Thunderstorms and a Thundering Bike Ride (July 10, 2010)

Shot this photo out of my back door on Friday night July 9. Been a very dry time in the area, in fact officially the region is close to drought conditions, but that ended with this storm (at least for a while) Friday night. Was quite the light show and thunder boomed like cannon. No damage though a lot of people lost power and quite a few trees came down. It is amazing what nature can do; and this storm dropped close to an inch (according to local weather reports) in the Concord, NC area. It also scared my dogs a great deal, but I found it remarkable to watch the rain, wind and light show. This was the first rain I have seen since I have been home this trip.
Went motorcycle riding today, and had a fantastic time. The storm front last night brought cooler temperatures (lower 90's vs the 100+ of the last few days) and lower humidity. Went with Phil down some fantastic roads (he on his Yamaha, I on my Kawasaki). During the ride passed 20,000 miles on the odometer of my bike (purchased new in June 2005). Photo at left is at Lake Norman, of the McGuire Nuclear Power Plant there. The lake, man-made, was built to provide cooling water for this plant. I have seen the lake from the air, and it is quite a sight. There is a sort of visitor center/museum at the plant site, and I took this photo there.

This is Phil, checking out some of the sights on the lake. It is also a nature preserve, and of course fishing is real big on the lake. There are a lot of high dollar houses on the lake and it is the home to many of Charlotte's "movers and shakers" plus many of the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Bobcats, and many Nascar drivers have homes on Lake Norman.
Ride took us down some beautiful roads, and also through towns in the area such as Huntersville, Denver, and Mooresville. Amazed as always, and even in times such as these to see all the new construction and new businesses that have popped up since my last trip down those roads. Always fun to ride the motorcycle, and that is a very good area to take a cruise on a nice summer day.
This visit is winding down this weekend, but it has been a remarkable time, and great fun with family and friends. Still have the rest of Saturday and Sunday...so sure to have some more to do before it is time to take the drive back to Richmond on Monday morning.

Concord Bike Night (July 7, 2010)

Spent a few hours Wednesday night at Quaker Steak and Lube in Concord, NC at Bike Night. I don't get to do that very often at all because for one thing I work nights, and for another I am most days of the week located in Richmond, VA where I am working those nights. However, this week, I got the chance to make it. It would be on a night when the temperature was close to 100 degrees, and that kept the crowds down for a while, but they soon picked up; and got to see a number of interesting motorcycles. Another plus was seeing some good friends, including one from Richmond (who is also in the same boat I am work wise).
One of the things I enjoy about bike night is getting to see some unusual (or rare) motorcycles. This Triumph was rare enough that one friend commented "Triumph is making motorcycles again?" (actually have been for a few years now, and some real interesting ones such as this Daytona 650) but also some customs and just bikes you don't see all that often, or some older ones that you have not seen in a long time. All sorts of bikes and riders ride in for bike night and it makes for a very interesting evening. Usually also food and drink specials, and of course a band to liven things up. Often there are a number of booths and things on display to check out as well.
Crowd early on was light, but by the evening it had really picked up. Not uncommon to actually be a line to get in when it reaches "Capacity" and that point was close when I left. Bike Night here is one of the biggest ones in the region, and is always a lot of fun to visit. Much more fun was the ride back, the sun was down when I headed back to the house, and the temperature was much lower. Got back to spend a nice evening with the family. Looking forward to some more good rides as my vacation winds down in the next few days.

Exploring Kannapolis, China Grove, and Landis, NC (July 5, 2010)

At times feel like a stranger in the area that has been my home for the past eleven years. Living both in Richmond, VA and Concord, NC will do that. However, been getting back in touch the last few days. Photo here is the NC Research Center in Kannapolis, NC. That was a big hope of the area; promise was that the bio-tech industry would employ thousands who have lost jobs due to the closing of the textile mills, and the tobacco factory, but, so far at least, the promise has been pretty empty. However, they are some impressive buildings, this being the main lab building, and there are some others. Kannapolis is an interesting town to explore.

I rode next into China Grove, NC. Nice town, and due to the holiday, largely closed for the day. It is an older town, but the ride to it is a very good motorcycle ride and its fun to see the old buildings there. Likewise, the train station at Landis (single building with the chimneys) is a neat thing to see. Not much there, both were at one time "Mill Towns" close to Kannapolis and also tied to Cannon Mills (later Pillowtex). Still nice and interesting places to visit, explore and probably also to live. In fact I know quite a few people who live in those places.

The Charlotte Museum of History (July 4, 2010)

Patty and I have never been here to the museum, but had heard about it, and as it was a Free Admission Day, figured it was worth a look. The Museum is located at 3500 Shamrock Drive in Charlotte, NC...and yes has a fine web site at http://www.charlottemuseum.com if you would like more information than I have here. Building is very nice, seen here is the front. Had some nice displays inside, including a good Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police display that rated some photos on my motorcycle blog. I will also be posting some photos on my photo page soon, but some of the best ones you can see here. It was a very interesting place to visit.
The "American Freedom Bell" was donated by the Belk Foundation (Belk is a big name in the Charlotte area). The bell is also big, being some seven times bigger than the Liberty Bell. I also read that it is "the largest cast bell in the world viewed at eye level" (from the museum handout). Had a nice recorded presentation with it, and then they rang the bell (quite a few times in fact during the course of the visit). Had a nice tone, and unlike the Liberty Bell, no cracks appeared in the bell. Thought it was a very cool thing to hear and see, plus considering the date that I saw it, thought it was a perfect place to visit.


As for the house here, this is the oldest house in Charlotte; the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite which is also known as "The Rock House" and was built in 1774. Mr Alexander was an important local figure in the Revolutionary War and the house was restored some years ago, and the museum is built on the original land. There is also a period kitchen, and a barn, but they are not original to the property. Another building that is original to the property is the Spring House. It was a building built over a spring which kept items like milk and butter cool for a time. Always around 50 in the Spring House...better than nothing prior to the age of refrigeration. Got to explore the various buildings there and toured the house as well (though the second floor was not open for tours) but was pretty cool considering the age and condition of the house (which would be old in the first case, excellent in the second case). I think the museum was well worth the road trip today!

Charlotte "Spring" Ride in the Summer (July 3, 2010)

Nice day, after all the blazing heat and humidity of late, a July 3 day felt like May on the motorcycle in Charlotte. Got out and put in some nice miles exploring "my town" for a change. Passed the 4th of July Parade in Harrisburg, which was pretty neat actually. Not a big one, but a big crowd was there, plus floats and bands. Rode on up to UNCC where I got this photo of the main entrance. I also did some riding around; quiet at the school, but a very nice campus, and of course its the home of the Charlotte 49ers. They are adding a football team to the sports program, and that will be very interesting. Looking forward to going to some local games.
I rode out to North Davidson, aka "NoDa" which is a local art community. Over the years, it has grown from a rather run down area to a nice place with restaurants (such as Cabo Fish Taco), apartments and Condo's, and of course the art galleries. Nice to explore that area, it is also a great place to check out live music both at The Neighborhood Theater and The Evening Muse where national and regional acts play. I rode into Charlotte (which is just up the road) and there watched firemen answer a fire at a parking garage. I saw the smoke and thought it was a BBQ out of control, but turned out to be quite the blaze.
After that rode out to the "Shoppes at University" having traveled sort of a big loop today. Like that place, as the lake there is really nice (and often hosts free concerts there in the summer on Sunday's) plus got to stop in to "Boardwalk Billy's to check out some of the World Cup action, as well as to enjoy a frosty cold beverage. It was a really nice motorcycle ride on a wonderful day, and enjoyed it a great deal. I have more photos on my Photo Page, and some even on my "Racing with the Wind" motorcycle blog page. I have to say, it does not get much better, especially in July, than this!

Lynchburg, VA (June 27, 2010)

As noted earlier, visited Lynchburg, VA on June 27 to see my fantastic wife Patty who was there for her annual quilt retreat with members of the Cabarrus Quilt Guild. Toured the retreat site which was very pretty and met some of the ladies there.Patty and I headed out on a very hot day to check out Lynchburg. Noticed early on the hand of Jerry Falwell is all over the area after driving in on the Jerry Falwell highway and passing an airport named for him. Liberty University is also there, and in fact there a number of schools in the city. These is also (seen at left) Point of Honor built in 1815. Dr. Cabell, who built it, was Patrick Henry's doctor, also a friend of Thomas Jefferson.
Lynchburg sits on the James River and got a shot of it with a dam. Access to the river does not seem to be great, though I just may not have found it in my limited time in the city. I did enjoy the cobblestone/brick streets near the river. They are working in Lynchburg to develop that area with a riverwalk and the redevelopment of warehouses there to have office and other business space. Lynchburg is a very hilly city with a really good road system. Was easy to get from one end to the other. Mountains are very nearby, could see them in the distance, and know that the remarkable Blue Ridge Parkway is not far away. Time did not allow me a visit to that fantastic road and national treasure.
I did walk up the 130+ steps of the Monument Terrace. It is a War Memorial with monuments of various wars at various levels. It offered a good view of the city, an idea of the hills, and a look at the fountain (more of a waterspout actually) on the James. I will have more photos on my Photo Page of the city. Hard to get a feel for a place in less than a day, but I did enjoy the visit a great deal; though to be honest any day with Patty would be a good day! Like in Richmond, it was a very warm day; got word it had been 102 at the Harbor Inn Restaurant. Local seafood place, was good and the price was great, though do suggest that you bring a lot of hunger when you go there; serving portions are massive. Enjoyed seeing the area, and had a great time in Lynchburg, Va.

Appomattox Court House (June 27, 2010)

Today went on a road trip to Lynchburg, Va where my wife Patty was on a Quilt Retreat with the Cabarrus Quilt Guild from Concord, NC. Seeing as I have never been there, and its really close to Richmond, took the trip there. Nice drive (though watch for deer at the side of and on the road at night) but a surprise was the route took me right to Appomattox Court House. Did not expect to ever see it cause it is, after all, 105 miles from Richmond. I also did not expect it to be part of the route. What you are looking at on the left is the McLean House where on April 9, 1865 General Lee surrendered his army to General U.S. Grant.

This is the Parlor where the surrender was signed. Marble table is where General Lee sat, General Grant at the small wooden table at right. Lee's forces after the retreat from Petersburg and Richmond were chased by the Union Army which eventually got behind and in front of the Confederate forces. Unable to break out from the vise, Lee met with General Grant. Grant's terms were very generous, so much so that it was reported that General Lee would never allow anyone to speak ill of General Grant in his presence. The surrender was only of the Army of Northern Virginia, though other forces (most notably those in Carolina, soon followed.
This house is notable in that on this site during a battle the Army of Northern Virginia fired its cannon for the last time. Apparently after doing some research, all the buildings at the site date to the period. It was a remarkable stop on the days events, and a worthwhile place to visit when in the area. The drive to Lynchburg is very scenic; though the wildlife mentioned earlier adds a bit of excitement to the journey at night. I had a great time, will post more photos of the visit there to my Photo Page, and be looking for some photos of very interesting Lynchburg, Va in my next post.