wanderer

Thanks to all who helped us plan this trip. It was way too short, but we loved our first visit to NC! What warm and hospitable people!

We went over Labor Day weekend, and arrived on Sat @11:30. We were staying at the Fearrington House, so we drove right there, and since check in was not until 3pm, ate at their restaurant "The Granary". I had their crab cake, which is the best I have ever had, with a biscuit to match, and my husband had some sort of wrap which he really liked. Our only disappointment was not being able to eat on the patio outside, as it was gorgeous weather! Such a surprise, as we were anticipating rain, or cloudy weather at best.

We wanted to check out the model homes at the Fearrington, and had booked a 2pm appt., so strolled into the bookstore to kill time, which was another pleasant surprise. Very large, with great selection. We spent about an hour in there. Then went to see if our room might be ready early and it was!

We feel in love with Fearrington - the grounds, the inn, the restaurants, the quiet. Everything was great, and the inn prices are much, much lower than what you get around Boston for the same. The staff was so friendly, and took us to our room early, which happened to be in the courtyard.

We loved being in this area, and loved the room. We had their least expensive room, and it was beautiful. Cd player, catherdral ceilings, sitting area with TV, very large bath with double sinks, skylights, windows and light everywhere, NY Times delivered daily. I didn't want to leave.

We had a tour of the Fearrington Grounds and Homes Sat, which was very impressive. Family run operation, very much dedicated to quality. We spent @ 2 hours driving around with the rep and viewing homes (she is the builder's daughter, and her mother runs the inn).

Being late, and with a game in Chapel Hill, we decided to just chill, get a light meal at the Belted Goat and glass of wine, sit out, and while away the hours. We hear the cows mewing, (?sp), saw several deer, and just enjoyed the atmosphere.

Sunday we headed into Chapel Hill. I have to say, although I really liked the town, I was totally surprised that it seems that the University IS the town. It seemed all the store are "student stores" - not much for the average non-student resident - hardware, clothing, pharmacy, etc. I have never lived in a college town - maybe that's just the way it is.

We drove around for awhile, but didn't really know where to go, and not alot was open on Sunday (including the Visitor Center), so drove to Southern Pines. We had planned to see both Southern Pines, and Pinehurst, but were a little tired after the drive, so just went to Southern Pines.

I really liked the town. More of the types of shops and downtown atmosphere I had hoped for in Chapel Hill, but it seemed very sleepy and remote to us. Again, on Sunday, almost everything was closed. We had a hard time finding a place to eat, and ended up at a little sandwich/ice cream shop.

We drove also to Hillsborough, which was adorable, but also seemed remote (in reality it is not - only 20 miles or so from CH), and so we didn't get out to explore.

We came back and again ate at the Belted Goat outside, and took a walk around Fearrington. The Belted Goat has salads and sandwiches from the inn chef, which is a highly rated restaurant, so same quality. Everything was delicious. Saw several more deer, the little baby goats, and residents, who greeted us like we were friends. Very nice people.

Monday we had to fly home and only had a short time, so drove to Carborro on our way to the airport. It is different than CH - a little more run down or something, but we liked the Mill, and it seemed an interesting town.

We like that the area has so much around it - Duke, Raleigh, etc. We want to go back again and explore more. It's definitely at the top of our list.

Thanks again to all who helped. I wish we had gone to more restaurants, or sights to help others out. It's amazing how fast the times goes by!

If anyone is looking to visit this area, I highly recommend Fearrington House. Not only are prices reasonable, service is superb, and the grounds, and inn, and food are spectacular. Breakfast outside overlooking the fountain was a highlight! We would go back here in a heartbeat!

cmcfong

Thank you for posting your report.I had hoped you would enjoy your visit. Come back soon!

LoveItaly

The Fearrington House sounds lovely wanderer. Don't you hate it when you have accomodations at the most perfect place and you can't stay longer? But hopefully you will get back in the not to far future. BTW, I love good crab cakes, they are one of my favorite dishes!

wanderer

One other thing we really liked - RDU was amazingly easy to get in and out of - a dream compared to our Logan in Boston!

And the traffic? Where?

We were extremely lucky to have 2 glorious sun-filled days - it was pouring rain back home.

Gretchen

Chapel Hill downtown is definitely all about the University. There are shopping centers, out a bit. But there is major shopping in Raleigh and Durham nearby.
Hillsborough is definitely just a (historic) crossroads--very small picturesque town. In your original post, that is along the lines of what you described, I thought.
Pinehurst is beautiful and a slightly larger SP.
Carrboro is a suburb for Chapel Hill students/support. I can remember when it wasn't even there!
I still hope you'll look at Durham--and at Davidson, a bit down the road.
And I don't think you'll find ANY airport in the Carolinas--or maybe in the Southeast--that approaches Logan.
I can't remember if Charleston was ever on your radar.

ncgrrl

Glad you had a good time. Boy did it rain Monday night, so you missed the weather.

>>"the University IS the town"

yep, that's a college town for you. However, it really isn't when you get away from campus. There is a Lowe's, Staples, CVS, Eckerd's etc. just not close to campus. The town of CH has some issues with business development, so a good number of stores are just over the county border in Durham. As a Durham resident, I appreciate all the sales tax revenue from CH shoppers!

I've said it in other posts, it's wonderful to live in a college town, I just wouldn't want to live too close to campus.

WHY was the inn giving out the NY Times? They should have provided you with a local paper so you could see what's going on in the area.

Yes, there is traffic, but not at the Boston level. Also, on a holiday weekend you didn't see the regular commuter traffic patterns. For your next visit, come during a work week and listen to the traffic reports. If you decide to move to the area, stay away from those congested routes.

wanderer

Yes, I'm sure we will have many more visits to the area.

I want to see Durham and Raleigh and Davidson and other recommended areas.

I don't know why Fearrington was giving out NYT - but there were local papers avail in the Belted Goat.

We can't wait to return!!

Thanks again to everyone who helped us make this a great trip!

jgmarie

Thanks for your nice review Wanderer. I posted awhile ago looking for a place to stay overnight while I'm down in Raleigh for the weekend. Someone suggusted Fearrington--so, I think I may end up staying there, it sounds really nice.

wanderer

Fearrington surpassed our expectations. I would not hesitate to stay there again or recommend it.

We're already trying to plan our next visit - the area reminded us of home (the landscape), only with nicer aspects - less traffic, nicer airport, nicer people (sorry Boston), nicer weather....

This area is high on our list for retirement, so we will continue to visit and explore.

Can anyone recomment areas of Raleigh/Durham to visit? I know in CH we drove in circles, not knowing where the "nicer" neighborhoods are. After our visit, however, I am sold on Fearrington to live. The best of both worlds - quiet, peaceful with lots to do, and only 8 miles from CH.

It seems that Durham and Raleigh are pretty close as well??

ncgrrl

Compared to Boston, everything is closer together, but each town has its own identity and some towns have problems being associated with others.

Are you looking for a retirement community? A home in an older/closer in neighborhood? A new home or townhouse?

In college, I had a friend whose parents moved to Fearrington. I thought it was far out in the middle of nowhere, her family loved the location and mentioned several of the things you mentioned.

You came at a great time for a visit. You might want to schedule your next trips for mid- to late- January and July. See how we [don't] cope with winter weather and to see if you can handle the heat. We can handle the heat -- everything is AC'd, but we don't do well in snow/ice/yucky weather.

Gretchen

Yes, but the snow lasts all of 15 minutes!!
AND Fearington IS in the boonies--just very posh ones.

wanderer

You know, this trip made us rethink what we want.

We didn't feel Fearrington was "in the boonies" but I think only because of the little village there. If it had been only homes, we might have felt that. But it was only a short 8 min to CH!

We love older homes, and established neighborhoods, but older homes require work. We thought we wanted a 2 story, but liked the one stories at Fearrington, and when you get older that's a consideration.

One thing we definitely hate is a subdivision feel. New houses just thrown up side by side with no landscaping. Fearrington didn't feel that way because of all the open space and integrated landscaping. It felt like a "home".

I don't think we want a retirement community. Fearrington is all ages. I kind of like that. The family did another development, but I forget the name of it. I'd like to check it out.

We want a really safe area, and quiet, but with easy access (10 miles or so) to town.

Yes I agree - come at worst times to a place and see then what you think!

Gretchen

My "boonies" remark was definitely facitious. Fearington is just in the country. If that is the style of living you want, there may be a lot of other places to consider also.

wanderer

It's all a matter of perspective, I guess - as I mentioned earlier, we felt Hillsborough, although really cute, was in "the boonies".

Gretchen

It is sort of--but still VERY accessible to Chapel Hill and Raleigh. But you said you wanted small and historic in your original post. You have to admit that Fearington is in an entirely different category altogether. It's a planned community with a "theme", if you will. You can do a lot with that type of development.

wanderer

With Fearrington, I guess that's why you have to go see and be open - never know what will strike your fancy.

We really liked the feel of Hillsborough, but I think it's too small. We want small, but I think not that small. Sonoma has been the smallest we liked at 10K, but that's different, as there are tons of other little tons right next door. I'd say 20K would be the ideal. We may try to spend some more time in Hillsborough when we go back.

At this point, it's just ruling the "area" in or out. So far it's in, and needs more exploration and visits to see if it would be right.

Gretchen

In today's paper--Lee Smith and Hillsborough.
Living with grief, one word at a time
After her son died, Lee Smith took this advice: Write every day
JERI KRENTZ READING LIFE EDITOR
Three years ago in October, grief capsized Lee Smith's life.

The author's son, Joshua Seay, died in his sleep when he was just shy of 34. Smith says she "wore out" her husband and friends with her sorrow, then finally sought help from a psychiatrist. His prescription wasn't what she expected.

Write every day, he told her.

Smith protested.

"I said, `I can't do that. I can't even make up a sentence.' `Then just show up for work,' he said. `Go sit in the chair. Just two hours every day.'

"So I started back. It took me a long time. But every day, I had another world to sink into."

Smith's new book, "On Agate Hill," grew from that mandate. It's her 11th novel in a list that includes "Oral History," "Family Linen," "Fair and Tender Ladies" and "The Last Girls."

Set in the Piedmont after the Civil War, "On Agate Hill" follows Molly Petree through life as an orphan and life as a widow.

"I've never been interested in the Civil War," Smith says, "but we moved into a very old house and ... suddenly I was surrounded by this stuff."

The house in Hillsborough, where Smith lives with her husband, the writer Hal Crowther, is next to a historic cemetery. On the corner is the county museum with a collection of Civil War artifacts. Nearby is the Burwell School, founded in 1837 as an academy for girls.

Smith, 61, had already done extensive research for the book before her son died.

Finding her way back