Part of the DC suburbs is Northern Virginia where there’s a lot of business going on. I remember the area used to be compared to Silicon Valley back in the 90’s. There are a lot of big technology companies headquartered there and government subcontractors. Actually after I left the hotel catering field, I dabbled in the technology arena for about 9 years in that area.

And aside from the business hustle and bustle, the Raleigh towns remind me a bit of Northern Virginia circa 20 years ago. Friends of mine that I go way way back with, met me for Sunday brunch on my trip over the past July 4th weekend.  Oh, and one of their  little ones joined us (see cute photo).  So, my friend Lisa sent me a text message saying that Ruthie would be joining us but that she’ll be a lady.  I replied back…I don’t know about the lady bit but I’m sure she’ll be sooo darn cute!  …and she was happy with her kids meal and her sippy cup she couldn’t put  down.  Whoever invented a straw was brilliant! 

How was your July 4th weekend??? Do anything special in Raleigh or elsewhere? Me — I spent the weekend up in the nation’s capitol.  No, not just shopping…although that’s a great way to celebrate our nation!  Oh, and you’d think there would be a mad dash to see the fireworks up there… but ironically, traffic was light. I mean it doesn’t get any more American than the fireworks shot near the Washington Monument. But, a lot of people who live in that area tend to flock out of town on July 4th weekend and the tourists come into the city. I know this ‘cause I lived up there for over 26 years. I now have a new appreciation for visiting the Northern Virginia area as I’ve been gone for almost 6 years now. Traffic up there is usually real bad and the overall area has spread beyond towns that I didn’t even know existed about 20 years ago.

Raleigh is full of lakes that you can walk around like Shelley Lake and Lake Lynn. And there are big lakes like Lake Wheeler and Jordan Lake. But if you head west in North Carolina to the mountains, there are some even bigger lakes that would take you days to walk around and you can do all kinds of fun boating and watersports. What better than combining the lake with the mountains?!

I was just vacationing not too far a drive from Raleigh. Have you ever been to Chimney Rock Park? If not you have to go! It’s absolutely breathtaking and one of the best kept hidden secrets in North Carolina…I always thought of myself as an ocean person more than a mountain person. I think it’s just what you grow up with. Not that you have to be one or the other, but I have found my opinion has totally changed after visiting Chimney Rock. And it doesn’t hurt that not only are the mountain views beyond amazing, but there’s also a huge gorgeous lake (Lake Lure) that surrounds the mountain town.

This should be one of the wonders of the world…that’s how gorgeous I think it is.