Starting Location: Holly Springs, NC
Destination: Holly Springs, NC
Dining Locations: Chipotle, Cary, NC; Parker and Otis, Durham, NC; The Fractured Prune, Raleigh, NC
Travel Time: 0 hours (except for touring around the city)
We awoke to the relaxing comfort of casa de la Griffin in warm Holly Springs. Hunter again found the magic 6:45 am time to work on his pronunciation of the word “down”. After about 5 minutes of his panting (because he wanted to see his buddy Max), we got him and brought him down to see his pal. Max was only mildly excited to see Hunter because this meant that he would have to continually walk around the house for a while to shake the kid.
Fran left for work at 7:30 but we were informed by Drew that she was going to be able to work only a half day and hang out with all of us for the rest of the afternoon which we were very excited about. Until Fran’s arrival home, I spent time catching up with Drew. Hunter and Emily took this opportunity to catch some extra sleep by napping.
When Fran returned home, Emily and Fran were kind enough to head to Chipotle and pick us up some delicious tacos. Because of the Tomato Scare of 2008 we were unable to get their wonderful salsa, but we managed without. We all enjoyed our lunch and conversation while Hunter took his second nap of the day. Casa de la Griffin is really comfortable.
After Hunter woke up and consumed his cheese quesadilla, we headed to A Southern Season (a local fancy food store) to look around at all of the wonderful things they had. I know many of you are thinking this was my idea but, believe it or not, it was on Emily’s itinerary. While Emily shopped I ran the Indy 500 with Hunter around the wine selection trying to get him to take a 30 minute nap before dinner. Apparently I ran the course just right because I was successful.
After A Southern Season, we headed to another fancy grocery store/restaurant called Parker and Otis that Emily went to during her last Holly Springs visit. The place was fun and had some delicious sandwiches that we all enjoyed. Hunter had yet another grilled cheese sandwich. Being his fifth of the trip, I believe I can now say he has officially consumed a total of one collective sandwich. After we finished our food we sat around visiting and asking Hunter to show us his muscles, which is his newest circus trick. I have to say that I am a sucker for these kind of things. He tightens his face and neck much like the Hulk and raises his arms. I can’t really do it justice with the photo but the one above taken by Fran does a pretty good job.
We departed Parker and Otis and decided that we still needed more food for some reason. Fran had suggested a wonderful little donut shop that was close by called the Fractured Prune. They specialize in “hot always” cake donuts. It was well worth the trip because these things were freakin’ good. We all picked out a unique donut and went outside to enjoy them. Hunter got the kids meal that was served on a frisbee. I am so glad that we got one of those or else he wouldn’t have been able to throw it once and then lose interest. He has the focus of his dad.
We powered through our donuts and got in the car to head back to the house. Believe it or not, there was still one more stop that we needed to make. I am not sure if you have heard of this place but there is this local coffee shop called Starbucks that I was informed was a must see before we returned home. I am not sure if you know this but Hunter is now asking for a drink of Emily’s Iced Skinny Hazelnut Latte Crappucino drink thingy. I know he is only 15 months, but I think I am losing him to the Dark Side. Everyone downed their ever important caffeine before bed and we went home.
Before bed the ladies decided to give Hunter a rock star hairdo and photo shoot. He as always was a good sport and struck a few poses. Bed time did not come quickly this evening. Hunter decided he wanted to get back at Max for barking and screamed for a good 45 minutes before he demanded to come “DOWN!!!” Mom brought him down for one last visit with Uncle Drew and Aunt Fran. Fran was good enough to catch some great photos that she shared with us. He relaxed with Emily and Drew and then decided that it was time, and we put him to bed for the evening. We stayed up for a bit, chatted, and then called it an evening. Another great road trip day and an enjoyable visit with Drew, Fran and Max.
