Max

I was stopping over at the train station for a few hours and was able to stop by. Was only able to spend a few minutes here. I definitely want to go back and spend hours playing around. If you go, don’t forget to go underneath and look up.

When I was a kid my parents would go on long road trips throughout the SouthWest. A few times we’d stop by the Great Salt Lake. I remember one time it was windy and my Dad and I went walking out into the lake. Hundreds of yards out and the trough of each wave was between my calf and ankle but the peaks were over my head! Admittedly, I was only about 40 inches or so at the time. :)

Most of the family gave up on the climb half-way into the canyon. Oh what they missed out on. The view doesn’t really take off until you’re climbing out of the canyon. Funny thing is, I had borrowed the keys to get my camera and forgot to return them when they headed back. And there was no cell phone coverage. They had to wait 2-3 hours in the cold until I got back! Whoops. The view was totally worth it though. Make sure to leave lots of time and be ready for a long hike (sometimes rather steep).

...and decided to make a day of it. So, having heard of this place through 43places I put it on my itinerary. As with most bookstores the visit had a bittersweet flavor. So many books I knew I couldn’t have and didn’t have time to read. Just as well that there is nothing really comparable close to me. I would get in trouble. I picked up a couple classics for solace and went on my way.

I was in town just to see a movie at the Lincoln Center and had some time to kill so went for a walk through the park (totally different from Rock Creek Park in DC).

I’m not a Lennon fan, but I found the memorial and its treatment as a shrine by so many to be fascinating. It’s like watching a religion being born.

I went to New York for to see the movie “The Master of Go”, a bio of Go Seigen’s life. Since it’s a bit of a trip for just a movie I decided to make a day of it and visit (among other things) the infamous Shopsin’s. In some ways it was just as described, eclectic quirky and no apologies attitude. I was surprised that it was so large and well lit though. I had been expecting it to be more of a hole in the wall. Certainly not complaining though.

I had the Peruvian Shrimp Avacado soup, a flat iron grilled cheese (called by the brand name of the flat iron, couldn’t see it on the old menu) and a mountain dew (No coke products, durn it. Shoulda had coffee). The sandwich was everything it should be (though how can you go wrong w. grilled cheese). The soup was very good. Really did make me think of Peruvian I’ve had before (though no olive or hard-boiled egg, thank god). The shrimp was a tad tough, either from stewing so long or being frozen. But w. a menu that diverse and crowd that large, one can’t expect the delicate touch it would take to get the shrimp just right.

I think I’ll do Tex Mex next time.

Black Mountain is a bit touristy, but that’s ok. Seems fairly progressive. Was surprised to see a UU church. As half the cashiers I spoke w. were from out of town, I sometimes had trouble finding non-touristy basics like the laundromat and a place to buy clothing. But I managed. I recommend eating at Cafe Bijan downtown. Service is leisurely but fun and the food is pretty good for the price.

It must be said that the primary source of my enjoyment here in NC was playing go and socializing w. my fellow players. The town of Black Mountain is relaxing and quaint. But it should be noted that the High Windy trail leading from the BR Assembly leaves a bit to be desired. The final view is obscured w. trees and brush and shared w. a cell phone tower and an old chimney filled w. trash. The rooms are the bare bones one might expect in a college dorm. The less said about the cafeteria the better. The main reason to travel here must be to explore and enjoy the outlying area.

Not enough bang for the buck. Information was too dumbed down and there was not enough excitement in place to make up for the loss of information.

Cafe and bookstore open all night on Fridays and Saturdays. Bookshop is rather small and the cafe is very expensive. But where else are you going to go w. a fellow bibliophile at 3am?