River Park North Walkies!

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."--Albert Einstein

Greenville is a good town if you’re  a college student, if you’re in the medical field or a police officer. If you’re an alumni who has loved her time at ECU, graduated, moved on and seen more of the world and now finds herself back in Greenville… well you make the most of it. River Park North is an unexpected oasis in this student oriented town. It is located near the airport aka in the middle of nowhere, but just in case you want a crazy night on the town it’s next to the local bingo establishment. I digress.

I found this park 1 month before I graduated from ECU in 2011 and subsequently forgot about it. I’m super glad I was reminded of it and got to spend time there recently. Since moving back, I’ve been twice with Will and Atlas and it was so worth it based solely on how happy it made our fluffy boy, not to mention us. We love hiking and Atlas was born for walkies so it was the perfect day trip that was only a 5 minute drive away from our house. 

The park isn’t in the best part of town, but it is extremely well-maintained, staffed and everyone who goes there are families. There are kayaks and paddleboat you can rent, which is absolutely going to happen when it gets warm. You can fish and go hiking on lots of different trails. The cool thing is that if you have cut fishing line they have special recycling tubes so it doesn’t get caught in the wildlife or stuck in the regular trash that ends up in the oceans. We went on a relatively warm day and walked on the long trail along the 2 lakes and through the swamp land with lots of beautiful places to take pictures. There are even playgrounds for kids and a nature center for educational purposes. 

The mosquitos get really bad if you go on the dirt paths off the main loop, which is exactly what we did. They lulled us in to a false sense of security by waiting until we were 5 minutes in to our walk on this trail to start attacking us ruthlessly and stealing our blood. At this point, Atlas was attacked by a bee that was on the ground and got stung on his paw. So while we were under siege we had to carry a 55lb upset dog. Luckily his paw didn’t swell up and he quickly forgot it ever happened. Minus the bug invasions it is the perfect place to wear out your pup!

Just in case all of that isn’t enough we ran around in a few of the fields that overlook the playground and one of the lakes. It would be the perfect place to have an off leash dog park…just saying. The next time we go we’re going to take advantage of one of the shelters with small grills installed. It’s pretty much the perfect place to spend the day if you like being outside. We’ve only been twice and had a lot of fun minus the bee sting and mosquitos, but now that it’s colder it is absolutely perfect for family shenanigans. Bring it on! 

"Just living is not enough...one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."--Hans Christian Anderson

Spencer's Wedding

"I have great hopes that we shall love each other all our lives as much as if we had never married at all."--Lord Byron

We’re coming to the end of a very slow wedding season for us. Last year we attended 4 weddings in various states and cities, but only two this year! This past weekend on October 4^th we had the honor to be included in Spencer and Jordan Stevens’ wedding. Spencer is a great friend of mine who I met my sophomore year of college in an English class. We quickly became fast friends and hung out quite a bit my both of our friend groups.

Hanging out with Spencer means you’re going to hear a lot about this seemingly amazing girl named Jordan. I only ever hung out with both of them twice, but it was so clear how much they cared for each other. They had met in high school and had dated ever since with a few bumps in the road that every couple faces regardless. Jordan’s laid back, studious and witty personality suited Spencer’s rambunctious, loud, and all around hilarious/happy go lucky one. In short, they balance each other out perfectly and you can tell just by looking at them just how much they care about each other.

When I first got the invite, being much closer to Spencer, I pictured a VERY different wedding than the one we attended. Spencer was a fratboy at college and I pictured a more laid back affair with lots of booze, and a rowdier crowd. Complete opposite. This wedding was the epitome of classy and it shows just how much they both have matured and grown. Will, Ellie (my college roommate) and I got dolled up and made the 2.5 hour drive from Greenville, NC to Greensboro, NC. The drive was muggy and rainy and the highways have absolutely nothing interesting to look at. Despite that, it went by pretty quickly. We arrived at the address 30 minutes before the ceremony was set to start and were pretty confused as to why we had driven to what looked like an abandoned factory. After we had found the right part of the factory we were blown away.

The factory was abandoned in places, but it was in the process of bing refurbished and renovated in to office buildings, event space, and this particular space was made just for fancier receptions and weddings. The outside was a rustic brick backdrop with small well-tended gardens and a few sculptures and fountains. Unfortunately, the wedding was rained out and the ceremony had to be moved inside. Thankfully we arrived early and got some of the best seats in the house with a great view of both levels. The ceremony was in the lower level entrance to the reception hall and was adorned with simple potted plants and chairs for the guests. Lining this area were wooden staircases that the bridal party descended for each side and joined in the middle to walk up the isle. Symbolism at its finest.

For some weird reason people think showing up at the time the wedding starts is somehow okay. Too bad for them since they had to watch from above. It was a great view regardless, but we were happier with our seats. We also noticed that apart from family there weren’t too many friends present. It’s a great feeling to be included in an event like that and know how much people think of you by inviting you to something that is majority family. The ceremony was beautiful and Jordan fought back tears the entire time. By the time they got to the “I take thee…” part Jordan was a happy wreck and had to stop because she was crying so hard. If your eyes were dry during that part…well…you’re a monster.

Short and sweet was definitely the best way to describe the ceremony, which I know everyone appreciates. We’ve been to wedding ceremonies that lasted longer than most movies and let me tell you…it is painful. This wasn’t.

Obligatory pictures followed while all the guests helped themselves to beer, cider, and wine. The hors d’oeuvres were phenomenal. Tiny meatballs, bruschetta, and mini sliders held us over until dinner, which was by far my favorite wedding meal yet. It was a buffet style that sported roasted veggies, green beans, mashed potatoes, bacon/cheese/sour cream topping for the potatoes, chicken, roast beef, and fresh rolls. We chowed down. Dessert quickly followed and somehow there were extra slices so Will and I shared a champagne cake slice and I had a red velvet slice and Will had a pound cake slice. Delicious!!

My absolute favorite part of their reception was the photo booth. They had rented a fully stocked and staffed photo boof complete with hats and props. We went back at least 6 times and the pictures from everyone using all the props was being made in to a scrapbook for the bride and groom. We had the times of our lives goofing around with everything and we even managed a few nice ones. I was even offered a job working the photo booth since they were looking for outgoing people and I had convinced quite a few people that they needed these photos in their lives. What made it even better? We got to keep a copy of the photos to take home. How cool a wedding favor is that? It’s not something everyone will throw away or just eat and never think about again. It was something we could and will frame and look back on and think about how much fun we had.

By this time we were given champagne and listened to one VERY awkward best man speech from someone who obviously had no idea what to say and was at the same time petrified of speaking in front of everyone. What resulted was some weird phrases that seemed insulting, but I’m sure once he said them he cringed, just like the rest of us, and immediately wanted to rephrase it to sound like what he had meant to say. Oh well. Once that was over and the “fun captain/master of ceremonies/DJ was done being corny, weird, and overly enthusiastic we got to toast to the happy couple and drink the best champagne I’ve ever had in my life. I usually hate champagne, but oh my goodness this was delicious.

The dance floor was hit or miss. I missed a lot. I got Will to dance twice and obviously I enjoyed the hell out of that as always. Thanks babe!  I am a dancing animal at weddings. I’ll jump in with a group of people I don’t know and bust a move. Every.Single. Time I heard one of my “jams” I kicked off my shoes, ran to the dance floor only to find it deserted. I can only conclude that everyone else has horrible taste in music or they were having the best conversations of their lives or they were just boring. I vote option 1 or 3, but hoping for 2. What did I do to remedy this? I danced my way around the tables and had my own mini dance party and then we all proceeded to have way too much fun at the photobooth until we decided it was time to make our way back to Greenville.

We said goodbye to the groom and bride and set off in to the night! The 2.5 hour drive back felt like 12. We got home to a very happy to see us dog and a welcoming bed. After sleeping for a mere 6.5 hours I got up to teach Body Step at my gym and now I’m typing this on my break at work where I’m fighting the sleepiness with all my might!


(more pictures to come once my scanner works!)

"There's a big difference between falling in love with someone and falling in love with someone and getting married. Usually, after you get married, you fall in love with the person even more."--Dave Growl

Loreta's Halloween Doggy Costume Contest!

"You don't need a silver fork to eat good food."--Paul Prudhomme

OM NOM NOM! Those are just a few words that come to mind when someone mentions Loreta’s frozen yogurt in my presence. I consider myself an ice cream aficionado and Loreta’s is grade A 100% delicious. 

A quick trip to their website took me down their memory lane and made me like them even more for reasons I’ll get to in a minute and in a few paragraphs as I randomly remember them. That’s just how my brain works. Okay back to the story.  Loreta’s was named after the owner’s mother who had no idea her daughter was even opening a store much less naming it in her honor. The daughter had always loved mom and pop locally owned businesses and decided to open her own. She values her high quality food products and great service which are absolutely great descriptors of this unique and fun loving frozen yogurt establishment. They even visit stores every where they go in order to get new ideas they can incorporate to their business. I love it when overachievers go in to great businesses!

Toppings abound in Loreta’s. If you can think of it, it is most likely there. There are lots of ice cream flavors that change frequently as well so it never, ever, ever gets boring. They even make their own cookies and stick a giant scoop of fro-yo in the middle and sell them as deliciously decadent sandwiches. They also have really unique trashcans you can fill with ice cream! They usually end up looking like tiny monsters and it’s really cute. 

Guess what they also have? Doggy ice cream, outside seating for dogs and their owners, and Halloween dog/owner costume contests. They even have the “Dog Days of Summer” where if your dog brings its human they (the dog) gets free ice cream. Clearly our dog has his priorities in order and brought us frequently. It didn’t take much persuasion on his part. 

This was the first year we participated in the Halloween Costume Contest. Guess what? We won most creative. BOOYAH! We dressed up as a family and I was beyond excited. I spent over 8 hours making the entire costume from scratch. My dog went as the house from Disney’s “Up!”; I was Russel (the little boy) and my boyfriend went as Carl (the old man). I made Atlas’s costume from lots of cardboard and tape. I hand painted everything and got balloons for it! It turned out way better than I thought it would. I made the Russel costume as well and did old age makeup on my boyfriend. In short, we went all out. 

One thing I LOVE is that Loreta’s gives back to the local animal shelter in the area. Every event they have, including the Halloween costume contest, they bring out the adoptable dogs for the festivities so they can get more social time as well as parade their cuteness around for more potential adopters! It really shows how much they care by the effort they put in to giving back to animal shelters. At the costume contest, they adoptable dogs were dressed up as well. We got to parade around the pavilion and show off the costumes as they called off our names. Some of my favorites were Wiggle Weight Champion with trainers, doggy avengers, bride to be chocolate lab, and a super cute piñata. 

All in all we had an insane amount of fun and LOVED winning our first ever Halloween Costume Contest. Loreta’s does a really cool thing that I’ve never seen before. They have an iPad that is connected to their website that shows a live stream of everyone enjoying the festivities and ice cream! 

Loreta’s is the place to be if you love great service, DELICIOUS frozen yogurt and sharing good times with family including your four legged family members. It’s out favorite yogurt place in town. We can’t get enough!

"The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating."--John Walters

B's BBQ The Best in Town

"Part of the secret of a success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside."--Mark Twain

Do you enjoy barbecue that is lean, juicy, slow cooked, and seasoned to perfection?? How about great service and a family operated business that is a local legend? B's BBQ delivers on all of those levels. Every.Single.Time

(Photo by Travis Dove)

I first heard about this "hole in the wall" restaurant when I first lived in Greenville, NC from 2007-2011. I went my first time in 2010 and am so upset to say that I've only had the chance to go once more 5 years later. I'm convinced life doesn't want me to be insanely over the top food happy 100% of the time so it has to throw curveballs that keep me away from the best barbecue of my life by shoving work and school in the way. If only they delivered!

I'm getting way ahead of myself. B's BBQ is quite literally a little hole in the wall TINY restaurant in Greenville, NC. It started as a fixer upper. The owner, the late Bill McLawhorn, bought an old country store and made it in to the restaurant that it is today. The McLawhorn family is still very involved and can be found behind the counter every single day. It just wouldn't be the same without that family run aspect.

Just how good is it? Picture this. B's opens for lunch every Tuesday through Saturday and by 11 they have almost always sold out of their entire stock. This cash only business does not have a telephone so don't plan on calling ahead to check if they have run out of food! People leave with large (think microwave sized) boxes filled with nothing but the delicious BBQ and yummy sides of potatoes and green beans with some hush puppies added in for good measure. Even re-heated the food is great if that is any indicator and there's no gross greasy residue you want to avoid like most reheated dinners.

Staying true to their roots they haven't expanded or opened another restaurant. Everyone behind the counter knows the regulars by name and their orders by heart. They rely on word of mouth for their business and oh my goodness has it worked out for them. They've appeared in numerous magazines touting the title of one of the top places to eat not in the city, but in the state. These people know BBQ. I don't know about you, but most southerners like myself are picky about BBQ. Wars have almost started on the simple argument of BBQ sauce base...vinegar or ketchup. Even if you're the pickiest BBQ aficionado B's won't disappoint.

B's is not what you would call an upscale establishment.  The restaurant consists of a few booths inside and I would describe is as cozy and shabby in the most endearing way possible. The service is great, but you will almost always find a line out the door. No worries though. There are plenty of characters to talk to who will regale you with stories about their favorite meal there or just great stories in general while waiting in the relatively fast-moving line.

Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE to bring my dog everywhere. They recently added a few picnic tables outside for more seating. Lots of people end up eating in their cars that are parked in the parking lot and that line the street on both sides. Yes it is actually that popular every day. The street was even named B's Barbecue Street. This place is a legend for foodies.  Okay back to my dog. The picnic tables outside let me bring my dog and another plus? I can order from the take out window on the side of the building so my dog doesn't have to wait in my car. (Don't worry I leave the car running and the AC on in the summer).

(Photo by Travis Dove)

If your tummy is grumbling make sure you get to B's early and stock up on the super delicious and very well-priced noms that they have to offer. I know I'm going to go back soon. For the first time, I only live 10 minutes away. This could get dangerous! Check it out for yourself at 751 B's Barbecue Road in Greenville, NC.


"Food is our common ground, a universal experience." --James Beard