Sights in Concord, August 18-19, 2012

 Headed out to dinner with my wife Patty on August 18, and it was a good dinner indeed (ate at K+W, love that place), but on the way home, caught sight of two powered parachutes flying and went after them. They have been common sights since I have been in Concord (over 14 years now, off and on anyhow) and they seem to be a really neat way to fly. Not all that fast (though fast enough) and as flying goes pretty safe - if the engine quits, you land under the parachute/wing. Anyhow, got this photo, close to dusk in Concord. Sort of like seeing old friends again, they always bring a smile to my face, and think they are very cool. Tend to see them early in the AM, or late in the day, when the winds tend to be calmer.  

Seen here is the site of the Cabarrus Arts Council, which was once the old Town Hall (they have a newer one now a few blocks away). Love these old buildings, and this one is one of my favorites. Downtown is centered around Union Street, which is a pretty good place to see some really old houses. One of those is on my motorcycle page  which I have a link to on this page. Rode the motorcycle around the downtown area on August 19 between the rain showers (should have gotten out on the much more sun kissed day before, but hindsight is 20/20). Tried to find some info on when this place was built, and so far have not been able to, but its old...and its fairly unique (though there is a building much in the same style but bigger in nearby Monroe, NC. Downtown has really changed over the years, with a lot of nice places to eat, some good stores, and even Robert's Place which has a fine collection of craft beers. In fact there are a few places to have beers which a few years ago was impossible, Concord was once "dry", but all that has changed. Concord was settled in 1750, and was incorporated in 1806. So it has a long history, and a lot of interesting sights to see there. While Charlotte often reinvents itself, some of the surrounding towns have a lot of historic sights to check out.