RALEIGH-CHAPEL HILL-DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Hot, Humid and Green and hardly any trash. Lost in Raleigh and need food. Drive in circles and finally find shopping center with ubiquitous Whole Foods franchise. Get directions to pool located near miniature railroad. Swim in large lanes near hoards of kids. Drive to Chapel Hill and arrive at homestead of Chris (my old friend from Seattle) and wife Laura and 16-month old daughter Lucy. Very impressive home in pastoral location on 4.5 acres surrounded by woods and what appears to be a still on neighbor’s property. That evening after babysitter arrives leave for tour of Chapel Hill and nearby community. Drive by street where Mac McCaughan, singer of Superchunk (a friend of Chris’) lives. Tour Durham and Duke campus. Have a wonderful dinner of New Southern (crispy pork with hominy) cousine at the Magnolia Grill. Stay up late with Chris and listen to the loud, melodic sounds of insects vibrating in the stillness while fireflies dot the night. Good to be away from NYC.