With the girls at camp, the oldest in college, and Number 2 doing Number 2 things (Which actually included a pretty gnarly wound on his finger from a hand planer; no ER visit required. Although, we may have to revisit my post on dressing changes), The Wife and I were able to get away for a day date in New Bern, NC. I cannot believe that in our 13 years here, we have never really been there! We have played countless lacrosse games and tournaments but never explored the area beyond the playing fields. We were always too busy or were trying to rush home. But not this weekend! The historic downtown was absolutely beautiful, and The Wife and I were able to visit Tryon Palace and the museum. For those who do not know, particularly my Iowa readers, here are some quick facts about New Bern, NC:
- Founded in 1710 by Swiss and German settlers; it is the second-oldest colonial town in North Carolina (after Bath).
- Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola.
- Former capital: Served as North Carolina’s colonial and early state capital (roughly mid-1700s to 1792). Tryon Palace (built 1767–70 for Royal Governor William Tryon) was the first permanent capitol building.
- Historic richness: Over 150 sites on the National Register of Historic Places; multiple historic districts with homes and buildings dating to the early 18th century. It was once called “the Athens of the South.”
- Other “firsts”: First chartered fire department in NC; state’s first printing press (1749); first public banking institution (1778); first bookstore (1783); first postal service (1790); and more. It was reportedly the first U.S. city to celebrate George Washington’s birthday (he visited and danced at Tryon Palace).
- Location & character: Waterfront city near Pamlico Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway.
The town is also featured in the TV series Outlander. But, more importantly, the town was the setting for a great weekend. Just us and no timelines.
Typically, Lunch Box Quotes are notes I include in the kids’ lunches every day. Number 1 gets a text, and 2-4 get handwritten napkins, but for the Summer Edition, there has been no routine, so today, texts for 1 and 2, notes written in Sharpie on their snack bag for 3 and 4.
Visual credit to – Featured Image: Tryon Palace. Photo Credit: The Wife
Quotes: @Naturalphilosy @0xleegenz @Mothermary0012 @BeSaintly
Quotes:
1. “We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men.” – George Orwell
2. “Suffer by choice or suffer by consequence. The suffering is the same; the outcome isn’t.” – Unknown
3. “Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames.” – Saint Joan of Arc
4. “Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames.” – Saint Joan of Arc
Bonus Quote: “The Lord is more eager to forgive than we are to ask.” – Saint John Chrysostom
Sources:
“We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men.”
— George Orwell pic.twitter.com/jInF0nUHwF
— Natural Philosophy (@Naturalphilosy) August 2, 2026
“Suffer by choice or suffer by consequence. The suffer is the same, the outcome isn’t” pic.twitter.com/2rlXDTxQOW
— le.hl (@0xleegenz) August 1, 2026
“Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames.”
Saint Joan of Arc pic.twitter.com/eIACZR1P23
— MotherMary (@Mothermary0012) May 9, 2026
“The Lord is more eager to forgive than we are to ask.”
—Saint John Chrysostom pic.twitter.com/sI7mOMHCCa
— Become A Saint (@BeSaintly) July 31, 2026