This trip was a one off for us. We really were journeying for a show instead of to visit the city. We got a late start for this one and the ride down was beautiful through West Virginia but otherwise pretty uneventful. There’s a long patch of highway in the mountains that goes from 70 mph to a red light. It doesn’t make any sense because the only thing around is a couple of gas stations.
When we get to Greensboro we check into our hotel. It was really no frills and had a door that opens to the parking lot. #livinglikewinchesters
These hotels have bothered me ever since Bill Burr was talking about how easy it is for someone to murder you before you’re awake.
By this point we’re both pretty hungry and I’m looking for a beer. The place we decided to head to was Darryl’s Wood Fired Grill. They had some craft beers and it sounded like good ribs. We had a couple of beers and ate. Maura wasn’t feeling too well so this night got cut short. I ended up getting a bottle of wine and taking it back to the hotel room to watch TV.
The next morning I got up and went in search of coffee. There was supposedly a Starbucks near by but it proved to be in the mall. That meant I had to dodge the sketchy senior citizens that use the mall as a track for their morning walks.
When it was time to eat we headed to a placed called the Iron Hen. They had a really good breakfast special with an amazing brussel sprout slaw. I had a beer and then we went looking for something else to do.
We settled on checking out the Bog Garden which is a nice nature preserve that has a few trails that loop back to the main road. A lady taking photos directed our attention to an owl that had made the bog it’s home. There were apparently a family of them but we only saw the one.
We took a walk around and enjoyed the fresh air.
All that walking had worked up quite a thirst in me so we wanted to check out a local brewery. Gibbs Hundred is in a revitalized area of town that seems to be up-and-coming. They had a lot of cool looking renovated buildings and I wish we had more time to check the area out but we could only grab a couple of drinks (and a growler) before we had to go to our show.
Now it was time for the whole reason to come to Greensboro. We were there to see Alan Alda. If you’ve ever laughed during an episode of M.A.S.H. you understand Alan Alda. He’s apparently been very busy since then but I didn’t know any of that going in.
Mr. Alda talked about his childhood, how he got into acting and what he’s been doing since teaching scientists the value of telling a story versus just presenting their facts. We bought a couple of books that he signed and while he wasn’t doing photos with people. Despite being a rule Nazi, Maura wasn’t going to let that one stop her.
After an amazing show, we had to find our way to our car. They were correct when they named the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. It is very complex. There wasn’t any clear indication on how to get in or out of the place. We had to walk all the way around the outside of the building to find our car. Not a fun experience but it worked up an appetite and a thirst
A quick google led me to the Lindley Park Filling Station that had an interesting premise. It’s a restaurant inside an old gas station. Not unlike Pittsburgh’s own Double Wide Grille but a little more upscale. They didn’t have quite the number of taps though. That was it for that night.
The next day it was back home. This time through the mountains there was a bit of snow which changed the view quite a bit.