Pictures from Charlotte, NC

First, I want to give a shoutout to Corey for showing us around Charlotte, NC on last week and being an awesome host.  We had a great time in the city and it served as a great start to our vacation week.  It also set the standard for the food that we were going to eat while on vacation.  I have posted pictures of the food from Charlotte on Facebook.  My favorite meal was at Pio Pio Peruvian Restaurant (the last picture on the post tonight).  The Rotisserie Chicken is almost life changing :).  Charlotte would be a place that I would love to go back to again...along with Asheville, NC and Charleston, SC (everywhere that we went to on vacation).  If I go back, I have to get some North Carolina BBQ and some Good Ole' Fashion Soul Food.  

The first picture was taken after a 2 mile hike up to King's Pinnacle at Crowders Mountain State Park at King's Mountain, NC.  

The second picture is one of many pictures that I took of the Charlotte skyline at night.  It stormed while we were out watching the rest of the NBA playoff game and I missed some shots of lightning across the skyline.

The third picture is of the rain looking out of the back seat window.

The fourth picture is of a bar called "Prohibition" in downtown Charlotte.

Pictures 5, 6, & 7 are of the buildings in downtown Charlotte.  I was extremely fascinated by Picture 6.  In the foreground, you see a batter box with home plate.  Supposedly, this is the future home of the Charlotte Knights, AAA Minor League Baseball Team.  There is a hold up with the construction the park due to disputes.  What I found interesting about the picture is the brick building to the left.  This building stands on the grounds of what will be Left Field.  I wanted to take pictures of this building because I know the day is coming that it will be torn down to make way for the completion the park.  I am not sure what the building has been used for over time, but the building had some really pretty murals drawn on the outside.

Picture 8 was taken outside of Pike's looking downtown.  I liked this picture because to the right I was able able to capture the oncoming train.  Picture 9 is home to the Charlotte Bobcats.

Barbecue and Me

I <3 BAR-B-Q.  There is nothing like the smell of good BBQ filling the sky, especially during a family picnic on Memorial Day Weekend or even on a Sunday afternoon as you ready yourself for catching the 4:15PM football ballgame between the Dolphins vs. Jets.  For me, BBQ is more than just food.  Oh no...it is deeper than that.  BBQ is a part of my roots.  BBQ is a part of my culture.  BBQ is love.  BBQ is what can bring the entire family and community together despite differences.  BBQ, when cooked just right, could bring about World Peace!!!

I trace my love for BBQ back to the days of growing up around Aunt Bell, Uncle Rennie, and well...I guess anyone in my family. I remember being younger and watching my Uncle Rennie barbecue an entire hog and have a picnic for the entire Franklin-Portland areas in the small town of Mitchellsville, TN.  The town with a population of 200 had almost double the folks the day that he cooked out at the community park.  I remember everyone and their mama was there to get some good free barbecue.  I remember watching Aunt Bell making some baked beans on the grill and cooking out the entire night.  For some reason a good BBQ served as a smoke signal and everyone around was ready to taste some of that good BBQ.  Although I never learned their trades or secrets when it comes to BBQ, I still feel connected to my family each time that I fire up a grill.  I don't want to let them down with a BBQ that misses the point.
When it comes to barbecue, people have many preferences albeit vinegar vs. tomato, gas vs. charcoal vs. wood, and sauce vs. dry rub.  For me, one of the more fascinating debates is that of best place/location for barbecue style: North Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City, ore Texas.  I am told that each of these places has its own unique style.  Now, I know that BBQ is not relegated to only these four, but these are the top four that people consider to be the Mecca of BBQ.  Anyways, I hope that one day that I can settle the debate, at least for me, to which one has the better BBQ.  Up until this point, I have had Memphis BBQ.  While in college, we would have BBQ from Rendevouz (I believe) when we would visit Memphis when playing against Rhodes College (compliments of the Brooks family).  From memory, I absolutely loved it.  I heard a teammate once say in referencing BBQ in Memphis, "that you go to Memphis when the weather is warm and BBQ is ripe in the air."

I have been to Owensboro (not listed above) to Moonlight BBQ, regarded as the best BBQ restaurants by many in Kentucky.  They are known for their mutton and burgoo.  This past weekend, my girlfriend and I had the opportunity to venture to the International BBQ Festival in Owensboro.  It was truly a treat as BBQ filled the air.  I am hoping to go on a trip to North Carolina very soon and will try to report back on my experience of the mainly vinegar based BBQ.  Some of the other memorable places for BBQ that I have been (just to name a few) was Ribfest in Huntington, WV (mid August), Kentucky State Barbecue Festival in Danville, KY, Bootleg BBQ in Louisville (voted #2 BBQ Restaurant by Kentucky Living Magazine), Starnes BBQ in Paducah, KY, Dunn's BBQ in Franklin, R & S BBQ in Tompkinsville, and Roy's BBQ in Russellville, KY.

Regardless of preference and style, I still strongly adhere to the notion that Good BBQ is Good BBQ.  Great BBQ?  Well...that leaves you with memories and the desire to want to have it again.  You know it is good from the smell, the presentation, and last not but not least, when the savory goodness of the BBQ hits the tip of your taste bud and provides you with the utmost satisfaction.  So tonight, I am going to share with you some of the pictures that I have taken involving BBQ.  I am very much open to trying out places for some good BBQ, but do know that if you going to suggest a place....you better step correct because "Good Barbecue is hard to find."  If you suggest a place to have "Great BBQ", you may either have a new best friend or a new worst enemy (at least for the few days after the meal).   

Rib preparation demonstration by Dr. BBQ at the KY State Barbecue Festival

Pulled Pork Sandwich at KY State Barbecue Festival

KY BBQ Festival

Chicken prepared by St. Mary Magdalene at the International BBQ Festival in Owensboro

Ribs prepared at the International BBQ Festival

1/2 Rib from Bootleg Bar-B-Q

Mutton Sandwich from Ole South Barbeque (at the International BBQ Fest in Owensboro)

Moonlight Bar-B-Q booth at the International BBQ Festival

A little bit of my own...

Hotel 21c - Statue of David

Hotel 21c is known for its hotel accommodations, red penguins, and modern art displays inside the building and well...outside too.  During Derby Weekend, we went downtown in Louisville to view the newest art exhibit...David.  Although not the actual statue of David by Michelangelo, but the solid gold replica still has that aww factor as though you are seeing the real thing.  Granted, you are sitting there looking at a statue of a naked man, but if you can get past that part, you see a colossal MASTERPIECE.  (On a side note...there was a couple who walked near where we were sitting and the woman said, "hey look at the statue baby!"  The man responded, "I don't want to sit there and look at that man with his [stuff] hanging all out.")


I hope that you enjoy the pictures below.  They do not capture the feeling of actually seeing it in person.  The other interesting thing about these pictures is that it was taken on the night of the Super Moon (the largest full moon of the year).  In the first and second pictures, you see the full moon peering behind a nearby building.  While walking away from the statue, I wanted to capture the rising of the moon behind the statue of David.  For me, the moon behind the statue made me remember the fact that David was a man after God's own heart.  God loved David and David loved God as well. 

One day, I might see the actual statue at Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, Italy, but at least for now...I got to see it...in Louisville, KY.  I am not sure how long the statue will remain at its current location, but I would highly suggest seeing this statue as well as viewing the art gallery inside.  Well, and of course, staying at the Hotel 21c too.

Richmond Battlefield Park

Good evening everyone.  At first, I wanted to just write about whatever, but I saw that most of the pictures that I wanted to post were apart of my "photo safari" on yesterday.  So, I am sharing a few pictures that I took at Richmond Battlefield Park in Richmond, KY.  When coming back from a training in Frankfort on yesterday, I wanted to take pictures because it was beautiful outside.  However, I wanted to find something that I had not already captured before, which is most places on I-75 from the Kentucky State Line to Lexington.  When talking with my girlfriend, she suggested the Richmond Battlefield Park located off of Exit 83 (Duncannon Lane).

By now, most people know that I love history, well, that may be an understatement.  I absolutely love history.  As my eighth grade history teacher Mrs. Raines always said, "History repeats itself; if you do not know where you came, you will not know where you are going."  One of the areas of history that I enjoy researching is the period from the end of War of 1812 to End of Reconstruction (1877).  The Battlefield Park preserves and recounts an important battleground of the American Civil War.  At the park, there is a walking trail that takes you behind the home at Pleasant View (they are currently restoring the home), pass a barn (pictures 5 & 6), and by two family cemeteries on the grounds.  One of the cemetery markers that I  recall seeing was that of a servant (slave) who was killed by the "stroke of lightning" in 1822 (I believe..don't quote me on that).  On a side note, much of the historic battlefield has been developed with a neighborhood and a golf course, but the markers at certain points of the property depicts what the scene looked like in 1862.

Right now, the Richmond Battlefield Park is preparing to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War Battle at the site.  As I was pulling up to the park, there was a truck in front me going into the park.  The whole time that I was behind the truck, I was thinking...'man, I wish this truck would go on somewhere so that I can get to where I was going faster'.  It was not until I was parked that I saw what the truck was pulling (picture #2).  Guess I need to not be in so much of a rush next time or I could miss...well, I could miss history.

As for my time at the park, other than my seasonal allergies acting up, I really enjoyed the park.  I felt a sense of peace in walking around the grounds.  I kept thinking back to what the area was like before, during, and after the battle.  I also thought about how this site was neglected for almost 100 years until a group thought it was important enough to preserve this important part of our history.  It made me reflect upon my life because it is true that my problems will not matter 100 years from now, but it is how I can positively impact at least one person's life that will.  Anyways, sorry for the soapbox...I hope that you enjoy the pictures below.  Thanks again for the continued supports with this blog.

 

Reflections

It is hard for me to believe that in the year and a half since I started blogging about my pictures that I have not dedicated a post specifically to reflections, especially as much as I love taking these type of pictures.  I love seeing still water as I know its beauty runs deeper than its surface.  Regardless of the stress of work or missing my friends and family, seeing a reflection on a body of water (primarily lakes) provides that moment of peace that makes me feel that everything in the world is going to be okay.  Personally, this journey (Odyssey, I oftentimes call it) has brought me closer to appreciating nature and what it has to offer.

The first three pictures were taken at Eagle Lake in Morehead, KY.  My reference of this lake should not be new for people that has followed this blog from the very beginning.  It was Eagle Lake that I began to notice how much I loved the reflections of the trees on the lake three years ago.  When I lived in Morehead, I loved going to Eagle Lake all times of year just to catch a glimpse of its beauty and to feel at peace.  What is sad is that it took me living in Morehead for about year before I became motivated to explore the area.  It was that motivation and a great roadie then that fueled the fire for many of the pictures that you see here as well as on Facebook.

The fourth and fifth pictures were taken at Lake Linville, which is in Mount Vernon (Rockcastle County).  It actually started to rain while I was at the lake taking pictures, which cut down the number of pictures that I planned on taking.  The sixth picture was taken at Wood Creek Lake, which again is not new to being featured on this blog.  As Eagle Lake was my Walden in Morehead, Wood Creek Lake fills that role in London.  The peace and the serenity of the lake is very calming.  Although minutes away from Highway 80 and I-75, it feels that you are miles away.  It was here that I would go to when I was stressed with my previous job and I needed time to reflect on things.  The final pictures were taken in Franklin (flat bridge on Drakes Creek) and Chicago looking into the Chicago River.

Trust me when I say that simply discussing this topic tonight will not end my desire to capture reflections.  If anything, it has enhanced it as reviewing these photos brings back the feels that I felt while I was at each site.  I hope that you enjoy the pictures and thanks again for your support with this blog. 

 

A Day at Keeneland

Good evening to everyone.  I wanted to share with you about the rest of my weekend on last weekend.  In the previous post, I discussed the time that we experienced at Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday.  On Sunday, we went to Keeneland in Lexington, KY to catch the horse races.  Although the weather was cool, it was still a good time at the races.  I had beginner's luck in the first race at the track.  While my girlfriend was looking for her friends at the racetrack, I placed a bet on the race that was about to take off in two minutes.  Why do I call it beginner's luck?  I simply placed a bet on the #6 horse...well, because it was my football number in college.  I had no idea of any odds or anything when betting on the horse. I figured with a $2 bet that it was a safe bet.  The horse was at 5:1 odds, so it was a good start at the track.  At the end of the day, well...let's just say that the first race was truly beginners luck.  However, it was still fun watching the races and basking in traditions of Keeneland.  If you want more information about the history and race dates at Keeneland, you can go to (http://www.keeneland.com/default.aspx).  Just an FYI, the last race for the spring is this weekend coming up.  If you have never experienced Keeneland, go...you do not have to gamble to have a good time.  The view, race, and watching people lose money is quite fun :).

Keeneland capped off a wonderful weekend of "Kentucky" events.  On Friday, we ate at Bootleg BBQ (http://www.bootlegbbq.net/) in Louisville, KY, which is ranked by Kentucky Living Magazine as the #2 non-franchised BBQ restaurant in Kentucky.  Saturday, we went to Thunder Over Louisville and watched part of the Air Show on the same day.  So, why am I listing out the events of a weekend?  It is to show that there is so much to do in Kentucky.  I hope that you get to take advantage of many of the upcoming events.  Although we missed it this year, I hope to go to the Hillbilly Days in Pikeville, KY next year.  It seems like it will be a wonderful time.  Anyways, below are some of the pictures that I took at Keenland.  I hope that you enjoy the pictures.  Thanks again for everyone's support with this blog.

Thunder Over Louisville 2012

There is only one Kentucky!!!  In what seems to be a recurring theme about events and sights of Kentucky, tonight's pictures were taken at Thunder Over Louisville this past weekend.  This I had went to Thunder before in college and as a freshmen in high school, but that was over ten years ago.  This year's fireworks display was really awesome.  I had a great time and even felt like a kid again watching in anticipation for each burst of light going into the sky.

Initially, I wanted to capture the display using a 18mm-200mm lens as most of the websites that I reviewed recommended a zoom lens when photographing fireworks.  However, I switched to a wide angle lens (10mm-24mm) before the fireworks to capture a night airshow.  Personally, I felt that it was a good decision as the wide angle lens provided me the opportunity to capture the fireworks display from the Indiana side as well as the Kentucky side from where we were near the riverbank. 

Now, do know that this was the second time that I ever tried to take pictures of fireworks.  I really don't feel that my pictures are the best, especially after seeing pictures taken by photographers on the river, but I still want to share.  Anyways, enjoy and remember...there is only one Kentucky.