North Carolina 2022 – Day Two: Accents, Vineyards, and Giant Turtles
Ah, the sweet bliss of jetlag – that odd little monster that lets you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow, only to rouse you from slumber at a completely unreasonable hour with absolutely no regard for your plans. Welcome to Day Two of our North Carolina (#Ad) escapade, where we traded snoozes for strolls, swapped caffeine for wine, and discovered that turtles come in rather more impressive sizes than anticipated.
Morning Musings: Bagels, Doughnuts and Barefoot Stumblings
A Semi-Early Start (for Some of Us)
After the marathon of transatlantic travel the day before, it’s safe to say that we were all due a decent kip. And to be fair, the beds did not disappoint. Soft, welcoming, and deliciously horizontal – everything a weary traveller could want.
Michele, however, had apparently recharged her batteries by 06:30 am and was already up, dressed, and ready to conquer the world before the rest of us had even considered rolling over. I, on the other hand, took a more sensible approach: I pressed snooze on consciousness until a respectable 08:00 am. Just as I groggily sat up and contemplated locating trousers, Elle and Hayley emerged from their rooms, looking far fresher than I felt.
Julie had already beaten us to it – she and Michele were downstairs having an early morning natter, undoubtedly fuelled by their first caffeine fix of the day.
Elle’s Breakfast Run
Breakfast came with a dash of local flair, as Elle popped out to fetch an assortment of doughnuts and bagels from a nearby spot. She returned like a breakfast fairy – minus the wings, but with the next best thing: a box full of sugar and carbs. Glorious. Julie and I took charge of brewing the coffee – a tag team effort to make sure no one had to suffer through the morning uncaffeinated.
The coffee was strong, the doughnuts dangerously sweet, and the bagels somewhere between chewy and heavenly. North Carolina (#Ad), you’re off to a tasty start.
Road Trip Ready: Destination Pilot Mountain
All Aboard the Pickup
Once we’d devoured our breakfast (and yes, I did go back for seconds), it was time to head out. Our destination? Pilot Mountain – about an hour’s drive away, nestled in the North Carolinian countryside.
Transport for the day was Elle’s trusty Toyota Tacoma pickup. This beast of a vehicle was big enough to fit our crew, luggage, and even a stroller strapped onto the back flatbed like a proud, if slightly awkward, accessory.
In the front: Elle at the wheel, Luna the pup perched beside her, and me – squeezed in and navigating Spotify. The back row featured Hayley, Julie, and Michele, all blissfully unaware of how much legroom they didn’t have. But spirits were high, the playlist was banging, and the sun was making a rare and welcome appearance.
Arrival in Pilot Mountain Village
We pulled into the quaint little village at the base of Pilot Mountain and immediately stepped into what felt like a postcard from the 1950s. It was Saturday morning, and the town was very much asleep – the kind of place where even the tumbleweeds seemed to be taking it slow.
We wandered down Main Street, absorbing the stillness. The few people we did see – mostly driving by in pickups larger than small European flats – gave a slow, deliberate wave as they passed. It felt like stepping into a live-action version of The Andy Griffith Show. Charming, a bit eerie, and thoroughly delightful.
Coffee with a Side of Charm
Our first stop? Main Street Coffee – a cosy little café with warm lighting and the unmistakable aroma of fresh espresso. As I sauntered in, half expecting a sleepy barista and a quiet queue, I was instead greeted with the enthusiastic exclamation:
“You can talk to me all day long – I love your ascent!”
Now, I’m fairly sure she meant “accent”, but who am I to argue when someone’s clearly delighted to hear the dulcet tones of British sarcasm in person? I flashed my best charming grin and leaned into the role of exotic foreigner. It’s not every day you get treated like a minor celebrity just for sounding like Hugh Grant’s less posh cousin.
The coffee was strong, the banter was flowing, and I briefly considered setting up a side hustle reading Shakespeare aloud to the locals. There’s something magical about small-town hospitality, and this little café had it in spades.
Vineyards and Vibes: A Civilised Afternoon Tipple
Pilot Mountain Vineyards
After we’d sufficiently caffeinated and charmed the locals, we hopped back into the pickup and made our way to Pilot Mountain Vineyards – a picturesque spot surrounded by rolling hills, grapevines, and the kind of tranquillity that makes you want to buy a straw hat and start speaking in metaphors.
We were warmly greeted by a gentleman who turned out to be the owner. Upon hearing our accents, he lit up like a Christmas tree. I’m not saying we’re celebrities here, but the novelty of the Queen’s English does seem to open a few doors in these parts.
Julie and I decided to share a flight of the vineyard’s offerings – two whites and two reds. Now, I’m no sommelier, but I do know what I like, and these were rather tasty indeed. Fruity, crisp, and far too easy to sip in the midday sun. We chatted, nibbled on cheese, and admired the view – living our best countryside-in-autumn fantasy.
Changing of the Drivers
Elle took the wheel again as we began the journey home, but somewhere along the way, it became apparent that her passion for the road (or perhaps just the wine) was waning. Julie, ever the heroine, took over and guided us back with the calm efficiency of someone who’s driven in worse conditions – like the M25 on a Friday.
Turtles, Takeaways, and Telly
Surprise Snappers
Back at Julie’s house in Greensboro NC (#Ad), we decided to take a leisurely stroll around the pond behind the property – a tranquil little spot that, until today, we’d completely underestimated. As we stood admiring the water, something moved.
“Is that a…?” someone whispered.
Indeed it was. A snapping turtle, casually bobbing along like it owned the place. It wasn’t just a turtle either – this was a proper beast, about the size of a dinner plate. I’d been picturing something more in line with a child’s toy, but no – this was a prehistoric creature that looked like it could hold its own in a David Attenborough documentary.
Needless to say, we kept a respectful distance. It may be slow, but I’m not risking losing a toe to a turtle with an attitude.
Dinner à la Drive-Thru
Dinner was a less adventurous affair, but no less satisfying. We decided on a Chick-fil-A takeaway – a Southern staple that has somehow made fried chicken into a near-spiritual experience. I don’t care how many Michelin stars a restaurant has; sometimes, all you need is a spicy chicken sandwich and a pile of waffle fries to feel complete.
We settled in for a low-key evening: the girls tucked themselves into the sofa for another episode (or three) of Bridgerton (#Ad), while I cracked open the laptop to do a bit of research for tomorrow’s adventures – and, of course, to write this very blog post.
Reflections and Ramblings
The Joys of Day Two
Day two is a curious thing. The jetlag hasn’t quite faded, but the novelty of being somewhere new still crackles with excitement. You’re no longer disoriented, but not yet fully settled. It’s the sweet spot between arrival and routine – where every road sign is interesting and every stranger is a potential character in your travel tale.
From sleepy villages and friendly baristas to vineyards and surprisingly intimidating turtles, North Carolina (#Ad) has continued to charm and surprise us. The people are warm, the food is hearty, and the scenery has a calming effect that makes you want to slow down and breathe it all in.
Tomorrow, who knows what’s in store? But for now, it’s feet up, laptop out, and dreams of what Day Three might bring.
