Saturday, August 5, 2017

Places to Visit in North Carolina (1) (노스 케롤라이나 여행기 1편)

Since it was the dinner time when we arrived at the Raleigh/Durham airport in North Carolina, out trip started with visits to the bakery and restaurant. 노스케롤라이나 롤리/더럼 공항에 도착 했을 때는 저녁 시간이라 이번 여행은 빵집과 식당이 첫번째 들린 곳이 됐습니다.

La Farm Bakery
4248 Cary Parkway, Cary, NC 27513

저녁 시간이라서 그랬는지 저희들이 들렸을 때는 제과들 종류가 별로 없었습니다. 치즈 데니쉬(3불 99전)와 베이컨 체다 치즈 스콘 (3불 99전)을 먹어 보았는데 실망거리 였습니다. 평이 너무 좋아서 저희들의 기대가 너무 컸었는지도 모르지요.
At the time of our visit, there weren't a lot selections of bakery goods. We have tried Cheese Danish ($3.99) and Bacon Cheddar Scone ($3.99). It was disappointment. Maybe our expectations were too high because of very good reviews. 

Oiso Sushi and Korean
1305 NW Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27513

이 식당은 작은 상점가에 있으며 한식과 일본 음식을 팝니다. 저희는 돌솥 비빔밥 (13불50전)과 스시 벤토 (29불)을 주문했습니다. 두 그릇 다 맛있게 요리했더군요.  비빔밥은 흰밥을 많이 넣지않아 마물과 고기를 섞어 먹기에 적당했고 자료들이 싱싱하고 알맞게 요리되어 있었습니다. 벤토는 다른 것은 특별한 것이 없었지만 벤토와 같이 나온 스시롤 (하와이안롤)은 오래간만에 제대로 된 스시를 먹었습니다. 
This place offers both Korean and Japanese dishes in a small mall. We ordered Spicy Pork Hot Stone Bowl (DolSot Bibimbap) ($13.50) and Sushi Bento ($29). Both dishes were excellent. Bibimbap had the right amount of white rice to mix with vegetables and meat. Each ingredient was fresh, tasty and cooked right. The special roll (we got Hawaiian) for Bento was one of the best sushi we had for a long long time.

스시 도시락/Sushi Bento
저녁을 아주 맛있게 먹었기에 돌아가는 길에 꼭 다시 들리지하고  생각했습니다. 점심 때 비행장 가는 길에 시간을 줄이느라고 전화로 먼저 주문을 하였습니다.
We promised our selves that we will try again on the way back to the airport on our return trip and we sure did try again. On the way to the airport to catch the flight home, we ordered the lunch by phone to save the time.

식당에 도착하니 아직 시간이 좀 있어 싸 주신 것을 먹고 가기로 했습니다. 테이크 아웃으로 싸 주신 것이라 모양은 없지만 아주 오래 간만에 식당에서 식사 같은 식사를 했습니다. 크런치 롤과 하와이안 롤은 저희 입안에서 녹드군요. 스시밥도 제대로 되었고 생선들도 싱싱했습니다.
The lunch was a meal we longed for a long time. The Crunch Roll and Hawaiian ($11.90) were melting in our mouth. The rice was perfectly cooked and rolled and the fishes were fresh. The presentation does not look much since the chef thought our order was take out.


주방장께서 본인이 새로 개발한 소스가 있는데 맛을 보라고 새로운 전채를 주셨는데 저희들이 주문한 스시롤들과 그렇게 조화가 될 수 없드군요. 검사자가 필요하시면 저희들은 기쁘게 되어 드릴 것입니다.
The chef served us with a special appetizer with the source he invented and it was perfect complement of special rolls. We didn't mind to be the tester of his new dish.


스시다운 스시를 먹어 본지가 꽤 오래되어 가까운데 산다면 아마 매주 들릴 것 같군요.
It has been very long time since we had the sushi so good. We probably visit the place every week if we live in town.

작으나 깨끗한 식당이고요 실내 정식이 고급은 아니지만 손님들을 모시고 갈 만 한 곳입니다. 그러나 많은 분들이 함께 가시면 식사 때는 좀 곤란하지 않을까하네요. 날씨가 좋으면 밖에서도 먹을 수 있는 자리가 몆개 있습니다. 작은 몰에있기 때문에 주차는 문제가 없을 것입니다.
This is a small and very clean eatery. The interior was not fancy, but decent enough to take the guests. However, it could be a problem for a large group when they are busy. If the weather is good, you may try the tables outside. The parking is not a problem since it is located in the mall. 


Sarah P. Duke Garden
Duke University
420 Anderson St., Durham, NC 27705

Hours (시간): 8 AM to dusk (오전 8시부터 해질 때까지)
Admission (입장료): free (없음)

Founded in 1934, Duke Gardens is a 55-acre public botanic garden on the campus of Duke University. It is considered one of top 10 public gardens in the US by tripadvisor.com.

It features four distinct gardens, each with its own focus and flavor: the Historic Garden including the popular Terrace Gardens, dedicated in 1939; the Garden of Native Plants displays the flora of the southeastern United States; the Asiatic Arboretum devoted to plants of eastern Asia; and the Doris Duke Center Garden. 


Roney Fountain
Historic Garden
Asiatic Arboretum
The garden was beautiful and very well maintained and there are number of benches to rest and enjoy the view. Even though it was a small garden compared to other gardens we visited, it was a little difficult to follow the trails and we spent 2.5 hours including the visit to the chapel. The parking could be a problem since there are limited parking space. To avoid unpleasantly, make sure to purchase the parking permit for hours you plan to stay.

If you have 2 - 3 hours to spend, you may not regret spending that time at this garden. The day we visited was the commencement week of university and the garden was crowded with the graduate and families taking pictures.

Duke Chapel
The university was busy preparing the reopening of the chapel after a year long closure for restoration. It is about 10 minute walk from the garden.


Bennett Place State Historic Site
4409 Bennett Memorial Road, Durham, NC 27705

Hours (시간): 9 AM - 5 PM (Tu-Sat) (오전 9시 - 오후 5시 (화-토))
Admission (입장료): Free

The farmhouse of James and Nancy Bennet was located between Confederate General Johnston's headquarters in Greensboro and Union General Sherman's headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. On April 17, 1865 General Joseph Johnston and Major General William Sherman met at the farmhouse and began the negotiations of the term of surrender for all troops still fighting in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Bennett Place is the site of the largest troop surrender and the effective end of the Civil War. 




The original Bennett House was destroyed except the stone chimney by a fire in 1921. The house stands today is built around 1840 that belonged to the Proctor family.  It was moved and placed on the original foundation of the Bennett house site. The house was restored to resemble an almost exact duplication of the original Bennett home which shows the lifestyle of an ordinary Southern farmer during the Civil War.


Bennett House
Unity Monument was erected in 1923 by the Morgan Family, symbolizes the reunification of the United States. The single top crosspiece that joins the two pillars represents the reuniting of North and South.



If you are interested in the Civil War history, one hour at Bennett place could be well worth of your time.


The Root
110 W Lebanon Ave, Elon, NC 27244

Crispy Topped Fries (Truf Fries) ($5.45) which was fried with some kind of crispy batter was the best fries we ever had. We strongly recommend it. We ordered Mozz Burger ($9.95) with Sweet Potato Fries, and Shrimp and Scallop Burger with Crispy Brussels Sprouts ($10.95). The Mozz Burger was a little disappointment since the meat was cooked too dry and Sweet Potato fries was not as good as Crispy Topped Fries. Shrimp and Scallop burger was satisfying, but not sure about the Brussels Sprouts.

There was a short wait (about 15 minutes) for the table during the lunch hour, but we think it was worth the wait.


Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden
1105 Hobbs Road, Greenboro, NC

Hours (시간): Hours vary throughout the year
Admission (입장료): Free (없음)

오후 산책객 수로 보아 도시 한가운데 약 9000 평에 달하는 이공원이 꽤 인기가 있는 것 같숩니다. 인조 개울과 조각들이 꽤 어울리는 작은 공원이 점심 후 여유롭게 산책할 수 있는 좋은 장소입니다.
It seems that this 7.5-acre garden in the middle of town is a popular place guessing by the crowd in the middle of afternoon. It provided us a place to stroll after the lunch with a man-made circulating stream and number of sculptures.

Tanger Garden
닐개/Wings

Old Salem

이 마을은 체코슬라비아에서 온 모라비아인들이 1766년에 개척한 곳입니다. 모라비아인들과 살렘 사람들은 아주 자세한 생활사와 기록를 남겼습니다. 이 기록에 따라서 옛날 마을을 복구하였고 상인들과 여자들이 분장한 옷을 입고 옛날 모습을 보여줍니다.
The town was founded in 1766 by the Moravians that began in Czech Republic. The Moravian Church and Salem residents kept meticulous records and accounts of their lives. It is used to restore the town with the costumed tradesman and woman recreating the life of long ago.

올드 살렘 거리.Street of Old Salem

올드 살렘 박물관과 정원 관광을 하는대신 저희들은 다섯 불럭 정도의 메인 거리를 걸어보기로 했습니다. 메인 거리는 깨끗했지만 복고한 마을은 별로 인상적이지 않았습니다. 박물관과 정원 관광은 안한 것이 잘했다고 생각합니다. 저희들이 들린 날은 꼭 유령 마을에 온 것 같았습니다. 아니면 영화 세트장을 걷든가. 가게나 상점들은 이 마을에서 만들었거나 독특한 물건보다는 다른 관광지와 다른 것이 별로 없드군요. 다른 재건된 마을들에 비해 실망슬었습니다.
Instead of taking Old Salem Museums and Gardens tour, we decided to have the stroll along the Main Street of 5 blocks. The Main Street was clean, but wasn't impressive with the restoration. We weren't quite sure the tour could have been worth it. The day we visited, it was almost like the ghost town. It was more like walking down the movie set of old town. The shops and stores don't carry many local products or unique for the area. It was a little disappointing compared to other restored towns.


메인 길에 있는 알렛스 대학은 미국에서 가장 오래된 여자 대학교 중 하나 입니다. 
Alex Academy and College on the Main Street is one of the oldest educational institution for woman in the US.


Winkler Bakery
521 S Main st., Winston-Salem, NC 


This bakery has been in business since the Winkler family first ran it in 1807. The bakery was originally constructed in 1800 and still uses the same dome bake oven to this day. They still use the same recipes, techniques, and methods that were used in the 19th century. The staff even dressed the same way and very friendly. Best known cookies of Winkler Bakery are the sugar cookies, sugar cakes, ginger cookies and lemon cookies.  


We were told that the cookies in the tins or tubes are now made by another factory in town. Even though they use the same recipe, it somehow tastes different. We bought the sugar cookies ($3.99/3 oz) made on site, Butter Rum Walnut pound cake ($2.30) and Assorted Scones ($3.25). The sugar cake was sold out. The cookies and pound cake were good, but not the best we ever had. We also bought  Blackberry Jam ($6.49) and Blueberry Jam ($6.49) and they are very good.


God's Acre
South Church St at Cemetery St, Winston Salem, NC 27101

Since John Birkhead became the first Moravian settler laid to rest in God’s Acre, it consists of more than 7000 simple, flat markers of white marble. Each one is about 20 inches by 24 inches, standing four inches high, pointing east. Each stone bears only the name of the deceased, the dates of birth and death, and perhaps a short verse of scripture or a heartfelt tribute to the pilgrim buried beneath it. It probably reflects the attitudes of the Moravian faith itself: simplicity, consistency, and humility. It is still reserved for local Moravian churches where members are buried by gender rather than family units.


주님의 땅/God's Acre
This Moravian burial ground was so peaceful and tranquil that it provided the moment to reflect our own life.

Sweet Potatoes
529 N Trade St., Winston Salem, NC 27101

We went to the Sweet Potato which is few minutes away from God's Acre. Even though it was around dinner time, there was no wait for the table. We tried Bayou Bowl ($14.99) and Curried Chicken Salad ($7.99). The ingredients were fresh and we enjoyed our meals.

The parking could be a problem unless you know the area. We had to go around the blocks couple times before we found a parking spot. Right after we got to the restaurant, the thunderstorm went thought the city. We could have been very wet even with the umbrella.

The server was a transgender who was very friendly and attentive with the services. But, avoid the place if it does bother you.


Linville Falls Lodge & Cottages
P.O. Box 182 (Hwys 221 & 183 Intersection)
Linville Falls, North Carolina 28647

With winding road in the rain, we arrived at the lodge past their office hour, but the owners left key for the room where we can find. After we got into the room, we were worried about the noise since the lodge faces the road. It was unnecessary worry since it was very quite during the night.

The room does not have the usual amenities, but the room was clean and comfortable. It has a separate breakfast room, and it was stocked with the minimalistic continental breakfast.
The owners were friendly and gave a tip to check out the Wiseman's View lookout. This may be a place to relax if you don't look for the usual hotel amenities.

Warning: Their web site and confirmation letter indicate that there is absolutely no refund regardless of the emergencies. But, they give you the credit to use in a year.


Wingate By Wyndham Raleigh/Durham Airport
5223 Page Road Durham, NC 27703

A typical hotel room, but we spent a comfortable night. We probably stay again if the price is right.


Budget Rent a Car:
At the Raleigh/Durham airport

Rented a car from Budget through the Costco. The car was in good condition and clean without any exterior scratches/dents. It was our first experience renting through the Costco, but we will rent it again if the price is right,

The link to related North Carolina trip


Places to Visit in North Carolina (3) (노스 케롤라이나 여행기 3편)

The link below is the article we wrote when we traveled from Virginia to California.
아래 연결된 글은 버지니아에서 켈리포니아까지 대륙횡단 여행 기록입니다.
Driving Cross Country (미국 대륙횡단) - North Carolina (노스 케롤라이나)





Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Minnesota Fairs (미네소타 축제들)

There are number of different fairs held in Minnesota. The following is some of them we attended.

Edina Art Fair

It is the first official art fair in Minnesota featuring 300 artists from Minnesota, United States and Canada. It is also one of top 50 art fairs in the nation. It is held annually (around the first week of June) in the street of 50th and France which is known as the preeminent shopping district. There were few paintings and jewelries caught our eyes, but the price was beyond our pocket allows.


There are few food vendors if you are thirsty or hungry, but there was no entertainment scheduled while we visited the fair.

The parking is available around the fair, but we took the shuttle from Southdale shopping center. It was a short 10 minutes ride to the fair ground.


It is now off our bucket list, but I am not sure if I would go back unless my pocket has few extra dollars.