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.

This is Part 5 in an Exploring Roanoke series that covers: the current (as of May, 2008) entire nearly 6 miles of the Roanoke River Greenway, Wasena Park, The Skate Park, Smith Park, Piedmont Park, and lots of scenery along the way.

(For a general introduction to the greenway system in Roanoke, you may want to first visit a previous post.)

Distance (Part 5): approx. 1/8 mile

During Part 4, we had actually taken several steps off of the official path of Wiley Drive and The Roanoke River Greenway in order to take a brief excursion at a clearing along the river’s bank.

But now we’re back on a section of the greenway path that once agains overlaps with Wiley Drive.

Second Bridge Crossing on Wiley Drive

After getting back to the paved road and walking a few steps, I reach the second bridge.

Since re-discovering this area recently, I’ve been riding my bicycle along this path for the past several weeks. And from what I’ve seen on several recent visits to this bridge, fisherman must consider this spot to be particularly good.

Since no automobile traffic is permitted in the Southbound lane (left lane in the photo) there should never be a worry about a passing car interferring when casting a fishing line.

Traveling Under the Route 220 Bridge

Having already crossed 2 bridges on Wiley Drive, now we are about to instead go under 2 more as both Route 220 and Franklin Road pass overhead.

As I make the approach to the first bridge for Route 220, the increasingly constant roaring of traffic above tends to drown out the more pleasant murmur of running river water I had grown accustomed to hearing.

And you’ll want to watch your head while walking under the brige, because as I found out some flying wildlife tends to frequent above in the rafters.

Just beyond this bridge I step off to the side and peer down the open path of moving water.

Mill Mountain provides the green foliage-filled background. And In the foreground is Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hopsital as well as the second bridge where Franklin Road passes overhead.

(Note: On his blog, Chris has taken pictures and written about some recent changes to the Roanoke River area around this section, which wasn’t under development during my original visit.)

The Bridge at Franklin Road, and Leaving Wiley Drive

Moving closer to the bridge.

It’s under this bridge where I was able to capture living proof of the aforementioned flying wildlife.

Pigeons I think, otherwise quite friendly and harmless, don’t tend to look below before taking care of their business.

At this point there is only a handful of steps remaining before we veer away from Wiley Drive and continue on our way.

There is a slight incline and some quaint fanfare in the way of decorative boulders that act as informal markers for this point in the journey.

From the beginning in Wasena Park (Part 1) until now we have traveled about 1 1/2 miles. This entire section is usually quite lively with people either playing in the parks, fishing from the river’s banks, or others just taking a stroll.

Next up, an apparent “end” to the greenway but it’s really just a break of the regular paved path. And I’ll show you how to continue along the way.

Over the past July 4th holiday weekend I stopped by the Barnes & Noble store near Tanglewood Mall and picked up the newest (August 2008) issue of The Roanoker.

On the cover of our local publication this month is some fresh eggs from Sweet Providence Farm, which is located along Route 221 heading towards Floyd.

I must admit, the cover story about buying locally grown food is a topic I had intended to explore myself eventually.

But, The Roanoker has done a fine job in talking about some local places to find local foods such as The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op on Grandin Road and of course the Farmers Market downtown.

But, my favorite article was at the very end, on the final page of the magazine actually. The author, Gretchen M. Weinnig, gives more or a less a pep talk for Roanoke by touching on four ideas: Believe, Take Risks, Cooperate, and Spread the Word.

Believe we are on the road to being as good as we can be.

Take Risks, and be willing to hear new ideas.

Cooperate, and work together with surrounding municipalities for the good of all.

Spread the Word about what Roanoke has to offer.

These are all only confident words, and I know sometimes everything seems easier said than done. And maybe it is.

But, it’s with a positive mindset and outlook like this article that I began Noke News and, more importantly, why I continue writing.

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

There is a small but significant memorial just off of Wiley Drive and in the vicinty of Smith Park (a park I visit and write about in a previous post).

Reading from the face of the memorial:

Remembering those volunteers who responded on September 11, 2001 and honoring all volunteers who build better communities.

This marker is something else I noticed when exploring the Roanoke River Greenway. But, instead of a brief mention in one of the Exploring Roanoke posts, I think it is deserving of it’s own post.

The memorial was created by the Volunteer Roanoke Valley Council of Community Services, and is also partly surrounded by some foliage and shrubbery for distinction.

I’m biased.

I love Roanoke because I live here, and live here because I love it.

On a similar but much larger scale, the same applies to my feeling on this country. I’m thankful to be living in what I believe is the best nation in the world. All things considered, I think we have it rather good here.

Roanoke is a pretty neat place, but we’re just one city of thousands in this great country.

Sometimes I sit and wonder how many other citizens, in some other cities across the nation, write in the same fashion as I do about their hometown. I certainly hope that number is a lot.

Happy 4th of July!

Noke Annoyances are slight irritations of and about the Roanoke area.

Have you ever received this publication in your mailbox?

I actually recently just received the 6th Edition (Summer 2008). And I guess my biggest complaint is with the title, and specifically the words “Home Town Magazine” on the cover.

It’s really just a pamphlet filled with advertisements!

Now, I’m not against the ads really. In fact, there are several ads and coupons for some legitimate local places such as the Roanoke Weiner Stand. (And I’ll probably be clipping those out.)

But, it’d be neat to have a couple human interest stories thrown in for good measure.

After all, it’s our “Home Town Magazine.”