Greensboro Daily Photo

Moonrise Over Wendover Avenue

We've had a full moon this week and this is a view of the moon rising over West Wendover Avenue at Benjamin Parkway. You may not have noticed but there is an overpass on the Friendly Center/ O.Henry Hotel side. That was our positioning for this photo. That was one place in Greensboro we haven't been before. Moon shots are really hard with a cell phone. There was also a great view over the O.Henry Hotel, from near Chick-Fil-A.The moonrise was early that day 5:08 p.m. in Greensboro. As an example, it rises at 8:26 p.m. tonight. Seeing the Proximity Hotel reminds us that the hotel opened in 2007, 18 years ago.  

Ever in search of good places for photography around Greensboro, this one was a fun surprise. If you look at this map, provided by the O. Henry Hotel, you can see exactly where we were- at the trail entrance for the Greenway and the fitness trail that takes you all the way downtown, and beyond. We're betting this would be a good location for a sunrise. Stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday!

GTA Transit & the Winter Wonderland Bus

Have you seen the Greensboro Transit Authority's "Winter Wonderland" bus yet? The above photo was taken during the Winter Parade a couple of weeks ago.  This burst of holiday cheer is a plastic wrap. It was originally unveiled at the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot on December 3rd. There have been many themed wraps on our city busses. They command attention and help promote public transportation. We can't guarantee that you will get the Winter Wonderland bus on a route, but here is the schedule. If you want to track your GTA bus, see here.

In July, GTA was awarded a $22.4 million grant to purchase 6 battery-electric busses as part of a federal program.We should have a day where we all try to get to work and school using public transportation. The more people use it, the more public transportation we will get. Once we try it and learn about public transportation, the more likely we'll be to use it. We're imagining all of those shadows of people enjoying the Winter Parade are people waiting in line for the bus.  Come on, let's ride!!!

Happy Monday!

GTA Transit

Have you seen the Greensboro Transit Authority's "Winter Wonderland" bus yet?

Rain Along Battleground Avenue

Yesterday, Greensboro got some much needed rain. This is what Battleground Avenue at Irving Park looked like at a little after 5:00 pm.  The rain brought cooler weather. Temperatures dropped to 39º and the high was only 47º.  The reflection off the car lights made the scene look very beautiful. The white vehicles are real stands out, contrasting with the dark streets. 

This weekend is predicted to be cool, but dry with sunshine. It should be a good weekend to get outside.  This is weekend three of five in November and thirteen more days before Thanksgiving. And, if you look around, Christmas decorations have replaced Halloween decorations and election signs.

Happy Friday!

Changes on Battleground Ave & British Woods

Do you remember the house that was down over the hill at 3521 Battleground Avenue? It was the one at the park near British Woods and British Woods Park (see HERE). Well, that house got razed and the lot was dormant for a long time. Recently, the earth-moving equipment arrived and the lot is being prepared for the new construction at the corner of Battleground and New Garden. It will be interesting to monitor the change. The land and building in the background are part of the Brisish Woods neighborhood. There have been so many changes in Greensboro lately. We wondering how many trees will remain and what will be done with the creek that runs through the property.

We're heading out to see all of the changes in progress in Greensboro today. There is so much construction around town.

Happy Saturday!

 

First Day of School Fall 2024

Today is the Monday closest to August 26, the day State Law says school can begin. So, happy first day of school! Today, there will be noticeably more traffic, so allow more time to get from Point A to Point B. Also, refresh your memory about driving in school zones and when busses stop- ALWAYS stop when you are behind the bus, but what about if you are on a four lane road with a median?.*  

The above photo was taken at the bus parking lot at Dudley High School. In addition to bring students to and from Dudley, the school also serves as a hub, transporting students who ride to out-of-district schools. While the official address of Dudley is 1200 Lincoln Street, Lincoln Street has no outlet and most of the traffic is for The Academy at Lincoln (Middle School). The bus parking lot is on the Willow Road side of the school. Be on the lookout for high school seniors with "Last First Day of School" shirts. When their parents insist on their "first day" photos, those are incredibly cute.

At last count, Guilford County has almost 69,000 public school students. Let's hope they all return, and have a great school year. Guilford County is the third largest district in North Carolina. Of course we like to think it is the BEST. Happy 2024-2025 school year. And please do take the photo, even if your children protest. And let's all be super nice and respectful to our bus drivers.

Happy Monday!

 

Here's to a year with no incidents with busses or cars;  to all children being safe.

 

* get a refresher course on stopping on two and four lane roads HERE. 

DeTomaso Pantera Arrives Near the Corner of Walker and Elam

The De Tomasa Pantera is a mid-engine sports car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer DeTomasa, from 1971- 1992. Seven thousand of them were manufactured between those years. We were admiring the pumpkin orange car yesterday, in front of Suds and Duds on Walker Avenue. It  has a "Power by Ford" sign on it and one of the men standing there admiring the car  with us said that Ford supplied V-8 engines for the car, that was used in racing. He also  said that these cars inspired the futuristic cars in the movie Blade Runner. The car certainly drew a crowd. 

We love the serendipity of urban walking, seeing something interesting, and becoming part of a group of complete strangers talking about something. Did that meticulously maintained car could not possibly have had an owner who was at the laundry mat? Possibly, they were at Bestway, or one of the bars or restaurants in the area. Possibly, it belonged to a college student, as school is back in session.  We wish we'd waited around to see whined it, but then, dinner called Maybe we'll see it again this semester. 

Happy Saturday!

Public Transportation at Holliday Circle

Today's photo takes us to Holliday Circle at West McGee and Greene Street. The statue in the center of the circle, by local sculptor James Barnhill, is of Natty Greene. In the background, you see the iconic Lincoln Financial Group buildings with the LFG light at the top. It alternates with the time and temperature. Remember when  there weren't cell phones to inform us of the time and temperature? What a nostalgic feature. Peeking out on the left is the Hampton Inn and Suites.

Notice there are two busses in the traffic circle. the one in the foreground is a Veterans Resource Ride. In 2020, the public transportation agency transformed a 40-ft municipal transit bus  into a mobile resource center for veterans and their families. The bus is actually available for anyone to ride, however, there is information about resources for veterans displayed inside, and the driver is a veteran.*   The more public transportation gets used, the better the system will become. As you can see, the transportation department works hard to study what resources will benefit the community. It is so enjoyable to walk around downtown and see what we stumble upon. Personally, we use the Hopper Trolley, but need to use the bus system more. How about you?

Happy Thursday (the new Friday)! 

 

* reference.

 

Destination Bike Shop at Barber Park for the Tuesday Night Riders

Happy August 1st everyone! The above photo was taken on Tuesday night with the Tuesday bicycle group that departs from cycles de ORO on Hill Street at 6:30 pm. The Tuesday ride route took us to the Bike Shop at Barber Park in East Greensboro. This is a place where bicycles get donated and volunteers learn to repair them. When they are ready, community agencies come and pick them up to distribute to those who need transportation, usually to work. Just about as fast as they can fix them, agencies request them for their clients. Sheldon Herman (front in blue shirt) is one of the key volunteers. He helps teach people to repair and sees to it that the bikes are given away to people who need them. Also, on Sundays, there is a Bike Library where people visiting Barber Park can borrow a bike and ride it around the park.

This community resource was really good for the riders on the bike tour to see. This is a great repurposing of Greensboro old sewage treatment plant. If you are able to visit Barber Park on a Sunday, you should ask for a tour of the facility. This is such an important and innovative program in Greensboro. Meanwhile, the shop made a good half way point for riders on the 10 mile trek with the added bonus that there was a bathroom. David, who maps the routes (and was inside giving tours as he is very involved in the Bike Shop) took us along McConnel Road and we got to see all of the new houses being built. Riders also appreciated the fact that we didn't have to go on Florida Street, which, from the Bike Shop, is a steady incline for several miles- brutal for a novice cyclist. 

Head to the group bicycle ride that leaves from LeBauer Park at 6:30 pm tonight. Get there early if you want a to purchase a beverage from Lawn Service by Little Brother Brewing, one of the sponsors of the ride. Plus you will need to sigh in. There is a fast group and a slow group. No shame for being in the slow boat group. You just don't have to feel like you are holding anyone up.

Happy Thursday, the first day of August! 6

Night Kayaking

The photo is blurry, but you can get this idea that night kayaking on Lake Brandt is fun! Last night was not very well attended because of the late afternoon storm. However, by the time 8:00 p.m. rolled around, the weather was perfect for being on the lake. Greensboro Parks and Rec. have so many events scheduled to get us outdoors (see here). Learn about night kayaking on Lake Brandt and Higgins (here). At night kayaking (or paddling), participants can get on the water at 8:00 p.m. and must be back on shore by 9:45 p.m.  You can bring your own kayak and launch for $8 or rent and pay from $15- 30 depending on what you use. People are very social. You can come alone, or bring a friend. Some people were in 'paddle quickly" mode; others made the event a leisurely date night with music and food. We saw one couple listening to music and holding hands not too far from the launch area. It was so sweet.

It is the weekend and all the lakes will be open with plenty of options. Get outdoors! Happy Friday!

The Barbie Truck Tour Visited Friendly Center on Saturday!

On Saturday, the Barbie truck came to Friendly Center as part of the Barbie Truck Tour, making its way around the United States. It is also referred to as the Dreamhouse Living Tour, and at any given time, there are two traversing the nation. This is a growing trend to sell merchandise by limiting supply; selling in person, but in a merch van, as opposed to committing to a brick and mortar store.

Even late in the afternoon, people were lined up, excited about the opportunity to purchase hoodies ($65),  t-shirts ($29), tote bags ($35) and more! It was a lovely, but hot day while families were out shopping.  Young girls were living out their Barbie dreams as they approached the van. If you want to understand this craze, and the youth today, watch this video. The young girl who filmed the video (probably in middle school)  lives 3 hours from Kansas City and her family took her there to make purchases and to create content for her Youtube channel. Watch this video and you can appreciate the 21st century teens and tweens. Imagine needing to watch a math video for school, but REALLY wanting to watch a briefing on a retail event coming to your town. Here is a Fox 8 video clip for the tour that came to Greensboro in December. For some children, this will be a summer highlight. We smiled when the young girl suggests that Mattel bag the Barbie merch in a pink bag (a la Barbie) as opposed to that plain black bag. We're betting Mattel will listen to this young influencer.

Happy Tuesday!

Bicycling near A.H. Peeler Recreation Center

Today's photo features the Relaxed Riders Bike Group that left from Cycles de ORO on Hill Street last night. This was their rest stop at A.H. Peeler Recreation Center at 1300 Sykes Avenue. This was close to the half way point to the ride. It was a fun place for a water and bathroom break, as families were there signing their children up for summer camps. Neighbors were visiting with neighbors. Children were playing, jubilant about school being out for the summer. Peeler Recreation Center was named for Abraham H Peeler son of S.A. Peeler who was pastor of St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Warnersville. Mr. A.H Peeler was principal of J.C. Price School from 1932- 1969, inspiring generations of students.* Hopefully, the children at the rec center know the positive impact of the Peeler family on the Greensboro community. 

As the bike group was leaving the Glendale Hills neighborhood, along Textile Drive and Sykes Avenue towards Bessemer, they saw many children in their front yards with bicycles. The children seemed curious about  so many adults riding bicycles through their neighborhood. At the beginning of summer, children and adults alike are hopeful of the possibilities for summer fun.

The Relaxed Riders Bike Group arrived back at Cycles de ORO, a little before dark, shop owner Dale Brown was waiting with ice cream for the cyclists.

Happy Wednesday!

 

* reference and more information, HERE.

School Is Out!

In Guilford County, school is out for the summer. Teachers and students have worked long and hard to get to this point. The above photo was taken at Grimsley High School yesterday.  At the high school level, students stop coming to school when they have finished their last exams. The Grimsley High School graduation ceremony was yesterday. The last graduation ceremonies will be on Sunday, June 9th with Northern's graduation at 5:00 pm. That will REALY close out the year for students.

Students on traditional calendars will return on August 26th. Here's to a great summer for everyone. Congratulations to all the graduates. 

Happy Saturday!

 

Yes, Greensboro, There Is a Cybertruck

On one of our walks around town, hoping for serendipity to land a photo for Greensboro Daily Photo, lo and behold a Tesla cybertruck drove up Elm Street at the intersection with Washington. This forest green cybertruck with temporary tags was seen on May 15th (2024). We love the contrast of the futuristic vehicle with the weathered brick facade of the "Thousands of Prints, Plenty of Frames" shop. Starting prices range from $61,000 to $100,000 depending on which model you choose. Read more about this electric vehicle HERE. We wish we'd had a chance to see the driver, but the windows are pretty dark.

We'll be back downtown today to attend more events with the FREE, Greensboro Bound Literary Festival. What a great way to spend a rainy day. Most of the events and the great conversations will take place between the Central Library, History Museum, the Cultural Center, and Scuppernong Books. We're planning to go by and see what remains of the News and Record Building. That will be a hard look. My how times have changed. Digital virtual news, electric cars, we're wondering what is next for 36.0734ºN, 79.7932ºW.

Happy Saturday!

 

Wendover Avenue at Rush Hour

Yesterday brought a lot of rain and temperatures hovering in the 60ºs. Today it should be warmer with temperatures in the 70ºs, but also rainy. We aren't on Wendover Avenue very often, but we were yesterday afternoon, turning on to West Wendover near the I-40 interchange. So often we opt for backroads when possible, but Wendover is very convenient to navigate east/west travel in Greensboro. 

This 15 mile stretch of road was completed in 1972. In the west, it ends at Eastchester. In the east, it changes to Burlington Road at O. Henry Boulevard. According to Brixmor, there are approximately 58,000 vehicles a day on Wendover Avenue. With a population of just over 300,000, that means that about 19% of Greensboro's population uses Wendover Avenue in a day. Of course not everyone on the road is necessarily from Greensboro, but that gives you an idea. The road has a personality all its own!

Happy Wednesday!

Bicycling in Greensboro

Happy May 1st! Today's theme for the City Daily Photo community is "bicycles."  Participating cities around the world are asked to post a photo related to bicycling in their respective communities. The above photo features the Cairn's Course art of the Downtown where Artist Thomas Sayre's artwork is featured. It is Phase 4 of the rail line. It was completed in 2021. Sayre, a Raleigh based artist, used earth and soil from this very area to cast the sculptures.*

Many people who work for the City of Greensboro are involved in the biking community. Bicycling in Greensboro is an organization that works to make Greensboro a more biking friendly community. The Greensboro Community Bike Shop is also really involved in helping people gain access to bicycles and to learn to ride- especially marginalized members of the community. They help people learn to repair their own bicycles. The above event (last spring) was a bike tune-up/repair clinic held on the greenway. Fun was had by all and tune ups were made free of charge. If you are a novice rider and want to ride in a group ride, the Easy Rider ride departs from Cycles de Oro on Tuesday evenings (see here). There are many cycling groups in Greensboro for all skill levels. All the bike shops can help you get connected to a group that is perfect for you.

Happy Wednesday, the First of May!

* read more here.

Chestnut Grove Church

Chestnut Grove Church is located in King, North Carolina, which is located north of Winston Salem, off of Highway 52. A few weeks ago, they were in Greensboro and their activity bus was parked down near the train depot. We loved the fact that the Lincoln Financial Group building was in the background, firmly anchoring the photo in Greensboro. 

Chestnut Grove Church was founded in 1974. This is their 50 year anniversary year so maybe the congregation is doing something really special. Congratulations on hitting that milestone year, and come back and visit Greensboro often. This is a part of town that is really starting to grow. The train depot area may have a completely different look, next time you are in town. Read more about the initiative for the depot HERE.

Happy Sunday!

Chestnut Grove

Chestnut Grove

Thomas Hefner, North Carolina Train Host

Today, we're featuring Thomas Hefner who is a North Carolina train host. Hosts volunteer their time to ride trains and assist passengers as needed. They answer questions about trains and area attractions. Mr. Hefner's fascination with trains began as a child in Catawba County County where the Southern/Norfolk Southern AS (née S)-line ran from Asheville to Salisbury and with the old Carolina And North-Western running trains south from Newton and tracks into Caldwell County from Hickory. A science teacher by profession, Mr. Hefner teaches chemistry, physics, and earth/environmental science at the Middle College at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He loves the way science and engineer intersect in in rail transportation.

Having grown up in a union family, Mr. Hefner also loves labor unions and reminded us that there is a high rate of unionization across the various jobs at Amtrak. He has been riding Amtrak since college. He and his wife took their honeymoon on Amtrak, as well as for their 25th and 30th anniversary celebrations. The Hefners will take their summer 2024 vacation to Indianapolis, ending in the home of Eugene V. Debs, one of the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World. The history of trains and the labor movement in the United States are passions second to his love of family and also his love of teaching science. If you are on Amtrak and see Mr. Hefner, he can probably answer any Amtrak or railroad history question you have. He is the perfect person to host on Amtrak. We like to tease Mr. Hefner that he is like Thomas the Tank Engine. Remember that show? In the show, Thomas always tries his hardest to be a really useful engine. To be sure, if you meet Mr. Hefner, you will know he always tries to be useful. 

Happy Friday! 

Night Sky Over Battleground Plaza

The above photo was taken from the northern point of Battleground Plaza at 3726 North Battleground Avenue. It was taken on December 20th when the parking lot was full. However, we were struck by the beauty of the early night sky and the white dots above. It could be that some of those dots could be planes heading into and out of the airport. The building in the middle of the photo is a Chick-Fil-A, one with a drive through and lobby that stay quite busy. For 23 years, this Chick-Fil-A was located at Brassfield. For a year now, it has been in the above location. The building is larger and the drive through is double wide. There simply wouldn't have been space to expand the old location. 

In this retail space, there are stores of all sizes, from the Big Lots with just under 30,000 square feet to several storefronts with just over 1,000 square feet. With Guilford Courthouse National Military Park just east of this plaza, it is surrounded by greenery. Above all, we love the view of the western sky from this vantage point.

Happy Tuesday!

Eugene Street Parking Deck

This is a night view of the Eugene Street Parking Deck. It opened in June 2021 at the corner of Eugene and Bellemeade Street. According to the Greensboro News and Record, it is the first downtown parking deck in 30 years. The deck has an electric vehicle charging station and parking is available by the hour or the month.

The above photo was taken recently after an event at Tanger Center. We were talking a woman to her car. She was from out of town and was having trouble finding her car. Thanks to helping her, we realized that this parking deck is due west, and within sight of Tanger and beside the baseball stadium. We were struck by the attractiveness of and lighting in the parking deck. It fills a very real need for more parking downtown. We love the fact that the business "Local Honey" is peeking out from the right side of the photo. We encourage you to explore downtown.

Happy Wednesday!

MID NGEN Corvette 2024

We're pretty sure this is a 2024 Corvette. It looks brand new, but then again, people who drive Corvettes have a way of keeping them looking brand new. The color is rapid blue and it is a beauty. When we saw it recently, it was headed north on North Battleground Avenue and it is stand-out beautiful. When Mr GDP is driving, I am in a position to snap photos and wish more of the car had been captured. At the time, we were focusing on the license plate. Whereas I struggled to figure out the meaning of the vanity tag "MID NGEN" trying to decipher the code, the Mister got it right away; mid engine as the engine is located in the middle of the car- between the front and rear axles. According to Car and Driver, this placement is said to improve acceleration, breaking, and handling.

This is one of those old-school games you can use to engage children and help pass time when traveling. Now, with devices in hand, they have any information they want about a car at their fingertips, as well as a camera to document what they are seeing. Many adults love playing the license game, too. Do you have a favorite? If you see MID NGEN cruising around, can you verify that is a 2024 and ask them how they decided on that specific expression over all the other limitless possibilities. We're betting Terry Labonte Chevrolet on Bradford Parkway and  Bill Black Chevrolet on Bessemer Avenue know all the details. Hey, maybe one of them is driving it!

Happy Tuesday! 

Saturday Night: Riding the Slingshots

Saturday nights, slingshots reign supreme on Elm Street- especially the ones with custom lights and in pairs! A Slingshot is actually a three-wheeled motorcycle. They have been around since 2014 and continue to gain popularity, first at the beach and now in Greensboro. The low center of gravity and open cockpit are designed to see and be seen. If you miss them on the first time cruising Elm Street, you can be sure there will be a second, and third, and more. The vehicles look especially stunning in front of the S.H. Kress & Co. Building. It was built in 1930 and considered one of Greensboro's architectural gems. 

Greensboro's buildings are really conducive to forming a vintage backdrop for movies and photo shoots. The street lamps also add to the ambiance. This week, you've seen some examples of what you can see and do when you connect with the community in Downtown Greensboro.  After fifteen years of walking Elm Street at lest once a week, it has become as much a part of our routine as walking around snapping photos of The Gate City. Remember to take one of the tours we told you about yesterday!

Happy Friday the 13th!

Jaguars of East Greensboro

We love going for Sunday drives around Greensboro and this beauty, a Jaguar XK, is what we found in East Greensboro near Bennett College. The rainbow, holographic chrome wrap is definitely a show stopper. There is a Jaguar dealership in Greensboro at 1205 Bradford Parkway; however, the above vehicle has a temporary tag, registered in South Carolina. There was also another vehicle with a purple, holographic vehicle wrap in front of this one. These wraps are designed out of adhesive polyester.

Several companies in Greensboro offer the wrapping service and the wrapping of a luxury car like this can cost well into the thousands. It must be a fascinating process to watch and probably requires a lot of skill. To be sure, this is not a car that goes unnoticed, whether it is parked on a quiet, city street or causing up and down Elm Street on a Saturday night! We're on the lookout for it, now that we've seen it!

Happy Wednesday!

North Carolina Rowing Center

The North Carolina Rowing Center offers rowing for all ages from middle school 7th graders to adults. They are located in Greensboro and the above photo was taken yesterday at Lake Higgins where they practice. Fall is time for distance rowing and at regattas, the distance if 5,000 meters, as opposed to 2,000 meters in the spring. Here we see Pearl helping with navigation as Scott, one of the coaches, is guiding the launch (the coaching boat) to shore. Rowers were in single, double and quad shells sculling (using oars on both sides). The focus of the North Carolina Rowing Center is to develop skills and technique, with the option to compete against other teams in regattas in the southeast.

As we enjoy this last week of summer, walking around Lake Higgins and seeing the lake being used by all of these athletes was so lovely. There is absolutely no time for "screen time" when rowing. Soon, these teammates will be lucky enough to watch the fall leaves change from the water and, with all of the deciduous treen around Lake Higgins, the view from the water will be glorious. You can already see a hint of color change; just wait until October!

Happy Thursday!

 

Meet Watts @ Revolution Cycles

Today's photo features Watts Dixon, owner of Revolution Cycles, located at 1907 Spring Garden Street. Watts, originally from Atlanta, came to Greensboro to attend college. However, his passion for bicycling and working at Friendly Bikes helped hone his career path, as he bought the business in 2007. Seven years later, he moved the shop and changed the name.  Once at the current Spring Garden Street location, Watts added beer on draft and in cans to the shop- in addition to selling bikes and merchandise and making repairs.*  Stop by and partake on any day of the week, but especially at the Shop Social gathering every Friday, when people drop in and share their biking plans for the weekend.

This independent bike shop is the go-to place locally for those interested in bike-packing adventures, touring, biking on gravel, and mountain biking. If you need a bag for your bike or any specialty item, if he doesn't have it in stock, Watts knows exactly where to get it. Biking is such a great way to get from Point A to Point B while getting exercise and reducing your carbon footprint. Once you start, it becomes a lifestyle. Just ask Watts!

Happy Wednesday!

 

*reference and more information HERE.

Saints & Sinners Tavern

Saints and Sinners is located at 536 Farragut Street beside Jerry's Artarama and I-40. Sinners and Saints is sometimes billed as the best biker bar in Greensboro. It is owned by a husband and wife team and patrons say the owners work hard at building community. We were there a couple of weeks ago at the time a ride was departing. The roar of all of those Harleys heading out at once was deafening; however, you could feel the energy, camaraderie, and sense of community resonating through the parking lot. By chance, we were in the way of their high noon departure and had to remain motionless. There was no use trying to even pull over, as the roll out had commenced. However, not one motorcycle honked at us. They just drove around us. At Saints & Sinners, they host concerts. the next one will be on September, the Billy Creason Band. Rest assured, bikes will come out in droves. It is interesting to see all of the many ways riders outfit and customize their bikes. 

On another note, we missed the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on September 11th at the Eugene Parking Deck this past weekend. It honored the public safety personnel who perished at the World Trade Center. People were encouraged to climb 11 times, representing the approximately 78 flights of stairs, the highest flight of stairs firefighters reached in the World Trade Center. We're betting there were some bikers at the event.

 

Heart-healthy Greenway Fun

Saturday is a great time to explore the great outdoors in Greensboro. We have so many trails, around our lakes, and along the greenway. The above photo was taken between Bur-Mil Park and Summerfield. You can ride at. your own pace or even walk. Northbound is more uphill than heading from Summerfield back towards town. This, the Atlantic- Yadkin Greenway actually leads to Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. If you head out and ride the greenway in the morning, you will certainly be ready to eat at a food truck downtown and listen to some music at the NC Folk Festival.

Just look at this peaceful scene and imagine yourself here. Moving more is a big part of being fit for life. Have a happy Saturday, regardless of how you decide to spend it.

DISCO4ME

So, it is Fun Friday (not to be confused with First Friday) and we went around looking for something fun to post. First, we saw the school bus yellow car and pulled into the above parking lot when. Even better, we drove around to see what kind of car this was (Buick Sentra) and look at this license plate: DISCO4ME. Who is this DISCO4ME person? Surely, they are a lot of fun. Were they really around in the 1970s when disco was all the rage? Truly, this person has a sense of humor to post a bumper sticker saying they brake for flea markets, thrift shops, and stuff left on the curb. I guess it is a good thing their vehicle is bright yellow as they make frequent stops.

Regarding disco dancing in Greensboro, the best we could find is Silent Disco (see HERE) where you wear headphones while you dance. We hope you have a great weekend and we are counting on good weather so that we can get out and take lots of photos and attend the last MUSEP concert of the year! Oh, and, get ready to see lots of school bus yellow starting on Monday.

Happy Friday!

Model A Car at Ozzie's

While we were at Ozzie's Ice Cream on Old Battleground Road recently, we ran into the Silers. Mr. Siler was standing in front of his 1931 Model A Ford. The vehicle is absolutely beautiful inside and out. While almost everything is restored to authentic fidelity, it does have air conditioning. An admirer of the vehicle and friend of Mr Siler said that he can fix anything. This summer, the car had the adventure of a lifetime. The Silers drove it to a show in Hamilton Ohio, 479 miles and it drove just fine up at cruising speed.

Mr. Siler recommended the ice cream highly. We hope to see him again there, sometime when he drives down from Bethany. Maybe he will even bring another vintage car. Greensboro has a lot of vintage car aficionados, as well as organized car shows. Then, there are the people who just show up with their vehicles and, like Mr. Siler, most are proud of their vehicles and eager to answer any question you may have.

Happy Saturday! 

Exterior of Hopper Trolley

After featuring Greensboro's Hopper Trolley yesterday, with the driver, we had a couple of requests to show the exterior of the trolley. So, here you have it. It is well marked and very distinct from the city busses. Of course, this is one of four trolleys and they run up and down Elm Street from 12 noon to 12 pm on Thur-Sat and until 10 pm on Sunday. It is so beautiful inside and out. We especially love the inside. It is clean and spacious. There is a map of Greensboro on the ceiling.

The above trolley was photographed in front of Natty Greene's just as it was turning onto Hamburger Square. Hamburger Square is a really convenient place to catch the Hopper Trolley. Today would be a perfect day to give it a try. If you want to combine a ride with a baseball game, the Grasshoppers* will be home for Thirsty Thursday and the trolley will be running. Mark your calendars. 

Happy Saturday, make it a great one!!!

 

* see schedule HERE.

Downtown Free Hopper Trolley

The Free Hopper Trolley is such a fabulous service for Downtown Greensboro. It has been up and running for about four weeks now and is super convenient. It runs the length of Elm Street from Fisher Street in the north to Carolyn Coleman Way, just south of East Gate City Boulevard. There are four trolleys running from 12 noon- 12 midnight from Thursday to Saturday and from 12 noon- 10 pm on Sunday. When we were riding yesterday, we had the good fortune to ride with Lorraine. She has been a public bus driver for over 30 years, with much of her career in New York City and Boston. She is so personable and so careful.

The only thing the trolley needs is passengers. Lorraine said that it gets really busy when there are events downtown, like baseball games or First Friday. People who live in or near downtown report really finding it convenient. Let's hope it catches on. While the drivers will try to stop if they can do so safely, look for the round Hopper Trolley signs. The stop at Hamburger Square is convenient to Natty Greenes. The stop at North Eugene/Smith Street is convenient to the baseball stadium. Today would be a great day to try the Free Hopper Trolley. If you see Lorraine, thank her for her service!

Happy Friday!

Black Patriots of Revolution

The above photo features the GTA bus that honors the Black men who fought at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. These were men who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary Battle in Guilford County. The bus operates across routes citywide. If you want to learn more about the research that went into uncovering the story of the experiences of enslaved and free people of color at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It is fascinating to learn how people of Greensboro come together to research information and bring history to light. This video is over an hour long and even if you don't watch the video, it is nice to know that information gets archived. So from an idea to the process of researching the Black men who participated to putting this history on a bus for all to see has been a lengthy process that came to fruition this summer. 

If you are looking for something to do as summer wanes, spend some time at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and try to learn more about the people whose names are found on this bus. Happy Tuesday!

Treva at cycles de ORO

Tuesday is the day for the group bicycle ride that leaves from Cycles de Oro on Hill Street at 6:30 pm. It is a slower paced ride where someone rides in the back to make sure that everyone makes it through the ride. Above, is Treva, one of the store employees at Cycles de Oro. Treva usually rides on the rides and is so fun to talk to. When we first met her, she had just purchased a new bicycle and took it on an inaugural ride on the Tuesday ride. Treva also helped us find the perfect helmet and lighting system so that we could ride more safely. If you want to find a bike store and a person who will help you on exactly the level needed, find Treva at Cycles. 

While riding with her, we learned that during Covid, she retired from nursing, left her home at the North Carolina coast, and bicycled all the way across country to Oregon. Can you imagine? Coast to coast!. She has so many adventures and memories from that cycling adventure. We asked about her route and she said there were two states she avoided, due to the mountains, West Virginia and Colorado. Her smile in this photo is insight to her sunny disposition. 

Sheldon Herman, Bicyclist and Volunteer Extraordinaire

As we continue our posts about biking in Greensboro during National Bike Month, we would be remiss if we did not feature Sheldon Herman. Sheldon was co-owner and business manager for Lotus Center on Lawndale Drive. In retirement, Sheldon has not slowed down in the least. He works tirelessly with the bike community to get people riding and to make cycling safer. He also helps get bikes for people who have no means of transportation to work. In 2021, Fox News featured Sheldon's efforts to make bikes available to Afghan refugees, others in need, and children who need to experience the joy of riding a bike  (read more here). Bikesboro, a local biking network and group of volunteers, donated more than 400 bikes to adults and children. Through the Bikesboro group, you can become part of a great biking community.  Sheldon is also one of the founders of the bicycle shop in Barber Park, which is where the above photo was taken.

The bicycle shop in Barber Park is located in an older brick building at the bottom of the hill, just beyond the enclosed sports complex. There, people bring bikes to donate, volunteers come to learn to repair bikes and get them road ready. While the bike shop at Barber Park has been open for a while now, they have started a new initiative: The "Bike Library." Every Sunday from 1:00pm- 4:00 pm, people can check out bicycles to ride around the park. The volunteers make sure the bike is the right size and even give lessons for those who have not yet learned to ride or who need a refresher. The grand opening of the "Bike Library" will be this Sunday, May 21st from 1:00pm- 4:00 pm. The opportunity borrow a bike is free! A heartfelt thank you goes out to Sheldon and all of the other volunteers. See you at Barber Park on Sunday!

Happy Friday!

Happy National Bike Month; Happy Times on the Greenway!

National Bike Month was established in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists.* Communities coast to coast have events to promote connecting communities, making streets safer, and connecting people with resources for biking. Last night, there was a great event downtown. It was called "Tune in and Tune Up."  Those involved with last night's event included, The Downtown Greenway Department of Greensboro Parks and Recreation, The Community Bike Shop at Barber Park, Bicycles in Greensboro (BIG)  and volunteer bike mechanics and enthusiasts. Partiicpants came together to at the Cairn's Course spot on the downtown greenway to help bicyclists with simple tune-ups and to receive pointers on  basic bike maintenance.

We had our bikes tuned up, got air in our tires,  and rode the gravel greenway path. The weather was perfect and the sense of community was wonderful. We learned about the Tuesday Beginner Bike Ride that meets at Cycles D'Oro at 6:00 pm. Nobody gets left behind on that ride and there is help if you need it. We also learned about a big event at the  Community Bike Shop at Barber Park on Sunday, May 21st. The bike shop is open every Sunday  from 1-4pm; however, Sunday, May 21st will be extra special there. At the bike shop in Barber Park, you can borrow a bike. Yes, Greensboro has a bike "library"! You can learn about making repairs, about opportunities to volunteer, and more.

Last night was so much fun. We can't wait to bike on the greenway some more. While it will be a couple more years until the downtown greenway is completely paved and finished, for now, the gravel path is a good start. Chelsea Phipps (not photographed) is the Greenways & Gardens Program Coordinator in the Park Operations Division of the City of Greensboro. While she was in attendance last night, we didn't get a chance to include her in the photo. Most days, you can find Chelsea out doing something on the ever-expanding greenway! Chelsea is committed to making  Greensboro's  greenway a space that gets used and loved by the community, be it for bicyclists, runners, walkers, and more. 

 

Happy Thursday! Happy National Bike Month!

 

* Read more HERE.

Golf Season Is Upon Us

In Greensboro, North Carolina, golf can be a year-round sport*. There is, however, seasonality given it is an outdoor sport and the weather must be conducive to playing a round. It can't be too wet, or the turf and greens can get damaged. It can't be cold or golfers have trouble with their swing. There are times of the year when certain courses are dormant because they need to be repaired. In Greensboro, the answer to when golf can be played is, "it depends." For sure, yesterday was a nice day for playing golf it was sunny but not too hot.

The above photo was taken at the The Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club. We love to walk on all of those roads off Carlson Dairy. They are very walkable and it is fun to see golfers in the distance playing golf. Greensboro and Guilford County have golf options at all price points and public as well as private. Courses really look nice this time of year, before it starts getting too hot. Hope to see you out there playing.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*See this article telling when golf season begins by state.

Enjoying the Trains on South Elm

Greensboro still remains a great train town. People who live, work, and travel on South Elm Street are keenly aware of how often trains travel through town. Often, train aficionados hang out near the tracks at Hamburger Square, just to admire trains going by. Of course, for impatient pedestrians and drivers, it is possible to go under the tracks at Wast McGee Street. However, there aren't many places where one can get this close to trains and legally cross the tracks in Greensboro. To help orient you to our vantage point, the white water tower in the center of the photo is located by Bennett College.

While the above aren't passenger trains, it is interesting to note that at the peak of passenger travel through Greensboro in the 1940s, more than 40 passenger trains came through the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot on East Washington Street daily. As of 2022, annual station ridership was 114, o46 and annual ticket revenue was over $4,000,000.* Needless to say, rail travel for people and freight remains big business for Greensboro. If you are looking for something to do this summer, consider having an adventure on Amtrak, even if you are only able to arrange a "day-cation."

Happy Monday!

 

* reference and more information.

Waiting for the Spartan Chariot

Today's photo shows students waiting for the Spartan Chariot bus, just outside of the Bestway Marketplace on the campus of the University of North Carolina Greensboro.  The Bestway Marketplace brings food to students living on the part of campus that has extended just south of Gate City Boulevard into the Glenwood neighborhood. This photo was taken on the Glenwood Avenue side of the store. Bestway at Spartan Village is the grocery store's second location in Greensboro, with the "mother store" located on Walker Avenue at Elam. 

The Spartan Chariot is an efficient form of bus transportation for UNCG students. UNCG has experienced great growth over the last decade, and the northernmost points of campus that extend to West Market Street is about a mile and a half from the above point, one of the southernmost locations. Also, UNCG students have options for parking remotely. The Spartan Chariot helps cut down on travel time, making it possible to get to and from class in a timely manner. This view of Greensboro gives it a "big city" view. Let's hope public transportation, on and off Greensboro's college campuses continues to grow. 

Happy Saturday and happy first day of April!