Gee Tom--try not being quite so ugly about volunteer docents--and it IS "secession" not "succession" 'cause they didn't really "succeed".
Daniel as always, such a GREAT report of things we in our own state don't visit!! The Raleigh Art Museum is a good stop.
And as others I am sorry about your loss of your dad.
Sam Jones BBQ is on the list of best BBQ in the country. My son is a BBQ afficianodo and goes to a BBQ EVERYwhere he travels. Stopped at that one on a trip to a cousin's funeral and pronounced it incredible. They often sell out by noon on Saturdays!! Downtown Raleigh.

Daniel, thanks for once again treating us to one of your wonderful trip reports. I always enjoy them.
So sorry about the loss of your dad.

Gretchen—Thanks for the heads-up on Sam Jones BBQ and the Raleigh Art Museum. Reasons to return! I should have mentioned as well that I enjoyed how much there was to do within walking distance; I never even used an Uber/taxi.

schmerl— Thanks and happy new year!

Oh Daniel, what a treat to find a trip report from you. You always tell such a great story. It’s particularly fun for me to read about your visits to my home state.
I am very sorry to learn of your dad’s death. I know your mother was very grateful you were there with her for a good part of the holiday.

Thanks cmcfong. And I have been enjoying exploring North Carolina!

I am sorry to hear of your father's death. It is good that you were able to spend time with your mother.

Thanks for a very interesting TR. It certainly makes me consider a similar trip. We often take side trips from the DC area when we visit our son in Silver Spring, MD. Usually these are by car but a short train trip would be fun especially for my husband who loves trains and train travel. It sounds as though you were able to find a spot convenient to the station and downtown.

Thanks vttraveller. I hope you report back if you do a similar trip as I suspect short trips out of DC may be in my future. And indeed Raleigh was a great choice in that I never even sprung for a cab or Uber the entire time I was there—I walked to all sites mentioned.

BTW Daniel, the reason the rolling stock for the Piedmont looks different is because it's owned by the NC Department of Transportation, although Amtrak actually operates the trains.

See: https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/rail...t-program.aspx

You might find the history of rail in NC interesting: https://www.ncrr.com/about-ncrr/ncrr-history/

Thursdaysd— Thanks for the info on the rolling stock of the Piedmont. The Piedmont had caught my eye as other than the Acela, the only train I’d seen with a markedly different look from common Amtrak wagon styles was the Talgo train I took between Seattle and Portland.

There's a train museum in Spencer near Salisbury/Charlotte if you are ever interested. At Christmas they have the Polar Express and at other times Thomas the Tank Engine. Our kids' kindergarten used to take the train up to it to experience a train ride--50 years ago now. LOL

Thanks Gretchen— I had a look at their website and it seems like something those who love old-fashioned trains and automobiles especially would enjoying checking out while in that part of NC. Great suggestion!

Daniel -condolences on the loss of your father. Due to age and infirmity, I'm afraid I have taken my last train trip but I always enjoy reading about yours. Keep them coming.

Dwooddon

It looks like the spam post above yours bumped my trip report to Raleigh from December back into view for you to see. Usually not a fan of spam but here I’m glad as your comment touched me about enjoying reading about my travels by train now that such mode of transport has become too difficult. On occasion, I have enjoyed watching YouTube videos of train trips I have done in the past as I like vicariously experiencing the filmmaker’s sense of discovery, which was at one time my own. Funny enough though, I don’t watch videos on train trips I’ve *not* done as I still hope to experience the ride for myself one day and want the visuals to seem new if I do it.

Thank you dwooddon. I have always appreciated your comments over the years.

Best wishes, Daniel

Daniel,

I hadn't noticed your post was from a few months ago. I, too, enjoy various youtube posts on train and other modes of travel. Now that I'm somewhat of a hermit, I've become much more familiar with youtube than I ever thought I would be.
Thank you for your kind comments and best wishes.

Don

Hi, thanks so much for the trip report. I have been curious about Raleigh/Chapel Hill for some time. I like college campuses and thought there might be a pretty one or more there. Thanks for the mention of the Casso Hotel. By any chance, does anyone know if Carolina Shag dancing is done there?

Thanks for your comments CoralFlorida-- I hope you check out the Raleigh/Chapel Hill area to see what you think. I returned to the area last month and thought the Duke University campus in nearby Durham had some magnificent architecture with some beautifully landscaped gardens right near the campus. Have yet to check out NC State in Raleigh and UNC Chapel Hill. Best wishes, Daniel