I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of you (I assume) in Raleigh in not so many days. I'm a pen show virgin, so I'm just hoping to come away with a nice pen (or two) and some ink, without hurting my bank account too much.

I'm a local, lived in the triangle for 12 years, so if any out-of-towners want tips on what to see/do/eat, I'll be happy to offer my 2 cents!

Hi. I'm in the Triangle also, and will definitely be at the show. There will be thousands of pens.............

I suspect that fuel costs will lead fewer to fly and drive long distances.

Since I'm local, I want to be there to support the show.

I'll be completing my move to good ole Carrboro in about 4 days, so I will undoubtedly not be able to resist the pen show.

Obviously I will be there are I have a table at the show.... if you see Richard Binder and Ron Zorn, just turn around and you will find my ugly mug....

My wife and daughter are coming along for a mini-vacation..
So far my wife is planning to take my daughter to a movie theater where they serve you your meal while you watch a movie... I hope something she wants to see is playing
My daughter is also interested in seeing the Raleigh Museum of Natural History... the web site looks fantastic...

Any other suggestions....

At last count I should have close to 100 pens with me.... Mostly Parkers and Sheaffers....

The pencil guy will be there all four days.

Joe Nemecek

Hi Tom

You're wife and daughter may like this.

A great place for lunch with a little cafe.

http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/

Steve

Good Joe, I have some questions about a couple of pencils I have...

Me! Me! Me! I'll be there. Can't wait to see you guys!

$4 gas sure is making it harder to justify the trip, but I have not given up the ship yet! I am working on being there at least one day - perhaps combining a work trip so I can write off the mileage!

Barbara and I will be there all four days (arriving midafternoon Thursday).

I'll be in my old Honda drafting VWbeetlebug all the way from Winston-Salem!(Cathy,if you don't go over 55,I can probably get 60 MPG!) Cheers,JohnnyT

Unless something changes I will not be able to get there until Sunday and plan to be there when the doors open.

So no one is allowed to pack up and leave early!

Count another Marylander who will be there. I'll be with Bert Heiserman from Pen Haven learning as much as I can.

I just posted the following to Tom's auction pictures message, which I read before I saw this one.

I am coming, and bringing at least one, maybe two, perhaps as many as four who have never before attended a pen show.

Tom, here are a few ideas for your wife and daughter.

The Marbles Kids Museum, which used to be Exploris is highly regarded. Only time I have been there recently though, was just for the U2 IMAX movie.

If by the natural history museum you mean the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, it is excellent. An acquaintance is the coordinator of teacher education. Some of his research and photography that I have seen is phenomenal.

I assume the theater of which you speak is Raleighwood Cinema Grill. I have been there a few times, and it is a fun atmosphere.

State Capitol tours may be of interest to them. Downtown Raleigh is only about 10 miles or so from the hotel.

If they like shopping, the Streets at Southpoint mall is just about 12 miles west on I-40, and has many stores, good restaurants, and a multi-plex theater.

Continuing the westward trek, in Durham, along with the Sara P. Duke Gardens which have already been mentioned and are highly recommended, the Duke Chapel is really spectacular. I was not able to get the site to load just now, so I don't know if it is a temporary problem or they are having more long-term web trouble.

Just a few blocks away from the Gardens and Chapel is Ninth Street, which has some interesting shops and eateries. One of our family's favorites is Elmo's Diner.

There is much more to do in the area--I haven't even touched on Chapel Hill, but that should be enough to get their creative juices flowing.

If all goes well and I can leave our 3 month old in my wife's hands for a day, I should be there on Saturday, unofficially representing the city of Danville, Virginia.

Who will be there? I will, I will!

See you there. I will be there on Thursday and on Sunday (I'm investing in a weekend pass this year!).

Lisa

I'm planning on attending Friday and Saturday. Hope to see you there!

I'll be there! My first pen show!!

Kristi

Ha! The Intrepid never drops below 70 when en route to da show. (Insert Evil Laugh) See you there!

I am new to Fountain Pens and the FPN, and am so frustrated that I missed the Atlanta Show(where I live) that I am flying up for the Raleigh show, which will be my first pen show. I hope to meet a lot of new friends.

I'll be there!

I'm driving in from Virginia and anticipating meeting folks in the area, as I'll be relocating to Chapel Hill/Durham at the end of June. Cannot wait! This will be my first pen show, although I've "met" some of the sellers through pen purchases already. Safe travels, all!

Susan

can't be there--recuperating from cataract surgery. my "other" eye will be done on monday--then i have to wait for 4 more weeks for my vision to stabilize. i want to see pens with new eyes--so i will wait until washington.

i am aiming for columbus, too.

Yay! It will be nice to see some new FPN folks there! It will only be my 2nd time there. Last year was loads of fun. It was nice actually meet folks in person and just sit and chat. Oh and there are lots of pens there too!

Anyone else?

This VacQuack will be quackin' away for most of the show. Have had grand time every year since the show started, though this year i get in laaaate Thursday and must leave Sunday first thing for holiday. Hope to see some new faces. Should be a grand time.

-david

It's Thursday night and I'm just in at my business hotel at 0' Dark Thirty. Managed to wrap up my business trip week with a finish right here in Raleigh. Whew-started in Birmingham Alabama a week ago. It's been a good pen hunting week and I haven't even been to the show yet!

I'll only have time to attend tomorrow before I have to catch a 5:30 flight back to Detroit Friday night. Gotta big weekend in store. First Tiger baseball game with my 4 year old grandson. 'Bout the only thing that is capable of taking me away from pens.

Looking forward to seeing y'all at my first Raleigh Show visit. Terry puts on good shows so I'm sure this one will rock.

Mike Kirk