This week I was in North Carolina for the first time for business. One of our partners put together a trade show for customers, where my company was one fifth of the show. Held at the Grandover Resort Golf Club one of the sweetest courses I’ve played on, and thankfully my game was on. Excellent accommodations, free range practices and a great round where we won the tournament, it was an excellent showing.
In route, I was able to sample several pork bbq spots in the state with that signature vinegar-based sauce. I stopped by Bar-B-Q Pit center in Lexington to sample some chopped pork and hush puppies. While in Greesboro I was encouraged to eat at Smoky Bones. Yes it’s a chain, but the spot was fantastic and I rolled out of there 10 lbs heavier.
The ride to Charlotte was calming, reminding me of a road trip through the valley of CA. I hadn’t drove this much in some time and pulling into the 10th largest metro in the US, I was getting hungry again. Bubba’s B.B.Q was next on my recommendation list and they had an excellent plate of ribs and barbeque.
When I finally rolled into Charlotte, the whole city was traffic ridden. I never thought it was going to be this bad… but just my luck, it was the weekend of the Coca Cola 600. I had to park down the street because my hotel was located on Trade St. in the middle of the city’s 600 Speed Street fair which had all the surrounding streets blocked off for concerts and events. Right across the street was the Coca-Cola stage with one of my old skool favorite groups – Tony! Toni! Toné! was playing their new jack swing! Feels good!!! yeah!
The street fair was sweet. Open beer, games, southern hospitality, food and good times for all. I had a few meetings with clients while I was here and was able to spend a few hours checking out some of the fair and enjoy some bud with the locals : “I don’t drink no Bud Lite, I need to taste my beer!”
Here’s some pics from the scene – cheap beers through out the streets:
Giant slim jims to climb for the kids:
All the cars are showcased:
Even Orange County Choppers got into it with a tricked out Chevy:
The Dale Ernheart Jr. Experience
Spray zone to cool from the heat:
Wait for hours just to get your gear signed by the drivers:
View from inside Jr’s car:
Even the kids get into doing lotto:
SHOTS! This guys just skips the Bud buzz:
This is a small plate of greasy food… no wonder half the people here are over 250+ lbs.:
Urinals that separate the men from the boys…
This weekend headed to Cali again, early to see friends and family and for a week in San Diego to start training for a new position based in NYC. This weekend I filled up on mom’s cooking, toured the bay to see all my friends that won’t commit to come to NYC for a visit, hit up a few SF hot spots for birthday celebrations and catch up with all the gossip and local word on the streets from friends and family (Hi Grandma!).
Mike G had his fill of action at Wish and boned out early, Morg and Gabby were sippin cocktails all night when I arrived tardy from taking the tour through Mountain View and a stop by TM’s condo. Stella was klankin but the night was called and I played lost tourist for Gab before heading 45 mins back to my side of the bay. 
