Carolina Hurricanes in Charlotte (September 25, 2011)

Though after Irene, the name "Hurricane" brings a sigh to Richmond, VA, enjoyed a different sort at Time Warner Cable Arena when the NHL Carolina Hurricane met the Winnipeg Jets on the ice. Thankfully, Time Warner is not the owner of the arena. I don't use them in Charlotte, there I have more options for internet and television. Here in Richmond the choices are more limited; stuck with Comcast or the equally expensive (and pretty much as poorly rated) Verizon. Customer service is a real challenge (seems to be outsourced for the most part from the people I have been talking to). I send in the check every month, but sure hate writing that one!
Anyhow, as you can see in the first photo, and at the left, Charlotte has a light rail system. It got a lot of heat from right wing groups who said it would be a total failure. Actually, it has done quite well, being both a great way to get around much of the city and also has been a driver for a whole lot of local businesses and development especially along South Blvd. Not to mention that it saves a bunch of cash on fuel charges. Government it is said does nothing right and private business can do no wrong-well as I have noted with Comcast and in the case of the Lynx Light Rail, that is not always the case. Public transportation is an idea I think which is going to be growing in the future.
As to the game, it was pretty cool. First time the Raleigh based Carolina Hurricane had played in Charlotte, and though a pre-season game attendance was a bit over 10,000. Good action, Time Warner Cable Arena is the home to the ECHL Charlotte Checkers and the NBA Charlotte Bobcats. The Winnipeg Jets were formerly the Atlanta Thrashers. The game was won by Carolina 4-0, and though it did not count in the standings of the upcoming season, it was pretty cool to watch. I like hockey, and these guys were flat good, and the best of the best. Enjoyed the game though there was not one fight on the ice, which is strange at a hockey game. Went with my son, and we had a great time in Rainy Charlotte; really poured all weekend. Still, nothing like a little indoor entertainment in the Queen City on a rainy day.

Vehicles on the way back (September 18,2011)

Traveling you see the most interesting sights sometimes, but on September 18, got to see some of my favorite things. First was this Harley-Davidson in South Hill, VA...this biker is ready to ride, and much more so than most motorcyclists. You see a lot of cars and trucks towing bikes of both kinds, but it was a first for me to see this motorcycle hauling a bicycle for the time when he parks his bike. This was a really cool set up, and I liked how he had done this (though possible that it is some sort of commercial mount). Talked to him for a bit at the gas pumps, and interesting guy who was off on a trip with a buddy who was riding a Honda Gold Wing.
Saw this car at a rest stop in North Carolina, love to go to classic car shows (we have a great one monthly in Kannapolis, NC....the area which is the home to NASCAR racing is big on car shows in the local communities there). This car got a lot of attention at the rest stop. I often see many interesting cars on the road on the way between Richmond and Charlotte, but this was a real jewel and a fine restoration of a classic. Not sure where he was off to, but if the other cars are as nice as this one, that would be a car show really worth checking out. Got a few more weeks of car shows before late fall/winter weather puts them away for a few months.
I am a big aircraft fan, and did enjoy seeing this "seaplane" (this type can land both on the water, and on land) going down I-95 just short of Richmond, VA. He was doing a little "flying at ground level". Now and then I see aircraft hauled on the road, but this was the first one in a long time. The wings for the plane were in the bed of the pickup truck. In fact this weekend is the NAS Oceana Air Show at the Naval Air Station near Virginia Beach, Va. The forecast is not real good for the weekend, but if it goes off the Blue Angels will be there in the air. Went to that last year (unfortunately will be unable to go this year) and had an amazing time. Though I will be missing the air show, I do have some interesting events to check out this weekend, and will be bringing them here in my next post.

Quick Trip to Louisville (September 15-18)

Had to make a quick trip to Louisville, Kentucky over a four day period. First day on September 15, was to roll to Concord from Richmond, I took this photo while at a traffic light on NC-29 in Concord following a nice Thursday morning trip. I enjoyed being back for a few hours and liked this photo of the hospital parking garage (did not have to do anything in/with the hospital, just liked the view. It was a nice day, and had a good time being back in my "other city". Patty and I got everything loaded up, and headed out the following morning to have a real quick trip to the Louisville area, was going to be a real out and back experience.
I love to ride, so apparently do these guys. Saw them in Tennessee; and from the tags they came from Canada (Ontario actually) out enjoying some of the great riding America has to offer. They were mostly Harley-Davidson motorcycles, though I do remember one Honda Shadow in the bunch. Drive was nice, always remarkable to drive though the mountains, and enjoyed the views. We also were lucky (as were these riders) to have a rain free drive both up and back-it is a lot more fun riding a motorcycle or driving a car when its not raining. Had been to the mountains not too many days before this trip, nice to be back even just passing through.
Got to Louisville on September 16. We were just there a few hours, this is the view of the city from the Indiana side of the Ohio River. Louisville is a very nice city; I lived most of my life there. As I have often stated and has been noted by a number of people, in weather, being on the river, being fond of older buildings and reusing past buildings, Louisville has a great deal in common with Richmond, VA. On the river at the bottom left you can see the square building. That is the Yum Center which is the home of the Louisville Cardinals. I believe that opened for last years basketball season. Louisville is a big fan of the University sport teams-its a real passion there.
On September 18, went to Suck Bang Blow in Concord, quiet early on a Sunday, but I like this place-the big fan is made by the "Big Ass Fan" company, and of course there are some motorcycles on display in the background. I also made a stop at the nearby Speedway Harley-Davidson, my bike is still in the shop, but I am hopeful it will be out in the next few days and I can get a ride in. It has been awhile. Fall is coming up (officially on Friday September 24) and I am certainly looking forward to that,it is one of my favorite times of the year.
Certainly was a wild four day weekend, one of the things that come up with living both in Richmond and North Carolina..and with ties to a third city. All worked out well though, and looking forward to the next, and calmer upcoming weekend!

South of the James Market, September 10, 2011

Nice morning in Richmond, as Summer is winding down. Read about the South of the James Market, and getting some breakfast outside sounded like a good deal. Plus the park is a real treasure; a very nice place to wander around and check out the people. It is also a good place to hear fine music, I enjoyed this guitarist, but a lot of good musicians were playing in the park. Nice to not be burning up in the heat, I am so ready for fall. On the way to the park, did see still some trees down from the Hurricane Irene weekend in the area. One house was very lucky, a very large tree got very close to a house. I also saw quite a few trees down in the park.
The South of the James Market is at Forest Hill Park which is located at Forest Hill Avenue and 42nd Street. It runs on Saturdays through December 3 and the hours are from 8am-noon. It is basically a farmers market with a lot of good things to purchase. I have seen a great variety of foods offered, and also a number of other interesting items can be found there as well. Art work and photos are also available-on a past visit even saw canoes available for purchase. One of the best parts though is checking out the people and oh yes the dogs is very dog friendly Richmond, Va. People bring their dogs with them here and that makes this a great city.
An article in Richmond.com's news paper (though I am a big fan of the web site as well, lots of great information there, made me want to check out Crossroads Coffee and Ice Cream bagel. Came with cream cheese, tomatoes, red onions, and some interesting green stuff (don't ask me, I am no foodie) for $5. It was pretty damn good though, something different and for sure worth another visit. In fact there are a number of interesting food vendors there, with a great variety of things to eat. Today was the first time I have been to the market this year, hope to make a few more visits before the year is out!

Asheville Adventures (September 3-4,2011)

Patty and I celebrated (a few days late due to the work situation here) our 20th Wedding Anniversary in Asheville, NC. It is a fantastic area with a great history, remarkable views and some great roads. Took the car (the motorcycle is still in the shop, but out soon) and enjoyed some wonderful weather. Church at left was built with money by a Mr. George Vanderbilt. Rather rich in the day, he also had built a rather large house called The Biltmore Estate. It is a remarkable thing to see, and have enjoyed it a few times (but not this visit). Do have to say though, favorite time to see The Biltmore is during Christmas time, they really do that place up.
We made a stop to the Western North Carolina Aviation Museum which is in Hendersonville, NC (right next to Asheville, NC). Liked this photo because the plane at the bottom was a 1930's kit plane called a "Heath Parasol". It originally flew with a Henderson Motorcycle Engine, and cost around $130 dollars for the kit. I know that because the man who built it, and donated it to the museum is sitting in the chair at left. Was amazing hearing some of this stories. The museum has a nice collection of aircraft, and admission is free (which is always nice). Will have a few photos on my Flickr Photo Page.
Visited The Hendersonville Apple Festival, which as you can see from the crowd was a pretty big event. It was your basic apple and arts and crafts festival, which is to say it was pretty neat and we had a great time. Friendly and interesting town, was told that this was a fun event to check out. I was told right. We found out about this the night before the trip, and resulted in a last minute change of plans to go to it. I am glad we made that call!
On September 4, we got going after breakfast and drove the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville, NC to Blowing Rock, NC. Covered some 100 miles-good tunes on the radio, Patty by my side, and some remarkable views. Saw a lot of motorcycles, quite a few cars, and a number of some very hardy bicyclists riding those remarkable roads. Sure its not the fast way, but fun to drive one of the great American roads, and the views are nothing short of awesome.
The town of Asheville has a lot to offer; great places to eat, great music, friendly people, a very interesting downtown, and its a place you want to come back to again and again!