Leigh’s Frivolous Friday: Is Spring Really Here?

We’ve done our little spring forward on the clocks, and soon the calendar will tell us it is officially Spring.  But what does Mother Nature think?

A beautiful, warm North Carolina day at Pullen Park

Seriously, I think she’s menopausal and a crazy lady who now thinks it’s summer.  It was in the high 80s in Raleigh yesterday. 

Needless to say, we’ve had great weather all week. On a whim, I pulled our car into Pullen Park in Raleigh after school.  This historic park was established in 1887.  It was closed all of last year for renovations, so it was my first time going since the reopening.

Pullen Park, est. 1887

It’s beautiful.  The architecture gives it a Victorian feel. 

My mom used to go when she was a child, and she felt the place was magical since it had a train and carousel. Those amusements are still in place.  I had to chuckle when my son asked me if she went in 1887. 

Um, no!  And the little ones have no idea who Andy Griffith (aka Sheriff Andy Taylor) and Opie are, either.  TV Land pays tribute to the North Carolina-based series with a great statute. 

TV Land's Tribute to Andy Griffith, a well-known North Carolina actor

My kids kept saying, “They are frozen.” I am going to have to introduce them to Andy, Aunt Bee, Barney, and Opie one day because I cannot imagine living life not knowing who they are.  It’s television history at its best.

The park now has an upscale concession stand with a wide variety of menu items.  Pullen Place Café specializes in seasonal, fresh, and local ingredients. 

Pullen Place Cafe is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily

And get this: If you decide you want to play late in the day and eat dinner at home, they have a dinner-to-go menu that feeds a family of four.

Now, that’s nice!  I’m looking forward to having lunch here soon.

My kids love the caboose

Let’s just hope that the crazy, menopausal Mother Nature doesn’t give us a blast of winter into early spring.

Off to the playground area at Pullen Park

As I see my kids go off to play, I can't help, but hear the Andy Griffith theme song in my head.  That was such a simple time in life.  Pullen Park is simple, leisurely fun for the family.

Want to Go: 
Pullen Park
Sits on 66 acres between Western Blvd, Hillsborough St, Ashe Ave., and NC State University
Raleigh, NC
http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts/content/PRecRecreation/Articles/PullenPark.html

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