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 2 in an Exploring Roanoke series that covers the current (as of Summer 2008) entire 3 1/2 miles of Lick Run Greenway. The path runs from the Historic Gainsboro sign on the East end of Wells Avenue (near the large water fountain), all the way out to the Valley View area at the 4700 block of Valley View Blvd (near Best Buy).

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

Distance: approx. 1/4 mile

I know the temperatures outside have certainly dropped off in recent days, so the greenways around Roanoke may not be used as much as during the Spring and Summer months. But, I’ve already started the journey in exploring this path and I might as well keep going.

You ready?

Last time, in Part 1, we stopped just at the main intersection along Route 460/Orange Avenue which must be crossed in order to continue on the way. First, we need to cross Gainsboro Road.

Then turn to the right, and look ahead across the street to see the section of the greenway path pick back up.

Looking across Orange Avenue.

This requires crossing of Orange Avenue which is fairly busy just about anytime of the day. I just wait for the signals and then hurry my way across.

Upon reaching the other side it’s a good idea to maintain all of the momentum you can because there is a rather steep incline ahead. The path goes up and then over the left as you make your way to the top. Burrell Street is to the right.

Don’t worry, when you do reach the top the path for the most part levels out. At this point we are in the vicinity of the Booker T Washington Park Pool.

Still winded from peddling up the hill I usually coast through this section as much as possible. There is another relatively minor road crossing ahead, I believe it’s Carver Avenue.

After crossing I hear a loud roar coming from overhead. And upon looking up I see an airplane making its way to Roanoke’s own quaint little airport.

The plane helps to remind me that we are traveling in that direction. After a little further ahead the path leads through a series of wooded and rather secluded sections. But first, the path follows along the edge of the woods on the side of a large field.

There is a school in the background and as I go further along the hustle and bustle of traffic from cars on Orange Avenue gets less and less.

Shortly past the next bend the path seems to disappear temporarily amongst the trees, as the greenway does lead right in the middle of the woods.

Look scary? Well, I’ve actually seen more animals (squirrels, rabbits, and even deer) than people along this section and most of the greenway. In fact, I had to clamp down on the bike brakes to avoid hitting a squirrel one-time. That was a first for me when riding a bike!

On that note, I’ll stop here for a moment and pick back up next time in Exploring Roanoke - Lick Run Greenway (Part 3).

When I was growing up I remember being told this time of year as being one of the best times of the year to catch a cold or otherwise get sick. At least according to mom.

Especially a day like yesterday, when the temperature approaches the 70s and above and it seems warm enough to get by without a jacket. “This is Fall and those are just the times when you can open your body to sickness!” mom used to say.

Well, I broke the rules yesterday and went out in short-sleeves, and I’ll have to wait and see how my immune system fares. But, nonetheless, after the better part of Saturday was rather rain-soaked, the second half of the weekend in Roanoke was near optimal for various outdoor activities.

Yesterday, I had business to attend to that required travel up the mountain along Catawba Valley Road some 30 miles from Roanoke. I only wish I had remembered to bring my camera along for the journey, because the color changing of the leaves on the mountain in the distance was nothing short of remarkable.

The way each leaf was probably just slightly out of sync with the others in the transformation of color, but from a distance and looking on how it all seems to come together like nature’s own masaic masterpiece.

(Note to self: bring your camera next time and let the photos speak for themselves.)

Also along the way is a trailhead and parking lot for the Appalachian Trail. I don’t think I saw one open parking space out of the few dozen available.

Great day to just be outside or take a drive.

Perhaps someday to be incorporated into a personal memior, for now just ramblings about my life growing up and living in Roanoke, VA. 

All during high school at Cave Spring I did just about everything I could that was opposite of someone who had intentions of going to college. I had never taken SATs, or even PSATs. I didn’t make particularly good grades and ended up on the lower half of the class rank with around a solid C average. And most notably, I never applied to any schools. I did just enough to get by, without much care in looking ahead to the future.

In the back of my mind I had always intended to go to college. My dad had gone to Virginia Tech so it was understood I would probably end up there. But, as I found out quickly, college applications don’t fill themselves out and there was already a fair amount of competition for those with B and higher averages. The combination of my C’s and not taking the SATs just left me out cold even as a longshot.

My parents divorced around this time and I continued to live with mom in the house where I grew up, over in Southwest Roanoke County. I became a workaholic that summer. The work and the idea of being productive became my escape from some of the troubles and frustrations I was facing. Somehow I found solace in keeping busy. To this day that is still true about me.

I continued to work at Taco Bell after high school and when I turned 18 that summer I was promoted to shift manager. Which after a few short weeks I determined was only just slightly more glamorous of a position than a regular taco maker. I worked a combination of hours at the restaurant on Route 220/Franklin Road (near Walmart) and the restaurant that used to be at the upper floor food court in Tanglewood Mall for those of you that remember.

I was predominently a “closer” which simply meant I came in sometime in the late afternoon or early evening and worked until the restaurant closed. Then, I would have to count the money from the cash register drawers and see that all of the food was put away and areas clean.

This was back when that Walmart nearby on Route 220 was open 24 hours. After closing at the “Bell” it was pretty common for myself and another worker or two to go over there and do a little shopping, and a lot of hanging out into the early hours of the morning sometimes.

On balance, I didn’t dislike the job other than when looking back now I was practically working for peanuts! But, whenever I look back at the situation and those parts of my life it all seems relative. I thought I was doing well.

And, for all intensive purposes I was doing OK. Making money and living in a place where the bills that arrive aren’t addressed to you provides an amazing sense of naive freedom. It wasn’t until years later that I thanked mom for allowing me to stay there for those months after high school. At the time I felt like it was all owed to me. But, I was 18, a legal adult, and it sure as heck wasn’t. I still had some growing up to do.

Another several months would pass until I really got my act together and started down a path that would eventually lead to degrees from Virginia Western and Radford University.

But, those are stories for other posts. Thanks for reading.

As I walked out to my car sitting in the driveway this morning I noticed something that I hadn’t seen for the better part of half a year.

A fine, thin layer of ice on the windshield. Now I knew I would be running 5-10 minutes later than I had planned because of this unexepected inconvenience.

This to me marks the unofficial first frost of the season in Roanoke. And also a sure sign that Fall is here to stay this time.

What a difference a month makes. Just a matter of a few weeks ago I was writing a  different tune (The Weekend of High Gas Prices and Hot Weather), and here we are now with temperatures falling, as well as those gas prices.

Both gas prices and the temperatures have basically been cut in half in some situations from what they were just a few weeks ago during that crazy weekend.

I have every reason to believe now that gas is essentially “on sale” at $2.79ish and there are lots of pumps open.

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 1 in an Exploring Roanoke series that covers the current (as of Summer 2008) entire 3 1/2 miles of the Lick Run Greenway. The path runs from the Historic Gainsboro sign on the east end of Wells Avenue (across the street from the main entrance to Hotel Roanoke), all the way out to the Valley View Mall area at the 4700 block of Valley View Blvd (near Best Buy).

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

Distance: approx. 1/4 mile

My first experience to the greenway system in the Roanoke area was via the Roanoke River Greenway, which I thoroughly enjoy and have been back to visit a number of times over the last several months.

But, there are still other greenways in the Roanoke area which are each unique in their own way, and which are there for all of us to enjoy.

Lick Run Greenway is another such paved path aimed at providing non-motorized travel from the Hotel Roanoke/Downtown Roanoke area to the Valley View area.

The path begins just off of Wells Avenue, at the interesction with Commonwealth Avenue. Look for the “Historic Gainsboro” sign that is across the street from the entrance to Hotel Roanoke. Just to the right of this sign is the beginning of Lick Run Greenway.

The beginning of Lick Run Greenway.

(As for parking, I don’t know of a designated parking lot for greenway travelers, but I usually just parallel park somewhere along Wells Avenue and then venture back to the start.)

The entire pathway of the Lick Run Greenway is paved and about the same width as a single lane of a regular road.

The paved pathway of Lick Run Greenway. Seen to the right is 1-581/Route 220 and the Roanoke Civic Center.

Every time I have used this greenway I have traveled via bicycle and I think it offers a relatively nice and adventurous little commute out to the Valley View area. And all without the use of an automobile.

The greenway path of Lick Run does require crossing a number of actual roadways in order to continue on the way. Some of these crossings are minor because there is little traffic, while a couple others require crossing primary and secondary roadways.

A first roadway crossing along Lick Run Greenway.

The first crossing at Walker Avenue NE (near the intersection with Madison Avenue/2nd Street NE) I’ve always considered as minor, but it still requires stopping and looking both ways before continuing.

In my experience there is relatively little traffic at this crossing, but still stop and look both ways!

Just after crossing the street here there is a moderate incline. At the top the pathways levels out a little and a guardrail has been added for safety.

The path continues right next to a nearby hotel and pool, and during the summertime it’s not uncommon to hear swimmers carrying on just on the other side of the privacy fence.

All the while and just to the right, just beyond a shallow thickness of trees a slight roaring of traffic along Orange Avenue/Route 460 can be heard. After a short distance further there is a clearing and I realize just how close I am to the road!

Orange Avenue/Route 460 as seen from the Lick Run Greenway.

Upcoming is the first set of the major roadway crossings, and probably the most inconvenient of the entire greenway. But, it’s not so bad and will lead to an even more enjoyable section further ahead.

Looking ahead at the approaching first crossing at Gainsboro Road.

Next time in Exploring Roanoke - Lick Run Greenway (Part 2), we’ll cross the street and continue on the way.

1) Commute to work and around to all areas of town quickly and comfortably in my own car, and I don’t have to set foot in a dirty and cramped subway.

2) Being able to look down at your city below, without the use of an elevator.

View From the Mill Mountain Star

3) An abundance of city parks, greenways, and biking/hiking trails for use, or being able to just take a casual drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to temporarily get away from things, without having to actually go too far away.

4) Tacky and gimmicky? Perhaps. But a lighted star at the top of a mountain is rather cool in its own unusual way.

Beautiful Mill Mountain as Seen from the Elm Avenue Intersection with Route 220/I-581.

5) Many other Roanoke area bloggers who, whether with positive, neutral, or negative commentary, are still compelled to write about their own experiences and thoughts of Roanoke.

6) With the beautiful mountains providing a backdrop in just about any outdoor image, even an amateur-at-best photographer like me can snap decent pictures.

View Along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Early evening yesterday, just before dark, former President Bill Clinton made a quick stop in downtown Roanoke. Since I don’t live too far away I decided to ride down with a friend check it out. It’s not everyday that a former President of the greatest nation in the world makes a stop in your hometown!

We arrived a little late and so weren’t allowed up front or very close to the stage, but I managed to snap a few pictures of the event from our vantage point:

Several minutes before the event was to begin a relatively large crowd had already gathered on the market.

Shortly before Bill Clinton took the stage, Sam Rasoul spoke a few words about his campaign for a seat in Congress in the Sixth District of Virginia.

Bill Clinton took the stage a little before 6PM and spoke for about 30 minutes.

Perhaps someday to be incorporated into a personal memior, for now just ramblings about my life growing up and living in Roanoke, VA.

I grew up officially in Roanoke County. That’s where I went to school from elementary (Penn Forest) through high school (Cave Spring), and it’s where I lived (in an apartment sharing rent with my brother) after finishing college at Radford University.

But, some months after I started working in a job that would lead to my career, I started to think more and more about a permanent residence. It was also around this time that my brother established a serious relationship, and was looking to move out so him and his girlfriend could both get their own place.

So, I would be stuck “throwing money down the drain” by continuing to rent an apartment when I could build credit and equity with home ownership.

Now, this is all taking place back in 2005 which was probably somewhere around the peak of the housing boom. Of course back then I had no idea about the bubble bursting or any of that. And to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was even in a situation where I would be approved for a mortgage.

I was making a relatively modest income and only my salary would be used in loan calculations, there was no spouse or other co-borrower. I also had no money to put down. But, as I was to find out none of that would matter.

I originally showed interest in a house in the Garden City area. I even met a realtor and toured the house and had decided that I was prepared to make an offer. However, a couple hours after leaving I received a call from the realtor letting me know that another offer had already been placed on the house and it was no longer available.

For the next several days I didn’t come across a house that I particularly liked (or really one that I felt comfortable about being about to afford.) So, I mentioned something to the realtor about other potential options and he suggested that I was pre-approved for some 40% more than the range I had been looking for. If I opened up the search to include these higher priced homes I would be sure to find something. I even remember being assured that not to worry because the house will be worth so much more money in 5+ years anyways.

I look back now and think to myself at how easy a couple or family may have bought into the idea of owning their first house or dream home. The entire process seemed so easy for me and if everyone else seemed to think I was capable of paying it back then I suppose I could be able to.

Still, I knew what I was able to afford and the last thing I wanted to end up was “house poor” with such a large payment. Then, and still today, I already have a student loan payment as well as having to pay back Visa and MasterCard for those college years when I lived on plastic money.

So, not too long afterwards I visited another house in the the Southwest part of the City, in the Virginia Heights neighborhood. It very much had a “first time home” look to it. And the house was nearly the same price as the house in Garden City, but was this one was a much older house with a small yard on a corner lot. I was comfortable with the price and what the payments would be and before I knew it I had signed on the dotted line and received the keys.

As I said before I put no money down and thus financed the entire price, as well as took out a second mortgage to pay for the various closing costs and other fees. Both of the loans are standard and fixed 30-year notes with interest rates of 5% on each. The loan process was easy, too easy, and I’m not even sure I would’ve approved myself for the loan. But everything worked out as it always seems to do.

This past summer marked my third year as a homeowner in Roanoke City. And I’m not sure if I’ll still be in the same house 27 years from now when the mortgage is paid, but I certainly hope to still be somewhere in the vicinity.