Finally, a longer visit in Durham

Yikes, you poor blog-world, I forgot about you for a month! Perhaps because I have started taking more pictures on my phone and there isn't a convenient way to upload photos from it to the blog site... and I've not been on the computer much to load photos. In any case, rather than sit around on the computer, we had a great 9 day visit to Durham earlier this month!! We all four drove together from Sylva on a Friday, and then Jim went back (to work) on Sunday, while the boys and I stayed for the full week; at the end, Mom drove us all back home, stayed two nights, and then returned to Durham.

What a full week it was, highlighted by daily trips to Oval Park, a day trip to Jordan Lake, multiple rides on the back of Grandpa's bike, two visits to the Museum of Life & Science (perhaps the coolest place for kids in all of NC), two bus rides, two visits to Duke Chapel, and two stops at Bruegger's Bagels. And of course seeing Pete and Rita, and Mawethu & Lisa and boys, and feeling very strange not having Rachel & Craig and kids close by to spend time with (although we are very happy for their next chapter of life started in Gainesville). There's always more to enjoy, of course - but hopefully we will be there more regularly at this point in our lives and proximity.

Saturday morning we got to hang out for the Ncaca family! Still amazing that they now live and Durham and we are able to share in each other's lives again. Naturally, the boys spent hours in the bedroom working on Legos.

From Cape Town to North Carolina - love you guys!!

Lisa loaned us some trucks for the week, and they were played with every day on the front deck!

On Monday morning (Jim was back in Sylva), we enjoyed a lazy, quiet time at Jordan Lake - we had it all to ourselves and the water was a perfect temp! Great time except for the dratted wasps and flies bothering us during our picnic lunch. It was the end of summer, but our first time at a lake this year!!! I loved seeing how the boys slowly got used to the water, and it made me hope they can have more swimming time next summer.

That evening Mom made dinner for a small group that Dad's leading, so we took the food over to the chapel and then sat at a picnic table nearby to eat our own supper. Wow, Duke Chapel is an impressive, beautiful building. And Timo has always had a fascination with "bell chapels" (his words). I am not exaggerating when I say he was hopping and shaking with excitement to go inside and look around.

our lovely table outside the student center, in the shadow of the Chapel

Perhaps one of these days we can climb the steps to the top of the bell tower and re-visit the sight of our engagement from nearly 16 years ago!

A new day, and a new scene - this is downtown Durham.

"Loaf" is one of the best small bakeries I've ever been in. Incredible croissants and gougeres (yes, we ate cheese this time!) and, best of all, Nanaimo Bars! In North Carolina! Thanks for the treats, Dad.

Sorry, downtown, that's all the photos I got of you. Although your revitalization is impressive! And we enjoyed watching a huge tower crane working on putting up a new skyscraper.

After our bakery treats, Timo and I rode the free city bus (Bull City Connector) a couple of miles. He was so patient while we waited at the stop, and then climbed on with no fear. Even though he looks subdued in this photo, he was SO excited.