Saturday, October 25, 2014

Roanoke Star

Roanoke, VA  High 78  Low 54

For those of you who asked – Aunt Happy was married to my Dad’s brother so she’s not a “blood” relative. However, both my folks lived to 90.

The Roanoke Star was erected in 1949 as a symbol of the progressive spirit of Roanoke, star city of the south.

DSCN0268

The star is 88 1/2 feet tall and weights 10,000 lbs. The steel structure holding the star is 100 feet tall and weighs 60,000 lbs. The concrete base weighs 500,000 lbs. The neon tubing used to light the star at night is 2000 feet long and is visible for 60 miles from the air.  This is the world’s largest man-made star and is one huge symbol. 

DSCN0270 Jim is dwarfed by the star. There was a couple taking pictures while we were there who were probably in their late 50’s. The guy was so surprised that Jim could climb up on the wall. Jim told him he might be old but he’s not dead yet. We got a good chuckle out of that.

The views of Roanoke from the star are really incredible.

DSCN0256

It was humid and hazy so the pictures aren’t as sharp and clear as I would like. This one is when I was trying out the zoom on my new camera.

DSCN0254

We didn’t get any pictures of the star lit at night so I got this one off the web.

Roanoke_star

Posted by at

11 comments:

  1. MontanagirlOctober 25, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    That's incredible! What a beacon in the night it is!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wanderin'October 25, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    I looked in the picture you too for my brother-in-law's house but couldn't find it. Do you want to zoom in? Did I miss what new camera you bought?

    ReplyDelete
  3. palamineOctober 25, 2014 at 7:33 AM

    We thought Roanoke was a pretty place.

    ReplyDelete
  4. billandjanrvingtheusa.blogspot.comOctober 25, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    A new camera huh? What kind did you get. You take such gorgeous pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  5. DebbieMOctober 25, 2014 at 8:30 AM

    Roanoke is pretty. We're in VA Beach right now. So glad we got a sunny week!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Paul and Marti DahlOctober 25, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    Of all the times I've been to Roanoke, I've never seen the star. Maybe I need to get my eyes checked?

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 25, 2014 at 2:09 PM

    Pffft, those people in their 50's !! Jim is in such good shape I betcha he'd out do them in a blink !

    ReplyDelete
  8. Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009October 25, 2014 at 2:50 PM

    Carrie went to Virginia Tech just down the road from Roanoke, and we never saw that star.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Chuck and Anneke's RV travelsOctober 25, 2014 at 3:02 PM

    Nice pictures from the star:)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bob and JoOctober 25, 2014 at 7:23 PM

    Nice twin spire church in the photo from the Star.

    ReplyDelete
  11. DragonflyOctober 31, 2014 at 8:57 AM

    I had an enjoyable online visit with your family and loved seeing the dogs.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting today. I look forward to reading your comments. Have a beautiful day.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)