It doesn’t seem to take more than a week or two of mild to warm weather for the Bradford Pear trees to start blooming. When they do, I consider it to be the unofficial start of Springtime in Roanoke. Though, as a testament to the particularly harsh winter we had, they do seem to be blooming just a little bit later than in recent years. (In both 2008 and in 2009 I thought the trees seemed to start to really bloom a bit earlier in the month of March.)

The trees are easily noticed at various places throughout downtown Roanoke as the white blooms are visible on corners and along streets. As I was out to lunch downtown today I snapped a couple photos near the intersection of Jefferson Street and Church Avenue.

Bradford Pear trees bloom in the background at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Church Avenue in downtown Roanoke.

Bradford Pear trees as seen walking along the sidewalk beside Church Avenue in Downtown Roanoke.

In contrast to another post several days ago, I was faced with a different scene this morning while walking across the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial bridge towards downtown Roanoke.

Downtown Roanoke as seen from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge.

This past Saturday was pretty sunny but there was still a chill in the air. And yesterday the weather was even colder, gloomy, and rainy. It seems as though the April showers (the ones that are supposed to bring May flowers) have started a few days early this season.

Some of Sunday’s gloom seems to have been held over until the first part of today. But, by now things have started to clear little by little. Sunshine is starting to peak out just in time for lunch. And I heard that temperatures reaching the 80s is in the forecast for the upcoming holiday weekend.

Yes, I admit it’s only Monday and I’m already thinking about the upcoming weekend!

Usually at least a few mornings during the week I walk across the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge in the direction of downtown. So, I admit this is a fairly common scene for me except on mornings when it’s particularly clear and sunny like it has been lately.

Have a good weekend.

Approaching Downtown Roanoke via the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge.

Just a week ago or so I was hearing talk about an impending snow storm that is to occur sometime during the second half of this month. I think that the idea may have originated in a Farmer’s Almanac but I’m not sure.

Now, it’s not completely unusual for Roanoke to receive snow during this time of year. But, when the temperatures are in the 40s (or much higher as the case has been lately) than that makes the notion of snow falling about as close to impossible as could be.

However, the past few days I haven’t heard anymore talk about snow. And with the official first day of Spring right around the corner it seems increasingly unlikely that Roanoke will get anymore snow this season.

The white stuff didn’t really bother me too much this year. While shoveling my driveway after the 2nd big snow storm, I kept reminding myself that in just a matter of months we would be back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s again. And then when that time comes I would be replacing the snow shovel with a lawn mower. I suppose that’s just the cycle of things.

Here are a few things I’m looking forward to in the warmer weeks ahead:

Visiting the greenways more often

I haven’t been down to a Roanoke greenway in a while but I’m looking forward to going for some greenway bicycling in just a few weeks. Throughout the colder months I usually manage to go for a ride around the neighborhood at least once a week or so, but I much prefer the greenways.

Festival in the Park

As soon as it starts getting warmer I begin to think about the annual event of Festival in the Park in downtown Roanoke. I consider it a great way to spend time with family and friends over Memorial Day weekend. Shopping at vendor stands and other activities during the day and great concerts at night.

Venturing downtown during lunch more often

I work in the downtown Roanoke area. And during the colder months I tend to bring my own lunch partly to save money but primarily because I don’t feel as inclined to venture out in the cold. As the temperatures warm up I plan to eat out a little bit more often, as well as take a mid-day walk around downtown or Elmwood Park at least a couple times a week.

These are just a few things that come to my mind today and I’m sure that I’ll be writing more about them in the weeks to come.

Are you in the mood or mode for Spring?

I’m back.

Over the past few months, I can’t count the number of times I have experienced something around town or been in a situation when I wished that I had my camera. (Who’s going to say it never snows in Roanoke anymore?) During my time away from from this blog the past few months my mind still frequently filled with things I wanted to write about, as well as pictures I wanted to take.

However, for one reason or another my busy life took a greater hold of me and everything related to Noke News went on hiatus. But, I’ve missed blogging and I’m coming back. I hope those of who followed the blog in the past will consider following again. So, without further ado…

As far as weather, today wasn’t exactly the best day for me to begin blogging and taking pictures again. The sunny skies early in the week have passed and now there are plenty of clouds, and it’s a bit gloomy outside. Where there are plenty of clouds, there is usually rain and I think Roanoke is in for a decent soaking over the next several hours.

Nonetheless, I went out downtown during lunch and managed to snap a few photos:

A mist hangs over the top of Mill Mountain.

Benches in Elmwood Park seem worn and weathered from the particularly harsh winter this year. I doubt that will stop them from being occupied during the warmer months ahead, though.

During a rather gloomy day I did manage to find some color courtesy of the cars on this train and buildings in the background.

Have a great weekend!

I thought I was ready for Fall, and I think mentally I am. But, physically, well it just takes my body several days to officially adjust to the lower temperatures I suppose. It’s cold and rainy this week. And when I came home late last night I was even able to see my breath.

No complaints from me or anything, Fall is here and Winter is coming. And I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, maybe even a little moreso than usual. I just need some time to adjust to the cooler temperatures that’s all.

But, for just a moment, I’m going to have a few warm thoughts about how it was this past Friday. Here are some more photos I took late this past Friday afternoon.

Downtown

Fishburn Park.

Along Electric Road (Route 419), approaching Keagy Village to the left.

Further along Electric Road (Route 419) heading into Salem, mountains in the distance.

When I mentioned a couple days ago about Fall coming, I didn’t know it meant we’d still have room for another 80 degree day in Roanoke. But, that’s just what happened.

I stepped out for lunch today and got something to eat downtown. It’s rather nice out there and seems to me to be one of the last summer-ish days (if not the last one) of the season.

The walkway in Elmwood Park leading to the stage.

Elmwood Park on the brink of the Fall season.

Looking down Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke.

I may even go so far as to say it’s a bit too warm. I wore a jacket to work this morning but won’t have much need for that when quitting time rolls around. The forecast calls for more fall-ish weather in the coming days but as of right now it’s sunny and warm.

It’s Friday too, which is always a good thing.

Have a good weekend.

The season is changing in Roanoke (and well, everywhere else too I suppose). Temperatures are getting lower and at the moment the leaves are still fairly green.

But, not for long.

I can already tell the trees are slowly starting to lose their grip and then Fall will officially be here. I think I’m ready for Fall.  Of course, ready or not, it’s just around the corner.

But, before the leaves turn, fall, and provide organic litter for yards and streets I wanted to post a few photos of the area. I took these pictures over this past weekend.

View from the Memorial Bridge in Roanoke just a short while before Fall arrives and the leaves turn

Corner of Brandon Avenue and Grandin Road looks clean, clear, and crisp now. But, before long it will be partly covered with scattered leaves.

Brandon Avenue in Roanoke.

Hotel Roanoke.

A view from out along Route 460 in the vicinity of Bonsack.