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.
Participation on Radford’s Annual Memorial Day Service committee is one of my most favorite volunteer duties. Working with veterans and other civic minded folks is a great reminder that Memorial Day is more than cookouts and blockbuster sales.
Don’t get me wrong … I do love a cook out! Volunteer service on this committee however assures me that each year, I spend a few hours on the last Monday in May remembering the men and women who have died in military service.
Towards the end of the program, a 21 Gun Salute is provided by the Veterans of VFW Post 776.
In this next image, you can see the spent shells in the air after being fired.
More to come from Radford’s Annual Memorial Day Service.
The 7th Ride of Silence in the New River Valley (NRV) of Virginia was a great success. We had over 100 participants in this annual event to honor and remember those injured or killed while riding on public roadways. I’ve not seen the total numbers from around the globe, but I do know that there were 313 rides held in the United States alone. It is incredibly powerful to know that you are riding with people from all over the world … on the same date, at the same time. It is also incredibly sad to think that these events have to be held.
The Ride of Silence – NRV began, as always, with a very brief program. Advocacy news and updates, and then instructions about the ride are given. I’m proud to serve as one of the event organizers (of all my volunteer interests, this is one of my favorites) and amateur photographer (clearIy need to work on the photography of moving bikes)
Cyclists of all ages and riding ability are escorted by local police officers in a slow procession through the city, sending a message that we will not be silent about those injured or killed on the road.
We do ride in silence and it’s an incredible moment. One of the riders wrote about the event in her blog The Chronicles of Cort the Sport. I encourage you to check out her account. Cortney commented that “Cycling is therapy, it’s transportation, it’s freedom, it’s happiness. But sometimes it’s also tragic. This ride, with the ghost bike of killed cyclist Fess Green, was both a reminder of the dangers and a celebration of the community. I’d encourage others to take part in (or start one!) a Ride of Silence in their community next year”.
We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of the City of Radford local government and the Radford City Police Department.
and this next shot from the 2012 Ride.
Thanks so all cyclists around the world for participating in the 2014 Ride of Silence.
Please Remember!!
It is not just cars that use the road … pedestrians, runners, cyclists, and motorcyclists, too.
SHARE THE ROAD!
THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET
Tomorrow, May 21, 2014 at 7:00 PM, the 11th Annual Ride of Silence will begin in North America and will roll across the globe.
Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.
Here in the City of Radford, we’ll be hosting our 7th Annual Ride of Silence, an effort that was started when friend and fellow cycling advocate and enthusiast, Fess Green, was hit by a motorist and died from his injuries. A Ghost Bike is placed at the site of the tragic accident each year a week or so before the ride.
It’s a solemn, thought provoking event, and an incredibly powerful ride.
In the next day or so, I’ll be posting a summary of this year’s ride. Be sure to look for a Ride of Silence event in your area and check out this link to last year’s post for more information.
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)
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.
I’m sure you are thinking “why would she take pictures of an incinerator?”
As you can see, even an incinerator looks good in the morning sun. Actually it was the tall grasses, shining in the light that caught my eye.
I pass this old incinerator every morning. I know it is no longer used and that it was built in 1949. That’s about all I know.
I’ll have to see what else I can find about it!
Southwest Virginia … home of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the larger Appalachian mountain range, and also of the New River, considered to be the oldest river on the North American continent. My current home in the City of Radford (http://www.radford.va.us/) is located in the New River Valley.
On any given day, I travel down roads that, especially during this time of year, are arguably some of the prettiest around.
In the summer, my friends and I kayak along this stretch of the New. During this time of year, I scramble down the river bank to shoot the old train trestle against the backdrop of the evening light and the changing leaves.
While visiting friends to drop off fresh baked bread or cookies, I’m rewarded by the beauty that I see outside their homes.
The ride to work takes longer than it should during the fall as I stop multiple times to capture the scenery. The first picture was taken from my office parking lot, while the next is the view over the houses near Radford University (http://www.radford.edu/).
The taste of a microbrew at The River Company (http://www.therivercompanyrestaurant.com/) across the New River is even better when this is what I see from the deck.
This gorgeous oak stops me on my way down to Main Street …
… while this is the view that greets me as I drive home from work in the evening.
Sure, there are things that I miss by living in the rural part of Virginia (restaurant diversity for example), but views like this one taken from Attimo Winery (http://www.attimowinery.com/) sure help to make up for it!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 