The 2026 version of a gathering of siblings of the Paul & Peg McDaniel family met on April 25-28 at the home of Steve and Sharon near Rolesville, North Carolina. The brothers and the sister came accompanied by their significant others and enjoyed the usual wonderful camaraderie, good food, family stories and memories, and excursions to attractions in Raleigh. The photos below tell some of the story of the good times.
cheers,
george
Photos: Sharon’s Pat’s George’s GPS Tracks
(Click on the images for full screen, then <back> to return to the page.)
Raleigh 2026 – Sharon’s Photos
Convivial times at Steve and Sharon’s home – good food, good times. (And a snapshot from Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park and one of the “.. massive, eco-conscious giant trolls created by artist Thomas Dambo”.) 
Give the video some time to download.
Raleigh 2026 – Pat’s Photos
The family enjoyed a tour of the “Five massive, eco-conscious giant trolls created by artist Thomas Dambo from recycled materials located in Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park as of late 2025. Named Daddy Bird Eye, Mother Strongtail, and three smaller trolls (Dix, Dax, Dux), these “forest guardians” are hidden throughout the park, offering a, popular, free, and family-friendly scavenger hunt experience.” 
Raleigh 2026 – George’s Photos
- At each gathering, food takes it’s place near the center of activities, whether at the table or preparation in the kitchen that is set up perfectly so everyone who wishes can participate in preparations, or just join in the kibitzing.
- On one of the days, we enjoyed a most pleasant walk (2 miles) from the house to a nearby farm with a friendly pony.
- Just one photo of the many interesting activities at , of Dude and a water tornado at the Gipson Play Plaza in the North Carolina Museum of Art.
- And more photos of folks enjoying the Giant Trolls in the Park.
As is customary when I go out on a trail, I made a GPS recording of our walkabouts. I enjoy seeing the statistics and the screenshot. But more than that, loading the track files into GoogleEarth puts the hike into a perspective of the real world (I really liike GAIA). Here are our three Walkabouts.
| Raleigh 2026 – Sunday Walkabout Distance: 2.12 Miles Duration: 1;20 Elevation: 250 ft (start) Gain: 100 ft (min-max) |
Link to GAIA |
| Raleigh 2026 – Dix Park Trolls Distance: 2.94 Miles Duration: 2:32 Elevation: 340 ft (start) Gain: 58 ft (min-max) |
Link to GAIA |
| Raleigh 2026 – NCMA Play Plaza Distance: 2.12 Miles Duration: 1;20 Elevation: 250 ft (start) Gain: 100 ft (min-max) |
Link to GAIA |
>> The green button downloads a file suitable for loading into GoogleEarth.
>> The “Link to Gaia” will open your browser to the GAIA page with that track.
>>>>> Enjoy.