Yes, it’s definitely weird to be back in Charlotte!
There are only (ONLY) three things I miss:
- Our friends
- Y2Yoga
- Running on FLAT ROADS!!
Otherwise, I couldn’t be happier with our choice of new city.
The drive down went by quickly. Partly because I put in my 2 hours of driving and then Matt finished the rest.
I’m reading a book Gena gave me. (She works as a book editor when she’s not chewing kale or being a cool NYC girl 🙂 )
It is quite good so far!
Lunch was packed. I always pack lunches on car trips if I have the option. Because it’s cheap, tastes better, often healthier, an easier to not stop.
Today featured Great Harvest Dakota bread with smashed avocado, hummus, muenster cheese and spinach. It was one heavy sandwich!
I sat next to this bag of chips for over an hour without reaching in. I wanted to be hungry for lunch so it would taste extra good. And it did!
Karen ate at 11. Matt ate at 12. And I got hungry at 1PM. I polished off what was left in the bag.
And finished up with an apple
Our first stop back “home” was to…Great Harvest! Had to pick up some fresh bread for breakfast this weekend while we’re traveling (I packed some Nuttzo and jam and brought bananas to go on it!)
Couldn’t turn down a free sample of Pumpkin Swirl bread!
After dropping Karen off at her car (which has been here since she moved driving the U-Haul) we headed to Matt’s favorite beer shop, Brawley’s hoping to find some unique pumpkin ales. Unfortunately the store was wiped out, but we DID manage to get some of my old favorite pumpkin ale, Cottonwood. Brewed right here in Carolina. Sadly it is no longer my favorite! (Schlafly takes the lead!)
Then we drove through our old neighborhood to see our old house! It was weird.
I do miss running here!
We are thankful to be staying at the Pinque Hotel tonight and Monday night. Thanks to Michelle, Ben, Cooper, Tillman and the new puppy for their hospitality!
Can’t wait to see some of our friends for dinner tonight. And I have a REALLY REALLY FUN morning activity planned!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
isn’t it weird to go back? we were in our old neighborhood the other day and it was crazy all the old memories that came rushing back!
that bread looks divine, there’s no way i’d turn it down either!
Ellen @ Undercover Runner Eats says
That pumpkin bread looks amazing, I want some!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I need to go to GH now and get that bread — that looks delicious!
It is so weird to visit my old houses and apartments — even walking around on my old college was so strange — all the memories of those places just flood back and its such a neat feeling!
Have a great weekend Kath!
Amanda (The Nutritionist Reviews) says
Yum! Looks like a great sandwich! Have a fun weekend!
Erin@ Shortcut to Bliss says
I am so glad to see I’m not the only one to go back to check on my old houses! I always want to see what the new home owners are doing in my yard and if they have fantastic curtains… In my mind the houses are still mine! =)
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Pumpkin swirl, holly yum.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
i really want that pumpkin swirl bread!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I love Charlotte. I swear I would move there if I could! Have fun with your friends! Oh, with all the food allergies here, we always pack lunch for trips! Easier, healthier and way faster!
Simply Life says
Oh that bread sample looks amazing!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
since my husband & i take our lunches to work/school every single day, i’m not too keen on packing a lunch for car trips. i always bring snacks but i find it fun to stop sometimes and get a special treat for lunch! 🙂 i think part of this is that i have to have cold lunches every day….
Tabitha (From Single to Married) says
Charlotte is a great place to visit – enjoy your time there!
Amanda says
Packing lunches for car trips is a great idea. I need to do that more often. And that sandwich looked great! I’m only lamenting the fact that we don’t have a Great Harvest here in Los Angeles. Their bread looks so so good.
Have a happy trip!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
OMG pumpkin swirl bread?? That sounds heavenly! Can’t wait to see what you get up to in the morning!
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
I need to stop by my local Great Harvest and see if they have pumpkin swirl bread. That sounds too good to pass up!
claire says
I hope they have that bread at the Great Harvest here! It sounds amazing (oh and looks it too)! Have fun in charlotte!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Have fun while you’re in your old stomping ground!!
Katie says
Its always weird visiting places you used to live. Even going back to my parents’ house is strange sometimes.
That pumpkin bread looks fantastic!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I always pack my own lunch when I travel. I’ve gone back to places I’ve lived, and it is so weird!
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad says
WHAT is that bread??? MyMarbleRye and I are obsessed with the cinnamon swirl bread, and that pumpkin bread looks quite similar! I wish there was a Great Harvest around here so I could try it out!
Amy says
I really need to get down to the Great Harvest in Alexandria, that bread looks awesome.
It’s funny how sometimes you don’t miss much about where you’re from. I moved from Denver to D.C. almost 2 years ago and I don’t really miss much except the mountains… oh and no humidity.
Dana @ my little celebration says
Yum! That pumpkin swirl bread looks delish! The Great Harvest I go to always gives you huge samples like the one you got, which I love! Beautiful post.
barefootgirl says
that sandwich looks amazing!!!
Jamie @ Food in Real Life says
That sounds like a delicious sandwich that you packed! I love the combo of avocado and cheese. And a heavy sandwich = GOOOOOOODNESS! (especially when it’s filled with healthy delicious creative stuff that you always make)
Have a good night, Kath!
Hannah says
Oh gosh, what is in that pumpkin swirl bread? I’ve never seen anything like it in Australia! (Pumpkin isn’t big here in terms of baked goods/desserts)
Brittany says
Pumpkin Swirl Bread?!!? Yes please!!
I’m enjoying a pumpkin beer as I type this, but I haven’t tried your favorite yet – the Schlafly. I’m actually not sure I’ve seen it in Richmond. :/
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
You are strong for not eating that whole bag of chips before lunch. I know what you mean about saving the stomach for something really good though.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Pumpkin swirl bread? I would have stolen the whole loaf 🙂 Hope you have a great trip!
Vasu says
Oh, how I wish there was a Great Harvest in Alabama! That pumpkin swirl bread looks DIVINE!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
You better make that bread in your store, I don’t know what’s in it but it looks amazing!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
what a gorgeous color on that apple! and the bread sample – sounds goooood. drool.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
I can never turn down a free sample of any kind of bread, let alone great harvest.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
That pumpkin swirl bread sounds amazing! Even better that it was free! 😀
Have a good trip!
Martha says
Hey Kath! Saw this and thought you might be interested:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/10/serious-beer-the-best-pumpkin-ales-2010.html
Enjoy your time in Charlotte!
Ashley says
I just found your blog and ironically live in Charlotte. Fun to see mention of some places. I am pretending you do miss more things about it than 3 but Charlottesville is possibly one of the neatest “cities” on earth so I can see why you gave us the shaft here! : ) Can’t wait to follow your blog.
Jessie Street says
I agree on Schlafly being the best pumpkin beer. Dog Fish Brewery has a pretty good one too if you haven’t tried it.