Gribblenation

Chimney Rock Park, a privately owned mountain attraction since 1902, will become part of the larger state-owned Hickory Nut Gorge State Park in 2008. The Morse family, who have owned and operated the park since its inception, sold the land to the state after two years of negotiations. Story: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/email/news/breaking_news/16577010.htm Commentary: Chimney Rock Park was the first park I visited after I moved to North Carolina in January 2000. During my brief time in Asheville , I took advantage of a mild winter day to visit the park. The Lake Lure/Hickory Nut Gorge area has become a popular second home destination, and over the past decade the amount of development there has been staggering. The Morse family decided to sell to the state, which will allow the land to become part of Hickory Nut Gorge State Park, because the state will keep the grounds as part of the new park vs. making it part of another mountainside development. I have a web feature

Well, it's been covered in detail by many. But another nine miles or so of I-540 opened in Raleigh on Tuesday the 16th. I finally checked it out this afternoon. the new highway is nothing out of the ordinary, although it does a lot for traffic flow in Northeast Raleigh and Eastern Wake County. With my company's office now off of I-540, the new highway would have been a blessing for me at my former apartment off of US 401. There is one 'roadgeek' surprise on the new highway. Between US 64 Business and the US 64/264 freeway in Knightdale, there are a set of Interstate 540 North Carolina shields. (One in each direction.) So here it is.

Well blogging may be slow in January. I am in the midst of moving back to Raleigh from Albany. I should be set up at my new apartment by the end of the month. I'll try to add things as I get an opportunity.