Go heels

After going to high school in Chapel Hill, I was fortunate enough to escape the sprawling southern claws of its collegiate counterpart. Ten minutes away here at Duke, surprisingly, turned out to be far enough for me. But I find myself returning more than I should. It’s true. Chapel Hill is a fabulous town.

I went to high school in Chapel Hill, but I lived in an apartment in Carrboro, which is basically the cooler part of Chapel Hill. Home to privately owned University Lake and the loveliest country drives every autumn, Carrboro is one of those places you never hear about but are inevitably charmed by after just one fortuitous visit.

If you drive out far enough on one of those winding rural roads, you will chance upon a bona fide dairy farm selling fresh ice cream, milk, meat and bones. Just kidding about the bones. But the ice cream is wonderful, and they have a long row of rocking chairs on their expansive front porch where you can enjoy a cone.

It’s best at night when the absence of any artificial lights makes the sky the largest piece of heaven you’ve ever seen at one time. I used to drive out there with friends whenever we heard of a meteor shower or a lunar eclipse. The fields never end, so we would never know where to stop, drop and unroll our blankets. It was Andrew Wyeth’s painting Christina’s World, realized. Except that isn’t a house Christina is longing for, it is Mapleview Farm and the ice cream waiting inside.

For the lactose intolerant, a drive down Franklin Street takes you straight to Open Eye Café. Frankly, if you’re into Starbucks you won’t be impressed by the exterior design of the place. Last time I checked, Open Eye was sandwiched by a sketchy-looking dance club and a dilapidated antique furniture warehouse. But who am I kidding? The location is genius. The walls inside are decorated with original artwork by locals for sale. None of the furniture matches. Maybe they get it all from the warehouse next door. It would make sense, since it would cut down on shipping costs. Their drinks range from teas to coffees to Italian sodas. You could spend all day in there and not buy a drink and the cool dudes would never think to kick you out.

I had my Yale interview there. He was a ridiculously old man with a runny nose, thin green tie and what I suspected was mild Tourettes. He ordered a Coke and every once in a while he would alternate barking: “Coke!” and “Yale!” He was the man. This is just one good memory I have of Open Eye.

Hungry? Why go to Wendy’s across the street when Carrburrito’s exists? By far my favorite burrito joint in a 50-mile radius, Carrburrito’s is hard to find and well worth the effort. Cosmic Cantina does not hold a sad little candle to Carrburrito’s. This stands true for the Durham, Chapel Hill and New York Cosmics. If Jesus wanted a burrito, he would order the number seven with extra flour chips and fresca salsa at Carrburrito’s. God forbid he go anywhere else.

For those who don’t eat, there is always some good shopping in Chapel Hill. Thrift stores abound, and each one donates most or even all of its profits to an organization. The PTA thrift stores give their profits to local elementary, middle and high schools. I stock up on used books, records, movies, soccer jerseys and outrageously large clip-on earrings. I bought my senior year prom dress there for $7. Darn right I was the best-looking girl having dropped the least amount of bling.