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.

December 16 snow and Cary Street Drive

Couple of interesting events this week. Photo at left is a look at the aftermath of the snow storm on December 16 (taken the following day) which was really pretty. Actually, it was not a bad snow storm at all; roads were bad for a while, but the main roads were good real quick. I do like the fact that Richmond drivers (by and large) do drive on snow like they have done it before (certainly had a lot of practice the last two years). Ended up being something like 2-3 inches with some sleet on top, but the road department did a real good job. The snow was pretty well gone in a couple of days, with nothing left but piles of snow in the mall parking lots around the area.
Wanted to take another look at Richmond's Christmas lights; and went for a short drive tonight. Rolled up Cary Street, not really a "Tacky Light Tour" sort of drive (you can see some of those in previous posts) but had noted some of these places on my previous drives in the area. I did like this house with the tree in front. You see a few of these sort of trees, and I think they are really cool! You don't see trees like this in Carolina, they seem to be unique (at least to my experience) to the Richmond area. I like them...really artistic. Has been a nice few days in the area, and enjoyed the drive after a very fun day. Not long until Winter officially starts, though we have been getting an early preview with two pretty good fall winter storms.

Very Late Fall Virginia Wonderland (December 13, 2010)

Headed back to Virginia after a great weekend with my family at home (see previous post for photos). The night before we got a very light dusting of snow, not even enough to measure. Did get some word though that things were a "bit" different in Virginia. Took this photo on I-85 across the Virginia line. There was no snow to speak of in North Carolina, but not far into Virginia I started to come across sights such as these. At first the snow was very light, gradually becoming heavier as I got deeper into the state. The roads (thankfully) were fine, though wet they had no ice or snow due to VDOT cleaning them, traffic and the temperature.
Took this photo at the rest stop in Dinwiddie, VA which made for a good late fall (keep wanting to say winter, but a few days away from that official event) snow storm photo. Snow is quite pretty to check out, and I do enjoy seeing it, but I do hate to drive in it, though thankfully this day was nothing to worry about. I was able to enjoy it without worry about damage to the car, others, or myself during my journey. Snow is to be expected this time of year, so not a total surprise. We don't get a great deal of snow in Carolina, though it does happen from time to time, but in Virginia it is much more common, and generally in greater amounts.
Last photo was taken pulling into the apartment complex. Getting back to the apartment right about news time found that the area got around 1-2 inches, though some areas were higher. Also, while it did not affect me, did hear on the news this morning that the mountains of North Carolina did get a substantial snowstorm which made even this one look like nothing. All this was the bottom end of a major snow storm which smashed into the mid-west this weekend so it could have been a whole lot worse than this. This one we can admire the beautiful view of the white coated world, and wait to see what the next few days bring to us..for more is said to be on the wat later this week!

December Concord Lights (December 11, 2010)

Back in North Carolina, Patty and I got out for a drive after a very good dinner at Mayflower Seafood, and a couple of seasonal coffees at Starbucks. We went to see some of the sights of the season in the neighborhoods. There were a number of great houses on Union Street in Concord, NC and the one at left is my very favorite. Not quite as dramatic or as bright as the Tacky Light Houses of Richmond, but nonetheless a joy to see. Many of the old houses on Union Street do a great job of lighting up for the Christmas season, and have over the years loved to see this one each year, and look forward to riding by it.
In Kiser Woods in Concord, I liked this tree and the way it was done. We rolled though a lot of the local neighborhoods, as a light rain (unlike the snow of the Tacky Light Tour) fell later in the drive, so what you see are rain drops rather than snow. For the record we did get a dusting of snow on December 12, but nothing like the snow which fell in Richmond Sunday night/Monday Morning (around December 13). On this night though, it was just a very light rain. There were a lot of really pretty sights and bright lights. I also enjoyed a few of the light shows set to music, saw a couple of those while we were exploring the area in the car.
Photo does not actually do this house justice, it has some very nice LED lights, and the back of the house is really remarkable. Saw it as we went by and pulled into the subdivision to check it out. It was a short weekend, and some more places remain to be seen in my next visit to Carolina including McAdenville, NC (which is always remarkable) and also the new light display at Concord Motor Speedway (which is new for this year). Nice though to enjoy the sights of the season with my lovely lady by my side and Christmas music playing on the radio. I look forward to my next visit to North Carolina, and sharing some more photos with you all.

Tacky Light Tour (Day 2) December 5, 2010

Last night (see previous post) was pretty fun and remarkable. Tonight though, had fewer places to go see, but ended up with three high quality sights. The first seen at left was amazing, and hardly "tacky" in any sense of the word. This is the tree inside The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, VA. It is a remarkable place to check out, and elegant in every sense of the word. This was a beautiful tree in a very beautiful place. I am sure this is an expensive hotel to stay in, but from what I have seen it would be a real experience. Sometime I am going to have to check out the history of this place, which looks very old, but it is well taken care of.
From there, went to The James Center which is near Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom near the James River. From here you get a good look at downtown Richmond and how they have lit the buildings there. There was a lot to see there, and even some people playing music, as well as a lot of decorations all over the place. Even though a Sunday night when I went to see the area, there were a lot of people around doing the same thing I was (including taking photos). Speaking of which, I have some more from my visit today (and the previous one) on my Photo Page. Enjoyed my visit here, and again as noted with The Jefferson Hotel...not tacky at all!
Finally, took this photo on Grove Avenue which is also in downtown Richmond. This IS part of the "Tacky Light Tour" (which by the way can be found at Richmond.com by putting in "Tacky Light Tour") but I thought it was remarkable to check out as well. A group of houses that have worked together to put together this light display which made me and many others smile on a cold Sunday night in Richmond.
The last two days have been a remarkable experience, and a great deal of fun. Richmond has much to offer both over the holidays and during the year as well. I am lucky to have two great places to enjoy during the year in two great states. I will be bringing a bit of "Carolina Christmas" in my next post on this site.

Tacky Light Tour (Day 1) December 4, 2010

This is hands down my favorite time of year, holiday wise. Love the sounds of the season, and the lights on the Christmas trees, and on the houses. Few places do Christmas quite like Richmond, Va. One of the highlights of living here is the nationally famous "Tacky Light Tour"; and these are the houses that I liked the best (out of many, it was a difficult choice to pick these three). The first house seen at left is at 8009 Summerbrook Court, and it is a wonder to behold. I thought this was just amazing, and certainly was bright. Even the trees were lined out and lit up (and they were not small trees either.
The second house was at 2901 Lintz Lane, also in Richmond. This is another house where the trees are lit to the max; and this is really just a small sample of what you could see there. There was a lot of amazing stuff to the other side, and all sorts of things lit up in the back. I am sure the electric bill is a wonder to behold as well as the sights, but it was a real grin to check out this house on a cold night in Richmond. What made it even more special was that it was snowing while I was out. Was not a heavy snow, and did not stick to the roads, but added to the atmosphere of the drive around the area to check out the houses. All I was missing was the company of my wife, Patty.
The last house is actually part of a pair of houses, and the best of all this night. Two houses on Ashbury side by side lit the night up. Many tour buses where parked near there, and a number of limos, as well as a steady line of cars to see the wonder of this "Christmas Wonderland". Sadly though a sign asking for donations at one said that the family was in danger of losing one of the houses due to a job loss. Wanted to do this (had for some 36 years!) at least one last time. I hope things turn out for them, and for so many who are having difficult times this season in a very tough economy.
Tomorrow, I will get out again, and will check out some more of the amazing sights in Richmond. More photos from tonight can be found on my photo page as well. Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanksgiving Day Drive

Following a drive to Concord, NC from Richmond, VA and a great meal here made by my wife Patty; went out to see the lights of the city. Thanksgiving night is the first night of the Christmas holiday, and the time when the city light displays get fired up. Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year hands down, and will be featuring that here on the next few posts. Seen at left is Cannon Village near the NC Research Park. I was wondering if they would do that again this year, and was pleasantly surprised (as was Patty) that the lights were on this year. Nice display along the tree lined streets, and a very festive look indeed!
View at left is of the Concord City Christmas Tree. They had the big tree lighting a few days before and it is a nice event with some music, food, big crowds, carriage rides, and fireworks. Unfortunately, I could not make it this year, but did get out to see the tree during our drive. Nice tree, though artificial it is a nice looking tree. The tree sits next to the Concord Police station, and across from the big parking garage near the old downtown section of the city. Item below is an animated Christmas display, like this one especially as Santa tosses presents into the stocking. There are many such displays (with different themes) around the city.
At any case, a good time and enjoyed checking out some early Christmas lights. For the rest of the visit, worked on my own display at the house in Concord, and on Sunday got in a motorcycle ride around the area before relaxing with the family and watching a little football. Enjoyed a very wonderful four days in Concord with family and friends, and a nice start to the holiday season.
Got some interesting stuff coming up in Richmond as well, there will be a number of Christmas displays (including some of the amazing "Tacky Light Tour" houses to check out, which I hope to be the focus of my next post on this blog.