Sunday in Concord, NC (January 3, 2009)

Back to Richmond in the morning, photo at left is (Thankfully!) not me; but will be time once again to run the gauntlet between here and Richmond, VA. Police tend to be heavy it seems around Salisbury, NC, Durham, NC and also in that great void between Durham and Richmond, VA. Especially love that one section just outside of Petersburg where the 70 mph speed limit winds down in 3 quick stages; tends to be a popular speed trap. Thankfully no tickets in 2009, hope to maintain that pattern in 2010. The problem is really in North Carolina, while I have been impressed with the Virginia drivers, on the highways of NC its turn one at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Can make for some gripping driving; tend to keep a firm hand on the wheel.
Last week did get out to Concord Mills. Entrance to the Bass Pro Shop (one of the most popular stores in the mall) is seen at left. Concord Mills is largely an outlet mall, and a very popular one. Patty and I wandered around with the "after Christmas shoppers"; and they did have a lot of really good values. Sometimes think that be best to give rain checks for Christmas, and do the shopping after the holiday. At any case, was fun to wander around. It is a huge mall with different "sectors" following different design themes, and laid out like a race track (oval). I should also mention that it is North Carolina's #1 tourist attraction which is sort of sad in a way.

Photo at left is the food court; got quite a selection of places to eat, sort of like the Chesterfield Towne Center in Richmond, though on a much larger scale (and has a Merry Go Round in the center...it works by the way). A great many smaller malls have opened by Concord Mills; gets to be quite the traffic jam around the Christmas holidays backing I-85 up for miles.
As for me, have had a great visit here. Will roll back into Richmond in the morning. Have enjoyed a great break from work, but will be good to get back into the routine. Besides its too cold to ride the motorcycle. However on that note do have to mention that went to the Vulcan Riders Association meeting (Charlotte chapter) yesterday, temperature was a balmy 22 degrees and roughly 2/3s of those attending rode their motorcycles in. As for me...I passed on that (though did get some good rides in this week and last). Looking forward to new explorations of Richmond and the surrounding area in 2010!