Tampa's Oxford Exchange is one of the best-designed retail houses I've ever seen. From the stunning marble tile when you enter to the open-air feel of the dining courtyard to the cigar store Indian guarding the bathrooms, every detail exquisitely adds to the sprit of a European street mall transported to the southern United States.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.
The sitting room across from the lobby at Wild Dunes' Boardwalk Inn is a nice place to enjoy a coffee or wait for a friend. If you're not careful, you'll forget you're in the lobby of a hotel and not in a friend's living room (or some sort of fancy "parlor"). If you're looking for a quick getaway to Charleston and you haven't visited before, try spending a couple of nights at the Boardwalk Inn and then another couple of nights downtown. If you need suggestions for downtown hotels, comment below about the type of hotel you like and I'll offer up some advice. I think we've stayed in just about every hotel in downtown Charleston at least once at this point.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
This is a throwback photo to three weeks ago in Charlotte. We've had some 70-degree days since then but we're back into cooler temperatures now. Even better, it's been snowing all weekend in the mountains so after a really snowy December, the North Carolina ski resorts are back on track for a long winter.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Our kids love the playground at Dilworth United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Here they are on the swing set. If you live in Charlotte and are looking for a church that is traditional yet not stuffy and open to all, come join us!
The golf course nestled high atop the mountains in this photograph is Beech Mountain Club. It's a mile high and has spectacular views. In addition to golf, members also enjoy swimming, tennis and pickleball, whatever that is.
This photograph was captured with a DJI Mavic Pro drone.
It's the weekend! If you live in Charlotte, do yourself a favor and check out Blue Blaze Brewing for some of the best beer you've ever had. Blue Blaze is located in West Charlotte, about three minutes from Pinky's. Lots of free parking and fantastic beer! It's a great way to start the weekend.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
We were driving home the other day and the sunset just kept getting more dazzling with every mile. As soon as we got home, I sent the drone up for a few photographs. The sun had already set. I missed it by minutes. It was still worth the trip — it feels as though the night sky is trying to push day away and day is putting up a big fight. For some reason, it reminds me of Radio Raheem's speech in Do the Right Thing. A speech that we could all pay more attention to these days. Rest in peace, Radio Raheem and Bill Nunn.
This photograph was captured with a DJI Mavic Pro drone.
Triple Aught Design makes some of the best gear out there. I'm definitely a TAD Junkie... and I belong to the Facebook group to prove it. I took this photo last weekend as I was loading the Jeep to head back to Charlotte from Beech Mountain. Pictured here: camera pack (Azimuth), ski pack (Lightspeed) and suitcase (Meridian).
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
My first job out of college was in the newly-created online division of the News & Record. Other than the lack of cars in the parking lot, everything seems about the same on the outside. I'm hoping things on the inside are as lively and entertaining as they were back in the late 90s but I have a feeling that ship has sailed.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented people throughout this building. It was a unique challenge to be on a team that was participating in the Internet's disruption of our very own business, forging new models as the centuries-old newspaper industry began its sharp decline. If it hadn't been for this somewhat drab building, I wouldn't be where I am today.
This photograph was captured with a DJI Mavic Pro drone.
If you're a car fan and you find yourself in London, do yourself a favor and take the Tube over to South Kensington Station for a stroll. Get a cookie at Ben's Cookies and walk across the street to check out the new hardware at Lamborghini of London. When you're done, walk a couple blocks up Old Brompton Road and make a left on Cranley Gardens. Cranley Gardens is only a two-block street but be prepared to see dozens of amazing cars, all parallel parked on the street. The last time I was there, I saw everything from current-model Ferraris to original Jaguar E-Types and Series II Land Rovers.
Once you've seen the good stuff, head over to Harrods to see the ridiculous chrome-plated Bugattis with middle-eastern license plates that were flown in on a private 737 for a way over-the-top weekend shopping trip.