Thursday, December 20, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Yeah, I'm a Homeowner Again!
That's right, I successfully placed a winning offer on a condo in the Dilworth section of Charlotte last week. It's a 1108 square ft. unit on the penthouse level. The location is great with plenty of restaurants, parks, and established running/biking trails nearby.
Now my days are filled with cleaning out all the accumulated clutter in my current place and packing boxes for the end of the month move date. Hard to imagine a single guy could have so much junk. Anyone available to help move some light furniture? Call me.....
Dilworth History
Dilworth is a neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA found south of Uptown. The neighborhood was Charlotte's first streetcar suburb and was established by Edward Dilworth Latta in the 1890s on 250 acres (1 km²) southwest of the original city limits and included the Joseph Forsyth Johnson designed Latta Park. Planned largely with a grid pattern similar to the city's original four wards, it was initially designated the Eighth Ward. The streets of Dilworth feature stately, mature oak trees, sidewalks, and houses with front porches. The homes are primarily bungalows – with the occasional Queen Anne – and some larger, two-story Colonial Revival homes lining Dilworth Road East and West. East Boulevard serves as the main thoroughfare through the neighborhood, and divides the residential. East Boulevard is lined with restaurants, offices and shops, many located in renovated homes. Charlotte’s largest hospital, Carolinas Medical Center, is in Dilworth. This 861-bed teaching hospital is the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
Source: Wikipedia
Later,
Marc
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Across North Carolina by Bicycle- SUCCESS!
We did it!
Rode across North Carolina by bicycle on the famous "Mountains to Sea" route plus a little more logging 1234 miles in 20 actual riding days. Hey, averaging 60 miles a day pulling 35 lbs in a B.O.B bicycle trailer wasn't too shabby for old men.
It was a great shakedown ride for our trip across the United States next year.
Check out the complete daily journal with pictures here:
The 2007 Murphy to Manteo and More Bicycle Tour
Later,
Marc
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Bicycle Across North Carolina v.2
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UPDATEx2! I did it! Rode across the USA on a bicycle! Check out my journal of the adventure here at: Three Spokes and a Mirror
UPDATE: We finished! See the full journal report here:
The 2007 Murphy to Manteo and More Bicycle Tour
That's right, it's time to do a little warm up ride in preparation for the TransAmerica ride next year. On October 14, 2007, a friend and I will ride a semi-loop course around North Carolina. We'll start in Murphy, NC and travel Bicycle Route 2- the "Mountains to Sea" course; a 700+ mile ride ending in Manteo, NC on the Outer Banks.
Once we reach the coast our plan is to head South along Bicycle Route 3- "Ports of Call" to Wilmington, NC and then bear West on Bicycle Route 5- the "Cape Fear Run". The final leg of the trip will be on the "Sandhills Sector" ending in Oakboro, NC. This adventure should take about 3 weeks to complete. Ahhhh, retirement is nice.......
Learn more about the routes we'll take at this link: NC Bicycle Routes
I'll be using my Trek 520 touring bike pulling a Bob trailer this trip. I was going to try panniers but didn't get them ordered in time due to the Africa vacation. Of course we'll be camping mostly but won't turn down a couple of motel stays to catch a warm shower, comfortable bed, and to wash out smelly bike clothes. I can't wait!
Flashback to my first bicycle tour on a recumbent here:
My 2004 Bicycle Tour
Later,
Marc
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
South Africa was a Blast!
Hello everyone,
I'm speechless over the South Africa trip. What an adventure! Our hosts, Peter and Gavin, rolled out the red carpet and treated us to a trip of a lifetime. Of course Kim's brother John deserves a lot of credit too for helping coordinate a fantastic journey. The sights, sounds, and culture left an indelible mark on me and I will always remember the good time our group had.
The main focus of the two week vacation was exploring Kruger National Park. We spent 12 hours a day cruising the park in search of the "The Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo). We managed to see everything but leopard- not too shabby!
Our group took just over 4500 pictures. I'm sifting through them now. The Canon Rebel XTI digital camera performed very well. The lenses I took along were the 70-300mm zoom and the 17-55mm 2.8 lens. Both were great choices even though I must admit I wanted a 400mm lens at times.
Check out a sampling of the pictures at: South Africa 2007
Here's a short video clip taken by our Brazilian friend Marilia. It gives you an idea of our daily experience. Enjoy!
Later,
Marc
Monday, September 10, 2007
Off to Africa!
To heck with Myrtle Beach, Disney World, or Six Flags..... Kim and I head to Africa for a little change of scenery. We fly into Johannesburg this weekend to meet her brother. We'll stay with friends then travel through Kruger National Park on a photo safari.
Check out the parks website here: Kruger National Park
We may hit Swaziland as we loop back to Jo'burg. Photo's soon to follow. Keep checking.
Marc
What a Group!
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Thanks everyone for a wonderful evening! Kim really out did herself putting together a great party. Good food, friends, and conversation. Of course, the event wouldn't be complete without a group photo by Ron.
Cheers!
Marc
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Learning
One thing has become very clear to me over the last several days- it's hard learning to slow down! In my case the need to rush around is a little conditioned response after 29 years of work and some type A personality thrown in for good measure. We'll see how long it takes to kick it down a notch and relax.
Now where did I put my Chi?
Later,
Marc
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
2007 Grandfather Mountain Marathon Race Report
UPDATE! I did it! Rode across the USA on a bicycle! Check out my journal of the adventure here at: Three Spokes and a Mirror
Hi!
Many of you know I wasn't planning on running any races in July especially after doing the Boogie 50 mile run last month. Well, on a whim I decided to enter the Grandfather Mountain Marathon and join Kim, Ron, and Ricky in the fun. I have to admit it was a good decision and we all had a blast. I'm sore, no doubt, but not as bad as I thought considering only having a four week recovery period from the ultra (note to self- wait a wee bit longer before running distance next time).
This year's run took place on Saturday July 14, 2007 and was the 40th anniversary. It's billed as "One of America's Toughest Marathons" and begins at the Kidd Brewer Stadium on the Appalachian State University campus in Boone, NC. It's a point to point race ending at the McRae Meadows in Linville, NC- the site of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.
Okay 'nuff said, on with the pictures........
Packet pick-up was no frills. Get your bib and shirt at the first table, then proceed to the next table for your shuttle ticket back to the start. You won't find vendors here but you can pick up a hand thrown coffee mug from a local potter or a left over t-shirt from last years race if you want. Considering the race is limited to 460 runners, having anything more would just be overkill.
The weather was perfect! Clear skies with temps in the mid 50's at the start with mid 70's for a high.
Dancing with the stars!
In Appreciation
Special thanks goes out to:
* All the public safety folks for a job well done
* All the smiling volunteers at the aid stations
* All the drivers who moved over far enough for the runners to get by
* Whoever it was who thought it would be a good idea to provide peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for all the runners at the finish line tent- you rock!
* Our scream team
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Hey, want to see a gazillion more great photos of our Grandfather Mountain Marathon adventure? Hit the link below:
James Gregory Photography
(thanks Greg for allowing me to use some of your photo's in the blog!)
Later,
Marc
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