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Airports / Airport News / RDU / Raleigh Travel / → All Tags

RDU's Terminal 1 is Up Next for an Airport Renovation

There’s been so many airport renovations and remodels around the country that we kind of forget what was going on at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. They finished off the second part of their brand new Terminal 2 earlier this year, but now they’re focusing their attention across the street to the dated—and one we find smelly—Terminal 1.

Airport officials are thinking that it will cost around $60 million to add all the niceties and upgrades to Terminal 1. Sure that sounds pretty expensive, but compared to the near $600 million they spent on the new Terminal 2—it’s just peanuts. Some of the features to get a facelift include the ticketing counters, security lines and baggage area. There will be glass elevators, a place to grab a coffee or snack before security, and plenty of translucent building materials to allow for some natural light. Architecture firm Pearce, Brinkley, Cease and Lee are still working on all the details, but the bulldozers are expected to roll through beginning this spring.

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Airports / T2 at RDU / RDU / Airport News / Airport Restaurants / → All Tags

Raleigh-Durham's Terminal 2 Is Open Just in Time for the NHL All-Star Game

A few years ago, we got to take a sneak peek inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s brand new terminal, and since then we’ve been in and out of it several times and have always been pleased. However, we’ve been eager to see what was behind the construction wall, as the second half of the terminal has been under construction for quite some time. Well, over the weekend things finally opened up to traffic—and just in time too—as hockey’s best players and fans are headed to the North Carolina’s Triangle for this year’s NHL All-Star Game.

This time we’re not on hand to check things out for ourselves, but we’re expecting a mirror image of the first half of the renovated Terminal 2—which is a good thing. High, soaring ceilings allow for plenty of waiting space for Continental and US Airways passengers as they will no longer be stuck in the outdated—and kind of smelly—Terminal 1. All in all, the new place cost around $600 million to build, so it’s only natural to expect the best of the best.

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Street Art / Street Art Travel / Art / Crime / Vandalism / Banksy / Art Travel / → All Tags

Look Out Banksy: Barrel Monster Man Faces Prison for Raleigh Road Art

It didn't last long, but commuters in Raleigh, North Carolina were treated to a whimsical display of street art recently, as a 22-year-old NC State student (allegedly) assembled a barrel monster out of bright orange traffic barrels and put it to work directing traffic on a busy public street. Police say Joseph Carnevale is being charged with larceny for stealing and damaging the traffic barrels on May 31 for the purpose of building a statue, and I guess they're right, but it always seems unfair when it's vandalism you actually like.

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Strange Scuba Spots / SCUBA / Scuba Dives / North Carolina Travel / → All Tags

History Lurks Below the Surface of an Old North Carolina Quarry

With the economy in the toilet, you might not have the funds to head out on once in a lifetime diving trip, and with that Swine Flu constantly lurking around every corner the only safe place is under the sea. That’s why we’ve compiled some strange SCUBA spots right here at home. If you’ve got a better one (or a worse one), please let us know!

Are you sick and tired of crystal clear water and colorful exotic fish? Then how does a murky, abandoned quarry just outside Raleigh, North Carolina sound? For almost 30 years, Fantasy Lake Scuba Park has been training new divers and giving experts something less exotic, but more industrial to look at and enjoy. You see, back in the day, quarry workers hit a spring and the place slowly filled up around all of the original quarrying equipment, which was just left in place. Their misfortune is now your reward.

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Competitive Eating / Krispy Kreme / Food / Extreme Sports / → All Tags

Krispy Kreme's (Heart Attack) Challenge Taking Place This Saturday

If you’re still recovering from your Super Bowl snack binge, but are looking to start a more healthy approach to life--we’ve got an idea for you. This Saturday, the Krispy Kreme Challenge takes place in Raleigh, North Carolina. It’s a combination race and eating contest, so you can practice your running form while slowly weaning yourself off the sweet treats.

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Airports / T2 at RDU / RDU / → All Tags

New Terminals Travel: A Sneak Peak at T2 at RDU

There's nothing quite like spending the day at the airport when you have no intention of flying anywhere. Yet that's where we were over the weekend as the Raleigh-Durham International Airport flung open the doors on its new Terminal 2.

Families, business travelers and dorks like us were all on-hand to check things out and figure out where to charge the laptop before take-off. (Answer: At the copious plugs found at every gate.) There was a pretty good turnout, and airport staff provided novelty boarding passes and event programs.

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Airports / T2 at RDU / RDU / → All Tags

New Terminals Travel: Raleigh Aiport Hosting Weekend Open House

While we wait for the now-delayed opening of JFK's new T5, Raleigh-Durham International is wooing airport dorks with an open house on Saturday, 10 am-4 pm.

The new $570 million Terminal 2 at RDU will open in two phases. The party this weekend is in the North Concourse, which will have a dozen restaurants, 19 gates, two large art installations and seating areas with plentiful standard and USB power outlets. The airport is also planning family activities, live music and prize giveaways for the open house.

T2 officially opens on October 26, when American, Delta, United and Air Canada move in. Continental and US Airways are scheduled to join them by the end of 2011.

Related Stories:
· RDU Terminal 2 [Official Site]
· JetBlue Terminal 5 Opening Pushed Back! [Jaunted]

Possible Presidents Travel / Possible-Presidents-Map / John McCain / Barack Obama / → All Tags

Possible Presidents Travel: The Swains Swing Southward

Hitting the campaign trail again after a week of family vacation, Barack Obama is rolling eastward. He made an appearance Sunday in San Francisco and stopped in Albuquerque yesterday to discuss economic issues with a panel of single moms--and reach out to Democratic governor Bill Richardson. He then pressed on to the Southeast.

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R2D2-Mailbox-Map / Cult Travel / → All Tags

R2D2 Mailbox Map: Droid In Tar Heel Blue

Contribute your R2D2 mailbox locations by uploading your photo, with mailbox address to the Jaunted Flickr Photo Pool, or sending us the photo and street address via email.

Jaunted tipster Richard found this mailbox on W Martin St in Raleigh North Carolina.

He should have thrown a UNC or Duke cap on the droid, so we could get a better idea of where R2's loyalties lie when it comes to Tobacco Row's biggest rivalry.

Go Straight To The R2D2 Mailbox Map

Related Stories:
· Star Wars Stamps Arrive [USPS]

Car Rentals / Jaunted Field Trips / Alamo Rent A Car / Business Travel / → All Tags

If Jaunted Was On The Office...

Our nickname, at least for today, would be Big Lemon--and we think it would stick.

Car rental company Alamo saddled us with a bright yellow, two door, Chevy Cobalt, with--wait for it--a rear spoiler.  To top it off the interior smells of tobacco row.  Yes we are in North Carolina, but c'mon, feel free to mix in an airfreshener Alamo.

Sales Executives everywhere should take note, unless you want to end up being the talk of the conference/sales call/meeting for all the wrong reasons--you might want to request a non-offensive color, at the very least.

Despite the hand we were dealt we will drive our Little Miss Sunshine with pride all day long.