Views from the Motorcycle (October 16, 2011)

Well, the photo from left was part of the motorcycle ride, it is the Union County Courthouse in Monroe, NC. I had not been on the motorcycle (other than a short ride to bring it home from the shop three weeks ago) and this was my first real ride on a warm Sunny Sunday this October 16. Like riding to Monroe, its a neat Carolina city-something like 32,000 live there. An old downtown with some really neat houses, and there will be an air show there November 4-6 at the Monroe Airport. The courthouse seen here was built in 1886 and is a very beautiful building. I enjoy seeing these old places, and to be honest there are very few places that old in Charlotte-or even near that old. Some of the outlying towns and cities though have kept and restored some of the old historic buildings and even re-use a great many of them for other purposes. Textile Mills seems to be very popular as office buildings and condos for instance. Concord has a fairly old racetrack, which got a lot of activity this weekend- the Bank of America 500 was run this weekend, watched that on tv, but could hear the cars from my back deck at the house.
As for this sight, this was prior to the ride, took this photo of the Dinwiddie County Airport. I was told fuel was cheaper in Dinwiddie than in Richmond (and it was!) and before heading back down the road, I stopped for a quick visit at the airport (though I have been there before). A while back there was a C-130 there, but that now has been moved to its new home at Ft. Lee. Nice airport though-this terminal I learned (from the web site) was built in 2002. The airport was started around World War II and I suppose the site was given to the county at the end of the war, It has been greatly improved since then. The airport is located at I-85 and Rt 460 in Dinwiddie.
In addition to the ride to Monroe, I also rode to Charlotte. I love going to Charlotte, there is a great deal to see and do there. In fact I will be back over the Halloween weekend-On Saturday October 29, a number of Charlotte Museums and other places of interest will be free to explore. It is part of the Wells Fargo Community Day in Charlotte, NC, and there will be other events as well. Of course also going on is Occupy Charlotte-as that is the home to many banks including Bank of America which has its Headquarters there (that is the big building in the center of this photo). Politics aside (though the Democratic National Convention will be held in Charlotte, next year), the city has a lot to offer and is a very interesting place. My ride today covered some 80 miles over 2.5 hours and also took me past North Davidson (the art district of Charlotte, aka "NoDa") and into University City (the home of UNCC). I enjoyed it a great deal, it felt good to have my "knees in the breeze" once again after a long down period to get the motorcycle repaired, and also due to some rainy weather. Neither was a problem today.
After a great weekend at home, back in Richmond as I write this, and looking forward to an interesting week. Missed (again) the Richmond Folk Festival, but will get that in hopefully in the next year. Have enjoyed many fun musical events the last few weeks in Richmond, and I am sure there will be more to come. Blessed to get to spend time in two very interesting states with a number of very interesting cities.

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.

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!

Ride to Uptown Charlotte (August 7, 2011)

On a bright Sunday morning, another soon to be hot and humid day (but not early when I went) rode the motorcycle to Charlotte, NC...and when I got off took a walk around that very interesting town. There was a lot going on there even early; with a number of people walking around, and even a crane on a closed off street doing some sort of work soon (they were putting up some tape to keep people away from it as I walked by). It was good to see that there is construction still going on in Charlotte, even in times such as these. The building here in the background is under construction. Charlotte is a city that is often undergoing change and was before the current economic crisis one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. According to the experts, when things get better (and I feel that they will...eventually) the city will once again hit that mark. I certainly enjoy wandering around it, and checking out all the sights. Unlike Richmond, which is also very cool to explore, it is filled with new sights and offers many things to see and do.

Here is seen the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, with one of the newer buildings in the background. I love all the different buildings in the city, and many of them (though not the one seen here) are apartment buildings. Many people both work and live in the city and it gives it a very interesting feel. There are some great neighborhoods in Charlotte, and a wide range of places to live in the city.
The Statue at left is one of four to be found at Founders Square which is right in front of the Bank of America Building (Still the largest building in Charlotte. The train seen in the photo was photographed downtown (or Uptown as it is known locally) and runs North to many cities, including a stop in Richmond, Va. Though I have not taken the train to Richmond, it is not out of the range of possibility that I will not do so in the future. Sure like to see high speed trains running between Charlotte and points beyond. Charlotte also has a growing light rail system; reaches quite a few points in the city and is quite popular. That system is planning expansion to other points outside of the City of Charlotte. I have posted these and a few others on my Photo Page, which you can find via a Link on this page. I hope you have enjoyed these photos, and thanks for visiting my page!

Hot Days in NC (July 24-25,2011)

It was another toasty, but mostly dry weekend in North Carolina. Took a pair of early morning motorcycle rides to do a bit of exploring while I was home. Always nice to get out on the bike, but even nicer when the heat index is not yet up to 100+. Photo at left was taken in Huntersville, NC. Huntersville is a nice community about 12 miles from Uptown Charlotte, population around the 30K range I would guess. Seen here is the fairly new Town Center. I like riding around there, plus there is a great series of roads out of the town; this was actually near the end of the riding on July 24. Did like the look of this building though, and there are many interesting ones locally.
I also on July 24 rode to the college community of Davidson, NC. The school there is private and very old; Woodrow Wilson (President of the US during WW1) went for a time there. I like the downtown, as they are very restrictive of the types of businesses (no big box chains) that they allow there. They are not alone in that, Harrisburg, NC is also trying to keep things "local" which is different but a nice touch. I have seen the effects of unrestricted growth; urban sprawl, empty big box stores when they move to "greener and bigger" pastures, and a lack of variety that comes with such development. It is a nice small town area.
On July 25, rode out to High Rock Lake with Phil. Great ride as its country twisty roads and traffic was light on a week day too. Like the lake, its a remarkable peaceful place (though on this day a guy with a boat engine problem was sending up huge clouds of oil scented smoke) but nice to visit the Marina there, and enjoy a cold coke with a good friend. We enjoyed the ride, continuing on to Salisbury, NC (which is very close to the lake) and back down some more fine roads to Concord and the end of the days ride.
Had a great visit, and though not long trips, nice to see these places and to get out on the motorcycles.

Carolinas Aviation Museum, July 8, 2011

On July 8, Phil and I rode our motorcycles to Charlotte, NC to the Carolinas Aviation Museum. It is at a new location, and I visited it for the first time there with him during my visit home. Seen here is a bit of a hometown plane of sorts, this McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II Fighter-bomber was stationed at NAS Barbers Point. It last flew with VMFA-235. Built in 1985 it was one of the last models of the Vietnam era fighter. The plane had a Pilot and a Radar Intercept Officer who sat sort of "motorcycle style" in the aircraft. The plane was capable of supersonic flight and carried a mix of missiles and also (later on anyhow) a 20mm cannon.
Phil is seen in this photo in front of this Douglas DC-3. This was a former C-47, which was the major transport aircraft of WWII, and the DC-3 was a major airliner prior to the war, and for a time after. In fact many are still flown today (mostly hauling cargo) many years after they were first built. This plane was built in 1942, and is still flown by the museum. It won an award at Oshkosh a few years ago. This plane never flew with Piedmont Airlines (which was a Carolina based airline which later was merged with US Airways) but has been outfitted in that role. It flies to many airshows in the region, as well as many others in the US.
Plane seen here is a Boeing PT-17/N2S Kaydet. It was the primary flight trainer for US Navy and US Army Air Force (the US Air Force was established after WWII) pilots. It is a two cockpit plane, which held the student and the instructor pilot. The small blue unit next to it was a WWII Link Trainer. One of the first "Flight simulators" the Link was used to teach the basics of flight to new students.
The museum has a nice collection of planes and other flight items. Unfortunately, many of the planes in the collection are outside the hanger beyond a fence and can not be easily seen as they are on "Airport property". Much of that is due to the new addition to the museum, which takes up a lot of room.
That new addition is this historic aircraft. It is the Miracle on the Hudson plane, aka US Airways Flight 1549. Flown into the Hudson River by Captain Chesley B. Sullenburger after the engines quit shortly after striking a flight of Canadian Geese on takeoff on January 15, 2009, the plane made a successful ditching and all 155 on board were rescued. The plane was moved from storage in New Jersey, where it had been stored, and arrived at the museum on June 10, 2011. US Airways and Airbus mechanics are restoring the plane for display; where it will remain at the museum at its "Final Destination". The plane can be seen in the water on tv as part of a movie on the event.
Before leaving the airport, Phil and I rode to the airport viewing area, and watched a few US Airways (and a Delta jet) takeoff on the very hot and humid day which was July 8, 2011. Had a great time during the ride and enjoyed the visit to the busiest airport in North Carolina. There were a lot of planes departing and arriving when we got there. The museum is very nice, and though there is a small admission charge, it was well worth the price and we enjoyed the visit. I will be returning in the near future, enjoyed the combination of aircraft and a great motorcycle ride as well.

Sights from Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 27,2011)

Nothing quite like race week in Concord, NC around Charlotte Motor Speedway. There is also Speed Street in Uptown Charlotte, also worth a visit. On May 27 though, when I got back into town, I went to the race track to see some of the sights. Unfortunately, there was not a great deal going on, but some of the trailers were open and selling items of some of the favorite drivers, such as this one (one of many) selling Jeff Gordon items. There are also some corporate displays from phone companies, insurance companies, automobile manufacturers, The US Army, and other companies. There is a lot of things to see all around the racetrack.
Seen here is a good way to get to the track if you are a driver, part of the racing team, or just a mover and shaker. Helicopters bring in a lot of people to the race, which is a good way for them to beat the (usually) heavy traffic in the area. Many people spend quite a few days, or in some cases weeks in the area, the white items in the background are trailers and there are literally hundreds all around the racetrack and in various campgrounds (some are even camped inside the infield of the racetrack. It turns into quite a village over the weeks; many have been there since before the NASCAR All-Star Race the previous week.
While many of the events of the week are at Charlotte Motor Speedway, there are also events at the nearby (actually just across NC-29) Dirt Track. Seen here is "Grave Digger" which is one of the Monster Trucks. There is also an Outlaw race which is very popular. Over the weekend in addition to the racing there were concerts, flyby's by military aircraft (I saw a pair of USN F-18's over my house after they flew over the track) and a B-2 Stealth bomber flew over the track during the Coca-Cola 600. The race itself had a wild finish, which is fairly common for this race which is the longest race in NASCAR. While home to two big events in May, its not over for the year...there is a 500 mile race ahead in October!

Easter Ride Uptown (Part 2) April 24

Ok, Uptown Charlotte. I posted a few photos on my Motorcycle Blog, and will have a few more on my Photo Page; but these are different from the bike blog photos. Seen at right is Time Warner Cable Arena. Both the Charlotte Bobcats and the Charlotte Checkers (NBA and hockey teams respectively) play there. There is also the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Bank of America Stadium (Carolina Panthers), and according to the signs the AAA baseball team The Charlotte Knights will soon be playing in a new Charlotte baseball stadium. If you like professional sports, Charlotte pretty much has your game. They have some fine places to enjoy those games too.
Charlotte is blessed with some new and tall buildings. Seen here is the headquarters of Bank of America; one of the largest buildings in the city (in fact, I think it is still THE largest). Charlotte was the #2 banking city in the US (just behind New York) though not sure where it ranks now since the big economic crisis. It still is an important banking city and is still growing though at a slower rate, but has been over the last few decades one of the fastest growing cities in the US. The city is home to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, once of the largest airports in the US. It has great air service with many non-stops due to being one of the hub cities of US Airways. It is not hard to get anyplace in the US and for that matter many places in the world.
Lots of people live in Condos such as these. Again, the economic problems slowed that down, but Center City is well populated with residents. It has some nice places along College Street with a good nightlife. It did have many of the same sort of problems which were found in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom area, but a hefty police presence keeps the problems well down for the most part, and its not a bad area to go into. Charlotte is certainly big on parades, any major event or even a few minor ones calls for some nice parades. In my journeys downtown I have come across many over the years, though if there was an Easter Parade, I must have missed it.
Charlotte is one of the largest cities in the US in area anyhow (and I believe around #33 in population though could be off one or two places) but it covers a big area. Downtown is really modern, and in fact many of the areas around it have been torn down and rebuilt. Charlotte is not real big (though there is some) use of old buildings such as in Louisville, Kentucky and Richmond, VA. Charlotte is more prone to tear things down and start over again. The old Charlotte Coliseum lasted something like 14 years before it was imploded (now its a industrial park I believe outside of town. Though not popular when built, the light rail has really become popular in the city, and talk is of expanding it to some of the outlying areas of the city.
A prime example of expansion is Charlotte (formerly Lowes) Motor Speedway, which is actually in Concord, NC. During the time I have been in the area (something like 13 years as of now) many new bleacher sections have been added, along with a dirt track, a drag strip, and soon the world's largest outdoor tv. Seeing old photos of the track it is hard at times to believe that this is the same place at the same location. CMS is the home to two NASCAR races and except for one year at Atlanta, the home to the All-Star Race. The All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 are held in May, with a 500 mile race in October. I have been to the track quite a few times, and got to say being at a NASCAR race there is a hell of a thing. I have also done the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and that is not to be believed; more fun than you can imagine. I always enjoy exploring this area, which changes fast and still grows like no city I have ever seen.

Easter Ride Uptown (Part 1) April 24

On Easter during my days at home with the family, got out for a motorcycle ride. Previous posts have shown the Chesterfield Mall which has been empty and abandoned (largely except for an outlying auto repair and a bank) for the last few years, well this is Eastland Mall in Charlotte, NC. Like that mall, it is now empty. It was opened in 1975 and the last store left in 2010. There are, as with the Chesterfield Mall some plans to redevelop it, but will be interesting in this economy which one (if either) gets redeveloped first. I remember going to this a few years ago when it was open, was a rare mall with a ice skating rink inside...unique for sure.
There are many airports in the state, and quite a few in the Charlotte area. This is Wilshire Airport which is located near Albemarle Road and just (barely) outside of Charlotte, NC. One of the many small airports of which some are publicly and some privately owned. This airport is actually surrounded by a neighborhood and has a single concrete runway. I enjoy at times watching planes take off and land from this facility. Good that in the state where the Wright Brothers first flew that there are so many good airports to check out. Some of them in the area even have grass runways and that is quite a nod to the past days of aviation.
Also on Albemarle Road is Jakes Good Eats, which has been featured on the Food Network and the show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives". It was closed on Easter Sunday, but is said to have very good food (my motorcycle club went there during a group ride...just a riding club not an outlaw gang by the way) and very friendly people from what I am told. Location was a former gas station, a rare local reuse of an old building (though many old buildings are reused outside of Charlotte). Charlotte though does not do that a lot, which will be seen more clearly in my next post. They like to build new stuff and it certainly shows.
Post here was not actually during the ride. Patty and I went on Saturday April 23 to Memorial Gardens in Concord, NC. It is a very old cemetery with some beautiful flower gardens (though Easter being late this year, we missed some of the better ones, most of the Easter Lilly's were gone). It is a popular place for photos, in fact a wedding party was taking photos in the gardens during our visit. I will put a few photos on the photo page, in Concord in the early spring it is a very popular place to visit, and in fact it still was even late in April. There is also a lot of history inside that area; many notable people with some interesting stories are buried there.
This was taken during my motorcycle ride on April 24. A look at the street in North Davidson, just outside of Charlotte, NC..but is better known as NODA. It was a mill area (textile type) until the mills declined. Artists moved in, and the area has become very popular. Many of the old buildings were reused, but also many have been torn down, and new condos and construction has gone up in the area. Sort of sad that the place is getting too costly for the people who re-established it as a thriving area of the city. Goes like that sometimes I suppose. Many interesting places to see there, and it retains a funky feel. It is also a good place to check out live music with a number of great small places where some notable bands sometimes play from around the country.

Charlottte Views from January 2

From the previous post at the hockey game, while I was in Charlotte, took a couple of quick photos prior to the game. Really enjoy going to Charlotte, where there is a lot of things to see and do. The city is home to a an NBA team, an NFL team, an AHL hockey team, and a AAA baseball team (though the team actually plays right across the state line in South Carolina). There have been some plans in the works to bring that team to the city; though it is an on-going process. Charlotte has a number of interesting parks. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, and its airport is one of the 10th busiest in the United States, as well as one of the busiest in the world.
In the years I have been there, the city has added quite a number of new buildings. In comparison to Richmond it is a much larger city both in population and area. One thing that is very different about Charlotte is that many of the older buildings (the city dates to before the Revolutionary War) have been torn down, so there is very little "history" as you find in Richmond. Most of the city is new construction with little or no of the re-use you see in Richmond (which adds a great deal of charm to Richmond in my opinion). The city is also home to many great museums, the NASCAR Hall of Fame (plus most NASCAR race teams are located nearby, as well as Charlotte Motor Speedway which is actually in Concord, NC) and offers a wide variety of things to see and do. It is an interesting and fun city to explore, and I have enjoyed wandering around it....and still do.

Hockey! In Charlotte ! (December 2, 2011)

View here is of the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC; nice place which was built for the Charlotte Bobcats NBA team to replace the old Charlotte Coliseum which was imploded a few years ago out near the airport. This was built in what Charlotte calls "Uptown". Charlotte is a fun city, and we go there quite a bit to check out all the things to do. In addition to this is Bank of America stadium, a number of museums, some nice parks, and some really great places to check out live music. There are also a lot of places to live in Uptown, though many of the newer ones have really taken a hit due to the recession. I often ride my motorcycle there.
On January second though, Robby (my son) and I went to see the Charlotte Checkers vs The Binghamton Senators on January 2. This is the inside of the arena; and the team had a good crowd for a Sunday. The concessions there are pretty high; I paid a record price for a "barley pop" (total was I believe $8.24!), and quite a bit for an order of nacho's and two very small cokes (close to $15); so be prepared for a hit to the wallet for concessions. That said, enjoyed walking around a bit before the game; had not been in there in a while, and nice to check it out. It is a first rate arena, and they did a nice job on it. Parking was not bad...$5 in a local parking garage.
This is a faceoff during the game, which was very good. Robby and I have been hockey fans since living in Louisville (though that town lost its hockey team after I left there), and Richmond had a hockey team, but it folded the year that I came here (never got to see game one of that team). Charlotte has had a hockey team though for a long time. They are having a good year so far, currently being in third place in their division. They upgraded last year from the ECHL, and are the farm team for the Carolina Hurricanes; and have adapted some of their logos. In addition to the game the mascot (Chubby) did a lot of things during the game, and they had a nice promotion to try to win a car. They also had what is a "hockey hallmark"; a remote control flying blimp inside the arena dropping Chick-fil-A food coupons.
Was a couple of fights there (with the players, in the stands it was family day) , and quite a bit of scoring. In the end it was the Checkers who stood victorious with a score of 4-2. In fact this is one of the Charlotte goals; note the red light shining just behind the goal. Enjoyed the drive back home, traffic was light and it was fun heading out in the car with Robby....and the new 30 Seconds to Mars CD playing on the CD player. It was dark when we headed out after the 3pm game, and noted a few last Christmas lights lit in a few places, including some of the lights of Uptown Charlotte. As always a great time with my son, and a fun time in Charlotte. Looking forward to more fun coming up in this new year, but off to a really good start!

Day One: 2011 (January 1, 2011)

On the last day of 2010; took a motorcycle ride around some places I like in the Carolina area. Photo at left is Jay Little's place in China Grove, NC, a remarkable sight at night. Unfortunately, this year I did not make any night trips there, so you can't see the fully lit version of the China Grove answer to Tacky Lights; but probably some photos from last year, as I was there in 2009. It was a great Christmas this year, not for silly things like presents, or food, or for the "shopping experience" but was for being with family and friends, enjoying the reason for the season, and this year at least the White Christmas was a real treat.
2010 was a really tough year for many people. In my case, another year living in two different (though interesting) places. Everyone is waiting (and hoping) for better economic times. Seen at left is the NC Research Center; which has been a massive investment (this was once the site of the great Pillowtex textile mills, those massive buildings came down, and these have come up) but the slow economy have made these buildings largely a project in waiting. Still there are signs at last that things may be improving, and we can all only hope that 2011 will bring good things to many more people. As the old saying goes, "tough times don't last..tough people do".
Last photo I just thought was sort of cool (in a literal and figurative sense). Saw this fountain on South Union Street on the way home, though it was the warmest day of the month (got up to mid 50's during my ride) this frozen fountain made for a really neat winter photo. I enjoy the different seasons; some of course more than others. The Christmas Day snow was nice mainly because I did not have to drive on it; could enjoy it without taking life and car insurance data in hand, but that is not always the case in winter. Richmond for sure had a wild winter last year, snow in the area was a common sight for many weeks. Still, winter does make for some amazing sights, and of course makes the Spring all the more special. Looking forward to an interesting winter, and an amazing 2011. Best wishes to all of you for a great 2011.

Carolina Christmas 2010

Amazing and wonderful time in Carolina. Enjoyed a great Christmas Day with my family. Got a photo here (left to right) of Addison, Harper, Nicky (behind the Bobcat shirt) and Brittany from Indiana...being my son, daughter in law, and grandson and granddaughter. We had a really fine time over the weekend; they got here on December 23, and stayed till the day after Christmas. Got to do a lot of fun things, and it really made Christmas Day special. It was a nice Christmas morning, and had a really good afternoon as well. My wife Patty made a great meal and we really feasted on that, and enjoyed each others company.
Christmas night, Patty and I went out with Addison and Harper to Charlotte Motor Speedway to see Bruton Smith's winter wonderland, aka "Carolina Christmas. It was pretty neat actually: 2.5 miles around (and on the big racetrack) of lights and light displays set to music. Had a lot out there, it was $20 (actually $17 with a discount from Lowe's ) but was well worth the money. The kids loved it a great deal, was just about (with the exception of Christmas morning) the most excited that I had seen them. I posted a few more photos on the Photo Page, we all wished we could have made another pass though the lights, but one to a customer.
We saw Carolina Christmas during the falling snow, and in the morning, this is the sight on December 26 that greeted us as we woke up.Counts (since it was started on Christmas) as a Christmas Day storm, got something (as of now, cause its still coming down) of some 2-4 inches. Beautiful to look at and the first White Christmas in the Charlotte area since 1947! Enjoyed seeing the snow and sure glad to check out the trees bushes and ground seen in a whole new light. Hope everyone had a fine Christmas, and looking forward to seeing what the days ahead will bring here in the Carolinas. Warmer weather will be here in a few days, but will enjoy this view for a while.

A Carolina Motorcycle Ride (August 28, 2010)

One of my favorite things to do, is to take the Vulcan out on the streets of Carolina. I find this an interesting area to ride around, and there is a lot to see. Part of this ride was done a few posts ago, but some events in the area brought me back. Last time on a Sunday the Triumph dealership was not open, and there was a motorcycle event at Charlotte Harley-Davidson. Photo at left was taken on NC-601. That is the Corning factory at Midland, NC. Employment tapered off a few years ago, I was told it was a great place to work. Hopefully it will be again some day. Like riding down 601, lots of farms and animals and some beautiful houses there. I have ridden it deep into South Carolina (all the way into South Carolina), but today turned onto NC-74 or "Independence Blvd". Stopped in and got a photo of this new development there which I saw last time. Seems to be a sort of business/medical complex near Monroe, NC. Riding down NC-74 saw a lot of places closed, but also a number of new places. Tough economy, but being handled in different ways.
Went to "Red,White, and Brews" at Harley-Davidson of Charlotte, and that was a fun event. I have photos of some of the sights there on my phot0 page, but was a good time. Course after driving down from Richmond, and then the ride to get there, the event was starting to wind down, but did get to check out some of the bikes at the bike show and also some of the band. Prior to this stop I also got to see the Triumph/BMW/Ducati dealership, which I found was open on Saturday for the last time...moving to a new location after 18 years at the old one in Uptown Charlotte.
After a visit to this stop, went on to the house via Albemarle Road, and then back to the house via some back roads. Nice riding day, still hot, but the humidity has gone way down and its pretty pleasant riding. Was great to be back, and had a remarkable time indeed out in the breeze.