Who's amazing?

This is our luggage for a 9-day trip to Utah.

The giant backpack only has our computers in it.

The tote is empty (for souvenirs), though I may add a pair of shoes if my OCD can handle it.

The suitcase has our regular clothes plus swim gear and dress clothes.

And I feel like I've seriously overpacked. 

*applause*

You can always go downtown.

I talked Todd into checking out downtown Raleigh this afternoon. He is not a city mouse.

We drove all the way to the center of downtown in NO TRAFFIC and the parking was FREE. We weren't sure we were in the right place. I know it's not Chicago or DC, but a clean, quiet, uncrowded city? Found it.

We checked out the state capital and the NC Museum of History. Both free, both cool, go Raleigh.

All statues of male historical figures are posed the same way.

Goodbye, Charlottesville

 The whole time we lived in Charlottesville, I wanted to hire a photographer to take pictures of us at Darden. We were never able to schedule it due to our unpredictable, long recruiting experience. So I gave up and decided to take some myself.

Then we had two weeks of temperatures topping 100 degrees and had to visit Raleigh to look for a place to live. Then we had to pack. Then I sold the cabinet in which I kept the camera and accidentally left the camera in it (OH MY GOSH). There were tears.

The morning before we left, I got the camera back. So the actual morning we drove out of Charlottesville, Todd and I walked up to Darden to take some pictures. It was so humid. The minute we walked out the door, it started sprinkling AND the tripod attachment snapped off. Did I mention we slept (ha) on an air mattress the night before? And these pictures were taken before 7 a.m.?

What I'm trying to say is, it's a miracle these pictures ever happened.

As imperfect as they are, I'm glad to have them. This place represents a lot of memories.

I already miss it!