During that same morning walk last Sunday, where I saw a few signs of spring, I also saw signs of history.
Signs that cause a distinct sense of sadness and pain,
others that show the effect of time and weather,
and some that showcase pride.
I’ve passed by these markers hundreds, if not thousands of times, mostly on the bike or in the truck.
Walking though, offers time for reflection and commemoration.
For the past 9 years, the Inn at Virginia Tech has hosted Fashions for Evergreens, a Christmas Tree competition. Established in 2006, the event enourages local businesses and organizations to come up with a theme, and create a professional, designer quality Christmas tree. The trees are on display throughout the holiday season, and members of the public get to vote for their favorite tree.
After enjoying a Raspberry Martini at the Continental Divide Lounge, my friends and I took a tour of the trees.
The atmosphere was magical, filled with light and color.
Prices Fork Elementary School’s theme was a Merry Mocha Christmas
The Virginia Quilt Museum went with a blue theme
Matt Hagan Outdoors celebrated outdoor sports
The Linus Project, an organization that hand makes blankets for critically ill children, adorned their entry with blankets
Radford Health and Rehab decorated their beautiful tree with photos of residents in their younger days
Sew Biz covered their tree with hand crafted ornaments
What a fun evening, and we definitely felt the magic of the season.
Before I close, let me tell you just a little bit about the Inn. Located on the campus of Virginia Tech, The Inn is designed in the Collegiate Gothic style and like the other buildings on campus, is made with Hokie Stone.
Hokie Stone is dolomite, a mineral found in the Appalachian Mountains (pronounced Ap – uh – latch – uhn) and is prevalent in Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama. Virginia Tech’s quarry operations produce some 50 tons of Hokie Stone per week, or about 2,500 tons per year. Individual stonemasons shape about a ton of stone a day
Hope you’ve found time to enjoy the magic of the season!
One of the challenges for any weekend is to somehow get all the chores on the “to do” list done, yet still find time to play. By 3pm this past Sunday, I’d accomplished enough to be able to head out for a little local ride. Luckily for me, local riding often means country roads, fields, lakes, and historic communities.
Dry Valley
Claytor Lake is a reservoir of The New River, created when a hydroelectric dam was built in 1939. I stopped for a water break and the chance to watch the geese and ducks. It was a perfect afternoon to ride, but the bright sun made for challenging photography.
Yes! That is a lighthouse! On the lake 🙂
Soon it was time to ride on down to the end of the road.
I’ve photographed this slowly decaying barn from many angles … it’s a beauty.
From there, I rode through the community of Newbern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I’ve ridden through the Newbern Historic District many, many times but somehow had missed these two structures.
The Old County Jail and site of the First Courthouse of Pulaski County
The original reservoir for the Newbern Waterworks
A little beauty, a little history, a little photography … all seen from the bike. Not a bad way to spend a few hours.
Many of you agreed that a B&W format is perfect for presenting the images of a steam engine and for inspiring the feelings of nostalgia, mystery, and adventure.
Even still, the train that visited Radford last weekend also sported pops of color.
On the wheels, and other unknown and therefore unnamed parts underneath the train,
on the doors and the windows,
on the bell and lettering,
… and by the crew members working the train that day.
Despite the impression you might get from this gentleman’s face, the crew seemed to be having a blast, waving and smiling at the crowd as they worked.
What a great day it was!
I’ll leave you with one final shot of our clock, set against the backdrop of historic building art, and we’ll anxiously await the return of the train in 2015.
Adventure. Mystery. Romance. History.
These words are often attributed to trains in general, and steam engines in particular.
A passenger excursion train, pulled by a steam engine, rolled into Radford last weekend (see here). The crowds came out to ride, see, and photograph the magnificent train. We were lucky enough to get very close to the train, so I was on the tracks and practically under the train, seeking the best image.
This view of water, used to create the steam, dripping down and splashing on the stairs caught my eye.
B&W images remind us of days gone by, or days we’ve only heard of, or read about.
The next post will feature more images, but in color.
The Steam Engine came through the City of Radford yesterday!
What a thrill for the 750 folks on the train, and for all of us watching, too.
So many thoughts to process and images to edit. I look forward to sharing more with you later.
(click on the image for better detail)
The sights, sounds, emotions, and memories of auction day will long remain with me.
The excitement of the auction process and the fascination with an industry so different from my own, had me riveted. I very much wanted to capture the history and success of a 57 year old family business, and to portray those who make their living in this field. It was an honor to be a part of the day, and I came away with so many memories and photographs.
A favorite part of the day for me was hearing stories from “back in the day”. Like a child at bedtime, I kept asking for more. On a day that was at times bittersweet, it was a joy to hear the laughter from those who had grown to be like family after so many years working together.
Amy’s father placed this horseshoe in the shop many years ago, but she took it down this day intending it to be a keepsake. Instead, the horseshoe was passed on to two brothers who had started a welding business, and had purchased several pieces of equipment in the auction.
In a sense it was like passing the torch on to a new generation.
Time goes by, economies and businesses change, but the memories of a father who created a business 57 years ago, and grew it into a success, will not fade. Here’s to Warren G. Harris on a job well done, and to his family, for carrying on a proud family tradition.
Now! To grow and enhance the other part of the business: Harris Self-Storage!
Those of you who have been to an auction, know the energy that pervades the room. This auction was my first, and I was immediately caught up in the excitement. In fact, at one point I feared that I had purchased a truck! Not because I wanted one, mind you, but because while standing on a flatbed truck taking photos, I waved across the parking lot to a friend. Phew!
The team from McCrawRealty used their creative bid calling chants to captivate and motivate the crowd.
Just follow the orange flag and the auctioneer’s chant to find the current item up for bid.
I had no idea how physically demanding an auctioneer’s job is!
The two auctioneers took turns between calling the chant and serving as the ringman. The ringman watches the crowd, encourages the bidding, creates excitement and conveys bids to the auctioneer or brings a bidder to the auctioneer’s attention. Others on the team (the runner) serve to move the flag, bring items to the podium, or hold items aloft (http://www.auctionsneapolitan.com/glossary).
What did the successful bidders take home that day? I have no idea!
Items sold included big pieces of equipment …
and smaller items, thrown together and sold en masse
It seemed that anything not tied down was up for sale. Seriously!
While shooting this sign, I attracted the attention of one buyer, and the next thing I knew, the sign was SOLD!
Fascinating! The next, and final post about the auction will feature photos of other interesting sights seen at the auction.
Check here for the first post about the auction.
A dear friend of mine recently phased out the construction / welding side of her 57 year old, family owned business, and because of that, an auction was held to sell off equipment. I’d originally planned to serve as support person and friend, but within minutes after arriving, I knew that I’d also be documenting history. This is the first post of two about that auction.
While understanding that this was a bittersweet process for the family, I neverless found it fascinating. As with bikers and military families (and I’ve been part if both), the group of machinists, contractors, and welders that were present that day represented another subculture: those hardworking folks who work with their hands, and their backs, to construct things that many of us take for granted.
The room was packed and the excitement palpable.
Immediately energized, I jumped into the middle of the large crowd of people, primarily male, most in ball caps and Carhartt. No one seemed to mind me and my camera, thankfully, and I enjoyed interacting with everyone.
This young man had a little of his own cash and when I asked what he planned to buy, he said “something for my Dad”.
This little guy was just along for the ride.
Andthis one? Obviously, he was there for the hot dogs!
The range of age …
and the visions of the past
made me feel whistful for “the good old days”.
The auction lasted all day long, inside and out.
and ultimately, it was a huge success!
Next Post: The Auctioneers and the Family
The Draper Mercantile is a lovingly restored, 125 year old building in Southwest Virginia. It currently serves as a place to hear local music, enjoy a fine meal, and as a showplace for regional arts and crafts. The Merc has been providing goods and services to Pulaski County and the surrounding communities for over a century and according to the website “visitors could purchase just about anything”.
A receipt found in a desk by the current owners summarizes an eclectic purchase: sugar, burial clothes, salmon, lemons, and a coffin. At various times, The Merc has housed a barber shop, a blacksmith, the post office, and a dress shop. In the spring the farmers brought in their lambs to sell and in the fall their hogs, turkey, potatoes etc., which went towards settling their accounts (drapermerc.com).
One evening last week, I met my friend Amy on the upstairs porch and enjoyed a glass of wine in a beautiful setting.
Some would have used photoshop to rid the images of powerlines. Despite the fact that I don’t have photoshop, I think that the powerlines add historic accuracy to The Merc and the community of Draper.
If you’re ever in the area, check it out!!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 