Well, it's officially moving week. Tomorrow is my last day in the office, the movers come Thursday morning to pack/load my belongs and my car, and then I will be staying with Phil until Sunday when I take my one-way flight to Charlotte... Yikes. I think that might be a 'sunglasses on' kind of flight to hide the tears I imagine I'll be crying.
That said, I think I am well overdue for a positive post about this move, given the fact I have not written anything positive about it thus far. So I thought I'd do a looking forward post with a North Carolina focus.
When I move to NC, I'm looking forward to...
- spring. I know Charlotte has had cooler weather lately, but it's still a walk in the park compared to what we've had lately (hello 8 degrees with the windchill on April 1st). I am looking forward to green grass and trees with leaves and blooming flowers. And temps that don't require a winter coat, hat, and gloves!! And maybe I can wear my cropped pants without freezing!
- attending a good friend/co-worker's wedding later this month. She graciously invited me to her wedding when she found out I would move in time to be there for her special day. She is getting married in the Lake Norman area, which is apparently a very beautiful area. I will also be attending her 'last night out' dinner the first weekend I am in Charlotte. It feels good to have social plans the first two weekends I will be in Charlotte.
- visiting John and his family in the Raleigh area! I have known John through blogging for many years and we met briefly last year when I was in Charlotte for work. In June I am planning to visit him, his wife, and their 2 adorable girls. John is preparing for an Ironman in the fall (I might go spectate since it's in Wilmington which is about 3-4 hours from Charlotte!) so we will definitely be doing a long run together!
- checking out the U.S. National Whitewater Center. It's about 20 minutes from Charlotte, so very easy to get to. I am considering getting a season pass for this place as I can see myself going there often. Judging by the name you might think I will go white water rafting, but I am actually not a huge fan of that; instead I want to paddle board, kayak, zip-line, check out their trails (Kyria, I might actually try trail running!), try canyon crossing (whatever that means), and maybe try rock climbing.
- visiting the Asheville area. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about Asheville. It's in the mountainous area of NC and that is where the Biltmore is located (which apparently looks like a French Castle!). There are so many things to do, I might have to go here more than once to take it all in.
- visiting the Outer Banks. This is another area that I have heard nothing but good things about. It sounds like such a beautiful, charming place to visit. It's a LONG drive from Charlotte, though, so I am not sure if I will get there this year, but we'll see.
So there you have it. Some positive aspects to this move, most of which I'll work on discovering after the CFA exam is behind me. I think I am going to treat myself to a North Carolina travel guide book after the move as I figure that will help me find other areas to explore. After all, I do want to make the most of this year (or however long it ends up being) that I spend in Charlotte.
Have you been to North Carolina? Any must-see places I should add to my list?
23 comments:
This is a great post- I'm so glad you have so many wonderful things in NC to look forward to. It's great that you have a wedding and last night out right after you arrive! I've never been to NC but I'm looking forward to seeing some of the cool things you explore while you are there!
Great post! I think you have some great things to look forward to - and I'm sure there will be other things highlighted in a certain package *ahem* you'll be receiving!
Hope moving week goes well!
My friends in Charlotte love the white water center - they make plans there several times a year and always bring guests and family if they can fit it in.
Have a good moving week and don't let the hubbub stress you out. May beautiful spring weather await you!
This is such a great post! Sounds like you have LOTS of things to look forward to. My sister lives in Asheville and I can personally attest to the fact that it is a beautiful, cool, funky little place, and definitely worth a visit. I'm actually taking a road trip to visit her this summer and I can hardly wait!
Uplifting post! After the CFA, you could find yourself very busy touring and socializing and time will zip by! These places you described sound fun & exciting!
That all sounds like fun, especially the trail running (wink, wink). I have actually heard nothing but good things about North Carolina! I have been told it's like a mini California, with mountains and beaches and lakes and hiking and outdoors stuff and.... so I have always wanted to go there! Now I have someone to visit, so I am excited that you will be there.
It's nice that you have things going on for the first two weekends; that will help a lot with the home sickness!
Fun fact: my mom worked on Lake Norman when we lived in Charlotte and wrote for their paper! It really is gorgeous there.
And I LOVE LOVE LOVE Asheville. One of my earliest memories is my parents taking me and my brother there over July 4th and we were able to watch the fireworks from our hotel room (my brother hated the sound of fireworks so we weren't outside watching them...)
Once you get all settled in I'd love to plan a visit to come see you (or meet you in another city on the East Coast depending on what you are up to!) =)
This is awesome, Lisa! Lots to look forward to. That Whitewater Center sounds really awesome so I hope you can take advantage of it while you're in Charlotte. :)
I'm so happy to read your optimistic post -- yes, you DO have much to look forward to in NC. It is a beautiful state. Rick's dad lives on Sugar Mountain, about a half hour from Boone -- we visit every couple of years so maybe we can figure out where that is in relation to Charlotte! There is a ton of art (galleries, all that) in that area. Lots of folk art -- carving, quilts, etc., along with the other. I love that about the region. That's a fun area. Good BBQ, too! Another friend is near Outer Banks in Manteo, which is lovely. The Lost Colony Outdoor Theatre is on the coast in the summer.
I'm glad you have activities set up for your first couple of weekends. Being busy and have much to look forward to will help you feel a little less new and far from the familiar. Hang in there, my friend. You can do it!
There you go! Plan as many fun things possible, and then your "down time" will be spent looking forward to the next fun adventure. I'm trying to do that as Ryan is gone. However, these next 6 weeks are going to be shitty. So I'm just making the most of my days off.
That Whitewater Center sounds amazing! I wish there was something like that here. I wish there was water here. ;)
I don't have any insight of experience of NC or anything on the east coast. But I'm glad you know people in close proximity!
Ashville is supposed to be so beautiful! I actually would like to make a trip to see it. Sounds like you have tons of fun stuff planned and will definitely make the most of your time in North Carolina. I hope the move goes smoothly and everything makes it to your new place A-OK!
I think it's great that you made this list as it will give you something to look forward to. I have never been to North Carolina, but would love to go!
Oh, I am so glad to hear you have some things to look forward to in NC... I think that will make the adjustment a little easier.
Good luck with the move!
I may make it there this year! One of my closest friends bought a house in NC last year. I have yet to visit her and haven't been to NC!
I love this post! Definitely important to focus on the positive. I'm also so glad to hear you have social plans the first two weekends you are there now, I think that will really help your transition!
That National Whitewater Center looks SO COOL!!! I can't wait to hear about it when you do go check it out!
Yeah! I'm glad that you already have some plans set up and that you've found some nice things to look forward to. I've always wanted to go to the Outer Banks too.
Moving week is finally here! Yay! I mean, moving is always stressful, don't let it totally freak you out. Take it as it comes. You have a lot to look forward to when you get down here.
Lake Norman is pretty nice. I've only been a few times. But it is a popular wedding spot, so you will have fun.
Asheville is incredible. It's best to visit in the fall, as the mountains will cool down faster than Charlotte will. Biltmore Estate will blow your mind. The gardens, the winery, the house, you name it. It's the largest single family residence in the US, and contains Napoleon's chess set among other things.
And of course I can't wait to show off Raleigh and maybe Wilmington. We're going to have a blast. Be safe!
I am actually from North Carolina! I live in Raleigh. I have only been to Charlotte a handful of times for concerts so I have not been able to explore the city much, but I hear nothing but wonderful things about it! It is supposed to have a great nightlife, if you are in to that sort of thing. I have lived in NC almost my entire life but I am taking my very first trip to the mountains this weekend. I am SO excited and I will hopefully get to see the Biltmore Estate.
I hope you enjoy your time here in NC! Maybe someday, some NC bloggers can gather and we can meet!
Have I been to North Carolina? Ha! You know the answer to that. Pretty please make a trip to Chapel Hill when visiting John, so you begin to understand what a beautiful place it was to attend school! Also, Outer Banks? Sweets and I visited during the month of October and it was BEAUTIFUL, despite being off-peak season. It also just might be where we got engaged. =) You'll also want to add Charleston and Savannah as weekend road-trips - both have really wonderful Southern charm (and make sure to let me know when you start considering a trip to Savannah - I'll put you in touch with two of my very best couple friends who are downright amazing hosts!).
A former high school classmate teaches in Charlotte. And my former college roommate and her husband live somewhat near Lake Norman. We also have friends that live in Charleston, SC that say it's amazing. We have only been to the Charlotte airport. ;)
Nope, never been to North Carolina before. I'm excited for you though!
I spent a good part of 4 summers in Asheville when I was living in SC as a child. It's such a beautiful city. I have been to the Biltmore, too, and I think it would be even more interesting to visit as an adult. My parents also rent a vacation house on Topsail Island every other year, and my brothers and sisters and I all go down with our families for a week. Topsail is about half an hour north of Wilmington. The side of the island where the houses are is peaceful and relaxing, but I'm not sure I'd want to go there just to tour the island or anything. The bulk of the island is crappy beach shops and crowded hotels.
I think going to the Biltmore would be a lot of fun! The owner of the plantation where we got married, uses the Biltmore as kind of a goal of what he strives to be. Plus in general I love visiting historical places.
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