Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Tuesday in Charlotte

The day job has taken me to any number of spots, most memorable though some forgettable. In all, I've made more trips to and through the "Queen City". Charlotte is the gem of the Carolina Piedmont, at the confluence of two interstates and just south of the Holy Land of NASCAR, also known as Concord.

Typically, I arrive at Charlotte via a quick flight from Reagan National, or a grinding drive down the I-95/I-40/I-85 trail. Yesterday however, the little Australian lady who lives inside my GPS gave me a new route and a very pleasant surprise.

Our ride took an unexpected turn onto the Powhite Parkway, then onto US-360 heading southwest towards South Boston and Danville Virginia. The majority of the segment was over well maintained federal highway that wended southwest through the Virginia Piedmont. This region is pristine rolling country that is a world and an age away from the grind of Suburbia Majora. We counted ZERO nail salons, kabob joints, Five Guys or dry cleaners! We did though, come across real country stores that have stood unfranchised on real country corners for multiple generations. We saw places where you ordered hamburgers or hot dogs from someone's aunt or grandmother named Betty.

These are the "roads less traveled" where you're going to pass far more cows than corollas, more blackbirds than BMWs. Folk are far more ready to offer a friendly wave instead of waving an angry finger.

1 comment:

maddy said...

hey andy....long time no see....and again you never cease to amaze me....
i need prayer my long time friend...
i will be going to surgery on the 23rd of this month. lasting 4-6hrs.they will be fusing L4-5, and also removing a tumor that has grown inside L5 vertabrate and is now pressing on my spinal chord. i have been in pain a good 10 years or more and just chalked it up to aging. bu talas...it hasnt been aging that has stopped me from walking or weightlifting...it is a really crappy mess in my back. suffice to say my heart....i am a bit scared...even though i know it will be ok...jesus knew it would be ok too...but it still hurt a bunch...so pray for me my friend.
love you...love to read your blog.take care and tell the lovely fair robin hello. ps....i could use a little mummers dance....