Gretchen

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.

schmerl

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.

Daniel_Williams

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!

cmcfong

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.

Daniel_Williams

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

Vttraveler

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.

Daniel_Williams

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.

thursdaysd

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/

Daniel_Williams

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.

Gretchen

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

Daniel_Williams

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!