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Day 1 – Radford: A Home to Trains and Building Art

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Why a post combining trains and building art?  Mostly it’s about timing.

I am on the first night of a 7 night / 8 day, mostly business trip around Virginia.  As I was trying to get out of Radford and head on down the road to Richmond, I was drawn to two scenes that I see almost on a daily basis.  I’m not sure what made me stop to take pictures today, especially since I was already running late, but … have camera … well you know.

Trains and building art could easily fill several posts, but today, a few pictures will have to do.

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Radford has been a railroad town since the 1850s when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad (later the Norfolk and Western Railway) came through.  The population grew dramatically as did business, industry and education.  Passenger rail service no longer exists in Radford, but the railroad through the city is still a major component of Norfolk Southern Railway’s Roanoke to Bristol route.  As is typical of those who live in a railroad town, it is easy to become immune to the sound of the trains and their whistles as they pass through the city.

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The structure pictured below sits right behind the railroad tracks.  I am sorry to say that I do not know what it is … I was guessing a water tower.  A quick FB call out to local Radford folks revealed that most agree, especially given it’s proximity to the rail yard.  I’m hoping I can learn the date it was constructed and any other interesting bits of information as well.  We’ve got some serious history buffs in our little city.  I’ll pass on what I learn!

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Since I posted this morning I have heard from several who tell me that the tower served to store water for use by the steam engines.

As buildings are renovated or unfortunately torn down (or fall down), art in the form of advertisements is often revealed.  Radford, like many localities, has many more examples of building art than just those pictured here.  These particular ads were revealed when the City of Radford took down an old partially burned out building (which even had a tree growing in it) and created a community courtyard.  This lovely little area is now called Carson’s Courtyard.

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This next building sits right across the street from Carson’s Courtyard and the art provides a lovely backdrop for the Farmer’s Market.

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And as you look past the brick wall, you will once again see the tower.

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Day 2 – Richmond

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Practicing Macro on the Signs of Spring

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I love all seasons and types of weather – seriously!

If you follow my blog at all, you’ve heard me express joy for rain, ice, snow and wind, as well as sun and the beauty of fall.

What I particularly love about a seasonal change is that a new season starts arriving right when you are tired of the one you are currently experiencing (obviously, I would not be a good one for living in a southern locality).

Yesterday, I posted pictures of ice … today it’s about the signs of spring … and a few minutes practicing in the macro setting!

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Brrrrrrrr ….

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I am rarely cold, but for some reason this unexpected ice storm has me chilled to the bone!

Still … it’s easy to find the beauty!

First, from the inside looking out …

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Aged And Useful

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As I noted in the previous post, I captured a few different pictures yesterday.  Back at home and in the process of editing, I realized that these four photos had a similar theme and needed to be posted separately.

 Older structures but still very much in use!

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Slow Down, Breathe, Create … Then Have Wine!

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I tend to be an organizer … a doer, planner and task master … with few outlets for creativity.  Photographing what I see around me and blogging about the stories of my life and the lives of those that I love, may just be my only creative outlets.

Yesterday, as I was rushing to take lunch and visit with a dear friend and from there, head to a birthday celebration at a local winery, I felt such a strong urge to stop and photograph the scenes around me.  What I photographed wasn’t so amazing as much as it was the time I took to do it.  It gave me a few moments to breathe, to compose, and to embrace bit of creative energy.

And it felt good (as did the wine I drank afterwards)!!  I enjoy red more than white, but this  vignette at the table nearby caught my eye.

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Another post will follow shortly but the four other pictures begged for a different  venue.

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The Third and Final: What Will it Be?

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I’ll never forget the thrill I felt after purchasing my first motorcycle!

I was just out of the motorcycle safety course, had a brand new, crisp license in my wallet and I needed a bike! I didn’t know much, but I did know that I wanted something small, used and practice worthy.  I did not want to make the mistake of many new riders, who purchase a brand new “big” bike and, many drops and near accidents later, either sell or leave it sitting there, rarely to be ridden.

Enter my sweet little Honda Rebel, 28 years old with a $1000 price tag.  The perfect starter bike for me!  Three months later, I had learned much and was ready to move on up to a bigger, more powerful bike.  I was a bit sad when I sold that purple rebel and hope it treated another newbie as well as it treated me. Read a bit more about that here: https://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/learning-to-ride-part-1/

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A tinge of sadness was soon replaced with tremendous excitement after the purchase of my 2008  HD Sportster 883L.  It too came to me used, although I was only the second owner and the odometer read just 3oo miles.  The goal for this second bike was to grow in confidence, comfort, and skill.  I’ve put almost 15,000 miles on my Sportster, taken week long solo rides each August these past 3 years, and ridden many, many miles with friends.  What an amazing time I have had on this bike!

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You can read more about that here: https://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/learning-to-ride-part-2/

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Last week, my bike went into the shop for the annual oil change and check up in preparation for the riding season.  (It needs to be said that I’ll ride all year long despite colder temps, but the snow this year has kept me to only a few rides since November).  As is not uncommon with “adult toys”, there are things to be done to this bike … some tweaks and some upgrades …  and all of that costs MONEY!

What to do?

Spend a good chunk of change to get this lovely little bike ready for the year, and to upgrade it a bit?

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Trade it in and get the third and final bike?

If you’ve read Learning to Ride, Part 2, you’ll know that my goal all along has been to eventually sell the Sportster, the bike I have called my intermediate or “middle bike”, and to then purchase the bike of my dreams.  The biggest obstacle to that, of course is financial.  A new bike means a monthly payment … ugh!

But I can feel a new one calling my name.  Just the thought of it is seductive.  In fact, tomorrow I will pick up the Sportster from the shop and bring it home.  Next week, I’ll be visiting my friend Jay and start talking about a new bike.  I don’t know what that bike will be (and I may not be able to work out the financial side of things) but in the meantime …

Isn’t this one a beauty?

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The 2013 Fat Boy Lo.

Just add some saddle bags and a windshield and I’ll be ready for the road.

I’ll keep you posted …

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Holly and Nandina / Rain and Snow

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In just 24 hours, I experienced sun, rain, sleet and snow … and the plants and trees were made prettier because of it.

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One Morning in Roanoke

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The Roanoke Valley is as rich in history as it is in natural beauty and has played a vital role in the growth of Virginia.  The Wilderness Road migration route, traveled by pioneers in covered wagons on their way to settle the frontier, passed right through the region.

Roanoke is the 10th largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest municipality in Southwest Virginia.  Formerly known as Big Lick, because of it’s numerous salt marshes (or licks), the city was renamed Roanoke in 1881.

Roanoke became a crossroads for the railroad, which eventually became the Norfolk and Western Railway. Its historic market, which also began in these early years, remains vibrant as one of the oldest in the country and still is an anchor of downtown commerce (http://www.visitroanokeva.com/visitors/history/roanoke-history/).

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It was a lovely morning in Roanoke … perfect for a quick stroll around the downtown market area.

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The variety of windows caught my eye

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Historic Signs and Newer Signs

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Old Buildings

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And New

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Inside the renovated market building

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Outside on the market square

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Downtown Roanoke has much more to see … restaurants and pubs, museums and historic hotels, renovated buildings and shops.  Festivals too!  You should come check it out!

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Roanoke

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While traveling to visit the GOAs in Richmond (see Feb 15th post), I had the chance to stop in Roanoke to meet my friend Ralph for lunch.  It was a bright, sunny day and since I had some extra time, I was able to take some really fun shots of the downtown area.

I’ll be sharing more pictures later … this one is just to introduce you to this Southwest Virginia city, population just under 100,000 people.

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