North Carolina is well known for its barbecue. My daughter insisted that we verify that fact at a place called The Pit. The menu had every variation of barbecue meat that you may want. It also provided a nice history of what North Carolina barbecue is all about. There is a more pronounced vinegar taste in their barbecue sauce and doesn't seem as thick as others that I have tasted. They also had an excellent selection of sides such as: black-eyed peas, mac ’n cheese, fried okra, sweet potato fries, and others. It’s all good in the South.
Heading into UNC’s campus after dinner, we passed by fraternity row. A lot of students were milling about having a great time in the nice, warm night—I am starting to get the idea that Southern nights are always pleasant. We had a really intense conversation about the Greek organization cultures of fraternities and sororities. My daughter felt that the Greek organizations should be dismantled due to all of the controversial incidents that seem to keep happening (usually alcohol-fueled).
My husband pledged as an Alpha Phi Alpha when he attended his college, North Carolina A&T. It is located in Greensboro which is only 45 minutes away from Chapel Hill. He discussed the Greek organizations from a different point of view and we got a history lesson. We found out that the first black organization, Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in 1906 at Cornell by black students known as the Seven Jewels. Many famous black men that have served our nation have come from this fraternal organization. One of them was Martin Luther King, Jr. Alpha Phi Alpha has a core value of service to the community.
The next morning, we left my daughter to head to Memphis. We had to cover over 700 miles in one day of driving. Surprisingly, we ran into the gas shortage issue once again. It looks like the Alabama oil pipeline problem was more serious than previously thought. It may take 2-4 weeks for the situation to resolve itself. The gas that we got in California cost less at the beginning of this trip. Incredible!
We arrived in Memphis just in time for the first presidential debate between Clinton and Trump. There is overwhelming support for Trump here in Tennessee--if you count bumper stickers. No matter what you may think of the debate, one thing is clear, the moderator lost control of it.
The news is creeping back into our lives again. A clear signal that our adventure is slowly coming to an end.
Meanwhile, we find a place like this in Chapel Hill--The Honeysuckle Tea House.