Google it if you dare

Upon returning home from Folly Beach, we had a little more than a week before it was time to set out again.

We were bound for Lenoir, North Carolina, on a dual mission: our Stephanie had asked her dad to help her with some home improvements, and there was Grandparents' Day at Allissa and little Andrew's school.

I struck out on the Wednesday, with my plan being to pick up the children at school in Hickory on my way to Stephanie's place.

That's because she drives a distance each day to drop them off and collect them in the neighboring town of Hickory, and I'd be driving right through there en route to Lenoir.

The weather was beautiful and the drive uneventful. I reached my destination on schedule.

Although the car line teachers knew that Lissy and Andrew's mamaw would be picking them up, and the kids saw me and came running straight to the car, and another teacher whom I've known for nearly thirty years came to my window to greet me, I had to produce my driver's license.

Well done, car line teachers. That's the way I like it. When it comes to those babies, you cannot be too careful.

I drove the children home, then went to check in at our hotel (Stephanie doesn't have room to put us up unless she and Joel give us their room -- which they would -- and I'm not having that).

There's a brand-new, just opened this year, Hampton Inn in Lenoir. You can Google it.

And while you're at it, you can Google Google ... because most likely, one of the reasons a new Hampton Inn was built in Lenoir is that there's a $1.2 billion-dollar Google Data Center in Lenoir.

True story. I saw it. It looks like a city. I was under the impression that it was relatively new, but a few seconds' research revealed that it's been there for ten years. That's how secret it is.

It's, like, hiding in plain sight. And now I learn that there is one just as big in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. I'll have to go and see that; I'm due for another trip to Moncks Corner, home of Mepkin Abbey.

I don't know what they do there (not Mepkin Abbey; the Google Data Center). But it's a trifle scary. Don't ask me why; it just is.

At any rate, I checked in at the Hampton Inn. TG would be there later that night. I got ready to attend prayer meeting at the church where my son-in-law is the pastor.

The next morning, TG got over to Stephanie's house early so that they could get started on their project.

I took my time getting ready to go out, and then went here and there before time to once again pick up the children from school.

On the way home, we stopped at several stores and did some shopping. I hate to brag, but my grandkids are excellent at going with the flow. They even seemed to enjoy our excursion.

Maybe that's because the last stop involved them being encouraged by me to pick out a small toy and a treat. They deliberated over their selections, and even colluded to choose something Melanie (at home) would enjoy.

(It's outrageously fun being a grandparent. I'd do it again. Oh wait! I am doing it again. There's a new grandbaby coming within the next couple of weeks. Ember's presents are bought and will be placed under the tree even before the nurses place her in her mother's arms.)

That night we had a delicious home-cooked meal even though Stephanie's kitchen was undergoing a cosmetic renovation.

After supper, the kids took turns showing me their Ranger Rick magazines. Excellent material. So impressed was I, that I got Dagny a subscription to Ranger Rick Jr for Christmas.

The next day was Grandparents' Day at the school. It is shocking how early I had to get up in order to be ready and in Hickory on time for this event. Do not make me relive it.

Suffice it to say, the kids sang cute songs and the principal talked about fund raising efforts, and then there were refreshments.

It being Friday and a special day, the children were released from school at lunchtime.

After we all got back home and TG resumed working, it was time for Melanie to go with her beloved Skill Creations teacher, Miss Vickie, for an afternoon of special activities.

Stephanie and I had planned a trip to Broyhill Walking Park because again, the weather was perfect.

Allissa was keen to go, but little Andrew held back. He wanted to work with Papaw.

I've been to the walking park a bunch of times, my only grandson pointed out. So stay behind he did, and Papaw was glad for the help.

We three girls drove to the park and set out on the walking loop around the big pond before branching out into the wooded area that surrounds the small pond.

Allissa loves to watch the turtles that cruise at the warm surface of the water near the large wooden deck at the start of the walking loop.

Then there are the geese. They own that big pond and there was lots of splishin' and a-splashin' in the water while the sun shone down and the climate was ideal for critters and walking folk alike.

My granddaughter loves to walk up a flight of stone steps and go through the woods for about fifty yards before coming back down to rejoin us on the loop.

We had the place almost to ourselves.

I can't tell you how many times I've taken pictures of the bright autumn leaves that have fallen and collected at the edges of the small pond.

It's always a poignant sight.

Lissy climbed and clambered and enjoyed the day while Stephanie and I sat on a bench for awhile and talked.

I don't get nearly enough quiet, un-busy time with these people. 

On the way home, I bought us all an ice cream cone.

We had plans to go to Piccolo's for dinner. It's a favorite spot of our daughter's family; the owner is from Chicago and even has a pizza restaurant there.

He's a fanatical Cubs fan so you can imagine that we had lots to talk about. Although on this evening, we had to content ourselves with talking with the owner's son about our favorite team.

Although said owner has scoured the country for truly amazing vintage Cubs artifacts and they are prominently displayed throughout the restaurant, I didn't get any pictures of that. I was too busy eating lasagna.

Afterwards, on the way home, my son-in-law took us to the spot in Lenoir -- it's a residential neighborhood -- from which one can get the best glimpse of the new Google facility. Most impressive at night, with all of the many lights.

Sad but true: the next day, we had to go home. Stephanie was happy with the outcome of her project, and TG was glad to have had the time to help her with it.

Before I set out for Columbia, I swung by the Google place again to get a picture of the primary-colors G at the entrance.

I was a little nervous to be stopping and taking photos, but I did it anyway. 

See the black oblong above the multicolor G in this close-up? I don't know what that is but I can't locate it in the zoomed-out version at the top of this post. Maybe you can.

Be careful.

Anyway, right across the street is a huge furniture factory. Hickory is a major player in the furniture industry.

I literally trespassed in order to get several photos of the company name on account of, I have a niece whose married name is Bernhardt.

Nobody told me to stop taking pictures (something that frequently happens) so I clicked away, capturing a nice selection that could be made to look dramatic in post-processing.

click to embiggen

I figured that my niece and her husband could frame one of the art-grade pictures (I will thank you not to snicker) and hang it on their wall. I would, if it were my name.

And then I faced the drive home, and arrived without incident, and began looking forward in earnest to our next trip.

And I will tell you all about that; never fear.

But first: our experiences at the South Carolina State Fair.

Next time. Be patient.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Tuesday

Comments

[Mari]

What a fun trip! Isn't it fun to pick the kids up from school? Being a Grandma is just the best, and I can't wait to hear that Ember is here. I expect a message sent to me. :)
The park is beautiful, and the photo of Lissy hanging upside down. I think it's so sweet that Andrew stayed to help his Pawpaw. (Where are the photos of the project though?)
Glad you weren't arrested while taking photos. I don't want to visit you in jail!

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... perish the thought but you know, it's bound to happen sooner or later ... me in the hoosegow for snapping photos! Hahahaha! As to pics of the project, she still had some things to do when we had to leave and it wasn't ready for pictures. I regret that because it was shaping up really great. And I wish you could've seen little Andrew so anxious to help Papaw. He is growing up because it wasn't long ago, he wouldn't have let his mother leave without him, hahahaha! If you know what I mean. YES I will text you when our Ember arrives! xoxo

[Jane]

I always enjoy seeing your pictures. Spending time with the grandchildren is wonderful & I'm glad you had a good day with yours. Google is a little creepy, we have a data center close to Nashville, not a whole lot was said about it being built or going into operation.

[Jennifer]

@Jane ... they're nothing if not secretive and you're right: it's creepy. I wish I'd had those grandchildren first ... haahaaha xoxo

[Barb]

I think you were on candid camera with Google. And now they are probably lurking here to see your photos. Lissa looks so sweet in her bright pinks, and I especially like that she might be a little tom boy. Climbing trees used to be my specialty!

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... Did you climb trees too? So did I! I fell out of one once, right onto my back, and screamed bloody murder! Hahahaha yes we had a good time at the walking park. Allissa was having a time in the gorgeous weather! Autumn is all too brief. xoxo