Carolina(s)...on a Snowy Day in Richmond

Enjoying a snowy day in Richmond; as expected getting a good amount here, though less than originally forecast, but enough to keep it indoors. Watching qualifying in sunny Daytona, a nice track; went there a few years ago though not to the race, but rather as a stop on the way to the Kennedy Space Center.
However, as mentioned in my previous post, giving equal time to North Carolina today. Last post talked about Richmond, today a bit on the Carolinas. There, I ride my motorcycle usually with friends, and we have done a lot of exploring over the years. Like with Richmond and my transplanted co-workers here, there many of those I came with from Louisville (where this current journey started) were amazed at some of the things I mentioned seeing. To be honest, so were some of the natives.
At any case, what is cool about North Carolina ,and for that matter South Carolina for Charlotte is on the border of the two states. In fact the Charlotte Knights AAA baseball team plays actually in South Carolina. Sports I guess would be the first item. Been to quite a few Carolina Panthers games, went to see the Hornets (not the Bobcats yet, though my son is a big fan), and also enjoy hockey games with the Charlotte Checkers. Fair basketball team at UNCC, though college football is a few years away with them (but coming).
NASCAR is also huge, as is the track the (formerly) Lowe's Motor Speedway. It is in nearby Concord, NC which is also the home to Concord Mills (which is North Carolina's largest tourist attraction...go figure!). There are a lot of raceshops in Concord. Hendricks Motorsports, Roush Racing, and Earnhardt Ganassi are all within a stones throw of each other. Nearby Mooresville also has a lot of teams (pretty much the rest of them) based there. There is drag racing at Z-Max Dragway; Bruton Smith sure had a time building it, but its a first class facility. There is also a little used dirt track as part of the racing complex on Bruton Smith Blvd. Richard Petty runs often at the big racetrack; where for a price you can do Ride Along's and drive the cars. I have done both, its a rush!
North Carolina is famous for its barbecue, and are quite passionate about it. Different than what you get in Richmond and Louisville for that matter, though pretty good. Usually comes topped with slaw (and usually "red" slaw), and slaw is also a popular topping on hot dogs. Not bad, just different.
Motorcycling is great in North and South Carolina. Been on some big rides, but fun just riding around the small towns. Not a lot of Civil War history; was a Confederate Prison at nearby Salisbury, NC but not many battles there (at least in the Charlotte/Concord area). Was a hot bed during the Revolutionary War, though one battlefield is under Lake Norman, but a nice one at Kings Mountain. Lots of Civil War sites in South Carolina (especially Charleston, SC) and around the state.
Speaking of Charleston, SC...one of my favorite cities. Patty and I have been often; great seafood, nice beaches, lots to see and do. Any city with US Navy ships to explore is pretty neat in my book. Myrtle Beach is pretty good, though tends to get crowded at times. Made a motorcycle ride (a day trip) to Carolina Beach in NC...came back impressed.
Though a former sailor, the mountains are really remarkable. Asheville is a cool town. The Biltmore is something to see, especially at Christmas time. Beautiful area and a nice drive. I also like both Chimney Rock and Blowing Rock...make quite a few yearly motorcycle rides to the mountains. Lake Lure is really something to see (and even has a small beach). I mentioned a few places to eat in Richmond, if you are ever in Blowing Rock check out "The Canyons"....great prices and views to die for. Daniel Boone Inn at Blowing Rock is also remarkable, with great food. Course, the big attraction there is the mountains; both Grandfather Mountain, and Blowing Rock give remarkable views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For a biker, nothing beats The Blue Ridge Parkway, a remarkable ride (and also runs into Virginia). I have seen it from a drive last year through Virginia back to Louisville, beautiful here too.
The Carolinas are a real melting pot, was a popular area for transplants. When I first got there, seemed like everyone I knew was from someplace else. Much of New York especially seems to be moving there. So you get a lot of regional attitudes; not always as friendly as I have found in Richmond, though it can be. When the locals get to know you, they tend to really open up, but seem sort of wary at first. Unlike Richmond, history takes a back seat to progress. There are few "old" things in Charlotte. They tend to ram things through (like the downtown arena which replaced a not very old Charlotte Coliseum at the airport). The airport is growing like a weed and gets a lot of use. Lots of direct flights just about everywhere you would want to go. Not a great many old things to see though and buildings don't tend to be re-used. Rather they tend to be torn down. Housing is cheap in comparison to Richmond, and (at least until the real estate meltdown) was springing up all over.
It is an interesting and fun place. Nothing like the James, but Lake Norman is pretty nice a few rivers in the area; though not as many fun things happen as they do along the James. It is a good place to live with great weather, and many interesting things to do and see.

Richmond...The First Year

Most "best/worst" of the year posts happen just before the new year or in January, but my year here has run from February of last year to the current date. Came to Richmond with an open mind, and a whole lot of curiosity. Had no real idea what the city was like, or what I would really find beyond some internet research and information from co-workers already here.
Looking back at my posts over the last year, have to say that by and large its been a wonderful year. The "bad" has been few and far between which is good. The snow of late would be a negative, though its also to be considered that the city has nothing to do with it, and from what I am reading, this much is sort of a fluke. Traffic at times can be wild (but its a city, and that is to be expected). Some problems dealing with some of the businesses here; but again that is not uncommon to Richmond. Pretty lame bad list which is a good thing.
Positives are a lot easier. Over the last year, and many times, have been impressed with the friendly Richmond people. Lots of good suggestions on places to see, places to eat, tips for getting around town, and just good general information (Thanks especially to Gypsy for a lot of good tips). Big things I enjoyed most would be Belle Isle (a remarkable place to explore), Hollywood Cemetery, Monument Avenue, many and various Civil War sites, the Virginia Aviation Museum (a real jewel), Virginia History Museum, the James River, Shockoe Bottom, Church Hill, the Fan, and downtown. I think Canal Walk is very neat (though underdeveloped) but a nice area to explore.
What gets really special notice is the "Tacky Light Tour". For someone away from home over much of the holidays, it was a real treat and saw some amazing sites. No one does Christmas in my opinion like Richmond, Va.
As for food; not a food critic (that will be seen) but sure enjoyed Bottom's Up, The Boathouse, Buz and Ned's, and The Village Cafe is really neat as well. I try to really check out the local places to eat, and plan to expand that over next year.
I also plan to get out more to the outlying areas. However, great times exploring the history of Richmond at places such as Mechanicsville and Petersburg. Both really offered some interesting sights. I also liked checking out Hopewell/City Point a great deal.
This is a short list, sure there are some places I have forgotten (though have a good list in my blog over the past year). Still enjoy driving around (when the roads are not covered with snow as of lately) and often discover something new and interesting.
Speaking of snow, more is expected this weekend. Next snowed in post will be on the Carolinas....my home for the last 11 years and also an interesting place. Via mostly motorcycle there, have seen a lot of interesting sights both North and South. Many of my co-workers from there have little more knowledge of this area than how to get to work and back. They don't know what they are missing; though I do try to get them to get out and check it out. Looking forward to an interesting year ahead!

Once More...with Feeling

Interesting perspective on the weekend snow storm; experienced this one in Concord, NC. There we got 1-3 inches basically (and according to my wife Patty, it is melting quite quick today), and was nothing more than a minor problem. Well, except for driving. This is I-85 just outside of Salisbury, NC where traffic came to a halt for about an hour on Sunday January 31, 2010 as I came back from the Friday-Sunday visit there. Got out and wandered around with some others; met some interesting people (including a truck driver hauling a load to New Jersey) while we waited for the mess ahead to clear. In fact, it was a pretty epic drive back to Richmond, Va. Saw quite a few crashes (and aftermath of earlier crashes) along the 280 mile way from my house to the apartment in Richmond, VA. The roads were in better shape than I expected, actually left a bit early; figuring that doing the drive back Monday morning with rush hour and 15 degree AM temperatures was NOT a good idea, Like adventure, and certainly got my share with that drive today.
Back to Richmond, and took this photo near the apartment. Looks to me like we got a lot more snow than the December experience; and the roads were just as rough if not rougher (though the highways at least in the late afternoon were fine for the most part). Saw a lot of VDOT crews out salting and scraping. Bad thing is that there is more possible on Tuesday and also over the upcoming weekend apparently. While I enjoyed the X-games on tv this weekend (TV was a big part of the weekend, most of NC shuts down when the first flakes of snow hit the streets) not a big fan of winter. My motorcycling experience was a visit to Davis Harley-Davidson and Burlington Yamaha on Friday on the way down to Carolina, and starting my bike for a while before heading back to Richmond today. Strangely I did not see any motorcycles on the road today. I can say that because one winter in Louisville, Kentucky right after a massive snowfall (and with snow on the roads) saw a wreck on I-65 caused by a guy on a Triumph motorcycle who had crashed in the snow and piled up some cars behind him. No one ever said motorcyclists were a totally sane bunch (but we do have a good time!). However, today was a day for driving in the car, and I have but three words for you all....All Season Radials. Believe me, I am a huge fan after the last storm, and especially after today.

In Search of Moe's

So shoot me....found this week from a co-worker that Moe's Southwest Grill was in Richmond, Va. That is a favorite of mine in North Carolina and so was eager to find it. Got the address, wandered out on Three Chopt Road, and had a fine lunch! I also liked the area I was exploring. On the way back sort of wandered a bit (as I am prone to do that) and came across Carytown. Again, had heard about it, but really enjoyed exploring some of the shops there. Traffic was somewhat brutal, but it was very interesting to see what all it had to offer. Some really nice shops there and will be back in the near future, my wife will eat that place up!

Found myself near the Boulevard, and figured I would go by Maymont Park. I had found that location during last month's self guided tour of Tacky Lights (which was remarkable as well!). Maymont was remarkable; even in the winter. Gardens were not much to see this time of year, but the big house was neat, has a nice area with animals (to be checked out on a future visit) and liked the collection of carrages in the area of this building (silo...whatever, but its cool!). Nice park and like with Carytown...I shall return. Picked a good day to check it out, being cool and winter-like there was not a great many people there.
I ended up at Shockoe Bottom, and then headed on out Main Street. Way out on Main Street, something like 14-20 miles out past Rocketts Landing (to be checked out later). Saw a sign for the Richmond National Battlefield, Ft. Harrison. Went by there and again was amazed. Seen quite a few of the "earthwork forts" of the Civil War, but this one was huge! Started by the Confederates but changed ownership in 1864 and the Union Army more than doubled it. Took a cool walk there (about 1/3 of a mile) around it. Visitor center is closed (probably due to the economy) but lots of signs and information. There were also a few smaller forts along the road to it. Just up the road from the fort was Malvern Hill, which was a huge early Civil War battle, but darkness was falling, and I headed back the way I came to Richmond, and then back to the apartment.
I have been here for a year, and it still amazes me how on a drive to find a favorite place to eat that I can still find so much of interest in a day. Richmond is a most remarkable place indeed!

Three Days in Concord (Jan 16-18)

Got out a bit on the motorcycle today; after all the cold for the last month both in Carolina and in Virginia felt like t-shirt weather when it got up to 60 today. Under blue Carolina skies, went for a ride on the motorcycle. Actually ended up at Lowe's Motor Speedway which is seen here at the left. A very impressive track, and interesting to see when its all quiet and nothing much is going on. It is a huge powerful thing, but will be very busy very soon; NASCAR will be cranking back up in in a very few weeks. In fact the Daytona 500 is February 14, 2010 this year. Looking forward to that, and should be a great race. NASCAR will be at Lowe's three times this year.

Also while out on the bike (though earlier) went to Kannapolis, NC, Landis, NC and China Grove (China Grove is the city in this photo at left). Landis and China Grove are very small towns outside of Kannapolis, NC. Like Kannapolis, they were mill towns and have fallen on some hard times, but are still hanging in there. Was nice to get out today. Before coming back, a few former co-workers (and in two cases motorcycle riding buddies ) gathered to see Steve who learned this week that he is facing a very serious battle with Cancer. Where there is life, there is hope, but will be a tough struggle for him.
Had relatively good weather for this trip though like Virginia got some rain on Saturday and a bit Sunday morning before it cleared Saturday afternoon. Had a great time with my wife Patty, son Robby, and the dogs Cassie and Mollie. As with all my time home, too short; but will be back soon. In the morning its back on the road for the long drive to Richmond and the adventures that await there!

Avatar and a (last?) look at the snow

Today, got up early to see Avatar. I like sci-fi movies a great deal, but was a little wary of this film as it is three hours long. Last movie I saw that long (Titanic) by the same director was a bit draggy in spots (though a good movie overall) and three hours is a long movie in my book. However, got to say it does fairly clip along, seemed much shorter than its running time. I enjoyed it a great deal, thought the special effects (by all means, pay the extra to see it in 3-D; this movie shows what 3-D in a film can really do) were awesome. I not only would go see it again, but I will go see it again in a few weeks (and judging by the crowds there, I think its going to have a long run.
Speaking of long runs, though these were not the most impressive at the mall by far, here you can see the snow piles that were all over the area. Amazing in number and some remarkable in size, it is staggering when we consider that the snow fell on December 18+19. This speaks both to the amount of the snow, and the cold it has been since those two days of so called "white wonder". Many here love snow, but I am sure looking forward to spring, summer and fall. Course, winter days spent as I did today are almost enough to make me appreciate the cold weather. All this should be gone by the end of the week, when we will again see some 50s according to the forecasters.

Driving Up Commerce Road (January 9,2010)

A friend at work suggested a visit to Legend Brewing Company on 7th Street in Richmond, Va. I got directions from him via Commerce Road, which was a very interesting drive past a number of industrial sites, plus the big Philip Morris factory. It is a pretty rugged road which is probably due to heavy truck traffic. On the way to Legends went by the old Stockton Street tobacco factory which is now converted to condos, and got to the bar a little after noon. Nice place, and checked out a pint from their selection of Richmond made beers. As you can see, a nice view from the deck. Thought it was a very nice place, will be worth a return visit in the future.
Not really much to look at on the outside, but inside was nice with an English pub sort of look. Crowd was pretty friendly and the bartender was nice as well. When I left, walked over to "Scoot Richmond". They have motor scooters from 50-300 cc's, looked to be some nice bikes. I have a larger motorcycle, but always interested in the world of two-wheels. Did like the shop, again very friendly bunch in there, and a great pit bull which was very friendly as well. Seem to know their product line, and not a real high pressure place which is refreshing. Scooters have come a long way over the years, and some of them are real advanced.

I wandered around Richmond a bit, making a final stop at Village Cafe. I had seen that a few days ago on an episode of "Diners, Drive-in's and Dives" and thought it would be fun to visit. It was packed on the inside, both a reflection of the prices of the food, and the quality...both were very pleasing! That would be the second great discovery from the tv show (the other is The Penguin in Charlotte, NC) that has turned out to be a worthwhile trip. Like with Legends (and who knows maybe even Scoot Richmond) I will be back to check that out.
Nice day of exploring; like Richmond on a Saturday as the traffic is really light. Saw some more new sites, and took a different route (including a drive along the James River) back to the apartment. Good first exploration for the first real drive of the new year for me. Though I have been here for a few days, have not been out far. Tomorrow, going to see "Avatar" which even non-scifi fans have been raving about, which has me thinking this might be well worth the trip as well. Will be writing on what I find from that in my next post.