Throughout much of the better part of the day yesterday Roanoke received quite a soaking rain. Soon after it started, I could tell it wasn’t going to be one of those quick Spring/Summer storms. You know, the kind when the buildup of thunder and lightning beforehand actually lasts longer than the rainfall itself. Instead, this was just a steady pouring of rain that continued with no apparent end in sight.

But, there was a break around the middle of the afternoon and some rays of sunshine even managed to peek out from among the clouds.

So, during this break early yesterday evening I traveled over to the west part of Salem to pick up something to eat for dinner and, as I usually do, drove along Riverside Drive. This way in large part runs parallel to the truck route and Main Street, but offers less in the way of traffic and stoplights and more in the way of scenery.

On this particular evening, I should say the route offered more in the way of flying wildlife.

Along a section of Riverside Drive in Salem there are a couple spots right next to the Roanoke River which allow for cars to pull off the road. The one I stopped at also provides picnic tables, grills, and is a favorite location for fishermen and families alike.

This time when I stopped I was greeted by a small, slightly disorganized parade of friendly ducks.

Their little webbed feet marched around, and stopped only occasionally to straighten their feathers a little.

A couple of them took to the water and moved along like tiny tugboats against the current of the river.

For a few moments more I watched and marveled in their seemingly worry-free existence. Then, I went about my way.

After all, dinner was waiting and my stomach had already started rumbling.

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…

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.

For those of you with the standard issue (Jamestown 1607-2007) license plate, or those otherwise just looking for a change, then one more choice to display your vehicle state tag number may be on the way.

A news release at the Roanoke City website reveals that an initiative is underway to bring the option of purchasing license plates bearing the Roanoke logo. The news release states:

The City of Roanoke is initiating the process for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create a specialty license plate bearing the Roanoke brand identity for purchase. In order to do this, the DMV requires the city to collect 350 applications before requesting the creation of the plate.

For further information on costs and purchasing, or to see a preliminary design of the proposed license plate, you may visit the city webpage.

I admit it.

For about the first year after I purchased my home in Roanoke City (in July 2005) whenever this short, seasonal publication arrived, it was simply discarded.

Not so anymore.

Roanoke Citizen Magazine (Spring 2008)

When I came home late yesterday afternoon I could already see the top left corner of the magazine peaking out of my mailbox. The recognized Roanoke City logo, which is comprised of a slight abstract design of mountains and the star, reflected some of the day’s remaining sunshine.

If you’re a citizen of the city this little glossy-paged newsletter of sorts will be reaching you soon, if it hasn’t already.

Among the highlights of this issue are articles about: Roanoke’s Clean and Green Campaign, a brief history and heritage of the Roanoke River, and updates on Roanoke Greenways.

Check it out, after all, it’s free (or tax dollars well spent I think).

It hasn’t been my intention for the weather to monopolize a few post topics lately, but these cloudy and dreary days just don’t provide the best environment for a photo opportunity!

Weather is wonderfully both non-permanent and uncontrollable. The past 5 days have given the Roanoke area plenty to like, and also not like so much, about the previous statement.

My lawn needs mowing but I wasn’t about to take on that endeavor this past weekend. There’s just something wrong with having to fight the cold and wear a jacket in order to comfortably cut grass.

But that’s life in the Valley, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And anyways we’ve come this far, and we’ve been given a glimpse of what is to come. Here are a couple of those glimpses from last week that didn’t quite make the final cut for a previous post.

View Along the Blue Ridge Parkway (3/26/08)

View From Gum Spring Overlook, Located Along the Mill Mountain Parkway (3/26/08)

This past Thursday marked the first day of Spring. And just in case you hadn’t seen the date on the calendar, nature provides some first signs of the season.

Bradford Pear Trees along Valley View Blvd (3/22/08)

Bradford Pear Trees as Seen along Electric Road Near Tanglewood Mall (3/23/08)

The Bradford Pear is prominent around Roanoke, and it’s not uncommon for the blooms from this tree to informally announce the start of Springtime.

Happy Easter from Noke News.

New Welcome Sign On Brandon Avenue (3/2/08)

Along the more prominent thoroughfares, and at the Roanoke City lines, new ‘Welcome’ signs have sprouted. I first noticed them in late February and must say they are rather attractive. Prior to these I remember smaller, modest metal signs existed at some locations. And, along secondary roads these simple metal signs are still present.

The picture to the right was taken along Brandon Avenue in between McDonald’s and Mike’s Country Market.

The other picture below and to the left is from Route 419/Electric Road near Tanglewood Mall and just before the junction with I-581 and Route 220.

New Welcome Sign On Electric Road (3/2/08)

Original Metal Sign

I applaud this move by the city as I think these signs offer a more contemporary look and a pleasing appearance. During a sunny day they also tend to give off a reflective shine. I have no idea as to the cost for producing or installing these signs, but I would think it quite minimal in return for having a presentable introduction to the area.