See It Every Day

September 17, 2013 by LB

How often do you pass by a building or place, maybe even every day, and even though you know it has intriguing characteristics, you never stop for a closer look? The New Mt Olive M.E. Church has always drawn my attention, but I’ve never taken the time to investigate.

The church sits on a hill in a neighborhood off one of the main roads in my small city.

As I rode by on the bike one day, with rain threatening, I decided to stop and check it out.

The building materials are simple … and reveal signs of wear.

The church was originally built in 1889, but was either renovated or rebuilt in 1929.

I think what attracts me most is the way it sits up there on that hill, somewhat majestic and slightly imposing.

Wonder what it’s like inside?

Now I Know Why …

September 15, 2013 by LB

… people might want to employ someone to bring them coffee in the morning.

It was a beautiful but chilly ride home after the 7th Annual Layne Creed Memorial Ride last night, and so I decided that for once, I was not going to multi-task my way through the morning. You’ve been there … throw in a load of laundry, bake biscuits for a friend, edit photos, and have a cup or two of coffee while checking FaceBook and WordPress, writing out the grocery list and doing the bills. For one hour, I was going to sit on the couch, with a cup of coffee, under a favorite quilt and just enjoy.

A perfect plan!

Until I realized that I would need to get up and out of my warm cocoon and get another cup. Curses! (yeah, I know … life is tough).

The ride was a huge success! In the memory of Layne Creed, over 150 bikes with over 220 drivers / riders set out to raise money for the Children’s Center of Surry County and two Surry County Community College Scholarships. I really didn’t take many photos since I spent most of the day on the bike.

This is the morning of the ride, looking out over Draper Valley towards the Blue Ridge. The morning mist still hovers over the mountains.

Waiting to ride

Halfway home, along Rt 52, near Cana, North Carolina

Now … about those chores (after I check out your blogs!)

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone!

(Update: The 7th Annual Ride raised $8000!)

Redux: Old Radford Incinerator

September 14, 2013 by LB

It’s been awhile since the morning light has prompted me stop on the way to the office. You may remember seeing the Radford Incinerator in a previous post. There’s just something about it that grabs my attention.

Burke’s Garden

September 10, 2013 by LB

This past Sunday found me needing some time on the bike, in a long, solo ride. Too many thoughts were jumbled around in my head and I needed to sort some things out. So I plotted my route and headed out for Burkes Garden.

Bowl-shaped Burke’s Garden is the highest valley in Virginia, and is named after James Burke who “discovered” the area during the 1740s (of course the Native Americans discovered it first). The historical marker notes that “the threat of Indian attack and the remoteness of the area discouraged permanent white settlement until the early 19th century”. It is still a very small community and the only store is closed on Sunday.

The ride to Burke’s Garden and back is one photo opportunity after another.

Old churches

Farms and the product of farming

Images that harken back to another time and warnings about eternity

I loved her little face peeking back at me.

While these 4 photos all have an organized religion theme, they represent 3 different churches.

And of course some fun, twisty roads.

By the time I arrived home, 5 hours and 150 miles later, I was in a much more peaceful frame of mind

Darn Trailer!

September 8, 2013 by LB

I am so lucky to have this view right outside my office door!

I love the variations in color – the greens, tans, blues, whites – and then there’s that trailer!

Atlanta!

September 5, 2013 by LB

My friend Ruth and I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia this past weekend, the latest installment in our annual road trip to watch the Hokies. As avid Virginia Tech Football fans (and basketball fans, too, for that matter), we choose one away game to attend each year. We’ve traveled to Chapel Hill, NC; Huntington, WVa; Morgantown, WVa; and to Washington, DC and Atlanta twice. We try to find a town or place to explore along the way, and search out the historic downtown of any community we visit. This was our 5th year in a row, and our 7th road trip overall.

We posed for the traditional start of the trip photo and then hit the road!

The normal 6 1/2 hour trip turned into 9 due to a combination of Friday afternoon rush hour, labor day weekend, and football traffic. A stop in Kings Mountain, NC and dinner at the Cherokee Grill was just what we needed.

We finally saw the lights of Atlanta a little after 10pm. I was so excited about finally arriving that I attempted to take a picture … with my cell phone … while Ruth navigated the interstate at 65mph! This picture doesn’t reflect it, but the night skyline of Atlanta is beautiful!

The next day dawned hot and muggy, but we had plenty of time to explore a few of the neighborhoods of Atlanta while waiting for game time. Theresa, our host for the weekend, was an excellent tour guide.

Photography on a trip with friends is a bit of a challenge. How do you find time to shoot quality images while spending time with friends? I definitely want to document the trip but I don’t want to spend all my time behind the lens.

We explored the neighborhood near Emory University and had a delicious breakfast at the Rise-n-Dine.

Theresa drove us through the Krog Street Tunnel, which is known for it’s street art. I jumped out of the car and had less than a minute to shoot what the locals call their “living bulletin board and urban art gallery”.

The CNN Center and Olympic Park were both crawling with Tide and Hokie fans, although Virginia Tech fans were far outnumbered.

Virginia Tech met Alabama in the Georgia Dome, and while we did not beat the #1 team in College Football, our defense was outstanding. We held them to fewer yards and our offense gained more yards than most teams did in 2012.

Sunday morning came quickly and it was time to head back home. We briefly stopped in Spartanburg, SC and I wish we’d had more time to visit. The downtown area, while quiet for a Sunday, showed evidence of historic renovation and revitalization.

Loved this Urban Art installation called Artcycle.

The sun was bright at midday and the photos aren’t the best, but the artcycles were great!

Locally owned businesses have the most creative signage and curb appeal.

We were back in Radford in the late afternoon and had a short visit with friends who had gathered for labor day. A lovely way to end the weekend … even if we did miss the music.

Green Shoes at the Krog Street Tunnel

September 1, 2013 by LB

While in Atlanta this past weekend (watching my beloved Virginia Tech Hokies) my friend Ruth and I were given a tour of several local neighborhoods. Theresa, our friend and tour guide, was good to let me jump out of the car at various times to capture some of the flavor.

These shoes were hanging over the Krog Street Tunnel, which is known for it’s street art.

Locals call it “Atlanta’s living bulletin board and urban art gallery”.

More Photos from the Road soon!

2013 Bike Adventure: The Ride Home and Final Post

August 29, 2013 by LB

The final day of the ride is always a little sad for me. I am just not ready to go home!

Bethany Beach was in my mirrors by 8am as I had a long road ahead of me. The plan was to stop somewhere along the way for breakfast and of course, I was thinking local business. Fifty miles before I reached the restaurant, I saw the sign for Holly’s and that became my breakfast destination. If it was the hometown diner that I expected, I knew that I’d be eating more calories than I needed.

Holly’s, a restaurant celebrating 57 years in business, is advertised as the “Meeting place of the Eastern Shore”. I was hopeful, based on appearance, that I’d be a happy customer.

Doesn’t this remind you of the good ol’ diners from yesteryear?

Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite the nostalgic experience that I’d hope it would be.

The staff was uninterested, not a smile on a face to be seen, and the food was just so – so. I did like the memory of the 50 States placemat and the gun over the door. The cash register is no longer in use, but I love that it still sits there on the counter.

My timing was perfect as I made it back over the Cheapeake Bay Bridge (woo hoo!) and around Washington DC without hitting rush hour traffic. Once near Warrenton, I was able to leave the beltway / highway system behind, and get back to smaller state roads.

Warrenton is a town of less than 10,000 people in Fauquier County, and like many Virginia localities, has a history that spans the Colonial-Revolutionary Era, the Civil War Era, and the Reconstruction-Civil Rights Era. My very brief stop and walking tour was no where near long enough to explore this town, whose historic district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

On the grounds of the Courthouse is a small collection of historic items. This first item, according to the marker, is a naturally formed, ancient stone that was used as a mounting block for carriages and horses … but also as a slave auction block.

That sure stops you cold, doesn’t it?

As I rode those last 200 miles towards home, several things crossed my mind:

1. Produce Stands – all along the road through Delaware and Maryland I passed produce stands. The fruits and vegetables looked so fresh! This is NOT the time to be on the bike!

2. Bus Stands – many of the rural homes have covered bus stands at the end of the driveway to provide protection for children waiting for the school bus. The stands are evidently paid for by local businesses and it was disconcerting, to say the least, to see advertising for the local funeral home on the side of child’s school bus stand.

3. Money – I’d be riding down a road in the most rural part of a county and I’d see houses and farms falling down at the seems. The Churches? New construction, flashy signs, big paved parking lots. Hmmm ….

4. Bikes – I saw very few bikes throughout the 7 day ride. I’m guessing bikers don’t think of this year’s ride route as a bike destination.

I knew that I was drawing near to home when I began to see mountains behind me …

… and mountains in front of me.

Around 5pm, after being on the road since the morning, I was thirsty for that end of the ride day beer. Unfortunately, by riding Rt 11, and not the interstate with it’s multitude of restaurants, made finding a beer difficult! I finally found a small place that was open outside Buchanan, and pulled up to talk with the elderly gent sitting on the porch.

“Do they sell beer here” I asked?

He replied with a “Maam?”

I repeated “Can I get a beer here?”.

He looked at me with a long look and said (picture the guys outside the Courthouse in Mayberry) “Nooopppe” (said with a long drawn out drawl). Sadness!! Now, please understand, I LOVE Andy Griffith! I still faithfully watch the show whenever I can! And I love Appalachia and SWVA. But I really, really wanted a cold one!

Ah well, it was time to just kick it in gear and get on home.

Even though I am rarely ready to go home, I am comforted by the view of local scenery and the realization that home is a good place to be. The rain started to fall as I pulled into the driveway of Liz and Wilson’s home. They took the traditional end of the trip picture, and handed me a bag that contained some food for dinner … AND also inside that bag? A lovely cold beer!!

Nothing like friends to welcome you home in style!

Yep … that’s me … after 12 hours on the road!

And that’s my helmet … boasting several new stickers.

So after riding almost 1900 miles in 2 weeks (1400 during this 7 day trip), I was home.

A cold beer in my hand, my family and friends checking in to make sure I’d arrived safely, and the sound of rain falling on the roof. Seriously?

I could not have been more content!

2013 Bike Adventure: The Lewes / Cape May Ferry

August 27, 2013 by LB

Does it seem to you that the 2013 Bike Adventure is lasting forever? I feel sure that it must! In reality, it was 7 days long but by not being able to upload photos from the road, I am posting now … almost 2 weeks after the trip!

On this, the 6th day of the trip, I rode the bike to Lewes, DE in order to take the ferry across the Delaware Bay to Cape May, NJ. It was much less expensive (by almost $40) to ride over as a pedestrian than it would have been to ferry the bike over and because of that I was able to get a cup of coffee and relax while the cars and bikes were loaded. Even better, I was able to see the Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware’s seagoing goodwill ambassador ( http://www.kalmarnyckel.org/).

The original Kalmar Nyckel sailed from Sweden to the New World in 1638 leaving its passengers to establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley, the Colony of New Sweden in present-day Wilmington, Delaware.

The replica of the Kalmar Nyckel was built by a group of committed citizens to be a continuing witness to the courage and spirit of those individuals who undertook the mid-winter North Atlantic crossing in 1637-1638. The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation notes that “its historical significance rivals that of the Mayflower, yet her remarkable story has never been widely told”. The public can schedule a tour and can sail on the ship, too.

What a contrast between this Tall Ship replica and the modern ferry.

The ride to Cape May is not quite an hour and a half, which gave me plenty of time to explore the ferry and to relax.

Once on Cape May, I took the shuttle into the historic area. During the 6 mile ride, I had time to chat with the shuttle driver. As a former City Council Member, I am always interested in local government issues such as tourism and revenue generation. The driver noted that if local government officials had not had the strength to withstand those who wanted to tear down historic buildings and homes, then Cape May would be just like any other beach community filled with condos and high rise hotels. Instead, it is a booming tourist economy based on it’s history.

I walked for hours, first exploring the more touristy walking mall and then the beach, where you have to pay for beach access. That may not be a surprise to some of you, but it sure was to me!

Following that I walked through the historic neighborhoods and had to keep pulling my jaw up off the ground. WOW!! Not your typical beach rental!

Lunch (and of course, that cold beer) were enjoyed at Jackson Mountain Cafe, and after that it was time to head back to get the shuttle. The trip back across the bay just seemed to call for an ice cream cone and the taking of a “selfie”. Can you tell I’m content?

(I’m the one with the ball cap … ha!)

I quick stop in historic Lewes gave me more time to explore and opportunities for photography …. followed, of course, by a Bass on draft at The Rose and Crown.

Then, it was one final stop in Bethany Beach …

… before heading to Bluecoast for dinner and to buy a thank you gift certificate for friends. I had a blast watching Billy and Trevor shuck a zillion oysters and clams and prepare all kinds of yummy things to eat.

What a great day … and I can’t believe there’s only one more day of the 2013 Bike Adventure!!

2013 Bike Adventure: Delaware Beaches and Historic Towns

August 25, 2013 by LB

The best part about being an early riser is getting to see the sun come up.

Then the morning got even better because I got to use this wonderful outdoor shower! What a treat!

The plan for the day included visiting with friends from Virginia who just happened to be vacationing in Delaware at the same time that I was visiting. Until I met up with them though, I decided to attempt to work on editing / uploading photos. Kool Beans was the perfect place for a delicious breakfast and free Wi-Fi.

As much as I love a road trip, I usually spend so much time exploring that I don’t have enough time for quietly relaxing. This morning, though, I decided to do just that and it was lovely! I even took some time to read.

Soon though, it was time to head to Rehobeth. Riding Rt 1 along the Atlantic Ocean, I was excited to get to go over … you guessed it … a bridge!! The Indian River Inlet Bridge opened to traffic in 2012, replacing several bridges before it. I pulled over to take this shot and could even have walked over on the pedestrian / bicycle lane in order to get better photos, but I needed to get on down the road.

Once I got to Rehobeth, I was just about done in by the traffic, the search for a parking space, and the time spent trying to pay for parking. Thank goodness I was able to meet up with good friends, who also put extra quarters in the parking meter for me (this photo taken by a friend, with a cell phone).

I’m more used to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, which is less developed and less crowded, but the ocean is still a thrill and I was glad to be able to play in it for a bit.

After the beach, we headed to Mike and Kellie’s home in Milton, DE. Milton is “the birthplace of five governors, a town divided in allegiance during the Civil War, home to many officers who participated in the famous War of 1812, and rich in both agricultural and political facts and figures” (http://www.historicmilton.com/about-milton.html).

Mike, Ralph, and I (and Mike’s dog, Rosie) took a walk around this historic community.