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.

It’s September already. The summer isn’t officially over yet, but usually around the time that Labor Day arrives I consider that an unofficial end of summer.

How did you think this summer was in Roanoke, as far as temperature?

Actually, overall I thought it was punctuated with rather mild temperatures and adequate rains to keep things green and growing. I may even go so far as to say this was one of the more ideal Roanoke summers from recent memory.

There were some hot and humid days, but nothing too unbearable. I don’t believe there were any days when the temperature reached 100 degrees. And, there was no real dryspell like in the previous year. It seemed like at least once a week or so there was some rain, and sometimes multiple days of rain.

Of course this meant I was encouraged to mow the yard at least once every 2 weeks, and even once a week on a couple occassions. I actually mowed this past weekend and that just might be the last time for the year. I hope it is. As you can probably tell I don’t take much pride in a well manicured lawn, I just like to keep the grass to below my ankles or so.

By the 3rd or 4th week in August I was readying for some cooler temperatures, and once September rolled around that’s just what we got. Some of the mornings this week I would even classify as moderately brisk for this time of year. I’m talking temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s which are basically on the borderline and leave me guessing whether or not to wear a jacket to work.

And, as it has turned out, I’ve worn my jacket each day this week because I tend to be a bit cold-natured. I don’t believe the A/C at home has run much this week if at all. In the late afternoon it may get a bit stuffy in the house but as soon as the sun sets things have cooled off outside rather quickly.

I honestly don’t know what has happened to 2009. Do you? I mean here it is Labor Day already. Pretty soon there will be color changing leaves, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. And then the year will be over and things start again.

But, I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. Right now at this moment in time I’m looking forward to the holiday weekend and some welcome time off. That’s all I’m focused on right now, just taking it easy. I’m going to do my best to put all the stresses of life on hold for just few days. That’s my goal, and I’ll worry about getting back into the grind on Tuesday morning.

Have a great holiday weekend.

I’m back.

Well, I didn’t intend to take a leave of absence from the site but that’s just what happened. I guess time flies when you’re having fun (or working a lot in my case).

I’ve had many ideas for posts recently, but not enough time to write a full post on each idea. So, I’m just going to kinda give a brief round-up of some ideas to help me get back in the swing of things.

Skunks in Roanoke

Does anyone else think it seems like there are more signs and smells of skunks around town this year? I smell them at least about once a week or more often, usually at night.

I frequently drive between Roanoke and Salem in the evenings (after dark) and more times than not somewhere along the way I catch the whif of a skunk. In fact, just last night I saw one just off to the side of the road. And last week one crossed the street in front of me. At other times they aren’t seen, but they are definitely smelled. Maybe they have always been around, but it seems like I’m smelling them a lot more than I used to.

Relatively Mild Summer So Far

For the month of July so far it’s been fairly mild for the most part. After a short dryspell, a couple showers recently helped the area foliage. Otherwise, the nights have been very mild and sometimes even a little crisp as temperatures dipped down into the 50s and 60s.

There is still August so likely still more than a few hot and humid days ahead, though.

Didn’t Make the Salem Fair

I didn’t have a chance to go to the Salem Fair this year. I just didn’t have the time. Maybe I’m showing my age (I turn 30 this year) but The Festival in the Park is much more my speed. I do enjoy amusement park rides but I like the real deal (such as Kings Dominion or Busch Gardens) and primarily at these fairs and fesitvals I just walk around with friends or family and check out the exhibitors/vendors.

Going to the Movies in Roanoke

The more I go out to movies in Roanoke, the more I realize the best place to go is and always will be the Grandin Theatre. I know it’s probably the weakest theater in the area in terms of technology (picture and sound quality) but the reality is the theater is the best option in terms of a respectful audience.

By respectful I mean an audience that goes and pays for a ticket with the notion that they will actually sit still and watch a movie for a couple hours. Talking, moving around, and being disruptive during the movie and using the cell phone (talking and texting) is rampant at other area theaters in my experience. Most recently I observed it this past Saturday when I took my brother out to see the new Transformers movie at the Valley View theater.

However, I’ve never had this problem at the Grandin Theatre. The Grandin may not have the most comfortable seats, but I’ll make do if it means I can watch a movie in relative peace and quiet. They do have pretty good popcorn, too.

The past few days around town have been quite dreary. You know, times when it’s either raining outside or it looks like at any given moment it’s about to start raining (again). Last night there was a considerable soaking of rain that fell for much of the later evening until I went to sleep.

Heavy and dreary cloud cover hovers over downtown Roanoke, as viewed from Salem Avenue (5/6/09).

So, sunshine has been scarce and clouds plentiful lately.

But, there is more than one way to look at the…we’ll call it less than preferable weather. On the one hand, the weather seems quite depressing.

But, on the other hand, it appears that most of the area foliage is quite happy. As a result most area lawns are a deep shade of healthy green. Trees along Mill Mountain are getting thicker with fresh, new leaves of the season.

Ghent Hill Park is very much in the Spring spirit after all of the recent rain.

So, all of the rainfall lately has not gone to waste or been a total hindrance.

Far from it, actually.

Well, the rain seems to have ended around Roanoke.

Finally.

And the sunshine has returned.

For now.

Here’s a little proof:

6 o'clock sharp says the street clock downtown yesterday evening. Blue skies and sunshine make for a better background than rain and fog.

Cars seem to fill every available spot downtown near the Market. The economy is not so good so I hear, but what is good is to see that residents are still out and about in downtown Roanoke.