Taking advantage of a slow work week, I drove north to visit some friends in North Carolina and Virginia. My first stop (after a bit of tire trouble) was in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Hector and I spent the morning wandering the lovely Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University. Not only did I enjoy the beautiful flowers and numerous water features but the slightly lower temperatures were much appreciated as well.

In the evening we went the other direction and strolled through the state capital. The statue of Sir Walter Raleigh, looking quite smug all decked out in finery, seems befitting for the titular city but it’s worth remembering that the English statesman never even visited North America.

Raleigh is also known as the “City of Oaks”, which explains why they drop a massive acorn as part of their New Year’s Eve celebrations. While I enjoyed touring the downtown area, and sipping delicious craft-brewed beer, my favorite part was learning about the ever-humble Tucker, the Oak City Kitty.