My visit to Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, was all too brief, yet a vigorous walk the evening that I arrived and another the next morning gave me an introduction to this city of just under 800,000. I dropped my bag in my room, grabbed my camera, and headed towards the door of the hotel.
It was early in February, and while the northeast was getting hammered with snow, Virginia and North Carolina were experiencing a clear 50 degree weekend.
Il Grando Disco (The Grand Disc) is a coin-shaped piece of art that sits at Bank of America Plaza on Tryon Street. The piece is a large, bronze wheel with dark edges and designs etched throughout. Created specifically for the space by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, Il Grande Disco was installed on October 2, 1974 (http://charlotte.about.com)
Across the intersection is a far more traditional installation.
My friend Tim pointed out that for a brief moment, the sounds of the traffic were drowned out by this fountain.
In the previous post I shared two images of the fence that surrounds the First Presbyterian Church. Built in 1857, the church is a one-story, Gothic Revival style stuccoed brick building. The evening light was waning by the time I got there, so I’ve processed these two images differently, although they were taken just moments apart.
The power line remains in this photo, because it is a more accurate portrayal of the street scene.
The next morning, with my visit drawing to an end, I took a walk in search of coffee and breakfast.
The morning sun cast a bright light on this fountain and also of the homeless man still sleeping.
The Mariachi crepe at Hazelnuts Creperie, was filled with egg, black beans, bacon, tomato, mozzarella, onion, avocado & jalapeño cream. Oh my gosh YUM!
The only other time I’d been to Charlotte, other than for runs to the airport, was to see my beloved Hokies play football, and I didn’t see much more than the stadium. I’ll definitely return for more explorations soon!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
I don’t normally have an appreciation for B&W, but your images are an exception. I really liked the clock.
Joanne, I’m so glad you liked the B&W images. Since becoming a contributor to Monochromia, I’ve started thinking more about B&W. I still love the vibrancy of color though 🙂
Excellent Laurie. Beautiful images.
Thanks Edith. I’d love to see what would have caught your eye
Great images Laurie 🙂 Charlotte looks like a city I would enjoy maybe I see a trip on the horizon 🙂
It’s funny, because I never really thought much about Charlotte, perceiving that it was all suburbs and no history. My perception was wrong! It would be a fun trip for sure!
Laurie’s travel log always worth a read and of course, your photos are top drawer. Bank of America was a San Francisco bank and played a big role in building the 20th century version of the town so many people loved. It built a grand headquarters in the CIty’s Financial District in the late 1960s. A big black sculpture was commissioned for the plaza outside the building. In the 1990s, I had the pleasure of working for a large firm that leased space in the building. I walked past that heavy hunk every day. Out here, it was and is still known as the “banker’s heart.” A hard, harsh, black piece of rock. The nickname has never been more appropriate.
Bruce, that’s a great story. A “hard, harsh, black piece of rock” … you have such a great way with words!
Laurie, I’ve never been to Charlotte, but you’ve given us all a wonderful taste of it! Such lovely photos — especially the church. The silhouette is beautiful, but the sepia tone is ethereal and gorgeous. Glad you finally got a chance to “see” the city.! Thanks for sharing your travels! 😀
I’m so glad you enjoyed this brief look at Charlotte. It seemed as if I hadn’t been able to travel much lately, so it was nice to get away … even if for just a day.
Charlotte is a beautiful name for a city. 🙂 I love your photos Laurie and my favorite are the ones of the fountain!
Thanks, Elina. I was glad to see so many fountains near each other.
So much fun!!! Those crepes sounded totally “out of this world”!!!! I love downtown-scapes……….
I’m telling you, I wanted to eat TWO of those crepes! I was thinking that I’d be eating way too many crepes if I lived in Charlotte 🙂
I know I would!
As always you make a large city look beautiful! I say ‘large’ because Charlotte holds fully one fifth of the population of this entire country! 🙂 Il Grande Disco looks rather stunning, the fountains would be music to my ears in the heart of a city and the eatery made of shining gold simply has to serve up divine tasting food! These places should be making brochures from your photos – tourism would double! 🙂
I cannot wait to learn more about your homeland! That’s an interesting fact about the size and number of people.
Thanks for your kind words about my photos, Pauline. I’ve gotta say …it felt so good to get away and play with my camera for a bit!
I couldn’t concentrate much after I read “50 degree weekend.” Seriously, though, fabulous photos Laurie!
The weather is so freaking weird! Last weekend,everyone (but me) was out riding. This weekend, it’s 8 degrees with howling winds and snow.
Glad you enjoyed the photos!
Looks like a nice area where they’ve been able to retain some nice old character amongst the shiny new buildings. I’m not as envious of the weather as I am being able to run fountains at this time of year. Actually my favourite shots are of the water. I’m sorry to know that man sleeps outside, I hope life brings him some reward soon. xK
When I took the first shot of the fountain, I missed the sleeping man. Then I backed out a bit and saw him. People are hungry and homeless everywhere, but I’m so much more aware of it when in a city.
I was just telling Mary that last weekend it was 50 degrees; this weekend 8 with howling winds.
Weirdness!
Me too Laurie. Living close to downtown, we see many in need on a daily basis. It’s hard to know how to best help. So far, one at a time.
Great perspective Laurie!
You are both good souls.
PS – I love the image of the church and especially the image with the sculpture of the wheel.
Thanks Robyn, for both comments. It was a bit of a challenge to get the sculpture shot as I seemed that every tourist wanted to photographed in front of it.
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Gorgeous photos, as always. You have such a beautiful eye, a way of focusing delicious detail that delights the eye. Always brightens my day.
Deborah, what a kind comment. Thank you!!
Especially love the photo of the church in black and white.
Enjoy looking through this photo-travel log, Laurie! You make the place look really beautiful!
Thanks Jo! I was so pleasantly surprised by Charlotte! I loved seeing the mix of historical architecture and modern.
Wow!
Wonderful shots! I loved the first one! 😀
I somehow missed the comments on this post! I’m so glad you liked that first one … I liked it, too and hoped that others would as well.
What a wonderful getaway, Laurie. You have an amazing eye for detail.
Alys, I am just seeing a bunch of comments … how did that happen? 🙂
It really was a lovely 24 hour getaway, and I had another 24 hour trip this past weekend (including a harrowing almost 5 hour drive in snow on Saturday).
Oh you poor thing. Five hours of driving in the snow sounds like misery. I’m glad you are safe and sound. I hope your cold weather and snow pack it up soon.
I love how you explore and thanks for the tour, Laurie, wonderful images all! I have never been to NC but my son started school down there in Winston Salem, so I hope to visit sometime this April.
Oh how fun! Sadly, my only visit to Winston Salem was to the hospital after my wreck. I want to get back to explore? Is your son at Wake Forest? I’ve heard that it’s a beautiful campus!
Thank you for taking us with you. Laurie I think you could make any scene beautiful; you have such an eye. My fave this time is the B&W waterfall. I love colour, but you pull off some amazing black and whites.
I’m so thankful for the opportunity to participate in Monochromia. I’ve learned so much about B&W photography. Thank you!
Love your photos Laurie, especially the first two powerful architectural scenes.
Thank you! I happened to be on the streets of Charlotte at the best moment of the day and a beautiful day it was. It really brought out the beauty of those buildings and reflections.
Thanks for including your storyline. The context gives extra meaning to your amazing photos. Love Charlotte! Especially through your lens.