US Nat'l Whitewater Rafting Center - MTB

US Nat'l Whitewater Rafting Center - MTB


On the rare ocassion that I have a Sunday at home I typically attempt to get out and enjoy the outdoors away from everything. This past weekend was no exception when my brother and I made a short 1.5 hour road trip south to the US National Whitewater Rafting Center complex for a little mountain biking. Web searches and trail reviews underestimate the near 12 miles of awesome single track trails that encircle the facilities. USNWRC has something to offer for every outdoor enthusiast from rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, rappeling, zip line rides, tower climbs, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing on the Catawba River, and eating on the decks and patios overlooking the rapids.


We really didn't know what to expect before making the drive. Just a few weeks ago we drove down to Asheboro to ride the trails in the Uwharrie National Forest and were somewhat underwhelmed with what was offered. I suppose the allure of a cold beer and some kick ass food after a long ride would put to shame any forest trail that has nothing but mosquitos and a trip through what appear to be abandoned ghost towns after 9PM. USNWRC had everything put together quite well so much so that if I was mistaken I would have thought we were in Orlando, Florida near all of the other Disney attractions and touristic theme parks. From the entryway landscaping to the gift shop inside, this place had something for anyone with a sense of adventure. After speaking with one of the girls from inside the shop I was sure I had met someone who had a better job than I. They get 2 hour lunch breaks to essentially get out and play. Whether it's grabbing a ride on a raft or hitting the trails on the mountain bike, a clean locker room with showers and a restaurant all within walking distance makes staying fit and having fun while working somewhat of a stress free work environment. If I was a college student living in the Charlotte area I would more than likely make this place the part time job of choice.


If you've never been mountain biking before, I would place a strong recommendation on going to USNWRC. All the equipment you would need is available onsite in their rental shop. They even offer mountain biking instruction for the absolute novice. I suppose if you're unsure of how to operate brakes and the gear shifter on a bike you might look into this, otherwise hit the trails hard and have fun.


We arrived sometime near mid-day due to some incorrect driving directions all thanks to the Garmin taking us west of downtown instead of east downtown Charlotte. Upon arrival we paid a nominal $5 parking fee and made quick work of exploring the activities offered. I was amazed at the variety offered and will look forward to returning in the spring of '09 for a 2-day stay to participate in some biking, kayaking, and maybe even a little rafting. The zip line was another appealing attraction that I would like to ride on a future visit.


We made good time through all of the trails offered including their single black diamond trails. There weren't too many obstacles unfamiliar with some of the trails in the Triad although the gradual terrain changes and lengthy downhills made for some adrenalin induced fun. We finished off our day with a couple of cold draft beers and some chicken rice bowls at the restaurant. The breeze and sounds of the rapids sure placed me somewhere in the wilderness except within a stones throw of the interstate and a short ride from home.

I look forward to returning to the US National Whitewater Rafting Center with my "nice" camera in tow to make some great photos. In particular, some action sequences of intense rafting, rock climbing, or mountain biking would do well for my little photography blog. For now, enjoy the few cell phone snapshots. I'll see you next time whenever or wherever life or this road with work takes me.

- Eugenio


For more info, visit: http://www.usnwc.org/

"Located on the banks of the Catawba River in Charlotte, N.C., the U.S. National Whitewater Center is the world's largest artificial whitewater river and an official U.S. Olympic Training Site. The USNWC is a locally owned and operated non-profit dedicated to promoting healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles. Opened in August 2006 at a cost of $38 million, the 307-acre public adventure-sport facility includes whitewater rafting and kayaking, mountain biking and hiking trails, a climbing center and a ropes course, along with a 2,400 square-foot conference center and 300-seat River's Edge Bar & Grill - all overlooking the home rapids of the U.S. National Slalom Canoe/Kayak Team.

Olympic-caliber athletes, weekend warriors and casual observers share this world-class sports and training center. Whether you want to play hard or relax on the river's edge, the USNWC offers a great place to take it outside."

At the Shop

At the Shop


During my 10+ years as an computer technician I can claim to have had a desk in a basement, cluttered closet space, in the press box of a pro football stadium, a cubicle maze, and in a garage. Most of those jobs didn't necessarily offer a view with the exception of working in the NFL. Above is the window view from where I sit twice a week when I am in the shop.


This is essentially one of many offices or departments within a larger organization where I work. It's certainly a room to keep your co-workers within a foreign object's throwing distance.

Sometime down the road I hope to have photos of some of the views from around the track.

Take care all,

Eugenio

Passing through NYC

Passing through NYC


For the second time this season I had the opportunity to visit NYC if even for a brief few hours. The last time we visited we made it a point to play the part of tourists and visit a few popular landmarks before calling it a night. This last visit was all about taking part of the local culture and enjoying an evening with friends we traveled with - and friends we didn't know we had until a few beers were exchanged. On our ride from the Poconos we debated for a while on where we'd go or what we'd do. Chinatown was mentioned as was Angelo's - a restaurant we had visited on our previous trip. This time around we settled on a pub crawl. Specifically, we wanted to visit local NYC pubs that offered a true pub like experience. #1 on the list was McSorley's. Established in 1854 and deep rooted in American history, we were going to go regardless of the 30+ minute wait that greeted us at about 4PM on a Saturday afternoon. Of course, it was rated #1 so that's where we went and it had to be worthwhile.


While in line a hispanic guy standing behind me asked if we had been waiting in line for long. He was from out of town and had mentioned that he was in NYC for 3 days on an extended layover while on his way to Canada for a few months of English schooling. A friend of his from his home country of Brazil had given him a strong recommendation to go visit the small Irish pub. After a bit of talking, I convinced him to stay seeing how we had heard the same albeit from a few internet resources. We spoke a bit about Brazil and the island where my family came from - the Carribean island of Puerto Rico. I always look forward to a cultural experience and learn what some foreigner's perspectives are on their first visit to the US. Of course, our conversation delved into the beautiful Portuguese speaking ladies of Brazil and what an amazing experience Carnival in Rio is like. I was certainly intrigued.


Once inside the pub we knew we had not only hit a locals' favorite, but also a landmark known only to the tourists that sought out that sort of experience. Irish pub songs could be heard and a little leprechaun looking host wandered about delivering fist-fulls of pints. McSorley's only serves 2 beers - a light and a dark ale which coincidentally went down very smoothly. Not even a few minutes passed before 2 sets of pint glasses were emptied and sitting on the bar counter for a refill. The buzz in the bar was awesome. Everyone had lively conversations about and our good Brazilian friend Allen had partaken in the tradition of buying the gang a round of beers. A young local couple was well aware that it was our first visit and welcomed us with a round of pints. Servings came in pairs - one light and one dark. Often times I'd have a pair in one hand and a half empty glass in the other. Time in the pub crawled. I watched people circulate through the constantly opening and closing door while at the same time noticed the dust covered picture frames and light fixtures hanging from the ceilings. Across the bar I noticed a very appropriate wood carving affixed to the top of a cabinet with the saying "Be Good or Be Gone." For some reason I looked down at my glass, gulped the last bit of ale, and took on the next pair in my hand. Allen continued telling me stories about soccer, his days of studying for law school, and different Portuguese phrases aimed at impressing the Brazilian female. None of those phrases stuck of course, but some of what he was teaching me certainly made me laugh out loud a few times.


Time passed us by, but what called our attention were the empty stomachs. Conversation turned from best places to drink in the city to the best places to eat. A suggestion to hit up a local taco stand was made, but we all quickly knew that being the last trip to New York for the season we had our last chance to head to Angelo's for that amazing Italian cuisine. We finished the last of our pints - somewhere after a dozen a piece - and headed to a street corner to hail a cab. I've never ridden in a New York City cab before and I already knew I was in for an exeperience. Cabs are a fixture in the streets of Manhattan. Yellow is a primary color aside from the greys of the city streets and buildings and the greens of the few trees that were planted in the sidewalks of the city streets. We said our goodbyes to Allen and our other newly made friends at the bar and boarded a cab for a short ride to Little Italy.



A brief ride down a few city blocks landed us back in a very familiar part of the city. The sidewalk cafes and the awnings hanging over the entrances quickly took us from Ireland to Italy. This time around we waited a while to get into Angelo's. Of course, upon seeing our old waiter - one that we tipped generously - seating time went from 20 minutes to about 5.

Dinner came and went. We ate, drank some great Italian wine, and repeated our walk through Little Italy to look at knock off watches and eat some gelato. Night fell and so did the energy levels. Somehow a few hours spent in an Irish pub has a way of draining whatever energy one has. For the evening's subway ride we enjoyed the local subway entertainment. At our boarding location we enjoyed some local folk music by a guitarist that actually had a good tune. We passed up the opportunity to hop on a few trains while we listened to him play a few songs and learn where he was from. Once we were ready, we all dropped him a tip and sped away towards the Port Authority garage where our rental was parked. On the receiving end a show was just about to start. A group of young kids was forming an audience for their local jam session. They cranked up the volume on a small boombox attached to a large club speaker. How it was powered was still beyond me, but after rocking a freestyle jam from the early 90's they had most of the crowd bobbing their heads. A few flips, somersaults, and headstands had everyone clapping in approval and digging for their pockets. After paying a small entertainment fee, we quickly made our way for the car and headed back on the freeway to Pennsylvania where we would have another long day with an early morning start in the Poconos.



If you're ever in the city and are in need of a memorable afternoon at bar, definitely check out McSorley's. Whether the light ale or dark, either will go down smooth and at a great 2 for $4.50 price. According to the locals, don't eat the food. Instead, go around the corner to the local taco bar. We went to Angelo's, but maybe the tacos will hit the spot if we do ever make it out on a dedicated bar hop.

http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/

'Til next time,

Eugenio