B-Fick.com

The peak of the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River. The observation deck is a short hike from the parking lot and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Sitting just west of downtown Montreal, Mount Royal rises to an elevation of around 750′ and functions as the city’s premier park space. The Chalet du Mont Royal overlooks the city and provides spectacular views.

Yonge-Dundas Square is located in the midst of downtown Toronto’s shopping district. After visiting, I would liken it to the Canadian version of Times Square – surrounded by large scale advertisements and high density retail. During the warmer months, the space is activated by not only people, but concerts and interactive water fountains.

I took Janis to the Biltmore Estate for her birthday and captured this panorama before our tour. Everything had a white sheen to it thanks to a snow from the previous week. The inside of the house was decorated for Christmas and very impressive.

Hiked up to the top of Crowders Mountain because it was a super clear day. The fall day yielded a perfect blue sky and impressive visibility.

Rough Ridge is a neat little spot about 400 feet above the Blue Ridge Parkway. Its outcroppings of rock and relatively low wind-swept brush provide the opportunity for panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains. Hikers can get there by using a half-mile long portion of the 13-mile Tanawha Trail. It is worth noting that sections of the trail here are very narrow due to dense foliage. For additional information on the Tanawha Trail, including trail maps and profiles, use the link below.

Link to the Tanawha Trail post for trail details »
Google map of the Rough Ridge parking area »

7th Street Station (top) is the last stop on the Lynx Blue Line. I would argue that it is the most urban station along the entire line with the ground floor retail in the parking deck it is nestled beneath. The top panorama is taken across the tracks from that in front of the ImaginOn Museum. The bottom panorama is taken at the intersection of Brevard and 5th Street and highlights Center City Green and the new Bank of America Office Tower.

3rd Ward, or the area northwest of the intersection of Trade and Tryon used to primarily warehouses. Beginning with the construction of the football stadium for the Carolina Panthers, the district is in the midst of a transformation. This panorama is taken from what would be the seating just behind home plate of the proposed Charlotte Knights baseball stadium.