Pullen Park Rally with Bill Clinton

Photo from the News and Observer website.

When I heard that Bill Clinton was going to be in Raleigh on Sunday, you better believe I made plans so that I could attend the rally at Pullen Park.  I went early and had a seat near the front and right beside the VIP and Press section. (I lucked out with this.)

I'm right up front at the rally.

This is the third time I've seen Bill Clinton in person.  The first time was when he was in Durham during his first campaign---that time I shook his hand and got an autograph on the back of a campaign button. 

My Bill Clinton autograph.

Then when Patrick and I were in Ireland for the Ryder Cup several years ago, I was watching Tiger Woods come down the fairway, and suddenly the crowd starting shouting "Bill", "Bill" and I turned around and there was a golf cart with Clinton and his Service detail following along behind Tiger.  Clinton got out and came over and greeted the crowd.  Folks were more excited about Clinton than about Tiger (and that included me.)

On Sunday, we waited quite a while for Clinton.

I was right beside the Press Corps and couldn't help noticing this cute little reporter dressed as if he were from Scotland with a spiffy wool jacket and cap.  I asked, he wasn't. But he said he had spent some time in England.

Reporter with Press Corps.

Other NC Democrats gave speeches, the band played and I kept watching to see who was behind the curtain, where all the dignitaries emerged.

Bev emerges from behind the curtain.

Finally out came Clinton.

Clinton emerges (Photo from News and Observer website.)

He still has a spring in his step.

Clinton walks right past where we are standing.

The crowd loved Clinton.

The crowd loved Clinton ( Photo from the News and Observer website.)

And Clinton loves the crowd.

Clinton loves the crowd (Photo from the News and Observer website.)

As you can see, I'm a real Bill Clinton fan.  I only wish Presidents could serve a third time.  I would love to see Bill back in the White House.

Lunch at Pullen Park

Enclosed carrousel in Pullen Park.

After being closed for two years during its renovation, Pullen Park opened this past weekend. I went over Sunday, but the crowd was so large I couldn't find a parking place.  So I waited  and went for my morning walk over there on Monday.  It was not so crowded then.

The carrousel.

The carrousel has been beautifully restored and is now enclosed so it will be protected  from the weather and will stay open year round.

The little train has been refurbished too.

It's very nostalgic going to the Park because we took our children and grandchildren many times to ride the carrousel or the train or to just have a picnic in the park.  Now my children are grown, and all but two of my grandchildren are too old to take to the park--well the grown children and grandchildren might enjoy a picnic there.

The red caboose provides fun for the children.

 

Extensive playground for the children.

The lake with the paddle boats.

The cafe that features locally produced food.

One new feature is the Pullen Place Cafe.  The Cafe features seasonal and locally grown foods.

The Cafe.

By the time I finished my walk and my wandering around the park it was lunch time so I had lunch at the Pullen Place.  I chose a baked sweet potato topped with butter, brown sugar and pecans.  The potato and the pecans were grown locally.  The cold apple cider that I chose was also produced locally.

Sweet potato and apple cider.

We in Raleigh are fortunate to have such a wonderful park.  The renovations are beautiful.  I think I am going to plan a picnic in Pullen Park for all the family, and the young or young at heart can ride the carrousel too.

By the way HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE !!!