It’s all over the news, nearly every night. Fuel prices are at an all-time high and we’re facing, or are in the midst of, a recession in the United States.

Gas Prices at Sheetz on Apperson Drive in Salem (4/29/08)

When I filled up yesterday at the Sheetz on the corner of Apperson Drive and Route 419 in Salem, regular grade fuel was $3.49 a gallon. I believe that’s the highest the price has ever been in Roanoke, certainly that I’ve seen. And several other stations in the area have already broken the $3.50 mark.

Now, I don’t get too involved with the hows and whys that cause the increase, I just pay what the pump says. But, I do have memories of a time not all that long ago when things were different.

I’m not so young that I don’t remember when gas was still in the double digits for a gallon, and this was only about 10 years ago.

So if I had a $20 bill I could actually fill up on gas, get a candy bar, a soda, and still get a few bucks back in change. I remember doing this on many occasions at the Country Store on Starkey Road during the late 1990s.

Of course, I was only making about $5.50 an hour then working part-time during high school and college. So, I suppose it’s good when some things increase…

Before the month of April comes to an end, I’m scheduled to give an update on the construction at Keagy Village.  And, thanks to information provided by a reader in regards to the previous update, we know what the rather large construction operation taking place a bit further down Keagy Road is all about.

First, a little bit on Keagy Village.

A curb running parallel to, and several feet offset from, Keagy Road has been set up. So, I suppose the future turning lane into the new shopping center is being established.

Construction at Keagy Village (4/27/08)

And it looks like there’s going to be at least two primary entrances/exits: one just at the top of the hill after turning from the traffic light on Route 419, and the other slightly further down, closer to and across from the intersection with Sugar Loaf Mountain Road.

I believe a store or two may have been confirmed recently in the news, but as of yet no store signs have been raised to mention.  All-in-all the entire project seems to be moving slow, or perhaps slower than optimal.

A little more intriguing is the extensive construction taking place further down Keagy Road, beyond the new shopping center. A reader commented previously and shed light on what’s exactly going on at this spot.

New Townhome Community Under Construction (4/27/08)

It’s called The Townes at Hidden Valley.

A new community of townhomes are being put up, and this is appearing to be a fairly large community at that. Upwards of around three dozen townhome buildings are slated for construction, according to a site plan at a development website.

The first of these townhomes is already moving right along, and I think it’s being built near the future entrance to the community.

The Townes at Hidden Valley (4/27/08)

I wonder how many more townhomes may be built by next month?

We’ll find out when I update again in May, and continue to update each calendar month until completion.

(EDIT (5/27/08): This project has been updated, click to view.)

Twice monthly (on the 7th and 27th) Noke News writes about an experience in local area dining.

This particular dining experience is a tribute, so the format will be a bit different from typical posts on local dining. If you haven’t seen or heard the news yet, Steve’s Famous Hot Dogs will be closing at the end of the month.

Steve's Famous Hot Dogs Located on Brandon Avenue, Closing at the End of the Month

This is far from my first experience at the restaurant, which has been there in operation for as long as I can remember.

And due to the recent news of closing, I was encouraged to visit one final time over the weekend.

I ordered a combination meal which consists of a couple hot dogs all the way (mustard, onion, chili), side order of crinkle cut fries, and a soda. That’s always been just enough to fill me up.

Steve's Famous Hot Dogs Combination Meal

I’m a firm believer that the chili makes the hot dog, and Steve’s chili recipe is one of the better in the Roanoke area.

It’s a bit disheartening to see the restaurant close, but I tell myself as the saying goes…all good things must come to an end.

But I think Roanoke’s losing an irreplaceable one here…

Every now and then I put down the pen, pick up the camera, and leave a few pictures to do most of the writing for me…

Photos taken at various times March 20 to April 20, 2008.

White Blooms of the Bradford Pear Tree Provide Natural Decoration along Colonial Avenue

Late Day Spring Sunshine Partly Falls on the Side of Libby's restaurant (Salem Avenue)

The Roanoke River as Seen from a Bridge along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Noke News explores parts of Roanoke by foot, equipped with a camera and a notepad, in hopes of learning something new. Perhaps you will too.

Once again, like other posts in the Exploring Roanoke series, I’m encouraged to write about places and things I frequently pass by, but until now had never bothered to visit.

It’s these very places that can seem to intrigue me the most. Existing right before my eyes, but somehow inadvertently avoided among various other activities that make up daily life.

Enter Ghent Hill Park.

Sign at Ghent Hill Park, Located at the Intersection of Memorial and Wasena Avenues

Along Memorial Avenue (at the intersection with Wasena Avenue) is a relatively simple section of slightly wavy land, making up maybe a couple acres of openness.

When traveling in the direction of downtown, the park is located to the right side of the road and just before crossing the Memorial Bridge.

It may not appear to be much and can be easy to miss. But, not today.

Let’s check it out:

The name, I believe, comes from the local community of Ghent (within Roanoke City) where the park is located. Ghent Grace Brethern Church is also nearby and perhaps known for displaying the ‘Jesus Saves’ sign which can be seen from a distance.

When I arrived at the park, and looked out over the open field, I really had no idea how to form this experience into a post. I mean, the park is rather small, has no facilities to describe, no designated play areas to attract visitors, nor any other unique charm to write home about.

The Openness that is Ghent Hill Park

Save for a handful of flowering plants at the entrance, and a lone, scraggy tree rooted in the center of the park, I only saw open land. Grass, still slightly wet from dew the night before, was running away from the tips of my shoes and left me pondering a next move.

So, I just started walking.

And I think that’s it.

It occurred to me that this place could be one of the better environments for just plain walking and getting away from things for a short while (without having to go too far from home). The park is very easily reached from most of the entire Grandin Village area.

And whether while hand-in-hand with a significant other, or when taking a favorite K9 companion for a walk, the park can be a welcome place to tread. The uneven turf is an especially adventurous change and in contrast to walking the city’s sidewalks.

View from the Far End of Ghent Hill Park, Memorial Avenue Seen Running Left to Right in Background

The park has no bells, no whistles, just open space.

And sometimes that’s really all you need.

When it comes to larger or more extensive ongoing construction projects in Roanoke, they’re added to what I call the Update 30. Then you can expect Noke News to provide a status update on the development at least once each calendar month.

Madison Field Housing Community (4/19/08)

Now it’s time to briefly update a new housing subdivision under construction at the corner of Brambleton Avenue and Overland Drive.

It’s Madison Field and it’s being called “A Community For Every Generation” by a sign on the property.

The entire project is placing emphasis on homes which boast some of the best options available in energy efficiency.

First Home at Madison Field Listed for Sale (4/19/08)

In a previous post about Madison Field I wrote that the first house was nearing completion, and now it appears this home is officially on the market and looking for it’s first family.

The price, $399,900.

There are several more homes to be built in this area, but for now this lone completed one is only accompanied by some other dirt foundations.

Other Sites for Future Homes at Madison Field (4/19/08)

It seems to appear as though further construction is at a temporary halt until this first home is sold.

More updates next month, or as they are seen.

(EDIT: This construction project has been updated, click to view.)

Today in Roanoke the weather was marked with a gentle, intermittent rain which never amounted to a thunderstorm. When the rain wasn’t falling, the sun made occasion to peak out from the haze and cloud cover overhead.

And as nighttime approached, it was not the rain but the sun that fell over the downtown area.

The Wachovia Tower in Downtown Receives Late Day Sunshine (4/20/08)

As written in the first post, I’m a born, bred, and happy resident here in Roanoke. And I have no intention of moving, but I do like to travel from time to time and the following is one such experience.

A few weeks ago I traveled to Chicago to visit with some friends, catch a Cubs game, and overall just get away from things for a few days.

Here’s a sampling of what I discovered:

There are no mountains in Chicago.

Well, any “mountains” in Chicago most surely exist in the form of brick and mortar.

I am completely and positively spoiled by the Appalachian Mountains, but it’s difficult to really appreciate the scenic views and sense of security they provide. That is, until you touchdown somewhere outside of the Valley and realize, quite abruptly, that much of the rest of the United States is rather flat.

All throughout Roanoke, the mounatins reside in the distant background of nearly every view. They provide a quiet comfort that I’ve grown used to, and I just don’t think I could live any other way.

Automobile traffic and congestion doesn’t really exist in Roanoke.

While walking throughout downtown Chicago one thing became blatantly obvious…Everyone seems to always be in a big hurry!

Car horns honking around every corner. Three modes of public transporation (elevated train, bus, and subway) rumbling down and around every block. Not to mention a myriad of taxi cabs and regular drivers in their personal vehicles motoring around from here and there, and back again. And all seemingly converged onto the downtown streets with haste on the mind.

Traffic congestion in Roanoke, if I dare call it that, lasts for approximately 45 minutes daily, from 4:45 to 5:30 in the afternoon. And even then, only affects a handful of roads/intersections. It many situations, the worst distress any heavy traffic causes is similar to the delay from missing a traffic light or two.

Nice to visit, but good to be back home.

The hustle and bustle of such a big city is quite overwhelming, especially to the relatively small town life I’m much better accustomed to be living.

Given the choice, I much prefer being a little fish in a little pond, than a little fish in a big pond.