I typically find myself pulling up to a pump at Sheetz on Apperson Drive when the low fuel signal lights up in the dash of my car. I stop there mostly out of habit now, which originally started because they always seemed to have fairly competitive prices.

But, a coworker mentioned a website that enables checking local fuel prices on MSN Autos, so I gave it a whirl. The website is quick and to the point, just enter in your zip code and up pop several local stations and their respective prices. And all of the data appears to be updated on a near daily basis.

As for me (zip code 24015) the nearest, cheapest option was a BP Station on Grandin Road.

So, I drove by there this evening to verify the price that was displayed on the website, and everything checked out.

Gas Prices at the One Stop Market on Grandin Road (5/30/08)

Of course, when it comes to these gas prices, a few pennies saved (in this case 6 cents a gallon compared to the Sheetz) is hardly enough to really afford a cup of coffee when all is said and done.

I don’t aim to begin to comprehend all of the variables behind the increase in gas prices this year, but I sometimes wish it was 1996-1997 again when even breaking the $1 mark seemed a ways off.

The next couple Fridays (and maybe continuously depending on the number of responses) I’m going to propose a question for you the readers and fellow residents of the Valley.

First up is a rather easy one I think, or perhaps tough to narrow down one aspect. Either way I’m looking forward to reading all of the replies.

What do you enjoy most about Roanoke?

Just answer with the first thing that comes to mind, could be said in one word, one paragraph, or longer that’s up to you.

Leave a comment to this post below with your response or you may also email me directly. Sometime next week I may gather just the responses and incorporate them into a post.

I’ll start things off:

I’ve mentioned it before and am still reminded each time I travel outside of the Valley, but I’m truly spoiled by the mountains. I like the sense of protection they provide and how they rest quietly in the background for a great many of the outdoor pictures taken in and around Roanoke.

Now, it’s your turn.

Yesterday a cold front passed through Roanoke, and by the time I left work it was actually a little bit chilly when the wind hit me just right.

After a practically flawless Memorial Day weekend in terms of weather (culminating with a rather hot one on Monday) , I suppose a brief reality check that summer isn’t quite here yet was to be expected. Of course, there’s no reason to get discouraged.

I stayed up for the 11PM news last night and the weather forecast is for the temperature to reach near 80 today and for the next several days, and that is very much agreeable with me.

Earlier in the month I wrote about this time of year in Roanoke, and overall how it’s not only a very pleasant time to spend outdoors. But, also how the mild temperatures persuade me to leave my home thermostat alone for a number of weeks.

So far, it’s going on 5 weeks and counting. And I think I’ll be able to keep the thermostat turned off for at least another week or two, and in-turn keep the windows open to receive fresh air from outside.

Roanoke is the perfect place to try out the “open window temperature regulation” system for the home, especially in the spring.

Noke Novelties are interesting aspects, picturesque moments, and other quaint nuances of or about the Roanoke area.

On the way to work, or in routine travels around the entire Roanoke area, it’s nearly impossible to avoid crossing a set of railroad tracks at one time or another.

The railroad system in Roanoke as seen from a bridge on 10 Street SW

Even more likely, and at the very least, the rumbling of a passing train, or its accompanying whistle can be heard in the background from just about any spot in Roanoke.

This is certainly true for me, as I frequently hear an evening train off in the distance from my home in the southwest part of the City.

Some kind of interaction with the train system is inevitable.

A passing train crosses a railroad bridge near the intersection of Wiley Drive and Crystal Spring Avenue in Roanoke

And over the years each of my encounters with the railroad, whether by sight or sound or both, has become less and less viewed as a hindrance. And more and more viewed as something that I’ve come to pleasantly expect as an important part of Roanoke.

The railroad is very much like the mountains to me, I think I’d be lost without them.

(Roanoke’s Railroad History as well as general railroad operation is quite extensive and wonderfully showcased downtown at the Railwalk.)

Over the holiday weekend I set out to capture some stillframes of the Keagy Village and nearby The Townes at Hidden Valley projects. I aim to update these at least once each calendar month until complete.

A sign for Keagy Village (visible across the street from Sugar Loaf Mountain Road) states that stores and restaurants are to open Spring 2008.

But, there’s less than a month left of Spring.

Here’s a picture of the Keagy Village construction site:

Keagy Village construction site (5/25/08)

As for The Townes at Hidden Valley, the first building appears to be nearing completition. But, it seems in my experience with similiar construction projects that the first building tends to go up rather quickly, and others follow as arrangements are made and contracts signed.

Accordinnig to a site plan, there are over 3 dozen residential buildings planned.

The Townes at Hidden Valley construction site (5/25/08)

I’m still amazed at what is going on in this entire area, and can only imagine what it’ll look like in 1, 2, and 5 years from now.

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.

In recognition of Memorial Day weekend, I traveled downtown to visit Lee Plaza. This area is located along Church Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets, and is directly across the street from the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building.

On the side of the plaza facing 2nd Street, there are a series of large historic memorial markers each with the names of those neighbors who have fallen.

Lee Plaza, 2nd Street running horizontally and Church Avenue continuing straight and to the right. The Commonwealth of Virginia Building is seen to the left.

Nearby to these markers, and quaintly nestled in the shade of trees, is a smaller stone and plaque. Behind this stone and rising above the trees to receive the sunlight, is an American Flag and a Virginia State Flag.

Roanoke Valley War Memorial plaque

Robert E. Lee Memorial in Roanoke

Words on the plaque call this the Roanoke Valley War Memorial, which was originally dedicated in 1982.

And at the far end, nearest 3rd Street, is a memorial dedicated to Robert E. Lee.

Throughout the entire plaza are a number of benches.

And much of the area is shaded by trees which provides a very pleasant environment for sitting and gathering, or even just walking through and taking a moment or two to pay respects in your own way.

Not all too long ago I wrote about a visit to Swagat, an Indian cuisine restaurant located downtown at 303 1st Street. And a few weeks later they had apparently closed the location for unknown reasons.

Entrance to Swagat which has been closed for a few weeks (5/24/08)

The past few weeks I’ve checked the front doors periodically for information on the closure, and all I found were the typical signs and business hours that had always been there.

Until this weekend.

I was downtown for Festival in the Park activities and noticed a sign for a new Thai cuisine restaurant that is moving in the place of Swagat.

The restaurant is called Thai Orchid, and there were workers inside setting things up and making preparations for the new opening.

The date for the new opening was not posted.

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 from late April to mid-May 2008.

Approaching Downtown via Williamson Road

An American Flag atop Hometown Bank Reflects in the Windows of an Adjacent Building

Evening Sunshine Falls on the #1 Fire Station