Day 3 - University of Virginia, Chalottesville, North Carolina State University, Raleigh

Matt and I started our day at 7 am by going for a run around the University of Virginia campus. Even in the early morning, it was very humid and fairly warm. We ran to the football stadium and eventually after getting turned around a couple of times on campus, found our way back to the hotel.  After a short breakfast, the four of us went to tour UVA. We spent until about noon visiting the campus including visiting Thomas Jefferson’s rotunda, the outdoor amphitheater, residence halls, the student athletic center and the football stadium. Overall we were very impressed by the campus, and we all wished we could spend a semester there.

After lunch we toured Charlottesville shortly before departing for Raleigh, North Carolina. We left Charlottesville around 1:00 and arrived in Raleigh near 5:00. We then visited the delta sigma phi fraternity at North Carolina State University where we are staying the night. However the fraternity was actually about a 10 minute drive from campus. After touring the house we headed to the NC State campus. We were unimpressed the campus which was very large and spread out. We then found fraternity row, which was also on campus, but we were also unimpressed. We were all happy we decided not to attend NC State. However we visited the football stadium later (which was a 10 minute drive from campus) and were very impressed as it was a very nice stadium.

By this time it was around 7:00 and we decided it was time to head to “The Pit” for dinner. We had high expectations due to its appearance on man vs. food as well as personal recommendations. It was very crowded when we arrived and when we asked for a table we were told there would be an hour and a half wait. We said we would wait without hesitation. To pass the time we went and visited the capital of North Carolina which was only a few blocks away.

The meal did not disappoint we all got “chopped barbeque” with various sides including grits, mac n cheese, coleslaw, baked beans and collard greens. The pork was great, and we all concurred it was the best we have had. It was very moist and packed with flavor.

We then returned to delta sigma phi fraternity for the night, which was a little bit creepy as we seem to have the whole house to ourselves. Today was also very warm as it was 98F when we arrived in Raleigh.  Tomorrow we are planning on leaving around 9:00 am for Myrtle Beach.