And it’s the sidewalk that is the subject of this email. I was picking up a pizza from Grace’s Pizzeria (one of the two best pizza joints in Roanoke) and as I was walking out, I couldn’t help but notice this large SUV parked directly on the sidewalk. The hilarious part is the sign right beside the offending vehicle.

So all you bicyclists and skateboarders keep off the sidewalk. The SUVs need the space. :o)

Every time I turn on the television, there’s bad news about the economy, real estate and the foreclosure crisis. There is truth amongst all the scare mongering, but it’s not all doom and gloom. Houses are still selling. If you’re looking to sell your home and buy a new home, it’s a good time. If you’re a first-time buyer with decent credit and income, it’s a great time to buy! So what are you waiting for?

1. I am an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. As a Boy Scout I was able to do a lot of amazing things and take some really fantastic trips to places like Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico!
2. I spent almost 7 years in jail from 1998-2005. (I actually worked there as a magistrate!) One midnight shift I smashed a giant jail roach with a volume from the Code of Virginia, quite literally throwing the book at it.
3. While in college I volunteered with the Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department as a cardiac technician on the rescue squad. Saw many tragic things.
4. We have a golden retriever named Rooster. He’s a mischievous fellow and likes to raid the laundry for his favorite item to play keep-away…our socks.
5. I worked for 4 summers at Camp Bethel near Troutville on the summer staff. One of the things I enjoyed most was working as the naturalist and one of my assumed responsibilities was to rid the main areas of any snakes that wondered in. I was given the nickname “Snakeman” by the kids!

So it is now time to pass this along to someone else.  I think I will tap Todd Hester and Rhett Fleitz.

[coolplayer width="200" height="165"]

[/coolplayer]
You can see these and more at Matt’s video page.

[coolplayer width="200" height="165"]

[/coolplayer]

I first encountered Steve on television many years ago on the Discovery Channel before he was wildly popular and instantly loved his enthusiasm, care and dedication to the animals he was caring for at the Australia Zoo and those he brought into our living rooms.  I really gained a deep respect for Steve-O when I watched one of his episodes where he was rescuing partially burned lizards and other animals from a grass fire.  He was truly emotional and genuine and the real advocate for animals showed through.
I am shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of such a great environmentalist and family man. Allison and I extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Terri, daughter Bindi Sue and son Robert Clarence as well as his dad Bob and the staff and friends of the Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast of Australia.

Steve, this simple memorial can’t express the joy and enthusiasm you’ve given to me over the years. Thanks mate.

It had rained during the night so the woods were good and wet, which normally can lead to an uncomfortable hiking experience, but I also know that certain woodland critters come out after a rain so I was keeping an eye out for them. The picture is several Red Efts I discovered during my Botetourt foray. They are the terrestrial stage of the Red-spotted Newt which is a salamander that can often be found in woodland ponds and springs. I also came across another species of salamander in a creek (not yet identified) when I was flipping over some rocks, and of course there were quite a few crawfish in the creek as well.

You can view more of my photos from this hike on my new Flickr account.

There were people gathered in groups just talking and interacting with their fellow stranded motorists.  I saw a little girl rollerskating on the Interstate, several boys throwing a football in the median and a man chipping golf balls in the median.  It was an interesting sight and I enjoyed it.  Traffic was backed up for over 5 miles, yikes!

It was a harrowing day for me personally and I’m glad to be back at home in Roanoke, dry and frogless. My adventures starts when I was walking up to the front of the tent to stand with the groom and groomsmen and I passed by a flaming torch which quite nearly engulfed my shoulder (while I was blissfully unaware). During the ceremony, a black wasp was flying around harrassing the soon to be wedded couple, minister and best man. It soon turned its attention to myself and as I watched it fly around me (while trying not to make a move) it soon disappeared. I found out later from Rocky behind me, it had crawled up under the back of my sports coat. I feel fortunate not to have aggravated it at that point. And finally, during the reception I spotted a Green Frog (Rana clamitans melanota). Being the amateur herpetologist that I am, I decided to step in front of him to prevent his escape into the creek. Hong Kong Froggy then takes a flying leap over my foot while at the same time letting loose with a stream of frog urine that would make many a horse jealous. His stream of watery defense strikes me square in the ankle and leg, wetting my pants leg and sock. At this point, I find it’s best to leave him be.

All in all it was a fun and exciting day. Many heartfelt congratulations and blessings to Ric and Sharon!

It amazes me the price of real estate down there.  A single half-acre lot near the beach can go from $399,000 to $699,000.  That’s just for the land people, it doesn’t include the home to go on it!  It makes me glad to live in an area like Roanoke where the real estate is much more reasonable!

I’ve had several people contact me recently after locating my blog on the Internet while searching for real estate in Roanoke.  I am very thrilled naturally to have potential new customers to help in their search for Roanoke real estate, but also that the blog is bringing interested (and interesting) people to me.  I’m looking forward to talking with more of you!

My conclusion- there must be some sort of El Niño effect over the Roanoke Valley now causing mass confusion and hysteria amongst the animals. If you’re furry and you crawl around on four legs best take shelter for a few days until this is over!

The canoeing was excellent.  The river is a little low though and we had to walk the canoe through one set of riffles and we were unfortunate enough to swamp in a very weak class 2.  We hit a rock under the water which turned us sideways and pinned us against another rock and it turned us over.  Ah well, it’s bound to happen every now and then.  Except for a few bruises and scrapes, we survived and recovered all the equipment so that was a bonus.

The James River real estate is beautiful.  I saw several pieces of property with new homes right on the river that were absolutely beautiful.  It was a great morning for admiring the weather, the James River and the adjoining real estate.  Fantastic!

The second photo is a shot of the bridge at Bay Roc Marina. My lovely wife and I stopped there for a bite to eat. They have a great patio overlooking their cove and the bridge, and they have house boat rentals!

Incorrect presumptions–

1. Times Square is a huge place. (It really isn’t very big, it’s rather long and narrow.)
2. The citizens are rude and not very nice. (To the contrary, numerous citizens I stopped and asked for information or who stopped to help us were all very nice people.)
3. It’s very expensive to eat in New York. (Actually if you visit a non-touristy restaurateur, it’s quite reasonable.)

Correct presumptions–

1. There are a lot of pigeons. Yes, they carry diseases, but I thought they were pretty awesome.
2. There is in fact a lot of trash on the streets, sidewalks…and in the trees.
3. It truly is an amazing experience to walk the streets of New York.

I’ll write more later and publish some photos but that is all for now.