Aktion Clubs of the Carolinas District of Kiwanis International

Saturday, October 1, 2005 was one of those Indian Summer Days (not yet fall, not quite Summer) when 24 Aktion Clubbers of South Mecklenburg, Kiwanians (Pineville-South Meck and Matthews), The ARC staff and friends traveled on a day trip to Raleigh on "The Carolinian" train.  

We departed very close to "on-time" around 7:45am for the 3.5 hour trip to Raleigh.  Lauren Mullis, Aktion Club leader from The ARC shared with us Bojangles biscuits as we settled in our comfortable window seats in our train car.  Ralph Messera shared with us also Krispy-Kreme donuts; we passed them around more than once throughout the trip.  We were off to a good start.  Everyone was in a seat and most with a seat partner they could chat with.  

As we passed through the towns of Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Durham, Cary, the anticipation rose as to what would happen when we arrived at the train station in downtown Raleigh.  Ralph who had planned the entire trip for us, explained that a Raleigh City bus would pick us up at the station and deliver us all to the Museums where we would visit and tour.  We arrived at the Raleigh station only 13 minutes late.  

After being delivered by bus to the Museums of Natural History and History near the legislative building, we walked around the plaza area and settled down for lunch.  Ralph and Domino's pizza delivered lunch for us around noon; we consumed all the pizzas and drinks as we sat at the metal picnic tables outside the 2 museums.  We were now ready for about 3 hours of walking and touring....or at least some of us were.  

In the Natural History Museum we split off into several groups and learned about the different ecosystems in North Carolina - from mountains to beach.  We saw live rattlers, waterfalls, rainforests with butterflies, dinosaur skeletons, and a shark jaw as large as any Aktion Clubber is tall.  

Over half of us were sneaking rests on the museum seats at the end of the tour.  We managed to cross the plaza area to the History Museum to tackle the touring of the N.C. History Museum.  The hardy ones found the "walk through the governor's lives" interesting, especially the 1st lady's dresses.  The N.C. Sports Hall of Fame was more interesting for the guys.  We saw also a replica of an old-time pharmacy.

At 4:00pm we managed to herd everyone together for several group shots in front of the N.C. History Museum.  We even had a friend from China - Willie who is staying with the Messeras as an exchange student.  

Upon return to the train station, we found our dinner was waiting - Chick Filet!  We downed the iced soft drinks provided with the chicken sandwiches.  It made the 45 minute train delay less noticeable. However, the gas leak nearby put some folks on edge.  Once on the train going home, we easily forgot all our cares except for the 30 minute (which seemed more like 2 hours) delay outside Durham  (A truck had hit our train overpass and inspectors were inspecting while we waited....apparently all OK as we proceeded later).  

The darkness outside the train consumed the countryside.  Towns were lit up brightly as we quickly passed through them on our journey back to Charlotte.  Aktion Clubbers were excited, talking amongst themselves.  What a good time they had had!  Thank you Ralph!  Can we do this again next year?  Can we travel by train to the State Fair in October, 2006?  

At 9:15pm we pulled up to the Charlotte station.  Ralph was given a thank you card signed by all Aktion Clubbers and given a hardy and warm group thank you.  After many hugs, we departed into the warm night air.  It was a long day.  I was tired.  And so were many others.  But the day had been fun and most rewarding.  

-Peter Rieke, Kiwanis Club of Pineville-South Meck, Advisor

Photos are coming!  Click once on photo to enlarge: 

Want to know more about future Aktion Club events?  Contact Lauren Mullis at The Arc at: 704-332-4535, ext. 11, lauren@arcmeck.org or Peter Rieke, 704-333-6699, prieke@bellsouth.net .  

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