Scenes From The Road: Roanoke Valley

Just north of Roanoke, Va

Departure Roanoke, Va

A short hop today up to Gettysburg, Pa. I've already located a brew house in the area so thanks the baby Jesus no more fast food.

Daily Show Moment

Just watched tonight's Daily Show. Jon Stewart interviewed Stephen Hayes author of the new biography Cheney. He framed the interview in light of the recent 1994 video of Cheney poo-pooing the idea of invading Iraq.

Stewart was obviously upset about recent criticism of his post-9/11 commentary and rightfully so. I'm sure Crooks & Liars will have the video and I will link when John Amato has it up.

Here's the deal. We were right. You were wrong. Get used to hearing that. A lot.

And no matter how many times you call us traitorous, un-American, un-patriotic or whatever latest prejorative gets spit out by your ad hominem decoder rings, it is a fact that will not change.

Welcome to Roanoke, Va!

Today was quite an ordeal. First I underestimated how difficult driving backroads through the Smokies would be. I averaged about 40mph for the better part of two hours. Included in this is a stretch of US19E which may be the twistiest road I've ever been on. I don't think I ever got about 40mph. Then at the end of this stretch where I should have turned right, I turned left and ended up in Tennessee. The Volunteer state was not on the internary. A fortunate by-product of this error was getting to see Bristol Motor Speedway. More about that later.

Then I made a huge tactical error. My original plan was drive to Roanoke but with my extra 50 miles of driving I decided to take the first hotel I found. Just outside Blacksburg. When I stopped in Bristol for gas and saw a young girl with a VW Beetle packed to the gills I should have foreseen my doom. This is the weekend the Virginia Tech students are moving in. Fortunately, Roanoke was only 35 miles further and there were rooms.

So I ended up at my original destination anyway. But now I've discovered I forget my USB for my camera. So no pictures unless I can find one tonight. Now time for some exploring. Back later with more. And hopefully pictures.

UPDATE: A few observations. Roanoke appears to be a town that has seen better times. Do not trust Google maps. Directions to the mall led me straight downtown which eerily like Atlanta seems to be a ghost town after 8:00pm. But I managed to find a Best Buy and paid an outrageous sum for a USB cable, so pictures are now up. See below.

Scenes From The Road: Bristol Motor Speedway Pt II

Bristol Motor Speedway entrance. I didn't get a picture but there were people across the street already camping for the August 25th race.

Scenes From The Road: Bristol Motor Speedway Pt I

It's huge! Holds 170,000 people. Biggest stadium I have ever seen.

Scenes From The Road: US 19E Part II

A little white church hidden off one of the curves of US 19E.

Scenes From The Road: US 19E Part I

Driving the hair pins. The only road I've seen that's scarier is The Tail Of The Dragon.

Scenes From The Road: More Smoky Mountains

Somewhere near the Tennesse line

Scenes From The Road: Sylva, NC

Narrowest double lane main street I have ever seen.

Scenes From The Road: Dillboro, NC

Funky little village on the New River

Scenes From The Road: Smoky Mountains

Entering Smoky Mountain National Forest

Scenes From The Road: Franklin, NC

Rest stop and Smoky Moutain Guest Center near Franklin. Coolest rest stop ever. I want my house to look like this place.

Scenes From The Road: North Georgia

In the North Georgia mountains

Departure Atlanta

Destination Roanoke, Va. Time for another road trip! I have to be in New York by friday. So time for another leisurely drive up through the Appalachians. Back in about 8 hours with pictures.

Hello Dean

Within two days, we may have our first hurricane of the season. Overnight, Tropical Storm Dean formed in the east Atlantic Ocean. Current models show the storm hitting Puerto Rico or Hispaniola as a category 2 then turning north.

As good as models are, they are only accurate for about two or three days. We need to hope they are correct and this storm will turn north into the Atlantic. Why? Because the Gulf of Mexico is hot. Boiling hot. Crawfish boil hot. Heat is to storms as jet fuel is to an afterburner.

Last year, much was made of no major hurricanes hitting the mainland U.S. The fact that is usually ignored is although their were plenty of hurricanes, due to various atmospheric factors, none reached the Gulf. And it is in the Gulf with its hot water where the bombs are created.

Current Gulf temperatures are between 85 and 90.

Go away Dean. We don't want your business down here.

Separated At Birth?

Emory area's Hollywood Don aka Moe Beers

The dearly departed Deacon Lunchbox (1950-1992)

I have been at concerts with the former and seen people walk up with a look on their face like they've seen a ghost.

Monday Stuff

I'm prepping for a trip and frankly there ain't a lot going on. So check out this bag of happiness.

A.man.i just got back from the National Association of Black Journalist conference and has a boatload of on the ground video reporting.

Is Johnny in or out? Jim Galloway and many others are wondering. Can't wait for 2010.

SEX! SEX! SEX!

Can anyone supporting I-3 please stand up?

Ron Paul is a freak! No, Ron Paul is a good guy!

Oh and we might have our first serious hurricane threat of the year. Those who live in the danger zones are rightfully nervous.

So Sayeth The Fantasy Owners

I participated in my first fantasy football draft of the season today.

Interesting to note. Michael Vick was not drafted. Not even a flier. All the portents spell doom.

Arte Et Labore

Skill and labor