New Trail

Waxhaw, NC  2024

Work was recently completed on paving a trail extension into our community.  The newly paved trail connects to the Carolina Thread Trail, a network of trails in this part of North Carolina/South Carolina.  They're popular trails for walking.

Pickle Ball Court

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 

Silos

Monroe, NC  2024

I'm not sure if these silos are still being used or not.  I didn't see any barns nearby.  They were all alone in the middle of a field.  The field looks like it has been cultivated so perhaps the silos are still in use.

 

Waxhaw United Methodist Church

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 

Foot Bridge

Waxhaw, NC  2024

I've shown this foot bridge previously, but perhaps not this particular view.  This view is looking west.  For another view look here.

 

Looking East

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 

Mellow Mushroom

Uptown Charlotte, NC  2034

 

Alley

Uptown Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Scooters

Uptown Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Fun Cab

Uptown Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Book Sculpture

Uptown Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Bike Rentals

Uptown Charlotte, NC  2024

 

New Business

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 For a town the size of Waxhaw, it's downtown area is always busy.  There are a number of new businesses opening soon.  This General Store recently opened in a space that wasn't vacant for more than a few months.  Downtown real estate must be in high demand.

Live Music, Beer, etc

Monroe, NC  2024

 

Engine 935 CSX

Monroe, NC  2024

 

CSX Monroe Train Yard

Monroe, NC  2024

 

Train Depot

Monroe, NC  2024

 This was the passenger train depot in Monroe, NC.  The last passenger train came through this part of NC back in the 1960's.  Now it's used as part of the CSX Monroe Train Yard

Firefighter's Memorial for Union County

Monroe, NC  2024

 

Mule Barn Shops

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 

Waxhaw Icons

Waxhaw, NC, 2024

 The two dominating features of downtown Waxhaw are the historic water tower and the railroad line.  Both are incorporated in the town.  Both have influenced the various signs and seals for the town of Waxhaw.

Trains, No Planes and Automobiles

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 

CSX Train

Waxhaw, NC 2024

A number of trains pass through the downtown area of Waxhaw on a daily basis.  I hear them from where I live all throughout the day and night.

 

Park Entrance

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 

Soccer

Huntersville, NC  2024

I spend a lot of time attending the sporting events of my grandkids these days.  This is my granddaughter, Clara playing soccer. 

 

Trail Entrance

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 

Spring Blossoms

Waxhaw, NC  2024

Spring arrives pretty early here. One of the first signs of spring is this flowering tree, known as a Bradford Pear tree.  At one time they were considered an ornamental tree and were used extensively for landscaping.  They are all over this part of the state.  Now they're considered to be a malodorous, invasive species and planting them has been banned in many states.

 

Twelve Mile Creek and Trail

Waxhaw, NC  2024

The trail was recently paved with asphalt making it a very nice place to walk.

 

Twelve Mile Creek

Waxhaw, NC  2023

The area around Charlotte is interlaced with a number of small creeks.  All are part of the Catawba River Basis and flow into the Catawba River.  I have not seen any of these creeks appearing clear.  They all appear brown, and are probably filled with fine silt.

 

Ratcliffe's

Charlotte, NC  2024

 Such a classic neon sign! 

Luxury Apartments

Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Fish

Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Famous Authors

Charlotte, NC  2024

I found a number of these mileage signs in this plaza named after famous authors.  These are just two of them.  Other authors found here are Pearl Buck,  Emily Bronte, James Baldwin, and Herman Melville 

 

The Center of the Known World

Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Toadstools?

Charlotte, NC  2024

These decorative seats reminded me of toadstools.

 

Colonnade

Uptown Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Uptown Charlotte

Uptown Charlotte, NC  2024

The tall building in the center is the Bank of America building, one of the many financial institutions having headquarters in Charlotte.
 

Uptown Waterfall

Charlotte, NC  2024

 I finally had some time to do some exploring in the Charlotte "Uptown" area.  The  city of Charlotte calls its "downtown" area, "Uptown".  I still forget about that when referring to this area, often saying things like "I'm going downtown Charlotte".   

Uptown Booth

Charlotte, NC  2024

 This structure could probably serve many purposes.  It was empty at this time of the year.

Historic Pineville

Pineville, NC  2024

 

Used Bikes

Pineville, NC  2024

 

End of the Line

Pineville, NC  2024

Only one set of tracks continues on.  I guess there was no use now for the second set, which just ends here.

 

Whitehall Corporate Center

Charlotte, NC  2024

 

Flash

Charlotte, NC  2024

This sculpture is located across the way from yesterday's Metalmorphosis.  It is titled "Flash" and it's by Czech sculptor Vaclav Blaha

 

Metalmorphosis

 

Charlotte, NC  2024

According to the website, this stainless steel structure is one of the 7 wonders of Charlotte.  It was made by Czech sculptor David Cerney.  You can read more about the sculpture here.

Golden Hour

Waxhaw, NC  2024

 This is a recent view from the back of my house, looking towards the east.  The tall trees are brightly illuminated by the setting sun and really stood out against the dark clouds.