American Tobacco Campus

If you read my post from yesterday you know that we spent the 4th of July in Durham. Before we actually went to the baseball game we checked out downtown Durham. We didn’t eat lunch before we left our apartment and by the time we got to Durham Clark was really hungry. So we headed for downtown Durham to eat at Bull City Burger. Unfortunately they were closed, maybe because it was July 4th but literally right across the street was Monuts Donuts (awesome name) and I was like “who cares if we haven’t eaten lunch, let’s get a donut” and Clark didn’t object. After eating a couple of donuts (we got chocolate with sprinkles, chocolate cake, and maple bourbon bacon donuts) we made our way to the American Tobacco Campus where I knew there would be some good dining options. 

We ended up eating at Tyler’s Restaurant and Taproom. I had the mac and cheese and Clark had the fish tacos. We sat outside and enjoyed watching the people. There is also this awesome manmade creek/ stream running through the campus with some little waterfalls here and there and pretty gardens and landscape around it. It is really pretty. Most of the campus has lights strung overhead and there is plenty of seating in chairs and on the grass just to relax. 

Once we ate and walked around a bit more it was time to head into the ballpark. So we went back to our car first, I put on my Durham Bulls shirt and Clark threw on his ball cap and we were ready to watch some baseball and fireworks. I loved the American Tobacco Campus, it was really well tended to and very lovely. If your in the Durham area check it out, especially if your hungry. You will find something good to eat. 

love, Carlee

We spent July 4th at the ballpark

We spent the 4th of July in Durham, NC having a really good time and eating really good food. On the 4th, I got tickets for the USA vs Chinese Tiapet team at the Durham Bulls ballpark. I did this for two reasons. 1. I wanted a good place to watch fireworks on the 4th of July and I knew if I bought tickets to this game, I would have a good seat. 2. I wanted to go to another game this summer and this just seemed like a great opportunity. The USA team ended up winning, thank goodness. Because it was July 4th and MERICA, guys! 

At the Durham Bulls stadium there really isn’t a bad seat. (well maybe in the outfield) Last time I went I bought the most expensive tickets for behind the plate and they cost $23.00 per person this time I bought tickets in the same location just up a little bit and they only cost $10.00 and I was just as satisfied with where I was sitting. But either way you go the tickets aren’t really that expensive so it’s a win win situation. Another thing  I really like about going to the Durham Bulls ballpark is they play off the movie Bull Durham. Which is one of the reasons I originally wanted to go watch this baseball team. They have an intro play on the big screen telling the audience the rules for the ballpark and it has scenes from the movie. They also have a Crash, Nuke, and Annie race with giant blow up people. (They didn’t have that the last time we went) Basically, it just has a really good atmosphere and if your in NC and like baseball I recommend seeing a game. Also best photo I could get of Clark and I is above. According to Clark the sun was really bright out... it’s understandable. 

I was also really impressed with the firework display. The fireworks were awesome and it went on for a long time. I snapped these photos at the very beginning then put my camera down and just enjoyed them for the next 10 minutes or so. They also had America music playing in the background over the loud speaker like Firework, Party in the USA, Rock in the USA, Proud to be an American etc. It was a really good day. If I can’t spend the 4th of July with the rest of my family, I am glad I get to at least have a fun time with Clark.

What did you do for the 4th? 
love, Carlee

Happy 4th of July

Happy Independence Day everyone! What a great day and I love how the 4th of July is celebrated. The fireworks, watermelon, hotdogs, hamburgers, camping, family, bbq, baseball, is what I think of when I think of the 4th of July. We always had big family gatherings and my hometown in eastern Washington (the state) has a pretty great firework show. And last year was a very eventful weekend because Clark and I got married on July 5th! So you know we will be celebrating that tomorrow. 

This year we are celebrating the 4th away from our home in Washington and in our new home of North Carolina for the first time. I definitely wanted to watch fireworks this year so I did a little research and found that Fort Bragg does a firework display but I figured that everyone would trying to get on base and it would be a mad house. Then I started looking at the Raleigh and Durham area. And decided to get baseball tickets to watch the Durham Bulls play again and we will have the perfect spot to watch the fireworks in Durham. So we are headed up to Durham today. Follow in real time on my instagram @carleewengel

Currently, I am so happy that I didn’t make plans to take a trip to the coast this weekend. I am sure you have heard about Tropical Storm Arthur getting close to the lower east coast. Back in May, I was thinking that we should go on a trip or head to the coast for the weekend because it is 4th of July and also our anniversary. I am glad we just decided to go to Charleston SC and Myrtle Beach in June and keep in low key this weekend. Good thing we did or our weekend would have been ruined my the storm anyways. Hopefully the weather stays good throughout today and I find some shade and water to combat this heat. Have a Happy 4th.
love, Carlee

Tank and Shorts: Target

Shoes: DSW