We needed a couple of new office chairs. But, I didn't want the kind with wheels on the chairs and thought, "Where can I get a cheap, decent chair?" Answer, "Ikea!"
All that adds up to "Road Trip!!"
We hopped in the car and three hours later we were making a lot of u-turns to finally get in to Ikea. It was a little confusing since we had already strayed off the beaten path to dine at Jack in the Box (sorry, but we like JIB and they don't have them in Raleigh!)
Most everyone in Charlotte was there. The parking lot was packed! However, this store location really had an easier sense of movement from car to store to levels, everything just felt a bit easier. (I have been to the DC (nightmare one) and the Dallas one and they both felt more cramped, but maybe there were just more people there.
We found our chairs, found some seat cushions, met a nice couple that recently moved here from LA and a lady that decided she didn't want her plant by the time she reached the checkouts. Moral here is people seemed friendly even though by the checkout times everyone did look a little worn out.
Easy road trip from Raleigh. Back that same day in 2 1/2 hours. Cured my need for getting on the road. Good day!