This is a view of West McGee Street, the 100 block. Longshanks Billiards is the business these young pedestrians are about to walk past. By the way, the cute dog on the left is painted onto the wall. (These are the details you notice when urban walking and photographing). The neon sign at the top of the photo advertises Ritchey’s Bar and Restaurant. The clothing of the walkers and the small tree to the right, with no sign of foliage, are proof positive that it is winter. The grayness of the photo adds to the cold weather ambience. Winter- while relatively mild in Greensboro-  has an air of beauty in its own right. The gray buildings and sidewalk also give the photo an urban,  big city feel.

The above photo was taken mid-afternoon on a Saturday when all was quiet on McGee Street in Downtown Greensboro. However, a few hours later this side street will be lively and filled with people. McCoul’s Public House, Little Brother’s, Longshanks, and Ritchey’s will be hopping, enough so that people just may be inspired to walk across the street to Legacy Irons Tattoo Company and indulge themselves with a tattoo, that is if they can get an appointment. They seem pretty busy. Today’s photo reminds us a little of an Edward Hopper painting. We would love to see this photo turned into a painting… or a short story. That little doggie looks like he could belong to Greensboro’s most famous short story writer,  O.Henry.

If you are interesting in urban walking, try out the downtown parts of the greenway. Or, try this site, “GPS my city”. We haven’t tried it personally, we love the serendipity of seeing where we end up; however, this site is a way to be more organized about your downtown touring.

Happy Tuesday!