Lexington Barbecue
When people talk about Eastern North Carolina Barbecue, this is ground zero. Called "Lexington Barbecue" to most of the world, it's real name is "Monk's Barbecue" or as the locals call it — the "Honeymonk" or simply the "Monk."
The Monk was founded in 1962 by Wayne Monk and it is nationally-recognized as the classic Eastern North Carolina Barbecue. If you're up for a pilgrimage, head to 100 Smokehouse Lane in Lexington, North Carolina. Your GPS will probably fail you but you'll be close enough that somebody can send you in the right direction. Just don't go on Sunday because they're closed — even North Carolina's most famous pitmasters have to rest some time.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Parisian Metro III
I love the signage associated with early 20th-century European metros. One of the coolest things about them is the lack of consistency from stop-to-stop. Often, each stop has a design associated with the location and the era that neighborhood first became hot. Many new train lines all around the world try to embrace this concept but the ones that developed organically — like Paris and Barcelona — are unique in that the signage is authentic because it was actually created at the time the neighborhood earned it... rather than being awarded the honor half a century later.
This photograph was captured with a Nikon D90.
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.
Taxidermist for Hire
It's a long story but the short version is that a good friend of mine sent a deer head in a box to my office — sort of like in the movie Se7en — because my 6 year-old son really wanted a rack on his wall. My friend happened to be up in Minnesota hunting when I mentioned it to him and next thing you know, I've got a deer head that quickly needs to be dried out or whatever and mounted.
I personally don't hunt deer because I really only like venison when it's made into jerky and I just couldn't eat an entire deer's worth in a lifetime. But this deer had already met it's maker and the rack was going to go to waste so I was happy to accept the deer head box. As soon as I opened the box, I realized the clock was ticking and I needed to get this thing to a taxidermist.
I assumed there would be quite a few around but I could only locate one, about 45 minutes out of Charlotte, way out into the country. It was a really nice drive and the taxidermy studio was absolutely amazing. This work of art was the sign off the highway that Tommy of "Tommy's Taxidermy" used to drum up business from anybody driving past with a deer head in a box.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Spartan Quality Feeds
I'm afraid I don't know much about Spartan Quality Feeds other than there are several vintage signs available for sale at auction online. This particular sign is not for sale and it hangs on an exterior wall of Fred's General Mercantile on Beech Mountain.
This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.