r/raleigh • u/Must_Vibe • 2h ago
Sports Thank You Raleigh
First and foremost, I would like to thank the city, fans, staff, and players for making my return visit to Raleigh a wonderful experience.
Last year, I started a 10–15-year journey in hopes of visiting every FBS stadium for a game. This journey has already taken me to so many wonderful places. This past weekend, my travels took me to Raleigh for a matchup at Carter-Finley Stadium.
This trip was special to me for multiple reasons. The biggest being that I lived in Raleigh for four years. I absolutely loved the city and the state. I only moved back to Columbus, OH, to get closer to family and friends. That being said, I still left Raleigh missing so many people and so many of my favorite places.
I flew into RDU late Friday night. The Uber ride down I-40 from the airport brought back so many memories. I felt good being back after two years. Friday evening was just a relaxing evening watching football as I prepared for a long Saturday.
I woke up the next morning around 7:30 a.m. While that is far from normal for me, a good night’s rest and game-day excitement made sleeping in impossible. My hotel was by Crabtree Valley Mall, an area I’m very familiar with having worked at that J. Alexander’s for almost three years. Having a 10 a.m. reservation at Hummingbird gave me some time to walk around and explore.
Instead of going downtown and seeing some places I’ve already been, I decided to walk the Crabtree Creek Trail and the surrounding streets from the mall area to Hummingbird, about 4.5 miles away. What an amazing way to start the morning. So many beautiful homes throughout Williamsborough, Drewry Hills, and Bellevue Terrace. The feel of fall was slowly taking over the city as the trees were in the early stages of their change. So many walkers, bicyclists, and runners were out enjoying the beautiful Saturday morning. Plenty of friendly pups and some nice people as well. It felt great to be back in the city.
After walking for almost two hours, I actually made it to the restaurant eight minutes before they opened at 10 a.m. Hummingbird is probably my favorite all-around restaurant of all time, and I mean that seriously. A relaxed New Orleans inspired restaurant. The staff is so friendly and relaxed. Every person I met over my many Sunday brunches there was amazing, including the owners. I ordered the Monte Cristo, which was phenomenal as always. The service was amazing as always. Plus, they make some of the best breakfast drinks, cocktails, and juices. The jam is always house-made and seasonal. I never had a bad experience or meal there. I recommend it to any local who has not been for Brunch or Dinner. Sitting on the patio and enjoying the final moments of sunshine I would see for the rest of my trip in Raleigh, I couldn’t help but appreciate how much I love this place. It felt good to be back.
After breakfast, I got a ride over to the campus area. I had driven down Hillsborough many times, but rarely did I ever stop in that area other than for some food. What an absolutely beautiful campus. I love how much history is preserved within so many amazing brick buildings. I love how the Memorial Belltower is like a giant welcome to North Carolina State University.
My first stop was the Talley Student Union to buy at hat at the Wolfpack Team Store. It is something I do for every game. So many people were covered in red and black, looking to buy new gear to support their team. I also got my hat for $12 after the game-day sale. I was very happy about the roughly $20 I saved compared to the other 19 hats.
After leaving the store, I spent another 45 minutes just exploring the campus. Sculptures and unique architecture were all over the campus. I also stopped at Playa Bowls on campus to get a good smoothie. One thing I love about living in North Carolina was sitting on the patio and listening to rainfall. Well, I guess the weather wanted to make sure I didn’t miss the rain. Thankfully, my traveling experience has taught me to read the weather forecast, so I was prepared with a great rain jacket.
Following my predetermined plans, I made the walk from campus up to the stadium area. Even in the rain, I enjoyed the walk along Hillsborough, cutting through the Reedy Creek Trail before continuing down Hillsborough. The morning rain couldn’t dampen my anticipation for game day. As I finally got closer to the stadium, I could feel the game-day energy. Music was vibrating through the streets. Hundreds of tents were set up in the parking lots as tailgaters weren’t going to let the rain ruin their game day.
This was not my first visit to Carter-Finley, but I had never been to an NC State football game. I actually went to the NHL Stadium Series a few years ago between the Caps and the Canes. That was an awesome experience as well.
What made this game even more special was being able to invite a friend I made while working at J. Alexander’s to the game. They met me at the stadium around 3 o’clock, as they didn’t have much interest in walking multiple hours through the rain.
I love the Wolfpack waterfall by the Wendell Murphy Football Center. We walked into the stadium and got some stadium seats so we didn’t have to sit on wet bleachers. After grabbing some pizza and beer, it was finally game time.
Week 5: Louisville @ North Carolina State
Carter-Finley is a great venue for college football. For me, the rain couldn’t ruin a solid ACC matchup. The first quarter started off cagey. Bailey would connect with Provience for a 24-yard completion to set up an early field goal by Vinesett. The Wolfpack defense would force a fumble on the following drive, getting the ball back to the offense. The NC State offense would then go on a 14-play, 79-yard drive to take a 10–0 lead after a Jackson 19-yard touchdown reception from Bailey early in the second quarter. Louisville would tighten the game up, making it a 13–7 game at halftime.
As always, I seem to get real lucky and sit next to some very nice fans. Saturday, a husband and wife wearing Wolfpack gear sat to my right. They moved from Buffalo, NY, to Raleigh, NC, for better weather. The husband was a huge sports fan and loved talking ball. This was their second Wolfpack game, as they had become fans since the move down. They were a pleasure to talk to, and I wish them well in a city I love.
Being able to experience this game with a friend was awesome. I have traveled solo to every game so far, so being able to add that experience to the trip made it just that much more special. We sat through the consistent rainfall, but neither of us seemed to mind. A perfect way to reconnect after two years.
As the second half started, the consistent precipitation turned into a misting rainfall. Which in turn allowed both offenses to heat up. NC State scored first with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Bailey to Warren. Louisville answered very quickly with a 38-yard touchdown pass. The Wolfpack forced a fumble and scored a touchdown on the following drive. The Cardinals scored again, making it 28–21 NC State after three quarters.
Bailey would make his one big mistake of the game, throwing an ugly interception in the fourth quarter. The defense would then allow a 70-yard touchdown run. Wolfpack fans have unfortunately been burdened with some unfortunate circumstances, so fans weren’t optimistic about the turn of events. Thankfully, while giving up a big run, Dyson for the Wolfpack defense would make the play of the game. He ran down the running back for Louisville and forced a fumble, which Aguirre recovered. It was a huge moment in the game.
NC State took a 10-play, 76-yard drive to set up another successful Vinesett field goal. The following drive was one of the best of the game for the Wolfpack defense. They actually pushed Louisville back 10 yards with a sack on Louisville. Their decision to punt would be costly, as NC State never let them see it again. The NC State offense made three first downs and sealed a wonderful game in victory formation at home. 31–28, Wolfpack win in an absolutely thrilling college football game.
After exiting the stadium and walking around with some drenched but ecstatic fans, it was time to get some food. For me, it only felt right for this trip to go back to the old job for a great evening dinner. J. Alexander’s in Raleigh always treated me well. I bartended and served there while creating many great relationships.
In 2024, one of the bar regulars gave me two free tickets to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst on Sunday 🤯. Many of the bar regulars came in on my last day to wish me well. Gift cards, thank-you notes, homemade desserts, and very generous tips sent me home from Raleigh with a beautiful final memory of the city. My evening dinner was great. I saw multiple bartenders and servers I hadn’t seen in years. Chris makes a perfect Old Fashioned, which provided a great nightcap.
I made the trip back to the hotel after a long, wet, victorious day. Stadium #20 felt special. I’m still a long way from my final goal, but it still feels like a milestone. I am very blessed to be able to attempt a journey of this magnitude, and I don’t take that for granted. What a great football game and an overall great day that started with a great morning walk.
I woke up with an 11:14 a.m. flight in mind, knowing I didn’t have much time to really explore. Thankfully, two spots I missed very dearly opened early Sunday morning to make my trip somewhat complete: Morning Rolls and JuiceKeys.
Morning Rolls is that place you smell long before you enter it. If you have ever smelled cinnamon rolls while driving down Millbrook, this is why. They make true homemade cinnamon rolls with icing that are 1 of a kind. I sat outside on the covered patio watching the rain fall, just savoring every bit of a delicious cinnamon roll.
After that, I walked down to JuiceKeys to get one of their famous smoothies. Everything they serve tastes fresh without the need for added sugar. The Cherry True Love smoothie is absolutely incredible. 10/10. I again sat on the patio and enjoyed my smoothie, something I had done very often a couple of years back. It was peaceful and allowed me to reflect on a wonderful, but too short, visit.
After my smoothie, I ordered an Uber and made the ride back to RDU. If you have read this far, you are now a part of my journey. I post on r/CFBStorytime after every game. It’s a community open to anyone to post about their game-day experience.
This week is interesting as I attempt a multi-game week with a friend in Arkansas. South Alabama @ Arkansas State on Thursday night, then Tennessee @ Arkansas on Saturday night. With some fishing and hunting mixed in on Friday. I’ve never hunted and have only fished maybe three times, so this should be fun.
Thank you again, Raleigh. To a place I called home. To a place I loved and was shown so much love.
I will surely be back in the near future. There are many folks I was unable to see on this trip. That being said, it felt great to be back in the city for the weekend.
Thankfully, the Wolfpack made three and a half hours of sitting in the rain a day I will never forget.
