Albemarle, NC - December 2007

Morrow Mountain State Park

One of the highest peaks in the Uwharrie Mountains. The Uwharries, formed about 500 million years ago, are the oldest mountain range in North America.

Norfolk, VA October 2007

Downtown Waterfront

A nice way to spend a couple of hours.ShrekShops
Big boats.

The city in the distance.
Spirit of Norfolk http://www.spiritofnorfolk.com/or/index.jsp

Cambridge, OH - October 2007

Guernsey County, Ohio

A group of early settlers from the Isle of Guernsey in the British Channel pitched camp in 1806 in Cambridge because the women in the party refused to move on. Thus, the new County of Guernsey was formed a few years later in 1810. Central to the history of the area was the building of the National Road (U.S. Route 40) through Cambridge in 1827. Among the bridges built in that era, was the first bridge authorized in the Northwest Territory. Some of the bridges curved, and some of those 'S' bridges still survive. Early in the 1900's, the county, and particularly Cambridge became synonymous with quality glass, and collectors still visit Cambridge for Mosser Glass, Boyd's Crystal Art Glass, Degenhart Paperweight & Glass Museum, and the National Museum of Cambridge Glass.

Hopalong Cassidy

William Boyd attended school in Cambridge. If you're passing through town, stop at the Hopalong Cassiday Museum and then go by the monument a little further down the street.

Charlotte, NC (No Da District) October 2007

Charlotte, NC Just the facts:

Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and the 20th largest city in the United States. It has a 2006 estimated population of approximately 664,342. It is the county seat of Mecklenburg County, and is located in the south-central part of the state in the Piedmont region, near the South Carolina border. (from Wikipedia)

No Da - Charlotte's Historic Arts District

The district was a goodly distance from my hotel, so it was getting late by the time I arrived. This is one of those places that might be something neat one day, or it might fall back into the decay from which it's trying to arise. Meanwhile, it's an unpredictable hodge-podge of shops and eateries bordering on a very scary "hood" area off downtown Charlotte.

The Dog Bar Charlotte's only dog friendly bar. They offer beer, wine, liquor, but no food. However you can get "take out" from the nearby eateries and eat at the dog bar. They advertise the pub as a "unique concept designed for dog owners, their furry friends and dog lovers. You do not need to own a dog to hang out at the dog bar! All dogs of shapes and sizes are welcomed, as long as thy are "well-behaved" and owners must be able to show proof of rabies." http://www.dogbarnoda.com/

The Evening Muse A listening room, art gallery and café featuring live music 5+ nights each week. The Muse features original artists in a wide variety of genres touring at the national, regional and local level and has earned a reputation for awarding-winning sound and a great casual atmosphere.http://www.theeveningmuse.com/

The Boulevard Home to over 20 artisans, craftsmen, and artfully imaginative shop-keepers. http://www.blvdnoda.com/

Sunshine Daydreams Locally handmade goods, jewelry, gifts, vintage clothes, tie-tye and hemp goods, hats, oils, incense, candles, tobacco accessories, patches, stickers, posters, and T-shirts.http://www.charlottesmusic.com/

Other shopping adventures..

Outer Banks, NC - July 2006 and September 2007

Kitty Hawk
In 1903, Orville Wright telegraphed home the triumphant news of the first powered flight. The telegraph was dispatched from Kitty Hawk. This, along with the isolation of the area and the unusual names themselves, led to the subsequent confusion as to where the first flight actually occurred.The actual location of the first flight was some four miles away in what is now known as Kill Devil Hills, but newspapers had picked up the dateline of Kitty Hawk.

Sunrise from our hotel room balcony.

Kitty Hawk Pier

Cottages along Kitty Hawk beach

Great food at the Rundown Cafe across the street from the hotel.

First Flight Memorial















Hatteras
1953, a 72-mile stretch of the Outer Banks from Nags Head to Ocracoke Island was set aside as the nation's first National Seashore. Today, most of Hatteras Island remains protected by that designation and is a one of the country's most visited National Parks. Notice the lighthouse in the distance.

Duck
There are over 2,000 single family homes and over 500 units in multi-family developments in Duck, NC. Duck has about 500 full-time residents. It was established in 1879 and incorporated in 2002.

These waterfront shops face the sound and is a favorite spot for watching sunsets.














Kill Devil Hills
This high dune was the site of the Wright Brothers first heavier-than-air flight in 1903. The monument at the top is the Wright Brothers Memorial.


...and we can't forget Kitty Hawk Kites! Our favorite kite shop.











Jockey's Ridge State Park is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States.

Town of Manteo on Roanoke Island
Manteo wraps around Shallowbag Bay on the eastern side of Roanoke Island. Named the Dare County seat 1870, this waterfront community was incorporated in 1899. Manteo's most famous resident is Andy Griffith, who lives with his wife Cindi on a secluded compound on the northeastern shore of Roanoke Island about a mile north of the city limits.

Outer Banks Lighthouses - July 2006 and Sept 2007

Currituck Beach Lighthouse The northernmost lighthouse. According to their website, on December 1, 1875, this beacon filled the remaining "dark spot" on the North Carolina coast between the Cape Henry light to the north and the Bodie Island to the south. The light still flashes at 20-second intervals.
The Lightkeepers' House
The duplex for the two lightkeepers was completed in 1876. Each piece of the house arrived by barge pre-cut, numbered, and ready to assemble.

http://www.outerbanks.com/historiccorolla/
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Located on the south side of Highway 12, between Nags Head and Oregon Inlet. Completed in 1872. It's the third lighthouse built in this area: the first was destroyed by a storm and the second by the Civil War.
http://www.outerbanks.com/bodielight/
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
"The Big Barber Pole" at 196 ft, is the tallest lighthouse in the nation. The beacon can be seen more than 20 miles out to sea. It has been in operation more than 100 years. http://www.hatteras-nc.com/light/















Ocracoke Lighthouse
The shortest of the OBX lighthouses and can only be seen 14 miles out to sea. http://www.ocracoke-nc.com/light/ocracoke-lighthouse5.shtml Ok. It was well after lunch time, and we were just tired of looking at lighthouses.





We took the Hatteras Ferry to Ocracoke.


Then we stopped at Howard's Pub for a fresh seafood lunch. Well. John probably had a fresh vegan lunch.

Kansas City - Plaza District - September 2007

The Plaza
Built in 1922, this is a "must see" if you come to Kansas City. It's billed as "an outdoor museum of romantic Spanish architecture and European art" and is a fun place to walk around even if you don't want to spend money for the shopping part of the experience. In surprising little corners and in featured park areas - wall art, tile art, sculptures, and fountains. I've been many times over the last eight years, and every visit I see something I hadn't noticed before.

The Fountains

Only Rome has more fountains than Kansas City, and some of the most spectacular ones are found at the Plaza.

The Art