When I was here in April this fountain was dry. Amazing what warm temps will do. There were 2 small cildren playing in it.
This little alley held a couple great restaurants.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
In Charlotte..again
My 2nd trip to Charlotte gave a day to go walkabout with my camera. Amazing the artwork you find. This was outside the Marriott Hotel.
When I was here in April this fountain was dry. Amazing what warm temps will do. There were 2 small cildren playing in it.
This little alley held a couple great restaurants.
When I was here in April this fountain was dry. Amazing what warm temps will do. There were 2 small cildren playing in it.
This little alley held a couple great restaurants.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
New home in Charlotte, NC
Ken's house in Anchorage is sold and the new home in Charlotte is paid for. Furniture will be arriving next week Now the real work begins.
The very hot weather has impacted the lawn badly. The landscaping will take a long time to bring it back to where it was in the Spring.
There are lots of interesting features in the backyard. The previous owners had stacked lots of rocks and bricks to use for building planters and walls. At the moment I don't know how I will use them.
The back porch of the house. Lots of lattice work to add vines and flowers. It's very quiet in the yard. All you hear are birds and crickets.
The pool table will fit just fine. Need to get a rug to put under the feet so it won't damage the floor.
The very hot weather has impacted the lawn badly. The landscaping will take a long time to bring it back to where it was in the Spring.
There are lots of interesting features in the backyard. The previous owners had stacked lots of rocks and bricks to use for building planters and walls. At the moment I don't know how I will use them.
The back porch of the house. Lots of lattice work to add vines and flowers. It's very quiet in the yard. All you hear are birds and crickets.
The pool table will fit just fine. Need to get a rug to put under the feet so it won't damage the floor.
Friday, August 20, 2010
A new chapter in life
In anticipation of moving to North Carolina Ken's beautiful Harley trike has a new home in San Diego. Doug and Peg arrived last weekend to ride it south. They had quite an adventure down the Alcan that I'm sure I'll hear all about.
The four of us in front of Chilkoot Charles at the beginning of a long journey.
Doug and Peg starting out on a huge adventure.
Ken's house with the evidence of it being sold. Selling it was just the start of the work. Since it was an old house it has to be brought up to fire code. Which includes a new roof and new windows in the 2nd floor bedrooms. Plus electrical upgrades and changes.
The movers packing the house while Ken watches over it.
Packing a container van with everything. There was enough space for the truck as well. Everything is heading south via barge and truck.
The four of us in front of Chilkoot Charles at the beginning of a long journey.
Doug and Peg starting out on a huge adventure.
Ken's house with the evidence of it being sold. Selling it was just the start of the work. Since it was an old house it has to be brought up to fire code. Which includes a new roof and new windows in the 2nd floor bedrooms. Plus electrical upgrades and changes.
The movers packing the house while Ken watches over it. 
Packing a container van with everything. There was enough space for the truck as well. Everything is heading south via barge and truck.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
A moment of ranting
We interrupt my normal travel blog to rant about handicap access. Yesterday I spent several hours with Ken to get him a folding wheelchair. We can use it while we're shopping or in a mall or whenever he can't walk. Because he can't walk more than 5 or 6 steps without being in absolute pain.
Once we got the chair we went to the Sears Mall to find him a pair of shoes that will fit his terribly swollen feet. Got lucky there, a pair of moccasins 2 size above his normal size. Sears Mall is one of the oldest malls in Anchorage. Handicap parking spaces, yes, buttons to push and hold open doors, no. Handicap access bathrooms, yes. Doors that will admit a wheelchair, no. Ramps down sidewalks, yes. They're even marked. Doors that will open to the ramps no.
The main aisles of Sears are wide open for someone in a wheelchair. The aisles between clothes, no go. Aisles in a shoe store, no way. Needless to say I pushed lots of stuff out of the way.
And do you think there were anyone to assist someone in a wheelchair? Are you kidding me?
The handicap parking spaces closest to the doors are occupied by mini-vans with no tags or stickers. One car is running with a woman sitting in it while hubby runs in and gets coffee.
One of the things about Vegas is everything is very handicap accessible. That's because they have busloads of senior citizens there every day, playing slots and running around the casinos on scooters.
I really hope Charlotte is better. Else I may take up protest signs and march.
Once we got the chair we went to the Sears Mall to find him a pair of shoes that will fit his terribly swollen feet. Got lucky there, a pair of moccasins 2 size above his normal size. Sears Mall is one of the oldest malls in Anchorage. Handicap parking spaces, yes, buttons to push and hold open doors, no. Handicap access bathrooms, yes. Doors that will admit a wheelchair, no. Ramps down sidewalks, yes. They're even marked. Doors that will open to the ramps no.
The main aisles of Sears are wide open for someone in a wheelchair. The aisles between clothes, no go. Aisles in a shoe store, no way. Needless to say I pushed lots of stuff out of the way.
And do you think there were anyone to assist someone in a wheelchair? Are you kidding me?
The handicap parking spaces closest to the doors are occupied by mini-vans with no tags or stickers. One car is running with a woman sitting in it while hubby runs in and gets coffee.
One of the things about Vegas is everything is very handicap accessible. That's because they have busloads of senior citizens there every day, playing slots and running around the casinos on scooters.
I really hope Charlotte is better. Else I may take up protest signs and march.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Charleston, S.C. 2010
I haven't worked on this in awhile. Life keeps getting in the way. The April trip included an overnight trip to Charleston, S.C. Penny and I spent a day in historic Charleston, playing tourist and enjoying the old city. I'd love to see more of it. While the trip was in mid April the tourist traffic was in full swing. Parking near the shoreline was impossible.
One of the neatest locations is 'Angel Oak Tree' which is kinda off the beaten track. It's a 1500 year old tree, still alive and healthy in a campground.
Downtown historic Charleston has a population of citizens in the middle of what most people think of as a huge tourist destination. The homes are behind stone walls with hidden alleys and entrances. But if you walk the side streets you get a glimpse of beautiful courtyards and gardens.
The courtyards and gardens are hidden so well you actually have to do a little snooping down tiled alleys to see them. There were lots of 'for sale' signs in the windows, if you have the money to buy 1000-1500 sq. ft. for over a million dollars.
There is a historic theater on Queen St. The building has been completely restored and still has plays on the stage.
When you go through the building you come out into a courtyard that was used to stable the horses of theater goers. Now it's used as a small dining area before and after a play.
Like all historic towns the churches are important. There are several, all beautifully built with wonderful gardens and ancient cemeteries.
There is a great Irish Pub in a corner of one of the streets. Great place for a break, snack and a drink.
Then of course there is the bridge to get there. It's a great bridge.
Once I finally retire, I will spend a few days there.
One of the neatest locations is 'Angel Oak Tree' which is kinda off the beaten track. It's a 1500 year old tree, still alive and healthy in a campground.
Downtown historic Charleston has a population of citizens in the middle of what most people think of as a huge tourist destination. The homes are behind stone walls with hidden alleys and entrances. But if you walk the side streets you get a glimpse of beautiful courtyards and gardens.
The courtyards and gardens are hidden so well you actually have to do a little snooping down tiled alleys to see them. There were lots of 'for sale' signs in the windows, if you have the money to buy 1000-1500 sq. ft. for over a million dollars.There is a historic theater on Queen St. The building has been completely restored and still has plays on the stage.
When you go through the building you come out into a courtyard that was used to stable the horses of theater goers. Now it's used as a small dining area before and after a play.
Like all historic towns the churches are important. There are several, all beautifully built with wonderful gardens and ancient cemeteries.
There is a great Irish Pub in a corner of one of the streets. Great place for a break, snack and a drink.
Then of course there is the bridge to get there. It's a great bridge.Once I finally retire, I will spend a few days there.
Friday, May 28, 2010
More of Charlotte
One of the neatest parks we found downtown was next to a library. The whole park was designed to lead you to books, all types of books.
Draped over the walls, against statues and sidewalks were pieces of copper to look like pages of a book. The pages contained poetry and sections of pages from classic novels.
Ken following the sidewalks and enjoying the sun.
More fountains. Gurgling fish. Neat.
The destination. The statue in front of the library.
Draped over the walls, against statues and sidewalks were pieces of copper to look like pages of a book. The pages contained poetry and sections of pages from classic novels. 
Ken following the sidewalks and enjoying the sun.
More fountains. Gurgling fish. Neat.
The destination. The statue in front of the library.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Charlotte, NC April 2010
Charlotte is a beautiful city and will be my future home in about a year. Ken and I spent a week there in April exploring the city and looking at houses. So I got to do one of my favorite things, wander the streets with a camera.
It's the 2nd week of April and everything is in bloom. All the fountains are bubbling and the streets are beautiful and clean.
There are great statutes everywhere.
Ken and I at one of the many fountains.
Artwork is on every corner.
It's the 2nd week of April and everything is in bloom. All the fountains are bubbling and the streets are beautiful and clean.
There are great statutes everywhere.
Ken and I at one of the many fountains.
Artwork is on every corner.
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