Finance

Charlotte, NC  2026

There's a very busy intersection in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte and on each corner stands a large arch.  The sculpture atop each arch depicts the roots of Charlotte and were made by Yugoslavian artist, Boris Tomic.  This arch depicts, Finance.

 

Tavern on Main

Fort Mill, SC  2026

 

Mill Stone

Fort Mill, SC  2026

 

Main Street

Fort Mill, SC  2026

 

City Hall

Fort Mill, SC  2027

Once a bank and city hall, and now used by the Fort Mill Community Playhouse.

 

Civil War Cannon

Fort Mill, SC  2026

 

Women's Monument

Fort Mill, SC  2026

This monument is dedicated to the women who stayed at home while their men went off to war.

 

Confederate Monument

Fort Mill, SC  2026

In the historic downtown section of Fort Mill there is a small park with a number of monuments.  This one is dedicated to the soldiers of the Confederacy.

 

'Vette

Waxhaw, NC. 2026

I've always wanted  a Corvette.  This one would be nice. 

 

Tank Cars

Some tank cars are labeled with the chemical they contain.  Caustic soda is another name for Sodium Hydroxide which is used as a drain cleaner.  It is also used in soap, paper and textile production.

Magnesium Hydroxide is also known as milk of magnesia, commonly used as an antacid and to relieve constipation.

Waxhaw, NC  2026

It wasn't clear in a lot of cases exactly what was in some of these tank cars.  Perhaps it's better we don't know.

 

Rolling Art?

Waxhaw, NC  2026

I've always wondered when the graffiti artists ply their trade.  It must be in some hidden part of a train yard

 

Train Cars

 

Waxhaw, NC  2026

CSX Train

Waxhaw, NC  2026

Just as I finished my ale, I heard the train whistle walked across the street to capture some images of the train as it passed beneath the footbridge.

The trains don't follow any regular schedule, so I'm not sure how the people knew there was a train coming.  Somebody must know.

 

Waxhaw Favorite Pastime

Waxhaw, NC  2026

While on a recent photo walk through historic downtown Waxhaw, I took a break and enjoyed an IPA from our local brewery.  Sitting outside I had a nice view of the footbridge, and then I noticed something.

At first it was only a couple of people.  Then it grew...

More people standing atop the foot bridge.  It would only mean one thing.... a train is coming!

 

Trail Walk III

Waxhaw, NC  2021

 

Trail Walk II

Waxhaw, NC  2026

 

Trail Walk

Waxhaw, NC  2026

We had a quick taste of spring in the Charlotte area last week, with high temperatures reaching the upper 70's.  Great weather for a walk along the local trail.  Alas, the temperatures cooled off quite a bit over the past weekend and reached the mid 20's at night.  

 

More Antiques

Waxhaw, NC  2026

 

Antiques

Waxhaw, NC  2026

A visit to the Waxhaw Antique Mart is always interesting.  I define an antique as anything older than I am.  There were many "antiques" here that were far younger than I, and that I remember quite well.

 

100-A

Waxhaw, NC  2026

 

View from the Rear

Waxhaw, NC  2026

 

Talbot's

Charlotte, NC  2026

 

Banana Republic

Charlotte, NC. 2026

 

Girl Reading

Charlotte, NC. 2026

 

Boy with Dog

Charlotte, NC. 2026

 

Girl With Dog

Charlotte, NC  2026

 

TCBY

Charlotte, NC. 2026

 

Eateries at Blakeney

Charlotte, NC  2026

There is  quite a collection of both fast food, and traditional restaurants catering to just about anyone's tastes.  One won't go hungry here. 

 

Fountain at Blakeney

Charlotte, NC  2026

 

Blakeney Town Center

Charlotte, NC  2026

Quite a change from last week's weekend blizzard.  Only traces of snow remain after a week of above freezing temperatures.  

 

Sewer Pipes

Waxhaw, NC  2026

I found these "left over" sewer pipes on a piece of land that was developed recently or perhaps still under development.  I wonder if they'll ever be used here or taken away.

After the Blizzard

Waxhaw, NC  2026

The snow stopped sometime overnight.  I think the "official" amount of snow was about 11" measured at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.  Local amounts varied from 4" to 13".  Waxhaw reported 4.7", but that seems low to me based on what I'm seeing.  The top picture is the view from my patio.  Over the last 10 years, Charlotte has averaged 1.7" of snow.  That means some areas received 10 years of snow in just one day.

I measured 7" of snow atop the fire pit.

This is the street outside my house.  Notice the street has not been plowed yet.  I'm not sure if the town of Waxhaw even as a snowplow.

These were all taken on Sunday morning, from 10:28am to 10:40am.  Even with a temperature of 25˚F there has been significant melting of the snow.

 

Blizzard

Waxhaw, NC  2026

It has been snowing all day.  It is rare to see this much snow in this part of North Carolina.  Having lived in both Michigan and Connecticut, this is nothing compared to what they get, but here it is a big deal.  It has been hard to find rock salt or even a snow shovel anywhere near Charlotte.  This was taken at 1:28pm, Saturday, Jan 31 and weather forecast calls for continuing snow of up to 7", wind gusts of 35 mph and extreme cold temps with wind chills reaching -5˚F.  A good winter day in Michigan, but not North Carolina.

Local Beer

Waxhaw, NC  2026

One can get pretty thirsty walking around historic downtown Waxhaw.  Fortunately, we have a pretty good local brewery that serves up a number of fine brews.

 

Heath-Massey House - ca 1898

Waxhaw, NC  2026

This was the first house to receive electricity in Waxahw.  It's my favorite historic house in downtown Waxhaw.

 

W.C. Gamble House - ca 1900

Waxhaw, NC  2026

 

Center Grove Baptist Church

 

Historic House Presbyterian Manse

Waxhaw, NC  2026

I had to look up the definition of "manse".   It's the place of residence for a Presbyterian minister.  This was built ca 1901.