Downtown Greensboro

Greensboro has really been blossoming into a vibrant city in the last few years — especially downtown. It's surprising there aren't more high-rise buildings. The Lincoln Financial Building has reigned as the tallest building in the city since it was constructed in 1990. It's an impressive piece of architecture but at just 20 stories, it seems ripe for a little competition. If you know anybody who is working on toppling LFG's position on the board as king, let me know and I can help document it as it goes up!

This photograph was captured with a DJI Mavic Pro drone. 

Parisian Metro I

The art deco Metro station signs in Paris have more than stood the test of time. In fact, I think the patina they have gained over the years makes them more alluring. It's easy to imagine Hemingway and his cohorts rushing down these stairs past this sign nearly 100 years ago.

I find it hard to believe that any new underground train line in today's era would spend the time to have artisans craft such appealing signage. It reminds you that there was an era where the train was a luxury and not a second or third choice. 

This photograph was captured with a Nikon D90.

Snowy Home

It's going to be 75 degrees in Charlotte tomorrow and I've had the doors off the Jeep all weekend. It's hard to believe this was our house just five weeks ago. I actually wouldn't mind another month of winter and a bit more snow but it's hard to miss it when it's so beautiful outside! As long as it stays cold enough to keep skiing in the North Carolina mountains, I'll take it! It's typically about 30 degrees cooler on Beech Mountain (just 2.5 hours but 4,755 feet in altitude away) than it is in Charlotte so it's still not a heatwave in the High Country. Speaking of which, we have a vacancy at Slopeside for 80s Retro Weekend on Beech Mountain next weekend if you want to play Ms. Pac Man and go skiing in your neon Descente Jumpsuit!

This photograph was captured with a DJI Mavic Pro drone.

Providence Road

After a long day of relaxing at home on Christmas this year, we ventured out for some fresh air. There's a little park and playground on Providence Road, just outside of the city that we always drive past so we thought we'd check it out. It turned out to be great and all of the people from the neighborhood who were out taking post-Christmas day strolls couldn't have been more friendly. 

If you're not from Charlotte, Providence Road winds it's way through South Charlotte, ultimately leading you right to the center of the city. Locals know it as the street that changes names and directions at a drop of a hat. If you tell a friend to meet you at Providence and Providence, Queens and Queens, they'll know exactly what you're talking about. It's the intersection where Providence and Queens meet, each deflecting off the other with a 90-degree turn.

This photograph was captured with a DJI Mavic Pro drone.

Over The Village at Wild Dunes

We spend a beach week at Wild Dunes each summer and nearly always stay in one of several condos at The Village. There's a nice continuity to the trip each year that makes it really easy to quickly slip into relaxation mode. There are a handful of pools within a five-minute walk from The Village and one of our favorites, Palm Cove, is right in The Village. 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Nightmare Island

This island sits in the middle of Bass Lake, just outside of Blowing Rock. It's super lush, looking like something right our of Jurassic Park. It was a foggy day and the water took on a sinister look to it.

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone. 

The Firebird. Name checks out.

This giant, glittering sculpture welcoming guests to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is called the Firebird. Visit when the sun is shining onto the sculpture and it really comes alive. 

Created by Niki de Saint Phalle, The Firebird pulls guests in from the street to experience the Bechtler. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

My Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day! This is my Valentine, along the Seine in the City of Love. The Eiffel Tower can be seen, far downstream, keeping watch over Paris. I find that the Eiffel Tower is almost more impressive from a distance as you see how high it towers over all of the thick six-story apartment blocks all around Paris. 

This photograph was captured with a Nikon D90.

The Dove's Safe Space

I took this photograph at my daughter's birthday party last fall at the Charlotte Nature Museum (a really fast, fun museum for kids). This dove was perched atop its cage in the butterfly solarium. According to the note, she's in her safe space and if you have hands like Voldemort, you should leaver her alone. 

I think this image might have a lot of different meanings depending on who is looking at it.

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Ninja Princesses

Yesterday was graduation day at Martial Arts University for white belts. I'm not sure if this is a sanctioned move but Annika sure looks like she's having fun! 

Thank you to Master Harris and all of the great instructors at Martial Arts University who make ninja princesses fly!

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.