When you are only staying somewhere for a short time (like 3 months), you don't have time to leisurely unpack and settle in and get to know your surroundings. You have to hit the ground running!
That's exactly what I have been doing for the past two weekends.
Last weekend, I hopped on the bike, traveled down that convenient bike path, and got to know the downtown area. Roanoke has one of the oldest continuously running open air markets in the country. Or so the tourist literature says. I'm not so much interested in myth busting that particular piece of information, but rather in GOING to the open air market. Which I did.
The market was pretty easy to find, what with signs like this:
That's exactly what I have been doing for the past two weekends.
Last weekend, I hopped on the bike, traveled down that convenient bike path, and got to know the downtown area. Roanoke has one of the oldest continuously running open air markets in the country. Or so the tourist literature says. I'm not so much interested in myth busting that particular piece of information, but rather in GOING to the open air market. Which I did.
The market was pretty easy to find, what with signs like this:
Kind of kitchy, but fun. The rest of the downtown area had other such old-fashion-y signs, too. Including a giant coffee urn on a roof top that features a neon tube sign of coffee emptying into a cup! I'll get a picture of that on here, too, once I figure out how to take a picture without risking my life doing so (it's on a major roadway).
Once I parked my bike (lots of secure bike racks around -- SCORE!) I got some nice fresh fruit and veggies for the week. Then I decided to mosey around and explore a bit.
The downtown area is pretty small. It didn't take long to explore. There are cute little shops, restaurants, and a bunch of blues clubs/ comedy clubs a couple streets over from the market. (Dustin Diamond -- Screech from Saved by the Bell -- was performing in one of the clubs that night. Understandably, I decided to forego seeing Screech in lieu of a good night's sleep.)
But I was completely enamored by this:
Once I parked my bike (lots of secure bike racks around -- SCORE!) I got some nice fresh fruit and veggies for the week. Then I decided to mosey around and explore a bit.
The downtown area is pretty small. It didn't take long to explore. There are cute little shops, restaurants, and a bunch of blues clubs/ comedy clubs a couple streets over from the market. (Dustin Diamond -- Screech from Saved by the Bell -- was performing in one of the clubs that night. Understandably, I decided to forego seeing Screech in lieu of a good night's sleep.)
But I was completely enamored by this:
I think from now on, I will take to calling dresses "frocks". It has sort of an old world charm doesn't it? Or maybe it would simply make me sound like a raving lunatic. Whichever.
Across the street from La De Da, the frock shoppe, I encountered a pathway with little fountains all along its length.
Across the street from La De Da, the frock shoppe, I encountered a pathway with little fountains all along its length.
Or maybe they are planters. Not really sure. The important thing here, is that they lead me to this:
An outdoor amphitheater! Oh, there is just about nothing better on a warm summer night than listening to music under the stars! And since the warm weather here is about 3 to 4 weeks ahead of New England (excepting last week's freezing cold bike ride, of course) I'm thinking music should be starting soon.
Sunday I decided to leave the downtown area and take advantage of Roanoke's greatest feature.
Sunday I decided to leave the downtown area and take advantage of Roanoke's greatest feature.
It's proximity to the Trail! Oh how I've missed that trail. Life really is a lot simpler when all you need to do to know you are heading in the right direction is look for a white blaze. (There should be metaphorical white blazes everywhere)
I wanted to go back to one of my favorite places along the entire AT.
I wanted to go back to one of my favorite places along the entire AT.
I have to say: going to McAfee Knob as a day hike is a completely different experience than as part of a thru-hike.
It kind of felt like cheating.
First off, I wasn't carrying a pack. Just a little day pack with some food and water. Secondly, I just parked at the trail head and walked 4 miles to the outlook. No scrambling up Dragon's Tooth with a full pack, no sprawling outside a gas station and eating my body weight in gas station food, no picking at the skin on my feet, no hiker funk, no feeling of "where the heck is this stupid outlook?". Just an hour and 15 minutes and BAM! There it was.
It's still just as breathtaking, though. And,yes, I did have to take THE picture. Even though I really didn't feel like I had earned it.
It kind of felt like cheating.
First off, I wasn't carrying a pack. Just a little day pack with some food and water. Secondly, I just parked at the trail head and walked 4 miles to the outlook. No scrambling up Dragon's Tooth with a full pack, no sprawling outside a gas station and eating my body weight in gas station food, no picking at the skin on my feet, no hiker funk, no feeling of "where the heck is this stupid outlook?". Just an hour and 15 minutes and BAM! There it was.
It's still just as breathtaking, though. And,yes, I did have to take THE picture. Even though I really didn't feel like I had earned it.
Then I scuttled on over to Tinker's Cliff to round things out.
Since my memory of McAfee's Knob had me dedicating and entire day to the hike, I had plenty of time left over when I got back to the jeep. So I decided to check out another of Roanoke's attractions, the Roanoke Star.
The star is essentially a gigantic neon star that sits up on Mill Mountain and is visible from the downtown area. During the day, when it's not lit, it is not nearly as impressive. But it is big. Very very big.
Since my memory of McAfee's Knob had me dedicating and entire day to the hike, I had plenty of time left over when I got back to the jeep. So I decided to check out another of Roanoke's attractions, the Roanoke Star.
The star is essentially a gigantic neon star that sits up on Mill Mountain and is visible from the downtown area. During the day, when it's not lit, it is not nearly as impressive. But it is big. Very very big.
An observation deck sits in front of the star, and has a great view of Roanoke from above.
And that really, really pointy peak right in the middle? Mc Afee Knob! Two views of one of my favorite places in the world!
Not a bad way to spend the first weekend here.
Not a bad way to spend the first weekend here.
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