Greensboro Daily Photo

FedEx Greensboro

Varooom...... FedEx Greensboro is a reality. Here is a photo of the New FedEx Mid-Atlantic Air Hub, operating at our Piedmont Triad International Airport. With the capacity to sort up to 24,000 packages an hour, it is the company's fifth major U.S. Cargo hub. So, even if you haven't visited Greensboro, NC, maybe your packages have!

We wanted to share this grey-albeit-sky for Sky Watch Friday today since the new 9,000 ft. runway, built as part of the deal for Federal Express selecting Greensboro for its southeast sorting hub, quietly opened on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010.

 

Go Page Pirates

Continuing on the back to school theme: If you are local to Greensboro you know that one of our biggest high school rivalries, dating back to the days of the Greensboro City Schools, is between Page and Grimsley High Schools. Here we see an SUV supporting the Page Pirates. The side of the car had a picture of the Grimsley mascot (a Whirlie) X-ed out and the numbers of two athletes.

 Page High School, located at 201 Alma Pinnix Drive, opened its doors in 1958. The school is named after Walter Page Hines, a North Carolina journalist, ambassador to Great Britain. The street is named after Alma Pinnix who, according to their website, planted most of the flowers and shrubs lining the campus. Page High School has always prided itself in its academic rigor and in February of 2008, it earned the designation International Baccalaureate World School.

We aren't trying to show favoritism to Page; however, today is Ruby Tuesday and Whirlie blue just doesn't qualify! If you attend/ed Page and want to tell us why it is so great, leave a comment! Kind words only please!
 

T is for Trucks & Transportation

For the rest of the week, we will be featuring Wendover Avenue. As important as this highway is to the city, we admit that it has been neglected on our GDP blog! 

In the early 1950's Wendover Avenue didn't exist. Residents of Eastern Greensboro used Bessemer Avenue to come to town. Folks in the western end of the county took sleepy, country roads (like Sapp Road) home. In 1956-1957 construction began and, quickly, Wendover Avenue cut through neighborhoods and corner stores to make way for travel to into town. Suddenly, children at 1st - 12th grade Bessemer School had to cross Wendover to get home. Today, Wendover stretches from one end of the county to the other and is an ocean of retail. Most Greensboro residents don't remember a time when Wendover Avenue wasn't developed.

Today, as your drive away from town on Wendover, Carmax (featured above) starts the several mile stretch of new and used vehicles available for sale. However, Wendover hasn't been completely engulfed by retail, big-box stores. Stop back by Greensboro Daily Photo the rest of the week and you'll see some other faces of West Wendover. We are sharing this photo with the rest of the world via ABC Wednesday; the featured letter is "T." "T" is for "truck" and "transportation."

 

Whoo Hoo Truck

We like to feature vehicles unique to Greensboro. Well, the Whoo-Hoo mobile is about as unique as it gets. Greensboro artist Leanne Pizio has decorated this truck to resemble her pottery. Likely, if you see the Whoo-hoo-mobile loaded up with boxes, Leanne is en route to a show. Stop Leanne right then and there and buy something. We've featured her before (but not this great vehicle) and here is her website. We love local talent and great vehicles; this post has both. If you are a "vehicle person" click here and take a quick scroll!

Let us know if there is a "must see" vehicle in YOUR neighborhood. We've always got our camera with us. Smile. If you're reading this, you survived another Friday the 13th! Stop by tomorrow for Sacred Sunday. Which house of worship will we feature next?

Holden Road in the Rain

Last week, we were driving from the southwestern to northwestern end of Guilford County. The rain was relentless; Haz-mat was cleaning up a spill on I-85.  This is the view from the passenger's seat as we made our ride home on Holden Road.We were all tired and wondering if we would make it home safely. Greensboro was a rainy and muddy mess. 

If you have a teenagers learning to drive, show them this picture and tell them this is the reason you take your drivers' education class seriously. This is one of many reasons why you CAN'T drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Here is our contribution to Watery Wednesday!

Sunset on I-40

This past weekend, we drove from New Bern westward to Greensboro. As the sun set, it created breathtaking views through the windshield glass. Mostly the sunset was spectacular on the south side of the interstate, making it hard to photograph. However, on this stretch, the view was also spectacular in front of us. Since Mr. GDP was driving, I was able to cheat a little bit and use the tint of the windshield glass to add the blue filter at the top. To us, the sunset was a real gift and on this Sky Watch Friday, we have decided to share it with you. 

Cycling Around Greensboro

Cycling is a growing sport in Greensboro. We are expanding our greenways and are starting to see bicycle lanes around town, especially around UNC Greensboro. Here is a group of cyclists just after advocating for their space on the highways at a meeting regarding widening Horse Pen Creek Road. The cyclists as well as Fox 8 News have been following this process. 

We decided to feature this photo today because, this past weekend, cyclist David Sherman was killed in a hit and run accident. A silver Dodge Durango hit David while he was cycling on North Church Street. The sport is growing so quickly, motorists have got to get used to sharing the road. Cyclists and motorists need to work together to keep the roads safe for all! 

This photo is our contribution to Ruby Tuesday, a meme that celebrates the color red. 

Thinking Pink in NC

Today, we post a Breast Cancer Awareness photo, lest the month get away without our contributing to the effort. Here we see the vanity license tag, THNKPINK, hailing from North Carolina. Mr. GDP says if you can't figure out the message within 20 seconds, you've wasted your money. Well, there is not doubt about the message on the back of this Mercedes-Benz! 

If we read the data from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics correctly, in 2006 alone, there were 7,679 cases of female breast cancer in North Carolina. It is projected that this will also be the count for 2009 in North Carolina and that 387 of our breast cancer cases will be in Guilford County. Early detection increases the survival rate so get your mammogram today! 

We're hoping that the sun flare reflecting the sky into the camera lens will qualify us to participate in Sky Watch Friday! The sun's rays lead the eye right to THNKPINK!

"Field of Dreams" Bookmobile

The Greensboro City Library system serves our community in so many ways: books, other media, literary events, learning software, tutoring programs, special exhibits to name a few. On Monday, August 3rd, this bookmobile arrived in the Lake Jeanette, parked in the field where the future library will be built. The bookmobile is parked next to the fire station on Lake Jeanette Road. Mostly, services are limited to checking out children's books and picking up books that you request to be sent to this location. We couldn't resist quoting the 1989 baseball movie Field of Dreams with its saying "build it and they will come." If the other branch locations prove true, once the Lake Jeanette Public Library is built, it will be well used, FREE, and open to the public.

This is our contribution to Sky Watch Friday. We loved the way the color of the blue bus matches the color of the sapphire blue sky! This is a case where using a flash actually enhanced the photo. Please follow our link if you want to see the sky in almost 400 other locations worldwide!

Driving along High Point Road

We started our week in traffic and we so we end our week. Here we see the  section of High Point Road, near the Habit for Humanity Restore and with the Khoury Convention Center in the background. High Point Road has grown from a sleepy little road to a busy place dotted with businesses!

We hope you are having a good weekend.

North Carolina Railroad in Greensboro

This eastward view of the railroad tracks over South Elm Street looks like a scene out of a classic movie. No signs of modernity and fully expecting Clint Eastwood to walk across the tracks any minute!

Near this part of the tracks is an historic marker (J-102) with the following inscription: "North Carolina Railroad _._ Opened interior of N.C. The groundbreaking took place nearby, July 11, 1851. First president, John Motley Morehead." According to the North Carolina Railroad Company's historic timeline, for the grounbreaking ceremony, Senator Calvin Graves lifted the first shovel of dirt. Quickly, Greensboro became known as the Gate City, the great crossroads between Goldsboro and Charolotte.

Traffic Gridlock on Battleground

As we sit in Greensboro's version of gridlock traffic where Battleground intersects Holden Road, Cone Boulevard and Benjamin Parkway, a Saturday letter to local paper comes to mind. Marilyn Trivett writes about the memories of her 81-year-old Aunt Libby. Aunt Libby recounts catching a trolley into downtown Greensboro from old Red Road, the road's name before it became sprawling West Wendover. She tells niece Marilyn about the building on Elm Street where Natty Greene's Pub is now located. Decades ago, it was a "beer hall" where children could order hot dogs and hamburgers from a window to the street, but only wonder about the appearance of the building's interior. Our friend Alice tells similar stories of catching the trolley and heading east to the Bessemer and East Wendover (Old Burlington Road) area after shopping in town with her dad. 

Somehow, it sounds much more charming to be riding a trolley to and from town, with your fate in the hands of the able conductor, than it does to be beating the clock, gridlocked, with the traffic light seemingly interminably red! 

Marilyn, we hope you will listen to as many stories of yesteryear as Aunt Libby cares to tell and that you continue to share them with the rest of us. The 20th century is starting to feel like a century ago! 

Visit Monochrome Weekly for more black and white photography-- a real holdover from yesteryear!

FM 107.5 WKZL Mobile Frequently Seen Around Town

The FM 107.5 WKZL mobile was driving around town yesterday. This photo was taken where MLK Drive, McGee, Elm, and Church Streets all converge. It was a lovely day to be downtown as shops, galleries, and restaurants celebrated First Friday as well as the first Indie Arts and Crafts Night downtown. 

We don't know what 107.5 was doing downtown; however, according to their schedule, they stay quite busy. The way the van is decorated gives you insight into the peppiness of the radio station. 

We hope you are enjoying your Labor Day Weekend!

Rainbow Car Wash on Battleground

Rainbow Car Wash, located at 2606 Battleground Avenue, is a burst of cheerful color on a busy road that gridlocks during rush hour. Imagine our delight when stuck in traffic only to look up and see the sign of the RAINBOW beside fluffy white clouds. The sign is much larger than it seems in this photo. We also took this picture at Rainbow Car Wash.

We are one of 340+ people participating in Sky Watch Friday where you can enjoy photos of the sky from around the world! At least four North Carolinians participate: here!

Dancing the Car Clean at Rainbow Car Wash

Rainbow Car Wash in located on Battleground Avenue between Greensboro Dance Studio and Taco Bell. Seeing the word DANCE motivates you to do a little dance as you are washing your vehicle. Rainbow is an "old school" car wash where you do the cleaning yourself; no crew to detail your vehicle for you nor does it have an automatic brush system. The Rainbow system requires good old-fashioned hard work! This young co-ed was taking advantage of the beautiful weather on Saturday and concentrating on getting her car clean. By the time she finished, it was spotless!  Next time you are faced a some monotonous task... DANCE! Do you think she is listening to polkas or hip hop? 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly where you can tour the world in sepia and black and white! 

Biscuitville-- Fast. Friendly. Fluffy.

Today we feature a Biscuitville truck and driver. The driver was stopping by the corporate office at 1414 Yanceville Street. We were amazed at how effortless he made it look to maneuver this huge truck into the small parking lot! If you don't know about Biscuitville, click through or read our condensed version!

In 1966, flour salesman Maurice Jennings opened two bread stores in Burlington, NC. He decided to make pizzas at the stores. That business expanded into Pizzaville; however, since people do not order pizza for breakfast, Mr. Jennings put the ovens to use in the mornings by making biscuits, an iconic Southern food. Over time, ham biscuits outsold pizza and Mr. Jennings opened his first fully-dedicated biscuit restaurant, Biscuitville, in Danville, VA.  Today, Mr. Jennings' son, Burney, operates their fifty stores. At every Biscuitville, the cook stands behind a glass window where you can watch biscuit dough being mixed fresh, from scratch, before you eyes. The cooks are very fussy about the quality of their biscuits and the employees really do exude Southern charm. Don't be offended if the drive through attendant calls you "honey" or "sugar" or "ma'am" and invites "ya'all" to "stop back soon."  Fresh biscuits, a good money value, and polite workers getting your order ready quickly is what the locals expect from Biscuitville!

We love the cheerful look of this bright yellow truck-- our contribution to Mellow Yellow Monday. 

The Saltbox

The Saltbox bills itself as a sampler of American Folk Art. This store has one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork, reproduction, period lighting,pottery, candles.... just so much in-store as well as online. We love the fact that The Saltbox has been around for 35 years. They have so many events throughout the year and are a great place to visit if you love decorating for holidays.

On the day we were on State Street photographing, this red car was parked in front of the store. At first, we were frustrated; it seemed like a puppy under your feet when you are trying to cook Sunday dinner. Finally, we realized that the car is actually quite beautiful and that the red color is visually appealing in front of the black and white store. Serendipity is such a large part of photography, we decided to seize the moment and snap this shot! Besides, many of our readers really like the vehicle posts and we haven't done one for a while!

 Here's to you, Saltbox!  And you... red car!

Aerial View of the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)

Here we see an aerial view of the Piedmont Triad International Airport, known in three-letter-airport-code as GSO. The photo was an afterthought on the part of Mrs. GDP. During a recent departure from GSO, thinking we were on a brief holiday from photographing Greensboro, we realized, "Wait, we don't have a picture of Greensboro from the air!" Out came the camera and snap, snap, snap. If you look closely, on the left-center edge of the photo, you can just barely see the tip of the wing.

We like this view because of the bent horizon line and the comparison of the cars on the road to the airplanes on the tarmac. Also, those giant square buildings are quite imposing for a city with less than 300,000 residents. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly. We love monochromes because, often, published black & white photos look like pictures that have been in someone's attic for decades!

Fishing and Boating on Lake Higgins

Lake Higgins is a 226-acre municipal reservior in Greensboro. It was built in 1956 and named in honor of then City Councilman, Vic Higgins. The lake is located off Highway 220 at Hamburg Mill Road. You can fish or boat on the lake. The surrounding area has wonderful hiking trails as well as picnic tables available. This photo was taken late in the day when lighting was not the best. However, we were struck by the peacefulness of the scene with the man in the photo enjoying his moment of solitude. 

In preparing this post, we learned that there is a North Carolina angler fishing forum specifically for people who fish at Lake Higgins and other Greensboro lakes! One of the advantages of our establishing Greensboro Daily Photo is that we are always learning something new about our city. We got another little chuckle when we learned from the city's website that Lake Higgins can accommodate up to 6,000 fish. Who would have the heart to tell fish # 6,001 that there was no room for him and that he had to go? Enter the fisherman.....

We posted this photo today to provide a you with a breath of fresh air for mid-week Wednesday. Imagine you are enjoying music from the nature store, hearing wild birds calling, relaxing to the sound of a fish jumping. If you like this image, chances are, you'll like the other watery images from around the world on this, our Watery Wednesday!

Get Outdoors in GSO on Lee St.-- on Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins...

Approaching August, the sun is starting to settle in a little earlier and the thermostat has been creeping down. This scene reminds us that summer will not last forever and we need to take advantage of the nice weather we are having and "GET:OUTDOORS." 

Formerly Pro Canoe & Kayak, GET: OUTDOORS is a North Carolina grown business, beginning in Raleigh in the 1980's. At one time, many of their kayaks and canoes were made in North Carolina. Perhaps they still are. This company offers classes, demos, and night trips and maintains an events calendar and paddling blog to keep you informed on everything that it has to offer. The store has been located on Lee St. near Aycock since we can remember. Regardless of where you get your kayak or canoe, we encourage you to purchase one and try it out on one of our nearby lakes.

As photographers, we love the visual appeal of all the kayaks on dry land! The stripe on the top of the building blends perfectly with the cloudless sky! 

Railroad History in Greensboro

This is part of the North Carolina Railroad system which was built in 1849 as a 223 mile stretch of track connecting Goldsboro to Charlotte, stopping in Greensboro along the way. As a city, Greensboro flourished with the construction of the railroad. Here we see the track near Davie Street, Elm St. and Martin Luther King Drive. In the distance you see the back side of the Southern Railway Station, restored as J. Douglas Gaylon Depot, our multi-modal transportation center. The city's nickname, Gate City, came about in recognition of our rail-hub position.

On his blog, Jim Schlosser talks about the colorful train engines and cars seen passing through Greensboro. Preservation Greensboro Incorporated writes about the Elm St.Train Station. Faithful reader Sue, whose father worked for the railroad in Greensboro, has been requesting photos of trains, tressels, and train stations. We finally got out to take a few; so, here's to you Sue, a part of your world that we're including in the My World meme!

Marshall Art Gallery: Advertising on the Go

Tracey Marshall of Marshall Art Gallery is living her dream, working full time as a professional artist. Her gallery, located at The Village on North Elm, houses a fabulous frame shop and features many fabulous local artists, like Dawn Ashby, as well as international artists from as far away as Moldova. The post today, however, is about Tracey's Art-Gallery-Mobile, a roving advertisement, brilliantly wrapped in her own artwork on all for sides. Here, we see the van parked across from her gallery.

Tracey, we LOVE the van and only hope you never need to drive around town incognito. Word in the store is that everyone is saying, "I saw Tracey today." "I'm driving down Battleground Ave. behind Tracey Marshall." What a great way to advertise and celebrate your artwork, as well as your passion for art. What a great way to ensure that you are making good choices while in traffic!  So far, the advertising on your van seems to be money well spent! 

(We featured one other wrapped car on 2/6: Kneaded Energy).

Chevy C10 Circa 1980's Vintage on Gracewood Drive

Today, we offer this Circa 1980 Vintage Chevy C10 truck. As Southerners, we have our frugal, thrifty side and we also love our trucks. This particular truck is in the process of being sanded down to be repainted. We're betting the owner wants to get another ten years out of his vehicle.  This truck, spotted (pun intended) on Gracewood Drive, was full of landscaping/yardwork equipment. 

The two-story, split-level house in the background is typical of the homes in this well-groomed neighborhood just off Holden Road and Brian Blvd. We love the photogenic, snakelike patina on the truck, but are not so sure property owners on Gracewood would want it parked (as is) in one of their driveways permanently! 

School's Out for the Summer

Well, to quote Alice Cooper, "School's out for the summer." Today is the last day. We hope all of the children and their teachers have happy & healthy summers. 

In the photo above, taken at Grimsley High School, we see the pride of Guilford County School's (GCS) transportation department, the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 bus.  (Bus number 1377 is a C2).  According to their website, Perley A.Thomas founded the business in 1916 and since 1936, they have been producing busses. Today, Thomas Built Busses builds over 15,000 busses a year. Thomas built a $40 million dollar manufacturing facility just down the road from Greensboro in High Point.

The GCS busses and drivers will take a break until they are reunited with their student-riders on August 25, 2009. Parents, if you have not yet filled out a transportation form, you'd better do it now. The deadline has passed which means you aren't guaranteed that your transportation request will be in order by the first day of school. 

Readers, do some of you remember the days (as late as the 1970's) when high school students could drive busses in North Carolina? We actually know people who drove a school bus while in high school! My how times have changed. 

1954 Belvedere at Mann Motor Sports

Mann Motor Sports is a family-owned, Southern business, the kind where everyone is known on a first-name basis and you don't leave without swapping a few stories-- our local version of NPR's "Car Talk." While Mann Motor Sports of Greensboro is really known for affordable, masterful BMW and Mercedes Benz service and repair, they can fix just about anything on wheels. Additionally, Tony and son Dustin race and collect a vehicle or two.

Above is one of Tony's recent acquisitions, a 1954 Plymouth Belvedere. If you are a diehard fan, likely, you know that the Plymouth Belvedere enjoyed a long production run and many different looks, from 1951- 1970. Featured above is a hardtop, four-door sedan; a Sunday go to church ride. We've banked a few photos of other vintage cars currently seen in their shop. While Mann Motor Sports is not a dealership, customers sometimes display cars for sale in the parking lot. The good thing about that arrangement is that the mechanic is on site! By the way, we don't think the Belvedere is for sale-- yet.

Federal Express Hub in Greensboro

Fall 2009, FedEx Corp. is scheduled to open a $350 million sorting hub at Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport. Hopefully, the economic benefits will outweigh the environmental impact. Since the plan became known in 1998, residents have been extremely concerned about noise pollution within in the flight path. The impending FedEx hub became a reality to us the other evening as we were driving along Bryan Boulevard and this FedEx plane was landing.

We offer this photo as our Sky Watch Friday and are reminded of Susie of Arabia who always assures her blog visitors that she doesn't take highway shots while driving. Mr. GDP was in the driver's seat while Mrs. GDP snapped this photo through the car windshield. 

On our Sky Watch blog tour last Friday, we read that a woman who lives near a military base has helicopters so close to her house that she waves to the pilots from balcony. We weren't that close, but we were close! The beauty of always having a camera in tow is the opportunity to catch these in-the-moment shots! 

Breedlove Radiator Service Inc.

Breedlove Radiator Service Inc, located at 610 Percy St., is just right around the corner from our robin's egg blue Mustang post. As the sign states, Breedlove Radiator has been in business since 1943. In an online testimonial to the fine quality of work at this shop, a vintage Triumph owner states, "When I first walked into Breedlove, right in front of the counter were a STACK of freshly rebuilt Ferrari radiators. That is when I knew I was in the right place........ I couldn't be happier with the work." 

These family owned businesses have work ethic and commitment to service that is getting harder and harder to find and we need to support them. Light-heartedly, the same customer states: "It is a small family run place, so if the flu is going through the place, work can fall behind schedule." 

As with the Triumph owner, we'll take quality work and personable service over fast service, just about any day! 

               

Vintage Mustang in the Aycock Historic District

Easter is over but we just can't quite let go! Don't you think if the Easter Bunny drove a car it would be this robin's egg blue Mustang? People who live in historic neighborhoods often take their dedication to preservation seriously. Vintage house, vintage car. Vintage clothing? Gardening? Organic? Bet there is a Burpee Seed Catalog waiting in the mailbox. This photo was taken in the Aycock Historic District, near Yanceyville St. Our blog viewers seem to love the vintage car shots that we post and Greensboro has some great ones! 

               

Got Volkswagen? Good Ole Volks Meeting at Herbie's Place

Every Thursday, from approximately 6-9pm, the Good Ole Volks Volkswagen club members and VW owners gather to share their love of Volkswagens. They meet at Herbie's Place, 3136 Battleground Avenue, first inside for dinner and then outside, as weather permits. On warm summer nights, they can be seen lingering in the parking lot giving on the spot tours of VW engines and interiors. As you can see from the VW Bug mounted in the exterior wall of Herbie's, the VW crowd is welcomed with open arms. During the photo shoot last week, we affectionately called the Bug on the left "Snowball," (for obvious reasons) and the one on the right, "The Blue Virginian" since it had VA plates. 

If you are looking for a place to meet people as passionate about Volkswagens as you are, this informal event is the one for you. However, you might want to visit the Good Ole Volks website first to learn more about the club. You may want to contact someone ahead of time,as you can never be quite sure how many Good Ole Volks will turn up on a given Thursday night.  Who knows, maybe we'll see YOU there tomorrow! As for the post, we're linking to Watery Wednesday theme day because, as you can see, it had just rained and the water made great reflections. We've had lots of rain lately!