Carolina Renaissance Festival

This week instead of a new country it was a trip to a different time.  On a beautiful fall day that was supposed to be sunny and 65 it seemed like a perfect day to pack up the passport and trek north and back in time to the Carolina Renaissance Festival.  Normally this is a trip I take with friends but circumstances made it a solo adventure.

Arriving just after opening I got a sweet parking spot right on the lane and far enough out to get a few steps on the old Fitbit.  It was pirate weekend and there were tricorner hats and bustiers as far as the eye could see. Keeping in theme I enjoyed a musical interlude with the Rambling Sailors   then headed for the food.  There are a lot choices but I had to go with the turkey leg and a Foothills Brewery Cottonwood Pumpkin Ale to wash it down.

That was a tasty turkey leg.  I’ve had some that were cooked so long they were closer to jerky on the bone than a good drumstick.  In this case though it was moist with a touch of salt and smoky flavor.  It was also quite filling as there was a lot of meat on that leg.  The pumpkin ale was subtle on the pumpkin but did have that taste of fall that paired with the turkey.  I was not the only one enjoying lunch today as the raptors were having hunks of meat for lunch as well.

A little strolling around and then it was time to grab a drink and head to the arena.  Since I don’t get it often anywhere else I opted for a Chaucer’s Mead as my libation of choice.  I had to hear the bar maiden’s tale plus pony up $4 but what are you gonna do, it was Chaucer’s mead.

The mead kept me fortified while hanging with the king and court during the jousting tournament.

Finally after visiting a number of shops with Armory, Forge & Leather in the names it was time to call it a day and journey back south.  To make sure I was prepared for the trip a stop by the jerky stand was in order.

I have to say that is some of the best jerky I’ve had in a long time.  Great flavor, a bit sweet, a bit smoky, cut thin and not too dried out.  I’m saving some of that for a mid-game snack tonight.

If you’ve never been to a Renaissance Festival it’s a fun afternoon with a lot of things to do for both kids & adults so find one and make it a family day out.