I like Sunday morning motorcycle rides; traffic is light with people either in church, or relaxing on a Sunday morning. Good time to get out and ride for a while without most of the usual dangers (such as Cars for instance). Plus its peaceful, cooler in the early am, and Sunday was a very fine day on all counts. I rode to Kannapolis, NC which is known as the hometown of Dale Earnhardt, Sr (and he is featured on a big statue in the square) and the former home of the Pillowtex Mills. At one time they employed thousands. A nice town, took a photo of my motorcycle in front of the GEM Theater. It goes way back, but still shows first run movies. Good admission prices, and if you like popcorn and cokes they won't clean out your wallet. 
This is the great hope for Kannapolis, the NC Research Center. It is planned (was created by the President of Dole Foods) as a giant bio-technology center. Quite a few buildings have been (and are continuing to be) built on the grounds of the former giant mill buildings. The closing of the mills were the largest mass layoff in NC history. As I write this today in nearby Concord, Philip Morris is closing its giant factory which two years ago employed some 2,500 people. Richmond, VA is now the home of the last US Philip Morris factory. The last few years and especially this recession has been tough on North and South Carolina.
It was a very good visit to the area; spent three days there, and am now back in Richmond, VA. Looking forward to some interesting exploring this weekend; sure is a great deal to see and do here in Richmond.
