the particular squash I had been eyeing I learned they were sold out. Corbin and Natalie hosted a BBQ at there house on Saturday evening and Henry got to meet the whole gang of friends who had flown in for Miranda's show. Henry really enjoyed the attention during the whole weekend and behaved quite well considering his molars are starting to come in. I joked to Natalie and Corbin that I was going to move in with them because Henry slept so well during his nap and at night. The ride home was pretty smooth too. We started it by inhaling a Bojangles egg biscuit (our 2nd of the weekend). I think that got the trip to a good start. Nothing like a lead brick to start off a long drive. We stopped at rest stops and let Henry enjoy the truck action and read books and played videos in the car (we bought a portable DVD player before the trip). Overall, I am really glad we drove. We were really close to flying because we were worried about Henry being in the car that long but I think as long as we stop every 2 1/2 hours he seems to do just fine. We will be packing up the car in a couple weeks and heading to New Bern, NC so hopefully we will have a similar driving experience. We won't be seeing the Mountain views but the drive is a little shorter --and lots of chances to stop at Bojangles.

Click Here for pictures from the weekend