H2O - Water Towers, Etc.

Watertowers in New Orleans - Christmas 2010

2012-01-29T13:44:00.000-05:00

For Christmas 2010, we went back to Louisiana with my family. This time we visited New Orleans. When we landed in Jefferson, LA at the airport a nice pretty watertower was waiting for us. We didn't rent a car so we didn't get around town much except when we took a Katrina aftermath bus tour. The following pictures were taken on that tour. It was really interesting and I was glad we did it. It was sad but good to see all the work being done to bring it back. We did Bourbon Street by my favorite spot was Frenchman Street. Make sure to go there to see the great local music.

Jefferson, LA

Power plant and watertower outside New Orleans, LA

Old tower on way to the 9th Ward

New water tower in 9th Ward

See all those watertowers in the New Orleans skyline

KAB Trip #1 - National Conference to FL

2012-01-26T21:22:00.000-05:00

My new job with Keep America Beautiful requires me to travel also, but I am not often in a car going places so it's hard for me to take pictures. However, one of my first trips was to our National Conference in December 2010 to Orlando, FL. I took the weekend to drive to Tampa, FL to see Leigh and some manatees! I didn't have much time so I took some very ugly, far away pictures out the window. I don't even know where I was besides on Interstate 4.

My last Cary watertower post

2012-01-22T13:50:00.000-05:00

We sold our house in the fall of 2010. We moved out of Cary, NC. I've had lots of good watertower experiences in Cary.

In 2007, they built a new watertower by my house.

I got to go inside of a Cary watertower.

The most famous watertower in Cary is the one that regularly changes the high school graduation date.

Right when I left, they decided to tear down an old watertower within a stone's throw from my house. This was an omen that I was supposed to leave. Along with my favorite Cary Japanese/Korean restaurant shutting down and my favorite outdoor patio restaurant in downtown Cary no longer allowing dogs.

It's ironic that they felt they had to remove the old tower noted above, when we found this old watertower hidden in the Medford Estates subdivision. Owen was so excited when he found this using the Google streetview.

Watertowers on I-85 and I-95 between NC and DC

2012-01-21T19:48:00.000-05:00

In the fall of 2010 I worked 2 jobs for 2 months. I worked 3 days in NC and 3 days in DC. I got to know I-85 and I-95 well. Here are some pictures from that time.

Louisburg, NC - This isn't actually on the interstate, but close.

South Hill, VA - Just on the other side of the border

Somewhere in VA where they were painting a tower

Caroline County, VA - between Richmond and VA

Topsail Beach, NC - July 2010

2012-01-16T11:37:00.000-05:00

We went to the beach with my mom and the dogs. Thankfully there was a watertower to see there. We can't remember anything else exciting that happened on that trip.

Topsail Beach, NC

Last Work trip #46 -Teacher training in Brevard, NC - 7/28/10

2012-01-14T09:31:00.000-05:00

My last work trip (where I took watertower pictures) was to Brevard, NC. I did a recycling teacher training at the Pisgah Forest Institute. My mom traveled with me and we went to Lake Lure also. I had always wanted to go there. It is where they filmed parts of the Dirty Dancing movie.

It is always hard to see watertowers in the mountains. So from very far away we saw this one in Etowah, NC, just barely peaking out over the trees.

Etowah, NC

Watertowers in Kentucky - From Joe (DENR)

2012-01-08T11:18:00.000-05:00

In 2010 my work at DENR hired a guy named Joe from Ohio. I told him about my watertower interest. He was driving between OH and NC quite a bit during his move so he took some pics for me. I thought they would be of OH but they are all in Kentucky. His route was I-75 south. First you cross over the river from Cincinnati into Northern Kentucky. Then you hit Florence, Dry Ridge, Williamstown and Georgetown. Not bad for through the window pics. Thanks Joe!

Northern Kentucky

Florence, KY - You know you are in the south now

Dry Ridge, KY

Williamstown, KY

Georgetown, KY - Outside Lexington

Watertowers from Mississippi - Christmas 2009

2012-01-07T11:30:00.000-05:00

So as my mom was driving through Arkansas to visit my sister, we flew into Jackson, MS and drove west into Louisiana. This was on Christmas day (best day to travel in my opinion). We ended up eating dinner at the Casino in Vicksburg, MS. Definitely a Christmas I won't forget. You can see I started to loose daylight as we traveled west.

Jackson, MS Airport

Clinton, MS

Ceres Industrial Park, MS - Beautiful at dusk

Vicksburg, MS - Grainy but cool with the sunset

Watertowers from Arkansas - Via my mom

2012-01-07T10:36:00.000-05:00

So my mom visits my sister by car. She drives through Arkansas. She took these pictures for me in 2009. Pretty nice ones. I don't really know anything about them. I don't have much of a story besides what I've just mentioned.

Beebe seems to be home of the badgers.

Fountain Hill is home of the wildcats.

Star city had 2 towers. One is home to a guy fishing under a clocktower?

Beebe, AR

Fountain Hill, AR

Star City, AR

Work trip #45 - Greenville, NC - America Recycles Day - 11/15/09

2012-01-05T22:22:00.000-05:00

On my way to Greenville for their America Recycles Day event that was held at the Best Buy, I went through Saratoga, NC. It is close to Farmville (not sure if that is the Farmville of Facebook Fame).

It is a small crossroads of highway 111 and 264 in between Wilson and Greenville. As you can see they have a chair waiting for you under the watertower.

Saratoga, NC

Trip to Beach? - September 2009

2012-01-02T09:10:00.000-05:00

I am actually not too sure when these pictures were taken. We did go to the beach over Labor Day 2009 (but not usually these beaches) and looking back at my calendar it doesn't look like I took any work trips, so . . .who knows. I was clearly driving down Hwy 70. It was cloudy and rainy.

Looking back through the blog, I've been through Kinston a number of times.
1. To visit Melanie.
2. Work trip.

My one other time through Beaufort was for our 10 year anniversary. The picture below though is a different tower in Beaufort, NC.

Kinston, NC

Beaufort, NC

Work Trip #44 - Plastic Bottle Ban event and PLT workshop - Wilksboro, NC - 9/45-25/09

2012-01-01T09:15:00.000-05:00

So it's been another 6 months since I updated my blog again. But rest assured I am still taking watertower pictures and I still have old pictures to upload. So I am continuing to post pictures from 2009 when I was working for NC DENR and got to travel all over NC.

My trip to Wilksboro, NC was part of my plastic bottle landfill ban tour and also part of my Project Learning Tree partnership. Wilksboro is split into North Wilksboro and Wilksboro. Below is the watertower in North Wilksboro. The trip to and from Wilksboro was fun. I went through some pretty remote parts - one of the only times my Verizon phone lost service. A not so remote part was Iredell County. I took a picture of one of their watertowers along the way. Their most popular watertower can be found along I-40. Interestingly, I took that photo on work trip #4.

Water tower turned home

2011-07-19T21:18:00.000-04:00

From my friend David. Evidently there are enough of these water towers turned homes that the blogger has other examples also.

Work Trip #43 - Plastic bottle landfill disposal ban with Megan - Albemarle, NC

2011-06-15T21:47:00.068-04:00

So many of you know that in October of 2009, NC's plastic bottle landfill disposal ban was put in place. Prior to it being enacted, my boss recommended I get out on the road and conduct some events throughout NC to raise awareness for the ban. So Megan (my trusty intern at the time) and I drove to Albemarle, NC (down and back in one day) for an event in that town. I remember getting a little press actually from the TimeWarner Cable folks out of Charlotte.

The best thing about the trip was all the backroads we had to take. It was one watertower after another.

Albemarle. NC.

Our ultimate destination was Albemarle. So once again, these pictures are backwards.

Badin. NC.

So we took a wrong turn and ended up in Badin. Badin is right along the river and home to Alcoa, the largest producer of aluminum.

Ever seen an aluminum recycling plant? Well, here you go.

Troy. NC.

Don't you love a pink watertower. It says something about a town. Maybe they have a lot of breast cancer survivors.

Biscoe. NC.

Not sure what Biscoe is known for, but they have a nice little watertower. Like Troy, it's right outside the Uwharrie National Forest.

Carthage. NC.

This was only my second time driving through the sandhills of NC, but it really is quite beautiful. Plus, if you like to golf . . . I like the little carriage that was added to the watertower and the bell mid-way down.

Perfect Fit Watertower.

I'm not sure where this was taken. When I Google "Perfect Fit", Perfect Fit Industries comes up in Monroe, NC. Monroe is close to Albemarle but I don't think I made it to Monroe on this trip. Perhaps I got lost again?

Waterdrop Watertower.

I'm not quite sure where this was taken but it was somewhere along US 1 on our way to Albemarle. If you know where either of these watertowers came from, let me know.

Watertower hunting with Owen and the Dogs - August 2009

2011-06-13T19:41:00.000-04:00

I had been working really hard to prepare for the NC plastic bottle landfill disposal ban when Owen said to me one weekend, "We should go watertower hunting. You need a break and we haven't done it in forever." So in the car we went with the dogs down highway 55. These pics are listed backwards, but you get the idea.

Coats. NC.

As you can see, Millie loves watertower hunting.

Campbell University. Buies Creek. NC.

Campbell University in Buies Creek (see link above for map) is a small town university but they have a very good law and pharmacy school.

Harnett County. NC.

Home of Lillington NC.

Angier. NC.

Angier is just outside of Wake County. They have a nice little standpipe that is colorfully painted.

This is one of my favorite watertower pictures. Why you ask? It isn't colorfully painted or anything. Well, it has a recycling drop-off site under the watertower. The merger of my two passions. Also Angier, NC.

Holly Springs. NC.

So much has changed in Holly Springs. It used to be just a sleepy little town with a municipal solid waste landfill. Now it's a big suburb with a larger municipal waste landfill. Thankfully Wake County finally resolved that issue. Landfills are unfortunately a necessary evil. Siting the landfill was ongoing before I worked there and after I worked there.

Mystic, CT - July 2009

2011-06-12T19:07:00.000-04:00

Mystic. CT.

In July 2009, I visited Mystic CT with my nuclear family to see my extended family. Mystic is where the 80's movie Mystic Pizza was filmed. It's a cute little town with a couple of water towers. One water tower we could see from the main road so of course we hunted it down. Nothing special but it was by a railroad track and an old bell (which this many years ago I don't remember what the bell was for).

Parker Water Tower - Wake Forest, NC - Dismantled for scrap

2011-06-09T22:12:00.001-04:00

Parker Water Tower. Wake Forest. NC.

It was so sad when Owen's Dad emailed me these photos in 2009.

One of the first water tower photos I took and put on my blog in 2005 was of this tower in Wake Forest with the prettiest sunset behind it. See it here. Scroll to the bottom of the post.

Like many old manufacturing facilities, the building was torn down and then the water tower was dismantled for scrap metal.

I've seen water towers built but this was the first tower I saw dismantled.

Loves Park, IL - From my Mom

2011-06-08T17:52:00.001-04:00

Loves Park. IL.

My mom sent me this picture in 2009. Loves Park is right off Interstate 90 near Chicago. I can't remember the story of this tower but it is very cool with the big heart.

Landis, NC - From Matt L

2011-06-07T19:40:00.011-04:00

Landis. NC.

I lived in NC 16 years but have never heard of Landis. Our college friend, Matt L, sent in this submission in 2009. They have a pretty cool watertower. Nicely painted!

Dinwiddie County, VA - From Emily

2011-06-05T20:25:00.003-04:00

Dinwiddie County. VA.

This picture is from 2005 (maybe one of my oldest pictures that didn't get posted on time). I have in my notes that Emily, my friend who moved from NC to MD, sent it to me. Dinwiddie County is on Interstate 85 between Raleigh and Richmond. I'm assuming she took while driving between the 2 states.

Now that we've moved to VA, we've driven by this a few times also.

Remember Dinwiddie County is "A step ahead".

Havelock, NC? - From Lisa G

2011-06-04T22:32:00.000-04:00

Havelock. NC.

In January 2010, I received this submission from my colleague and friend, Lisa, who lives near the coast of NC. I don't think I have my notes right though because I thought this was from Havelock NC but the tower says "____stock". I'll have to email her and find out the right answer.

Stay tuned!

Hampton Beach, NH - From the Price's

2011-06-04T21:10:00.002-04:00

Hampton Beach. NH.

In 2007, Owen's parents visited New Hampshire and sent back this great water tower picture from Hampton Beach, NH. They visited his cousin that was living in CT at the time.

Get ready for more old random submissions from friends and family. I owe them dearly for sending them to me and I've been horribly bad about getting them up.

Work Trip #15b (very out of order) - Greenville, SC - March 19, 2007

2011-06-02T19:39:00.000-04:00

Blacksburg. SC.

I found some more old watertower pictures. I was on my way to the Carolina Recycling Association again. This time in Greenville, NC.

This was at a Pall Mall facility. You know - the cigarette company.

I posted some other pics here of the trip.

Greenville. SC.

I thought this was a great watertower. It looks a little like a hot air balloon.

Trina's submissions from years ago

2011-06-01T20:10:00.004-04:00

Chatham County. NC.

They were building a watertower near Trina's homestead. I never got to see the final product but it was cool to see the watertower being erected.

McDouglas Middle School

This is a pretty non-descript watertower but since it was a viewer submitted picture I've included it.

Carolina Recycling Association Conference - Myrtle Beach, SC - March 2005

2011-05-30T21:56:00.000-04:00

Myrtle Beach, SC.

I found these pictures hidden away. This was one of many trips I took to various Carolina Recycling Association conferences. In 2005, we went to Myrtle Beach for the conference and I took a couple of coworkers with me - Emily and Ben. Fun times.

Ben is now the recycling coordinator at UNCG and Emily left Wake County to start a family.

I'm back!

2011-05-30T21:43:00.001-04:00

It has been almost two years since I posted a watertower picture. It's not that I haven't been taking them, I just ran out of hours in the day. My day hasn't gotten longer but I'm going to work really hard to make time for my interest! I've updated the look of the blog also.

I recently moved to Arlington, VA. I can't wait to hunt watertowers in my new location. So get ready for some old and new watertower pictures over the coming weeks.

Work Trip #42 - Winston Salem - July 31, 2009

2009-09-05T22:55:00.002-04:00

Winston Salem. NC.

The Carolina Recycling Association collegiate recycling council met in Winston Salem. We visited a couple of recycling facilities in the downtown area and I saw these towers there.

There was another water tower - old and red - that I didn't take a picture of because I was almost positive that I already had a picture of it, but I looked through all my photos and can't find it.

This tower had lot of different emblems on it.

Owen's Work - Can you believe this view?

2009-09-02T08:13:00.001-04:00

Raleigh. NC. Six Forks Road.

Can you believe the view from Owen's work? They look right out onto a nice water tower off Six Forks Road.

Sorry for the quality. I only had my cell phone.

July 4th Family Reunion in Wilmington

2009-09-01T11:11:00.003-04:00

Owen and I went to a Price family reunion in Wilmington over the July 4th weekend. I got this water tower picture while passing by UNC Wilmington.

I have seen it before and took a picture, but it came out really bad so I never posted it. This is a really pretty tower with a picture of a seahawk on it.

See more Wilmington water tower pictures here.

Work Trip #41 - Greensboro - July 14, 2009

2009-08-30T10:51:00.001-04:00

Greensboro. NC.

This summer my coworker, Rachel, and I conducted some event/venue recycling workshops throughout NC. One location we went was Greensboro. Here are some water towers from that trip. The one by the train yard was right across from the convention center where our workshop was.

The UNCG water tower was also close to the convention center. Go Spartans.

Work Trip #40 - Spartanburg, SC - March 23-27, 2009

2009-08-16T08:18:00.001-04:00

I didn't take any water tower pictures in Spartanburg when we went for the Carolina Recycling Association conference. Just FYI.

Work Trip #39 - Elizabeth City, NC - February 16-17

2009-08-14T08:18:00.001-04:00

Elizabeth City. NC.

Months ago I went to Elizabeth City, NC for a Project Learning Tree Municipal Solid Waste workshop. We got lots of great water tower pictures. This first one at sunset was right outside my old apartment when I lived there. We got a great picture coming back over the river from Camden County.

Props to Lori, Mary and Renee!

Elizabeth City Cotton Mills off Highway 17.

Another textile mill that looked abandoned. I can't believe I hadn't gotten this picture yet.

Me hugging the water tower. It is so rare that you can touch one!

The Breadbasket of CA

2009-08-04T11:13:00.002-04:00

To finish my CA and OR pictures . . .

On our way back to San Fransisco from Oregon we drove down Interstate 5. We saw lots of local fruits and vegetables being grown. Reminded me of NE.

I'm not sure where we were when I took this. I didn't see many towers on our drive.

We did drive by beautiful Mount Shasta. We also saw the Bret Michaels Rock of Love bus. Exciting stuff.

ARTICLE - Gwinnett County, GA Water towers retired

2009-08-02T13:38:00.004-04:00

Sent to me by Alicia on LinkedIn.

By Camie Young
Senior Writer

LAWRENCEVILLE - The water towers that have proclaimed "Gwinnett is great" and "Success lives here" for more than a decade will come down.

Commissioners decommissioned the 35-year-old tanks, along with four other water structures made unnecessary by the upgrade of a pump station in Norcross.

The towers, visible from Interstate 85 near Jimmy Carter Boulevard as drivers enter the county, have boasted Gwinnett's motto for years, but some officials say they aren't sad to see them go.

"Those have been outdated for years," said Jim Maran, president of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, which began the branding. "We need a fresh image."

Maran said a new marketing ploy is under development.

"There's some nostalgia," Chairman Charles Bannister said. "But it's necessary we reduce our expenses in any way we can and they are no longer necessary."

Commissioner Shirley Lasseter agreed with the reminiscence.

"It's symbolic of where we've come from," she said, referring to the county's growth as a suburb during the 1980s and 1990s, when it was one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.

But Chuck Warbington, who heads the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District, which includes the Jimmy Carter Boulevard area, said he didn't have an issue with the decommissioning.

"We've moved on from using water towers for economic development," he said.

Along with the four other structures, Water Production Director Neal Spivey said the county would save $100,000 in operating costs each year and other $100,000 in capital costs for maintenance each year.

He said the county will prepare a bid with several options for the tower: a tank manufacturer could buy the tanks and transport them intact, a demolition crew could take the towers down and get the benefit of using the materials for scrap or the county could pay a demolition crew to take them down.

Likely, the towers would remain at least until the fall, he said.

"On one hand, I hate to see those towers go, but on the other hand, removing them will certainly help beautify these areas by eliminating the industrial feel of the big tanks," said Gwinnett Water Resources Acting Director Lynn Smarr. "And, of course, success will continue to live in Gwinnett County."

Tea kettle and cup

2009-08-01T11:20:00.007-04:00

Stanton. IA.

My friend from Omaha, Ryan, sent me these great water tower pictures from Stanton Iowa.

These are awesome. I hope to see them for real one day.

Springfield Oregon - The home of the Simpsons

2009-05-09T11:46:00.006-04:00

Up on Kelly's butte you will find the Springfield, OR water tank.

This is the supposed "real" town in the Simpson's.

The water tank was hard to find and even harder to photograph since it was on the top of a hill covered by trees and houses.

Springfield. OR.

San Fran - rainy but beautiful

2009-05-08T12:12:00.009-04:00

San Fransisco. CA

A very famous location in San Fransisco, Alcatraz, has it's own water tower. We didn't visit this but could see it from the shore.

Like most big cities the water towers were on top of big buildings. Like this one here.

Valley Ford. CA.

We then drove up the coast towards Oregon on highway 1. We saw a few old wooden water towers in Valley Ford, CA and near Jenner, CA. These towns were so small I was surprised to see a water tower at all. I assume they are still in use.

Crescent City. CA.

Then on our way out of CA we spent the night in Crescent City.

They had a water tank with an excellent mural.

Work Trip #37, 38 - Charlotte, February 6 & 9, 2009

2009-02-18T08:05:00.005-05:00

Charlotte. NC.

This location was my first and second work trip of 2009. I got to stay home all of January!

First I went to Charlotte to help with the recycling program at the Charlotte Bobcats Stadium. See pics here.

The following week I went to UNC Charlotte's campus. I have passed this water tower many times because there is a state vehicle fueling station near by. I couldn't take the time to get a picture until last week. It is an interesting tower by some railroad tracks, power lines and a subdivision. The tower has 1/2 of a rose on it and some weird thing on top.

Work Trips #31-36 - Regional Recycling Networking Meetings - November/December 2008

2009-02-14T08:10:00.001-05:00

I went all over NC in November and December for some regional recycling networking meetings. Unfortunately I only got one new water tower picture from Wilson. The tower says Rose Garden and was in the office complex where we met. It was an icky rainy day and I got soaked handing out promo items.

- November 17 - Wilmington - Here is a link to some older Wilmington water tower posts.

- December 3 - Statesville

- December 4 - Waynesville

- December 9 - Reidsville

- December 11 - Wilson

- December 15 - Fayetteville

VIDEO - Water Tower Cozy

2009-02-13T08:04:00.001-05:00

Check out this water tower video submitted by Chuck - Giant Water Tower Cozy.

Artist Robyn Love creates a water tower cozy out of yarn to promote educational charity, D&AD's pencil award. Robyn and six volunteers used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick to create this giant cozy in the shape of a pencil.

I also love the ragtime music in this video.

Dining Room Seamstress

2009-02-11T07:24:00.000-05:00

I got a comment from Dining Room Seamstress telling me about the Checotah, OK water tower. This is evidently where Carrie Underwood (of American Idol fame) is from. Thanks for the comment!

Water Tower Preservation

2009-02-08T07:10:00.003-05:00

My buddy Ryan, in NE, sent me this article about water tower preservation in Mississippi.
I have only been to MS once but here is a link to the water tower pictures I got.

HERNANDO, Miss. - There are water towers painted to look like ears of corn, shaped like ketchup bottles, clad in Gothic stonework or advertised as - the world’s tallest Corinthian column.

But most water towers are more like the one in this town just over the state line from Memphis: a common steel structure in which form does not stray from function. Hernando’s water tower, its kettle bottom and funnel-shaped lid vaguely suggestive of the Tin Man, does not even flaunt the colors of the Hernando High School Tigers. It just holds water and, in the time-honored tradition of small-town water towers, tells the wayfarer that he has arrived. Hernando, it says in black block letters.

Yet the people of Hernando are fond of their water tower. So fond that in recent days, at the request of the Hernando Preservation Commission, the town aldermen voted to seek Mississippi landmark status for it, a designation that would help protect and maintain the tower.

Very cool towers from Mom

2009-02-07T20:37:00.006-05:00

Rend Lake. IL.

My mom has been traveling across the southeast a lot lately and got me this great picture. I actually think I have seen this water tower before on a similar trip. It might have actually been the tower that gave me the idea for this blog.

Metropolis. IL. (near Kentucky)

Cool tower. The story is . . .

Via

RoadsideAmerica.com -
Metropolis is the the self-proclaimed "Hometown of Superman," celebrating its local hero every possible way it can. The local bank is "home of super financial services." The town newspaper calls itself The Planet. A sign in the grocery store informs customers: "Just as Superman stands for truth, justice and the American Way, Food World stands for quality, convenience and friendly service."

According to Wikipedia -
On January 21, 1972 DC Comics declared Metropolis "Hometown of Superman". On June 9, 1972 the Illinois State Legislature passed Resolution 572 that declared Metropolis the "Hometown of Superman," the comic book superhero who is based in the fictional city of Metropolis.

Warren County NC - Beautiful countryside

2009-02-05T20:25:00.005-05:00

Norlina. NC.
I had never been on the back roads of Warren County before but got invited to go to Emily's lake house on Lake Gaston so off I went. Of course the GPS recommended I go through Norlina.

On the return trip I went to I-85 and got this great picture of the Warren County water tower. They really did it up well. I wish more communities painted them this much. Just think of them as large billboards.

Work Trip #30 - Myrtle Beach, SC - August 18, 2008

2009-01-26T20:14:00.001-05:00

Let me first say that I got a GPS for Christmas in 2007. It has been a great help on all of these trips. You have to have faith in the GPS though. Don't second guess it.

So I headed to Myrtle Beach for the day for a Beverage Association Meeting. The GPS took me via the backroads and I got these water tower pictures.

Chadbourn. NC.

Loris. SC.

I got the old and new water tower in this picture.

Vacation to Chattanooga, TN - July 2008

2009-01-25T20:01:00.001-05:00

Chattanooga. TN.

The Rock Tenn Company water tower was along the TN River down from our cabin. According to their web site - they are one of North America's leading manufacturers of paperboard, containerboard, consumer and corrugated packaging and merchandising displays.

Check out my home video of our vacation.

Other work trips

2009-01-21T07:54:00.001-05:00

I had some other work trips in July but didn't get any new water tower pictures.

- I went to Onslow County over the July 4th weekend to staff a RE3.org booth for their Earth and Surf festival. Owen went with me and we celebrated our 12-year anniversary. Check out my earlier visits to Jacksonville (Onslow County) where I took water tower pictures.

- I then criss-crossed the state and went to the Pisgah Forest Institute recycling curriculum workshop in Brevard. Check out my earlier visit to Brevard. I'll never forget all those water towers outside of my hotel room.

Work Trip #29 - Hickory, NC - June 28, 2008

2009-01-20T21:35:00.001-05:00

We headed to Hickory for their minor league baseball game. See Owen here with their mascot, the Crawdad.

Hickory. NC.

This tank was just down the street from the baseball stadium. There was a tower also but we didn't get a picture of that.

An old textile mill tower in Hickory.

Newton. NC.

Work Trip #28 - Kinston, NC - June 21, 2008

2009-01-17T19:25:00.004-05:00

During the summer of 2008 we made lots of trips around NC to various minor league baseball games. Owen kindly wore the Can Guy costume and threw out the first pitch. See him here - Can Guy and the Kinston Indian Dog.

On our way to Kinston we stopped to get some water tower pics - of course.

La Grange. NC.

Grifton. NC.

Work Trip #27 - Georgia Recycling Meeting - May 22, 2008

2009-01-15T19:16:00.000-05:00

Lavonia. GA.

Ross on this water tower is for Ross Controls. They are headquartered in Troy, Michigan and are an international manufacturer of pneumatic valves, controls systems, and safety products for the fluid power industry.

Notice their neighbor "Treasures" open 24 hours. Owen went with me on this trip to visit his friend Mike in Atlanta. He wouldn't let me visit Treasures.

Missouri Countryside

2009-01-11T06:38:00.012-05:00

After the Missouri Recycling Conference was over we headed back to the Kansas City airport via highway 13.

Ozark. MO.

Tracker Boats.

I am assuming this is where they make these boats.

Bolivar. MO.

Lowry City. MO.

An old and new-ish water tower.

This post is a little backwards. My mom picked me up at KCI and we headed down highway 71 towards Branson. This was a great water tower drive. We found lots of great towers but were trying to stay ahead of a horrible tornado-creating storm so the pictures are kind-of dark.

Peculiar. MO.

I couldn't have asked for a better water tower to be in the town of Peculiar. This is a very strange looking tower.

Rich Hill. MO.

Nevada. MO.

There is a joke with this town's name but I just can't think of it right now.

Sheldon. MO.

I love this picture. Not only is the water tower cute but so was the little town and the back road that the tower was on.

Carthage. MO.

Mount Vernon. MO.

This town is just outside of Springfield where we spent the first night.

Ever been to Branson?

2009-01-10T18:20:00.002-05:00

Branson. MO.

In May 2008, I went to Missouri to speak at the Missouri Recycling Association conference. The coolest thing we did was tour a water tower that also had offices built around it. What a great way to utilize the space. More towers could do this.

Inside the offices is a column that has the 2 pipes that send water up and down to the tank above.

Here is the view from the top office. From the other side you could actually see 3 more water towers in the distance.

Work Trip #26 - Greensboro, NC - March 4, 2008

2009-01-07T21:34:00.004-05:00

Greensboro. NC.

I headed to Greensboro for the NC After School Program Conference. This was a different and interesting conference to go to. Lots of after school programs are involved in recycling.

This was a brand new intersection and water tower in Greensboro. I took the picture with my phone so it is not the best quality.

I also got a Greensboro water tower submission from Karen. She wanted to make sure the car window mirror was in the picture.

Work Trip #25 - Browns Summit & Thomasville - February 11-12, 2008

2009-01-06T18:21:00.004-05:00

I went to Browns Summit for an Environmental Educators forum. That place is so desolate. No cell phone reception - ugh! There is a nice water tower on the way to the Haw River State Park in Browns Summit. I have posted about it before.

Thomasville. NC.

I then headed to Thomasville for a site visit. I got some cool pictures of both new and old water towers in that town.

Tower being built near Trina's

2009-01-05T16:14:00.000-05:00

This water tower was being built near Trina's house in Chatham County this time last year. I am sure it has been completed. It is a cool thing to watch a water tower being built. I need to check on how this one looks completed.

Trip to MD and DC

2009-01-04T15:02:00.000-05:00

We headed to Maryland for Mason's birthday. We didn't get any water tower pictures on this trip but click here for a review of previous water tower pictures from our visits to Maryland.

We then took a few days to visit DC. We went to the National Zoo. It was totally worth it.

Work Trip #24 - Asheville, NC - January 7-8, 2008

2009-01-03T17:52:00.002-05:00

My first work trip for 2008 was to Asheville for the Soil and Water Conservation District meeting. Quite an interesting crowd.

On the way back I stopped to fill the state vehicle with gas in McDowell County. The DOT fueling station is right across from the McDowell community college. It has a very distinguishable blue and white standpipe that you can see from I-40.

I then headed into Old Fort to take a look at the water towers that you can see from I-40. This is the actual "old fort".

Old Fort. NC.

The water tanks are part of an old industrial area. It could really use some revitalization, as many small rural NC towns can.

A whole year gone

2009-01-03T15:18:00.003-05:00

I am now a year behind in posting water tower pictures. How sad! I am getting organized and more motivated so please keep checking back for new pictures. As always, send me your water tower photos with a story and I will post them.

We have added some new videos onto our YouTube account.
There are some photos on our public photo sharing site also.

Funny Squat Tank in Rock Hill

2008-03-03T23:47:00.004-05:00

Rock Hill. SC.

This is a strange looking water tower but my water tower building friend from Phoenix sent it to me. I need to check in with him and see if it is finished yet.

Smiley Face in IA

2008-03-02T09:26:00.002-05:00

Adair. IA. One of our new interns at work is from IA and took this picture for me while home over Christmas. Want some Adair history? Read below.

ADAIR WAS LAID OUT IN THE SUMMER OF 1872 BY GEORGE c. TALLMAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ON LAND THAT HE OWNED. THIS SITE WAS SELECTED BY THE ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAILROAD AS THE SPOT WHERE THE ROUTE LINKING THE EASTERN AND WESTERN BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE WOULD MEET. IT WAS THE HIGHPOINT OF THE ROCK ISLAND RAILROAD IN IOWA AND IT IS LOCATED ON A RIDGE FORMING THE WATERSHED DIVIDE BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI RIVERS.

ADAIR WAS THE SITE OF THE FIRST TRAIN ROBBERY IN THE WEST, AND THE WORLD'S FIRST ROBBERY OF A MOVING TRAIN. ON THE EVENING OF JULY 21, 1873, A MILE AND ONE-HALF WEST OF ADAIR, JESSE JAMES AND HIS NOTORIOUS BAND OF OUTLAWS, WHO HAD LEARNED THAT THERE WAS TO BE A $75,000 SHIPMENT OF GOLD COMING THROUGH ADAIR, STAGED THE ROBBERY. HOWEVER, THE SHIPMENT WAS DELAYED AND THE ROBBERS ONLY COLLECTED ABOUT $3,000. THE GANG FLED TO MISSOURI, WHERE THEY DIVIDED THE MONEY AND SPLIT UP.

TODAY, ADAIR IS KNOWN BY TRAVELERS FAR AND WIDE FOR THE SMILING FACE ON ITS WATER TOWER THAT CHEERS THEM AS THEY DRIVE ACROSS IOWA ON INTERSTATE 80! A HUB OF MANUFACTURING AND FARM BUSINESSES, ADAIR IS STILL AN ACTIVE RAILROAD CENTER.

Work Trip #23 - Wilmington, NC - December 14, 2007

2008-03-01T10:58:00.003-05:00

On our way back to Raleigh, after a quick trip to Wilmington, we stopped to fuel up and get lunch in Burgaw. Guess what? Two water towers. The first one was at the NC DOT fueling station and the second one is in downtown Burgaw. Sorry the pictures aren't great. I was using my camera phone.

Burgaw. NC.

Work Trip #22 - Charlotte & Asheville - October 10-12, 2007

2008-02-29T09:00:00.003-05:00

Mount Holly. NC.

I had another trip to Charlotte and then on to Asheville. It was a busy fall. This trip included lots of local government site visits. Now you understand why I am being in my blog posts now?

Gastonia. NC.

Heater Utilities.

It looks like water in this part of the state is provided by Aqua America and Heater Utilities which are two companies in Cary, NC.

This picture is horrible because the weather was crappy but I saw this cool tower on I-77.

Asheville School. Asheville. NC.

I was so excited to see this water tower because in the mountains it is hard to see the towers. Many times they are tanks built into the mountain.

So more about the Asheville School, which did have a beautiful campus - it is a small 250 coed boarding school for grades 9th - 12th grade.

Work Trip #21 - Shelby - September 17, 2007

2008-02-25T08:00:00.006-05:00

Shelby. NC.

I traveled to Shelby to give a presentation to 300 Wal-Mart employees. This was a great thing for me - to be able to educate that many people at once.

Til Mar Textiles. Shelby. NC.

Shelby had a number of cool old water towers. One belonged to Til Mar Textiles which happens to be a textile recycling company.

Doran Mills. Shelby. NC.

NC Finishing Company.
Spencer. NC.

These 2 water towers are so cool looking. I drove past them on I-85 so many times but never had a chance to stop and take pictures. As you can see, I stopped just in time on this trip. They were demolishing the manufacturing facility all around them. I wanted to do some more research about this company and what they plan to do with the site, but couldn't find much. The link above is a letter to the editor about its historical significance. Considering I took these pictures in September, the water towers might have already been brought down.

From Shelby I headed to the mountains for some R&R.

Beautiful stuff!

Work Trip #20 - Jacksonville - August 26-27, 2007

2008-01-21T13:00:00.001-05:00

So after our vacation to Ocean Isle, my mom and I headed to Jacksonville, NC where I conducted a Rural Recycling Coordinator Training. We saw lots of water towers along the way. It was pretty much a straight shot up Highway 17.

Hampstead. NC.

This water tower was at a school and had a pirate on it. Most likely the school mascot. However, it also had a recycling drop-off site under it. Very cool!

ONWASA.

What the _____? ONWASA is a regional water and sewer utility based upon the self proposed co-operative merger of the systems of local governments who desire to achieve the economies of scale and obtain the ability to negotiate and operate as one unified entity. This innovative achievement has been supported by federal, state and military officials throughout ONWASA's formation.

Then on the way back to Raleigh we took Highway 58 north through Maysville and Pollocksville.

Pollocksville. NC

It was like having deja vu. I drove this road 3 times in 1 month. Once for Melanie's wedding, once on this trip and then I had to go back to New Bern for an oyster shell recycling meeting and we took this road.

Labor Day Vacation to Ocean Isle

2008-01-21T10:39:00.002-05:00

Well, slowly but surely, I am finally getting around to putting up lots of water tower pictures from this fall. Over labor day we had the enjoyment of going to Ocean Isle for a few days. Took the whole fam - dogs, mom, etc. There are quite a few water towers in Brunswick County on the way to the beach. I have posted about a few of them before. Brunswick County was also where I got my first up-close look at a water tower being made and met my cool water tower friend that builds them.

Brunswick County. NC.

On the way to the beach.

Calabash. NC.

We always have to go to Calabash for seafood. Evidently there is a Calabash style of cooking seafood. To me it just seems fried.

Calabash. NC.

Water towers and sunsets look so nice together.

Then on the way out of town, we drove around the west side of Wilmington and took the new I-140. A nice shortcut to I-40. Along the 421/17 highway there are a number of recycling companies. One is Atlantic Scrap and they happen to have a water tank.

South Atlantic Services. Wilmington. NC.

There is a really cool tower at the I-140 interchange. I can't ever seem to get a good close-up picture (it says SAS on it) but it seems to teeter on 3 little legs.

Work Trip #19 - Hickory - August 14-15, 2007

2008-01-16T09:42:00.001-05:00

Newton. NC.

This summer I conducted a workshop with Project Learning Tree about recycling and solid waste in Hickory. The first evening I tried to find the restaurant we were meeting at and I totally went to far (all the way to Newton). However, I did find this water tower.

Plus, let me plug that we will be doing another workshop in March. Find out more here.

Melanie's wedding in New Bern

2008-01-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

Owen and I headed to New Bern for Melanie's wedding. It was a hot weekend but the wedding went off beautifully. We took a detour, on the way there, to see if we could get any new water tower pictures. Instead of taking Highway 70 we went to Wilson and then took Highway 58 south.

Lucky for us it paid off. We say 2 water towers along the way.

Stantonsburg. NC.

Snow Hill. NC.

On our way home we decided to take the road less traveled and boy did we. We took a right into the Hoffman Forest. It turned into a dirt road that went for miles and miles. If we had broken down out there it would have been a long night because that was one desolate place.

Maysville. NC.

Highway 58 lets you out of the forest near Maysville. A very cute town that we ate lunch at.

Jones County.

All these small towns are in Jones County. Which evidently has its own water and sewer program.

Eastern Pines Water.

There also seems to be some other NGOs or something that provide water also.

Work Trip #18 and Vacation - Tampa/St. Pete FL - June 22, 2007

2008-01-15T20:51:00.001-05:00

Tampa. Bridge from Clearwater Beach.

I had the privilege of speaking at a Social Marketing conference in Clearwater Beach this summer. So I extended the trip slightly to include some vacation time.

I took a book with me called "Godless". It was a Christmas present from a friend. The young adult book was a fun, easy read. So what does that have to do with water towers? Well the book was about a kid that made up his own religion that worshiped the local water tower.

Saint Petersburg.

After the conference we headed to Saint Petersburg and came upon a great water tower painted in an aquatic theme. The best part - there happened to be a local recycling drop-off site below the tower. It was like the merging of 2 worlds for me.

It had great paintings. I think this might be one of my top 5 favorite towers.

You can find some more pictures from our trip here.

Trina's Trip to NY

2008-01-13T21:06:00.001-05:00

Mount Jackson. VA.

Trina, my old coworker, went to NYC this summer and took some great pictures for me along the way and while there.

This tower is an apple basket. I actually had to search it on-line.

Chambersburg. PA.

Look at that great sky.

Ellis Island.

Who knew there was a water tower on Ellis Island.

Rooftop towers.

There are tons of water towers on roof-tops in NYC. I told Trina how I had read about this initiative to save them for historical purposes so she did some great hunting for me while there.

See my previous post about NYC towers.

Another new state - New Hampshire

2008-01-12T09:24:00.001-05:00

Hampton Beach. NH.

Owen's parents took a trip up north this fall. Here is a water tower picture from them in New Hampsire.

My first CA tower (I think)

2008-01-10T22:42:00.001-05:00

Ripon. CA.

Months and months ago this great water tower picture was sent to me. When I first looked at it I thought it was dented on top. The black spots were deceiving but I guess it is meant to look like a soccer ball.

I found a few cool posts about this tower.
Here is a link to views from the top of the tower.
Here it is via an aerial photo.

I apologize for my absence

2008-01-10T20:46:00.001-05:00

As you can tell by my lack of posts, things have been busy. I have been traveling and taking pictures of towers but just not finding the time to put them on the blog. I posted some tower pictures in September from a trip I took in May. Wow, that is a long time ago.

My New Years Resolution is to get up-to-date with my blog. Can I do it?

If you want to know how I have been keeping myself busy check out these sites -
RE3.org blog
The Scrap Exchange
Carolina Rollergirls

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's

2007-10-27T18:55:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Georgina for this.

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.

2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton

3. You know that 'WOAH' comes from Joey on Blossom

4. If you ever watched 'Fraggle Rock'

5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.

6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.

8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.

9. You played the game 'MASH'(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)

10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.

11. You know the profound meaning of ' WAX ON , WAX OFF'

12. You wanted to be a Goonie.

13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)

14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.

15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.

17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.

18. You still get the urge to say 'NOT' after every sentence.

19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.

21. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.

22. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying 'I know you are, but what am I?'

23. You remember 'I've fallen and I can't get up'

24. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.

25. You have ever played with a Skip-It.

26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.

27. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.

28. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.

29. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.

30. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as 'NKOTB'

31. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on 'Saved By The Bell,' The ORIGINAL class.

32. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

33. You just sang those words to yourself.

34. You still sing 'We are the World'

35. You tight rolled your jeans.

36. You owned a bannana clip.

37. You remember 'Where's the Beef?'

38. You used to (and probably still do)
say 'What you talkin' 'bout Willis?'

39. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

Work Trip #17 - Hickory, High Point and ALL OVER - May 3 & 4, 2007

2007-09-23T21:25:00.006-04:00

You can see from this post that I am very behind in putting up my water tower pictures. So to get them up - I am going to be brief in my descriptions.

Asheboro. NC.

There is a huge Energizer Plant in town and a large part of the community works there. I love this picture because of the cemetery across the street.

Asheboro. NC. - Read about Asheboro and all their local industrial plants.

They also have a Black and Decker Plant.

Burlington. NC.

This water tower was behind the place I ate dinner at - Skids Drive In. I had a great sandwich there. I would recommend it!

Then I of course had to find out what this water tower was behind the Drive In. It is owned by Alamance Foods.

Archdale. NC.

I honestly can't remember where this was.

High Point. NC.

This was right around the corner from my site visit in High Point. Not a tower but a tank.

East Spencer. NC. Ever been to East Spencer? Well, if so, stop by the Rowan County MRF.

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

2007-09-20T07:38:00.001-04:00

Pinehurst. NC.

Jason and Melanie went to Pinehurst for the Women's Open and this water tower picture was taken there. They are located at the Pinehurst Resort which was built in 1895.

Below is a picture of the new Mr. and Mrs. King. Look for some New Bern water tower pictures soon from our trip to their wedding.

I got to go inside!!

2007-08-26T17:21:00.000-04:00

This post is long overdue. Bianca has been patiently waiting to see these pictures . . .

Many months ago, the Town of Cary was building a water tower near us. See Post 1 and Post 2 about it. I took pictures of it at various stages. Then I noticed it had these funny things sticking off of it once it had been completely welded together. Come to find out after talking with the inspector, painter and builder of the tower they were . . .

Paint screen holders.

The Town splurged for these so no paint would fly off and land on other people's property while they were painting. The paint screen is the black fabric in the picture below. I know all of this because I talked with the experts there on site.

Paint screen and painter.

In this picture you can see the multiple coats they have to put on. There are a few primer coats and then multiple coats of the sky blue color that the Town of Cary has them paint on. Too bad they didn't put something more unique or exotic on it. The painter told me it would have only cost the town about $10,000 more to put something cool on the tower.

What do you think about this job? Could be fun but he was wrapped up in a jump suit from head to toe in the middle of summer.

I don't know how many people stop to see a tower being built but I of course was snapping my camera away. This draws attention so when the Inspector came over to see what I was doing I kindly told him I was a Watertower Aficionado and had a blog (at which time I handed him my business card). He said "Cool! Want to go inside?" I jumped for joy.

Here is the proof that I went inside a water tower. Plus, did you know they have to paint the inside also.

Goldsboro at Christmas

2007-08-26T15:15:00.000-04:00

Road Trip to Goldboro in December?
Listen to what Marty has to say about the water tower in Goldsboro where he taught high school for 7 years.

"The tank is definitely worth seeing at Christmas. I think they light it right after Thanksgiving. It's always a tradition for us [his family] to see it and to ride down Center Street downtown--they always light up all the trees and have overhead hanging lights too. I think they recently redid all the bulbs so it looks really good now."

Anyone have a picture of this beautiful scene?

Work Trip #16 - Wingate, NC - April 19-20, 2007

2007-08-05T21:36:00.000-04:00

In April, I took a trip southwest on Highway 1 and Highway 74 to go to Wingate and ultimately Charlotte. This was a great trip. One that I had never been on before. I think the area near Pinehurst and Southern Pines is beautiful.

Aberdeen. NC.

The first water tower I came upon was Aberdeen. The tower was right behind a "big" strip mall there.

Hoffman. NC. Richmond County.

Then I came upon these 2.5 great water towers in Hoffman. If you look closely there is a new tower that says "Richmond County", an old rusty tower and another rusty tower without a tank.

This was a great find. All of these towers were in front of the Richmond Fire and Rescue building. One of the largest buildings in Hoffman.

This tank and tower didn't really belong to any town but they were on Highway 1 south.

Then you kind of round this corner on the little 2-lane road and it opens up into a 6 lane road and you see this huge hill in front of you.

I had come upon the North Carolina Speedway
in Rockingham. It was a sight to see in the middle of nowhere. I guess it is no longer on the NASCAR circuit but is used as a testing facility.

Wadesboro. NC. Anson County.

I have been here previously but didn't get this tower picture. The last picture I got was of the Southern Piedmont Community College.

Marshville. NC.

Almost to my destination I got another picture in Marshville. The flag was at half-staff due to the VA Tech tragedy that happened on April 16.

Wingate. NC.

I arrived at Wingate University where I conducted a focus group and survey along with tableling at their Earth Day event. It was a good experience. I met lots of great students.

Work Trip #15 - Greenville, SC - March 21-23, 2007

2007-08-05T19:24:00.000-04:00

I am finally posting some pictures I took in March and April while traveling for work. It has been a busy spring and summer. I can't believe I didn't post anything in July.

Spartanburg. SC.

I traveled to AL and LA with my mom for a week in March.

Immediately after returning from that trip, I drove to Greenville, SC for the Carolina Recycling Association Conference.

On the way I took these pictures in Spartanburg. A very nicely painted water tower.

Maybe I need to be a bridge aficionado

2007-06-25T22:40:00.000-04:00

Dupont.
Delaware Memorial Bridge.

This is a very cool submission from Em. The Delaware Memorial Bridge is the worlds longest twin suspension bridge. Check out the pictorial history of it here.

Trina and the beach

2007-06-24T22:36:00.000-04:00

Surf City. NC.

I would have put my usual map link to this city but Google Maps can't seem to find it. Thanks again Trina for another submission.

Water tower conversation in unusual places

2007-06-23T14:38:00.000-04:00

In April, I traveled to Asheville for work and stayed in a youth hostel. While there I met a really nice girl - Christina. She and I got to talking and we had quite a bit in common like our interest in project management. She was taking time to travel the US before starting a new job in the pacific northwest. On her travels she took a picture of the water tower in Newton Falls, OH.

I am thankful for her submission and I wish her luck on her PMP exam.

More pictures from Mom

2007-06-23T11:43:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures from my Mom's travels around Missouri. When she took these pictures she called me in the middle of the day, all excited, because she had just seen a stealth bomber fly over her. Unfortunately that picture didn't come out but some great water tower pictures did.

California. MO.

It looks like Mom traveled Highway 50 through Missouri as you can see from the map linked above.

Who knew there was a sunny California in MO.

Sedalia. MO.

She said this looked like an old abandoned factory.

Warrensburg. MO.

The tower says Missouri American Water Company.

Tipton. MO.

This picture if very cool. Thanks Mom!

Around the corner from my house 2

2007-06-22T21:09:00.000-04:00

Cary. NC.

I haven't put up a post showing the progress made on the Cary water tower recently. I took these pictures in February.

Just wait for a future post about this tower. I got to go on an exciting field trip -- into -- the tower.

Sorry this is fuzzy but I thought it was kind-of artistic.

190-foot tower raised for new water provider

2007-05-06T09:05:00.000-04:00

Here is an article I got from Jason who spends his time skimming the papers for water tower articles just for me. Yeah Right!

Starting next year, part of Pitt County will draw from Neuse
By Amanda Karr
The Daily Reflector

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Thirsty?

A tank raised Wednesday to the top of a new water tower off N.C. 11 in Ayden will hold 750,000 gallons of water.

Read the whole article here.

Greg Eans/The Daily Reflector

(ENLARGE)

Workers from Caldwell Tank out of Louisville, Ky., work at the top of the 190-foot Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority water tower in Ayden Wednesday, preparing to put the 750,000-gallon tank in place.

Greg Eans/The Daily Reflector

(ENLARGE)

A crew from Caldwell Tank out of Louisville, Ky., raise a 750,000-gallon tank to the top of the new Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority tower in Ayden on Wednesday morning.

Mom's submission - Windsor

2007-05-05T21:39:00.000-04:00

Windsor. MO.

I hounded my mom for months to take pictures of water towers for me while she is out and about in Missouri. She travels around picking up scrap material or working with others to set up a scrap reuse center. Very cool stuff. Check out her Reusables web site.

Now that she is taking pictures I haven't had the time to post them until now. Behold Windsor Missouri and a beautiful rainbow.

Swimming with the fishes - OIB

2007-05-05T08:49:00.000-04:00

Ocean Isle Beach. NC.

My buddy or should I say Bubba (his nickname) took this picture of the Ocean Isle Beach water tower for me back in March and I am just now finding time to post it.

Who knew my blog would take off so well that I would be inundated with submissions. :) I apologize for my delay in posting pictures lately but please keep sending them.

The last leg of the trip

2007-03-21T20:31:00.000-04:00

Start. LA

Of course we started our journey here just east of Monroe.

Tallulah. LA.

This was a cute little town but very sad looking. These towers say Staplcotn.

Staplcotn is the largest producer owned cotton cooperative in the United States. Along with Stapldiscount we provide a range of services to our members including domestic and export marketing, cotton warehousing and agricultural financing.

South Alabama Utilities.

Citronelle. AL.

However I can't seem to Google the city to find a map. This is a stand pipe versus a water tower, but both hold water.

Driving to Monroe

2007-03-17T10:46:00.000-04:00

Semmes. AL.

We headed out of AL via highway 98 and came upon this water tower right away.

Seminary.
Then north of Haitesville, MS we stopped in Seminary. No water tower but ate lunch and shoe shopped. I got some sandals at the Watermelon Patch and we ate lunch at a large fruit stand.

Collins. MS.

This is our first Mississippi water tower picture. I could have taken more but the trip would have taken us forever.

Vicksburg. MS.
Then we stopped for gas in Vicksburg off I-20. This town is along the river. Very cute.

Rayville. LA.

Then Rayville outside of Monroe.

The commute

2007-03-16T12:30:00.000-04:00

Each morning we drove from Mobile to Orange Beach. Quite a trip with lots of water towers.

Loxley. AL.

It is hard to see but this tower had a flag on the side of it.

Robertsdale. AL.

This one says "Go Bears".

Foley. AL.

There is an interesting story about Foley. Years ago, when Owen and I drove to a family reunion at Gulf Shores in his old station wagon our car broke down and we had to spend the day in Foley while it was being repaired.

I remember eating in this drug store soda fountain, reading in the library and hanging out at their old train station while we waited for our car to be repaired.

Orange Beach. AL.

Then each day we made it to Orange Beach where the conference was being held.

Beautiful Mobile

2007-03-16T12:17:00.000-04:00

I have been traveling around the gulf coast with my mom. We went to the Southeast Recycling Conference in Orange Beach and stayed with family in Mobile. We have had lots of good water tower picture opportunities.

Mobile. AL.

Mobile has a beautiful bay with lots of docks. There were at least 3 of these towers lining the water.

My family lives a little north of Mobile in Saraland. This is a picture taken at dusk of the water tower near my family's new house that they are building.

The fam!

Gaylord Hospital

2007-03-11T21:22:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago I went to Connecticut for a funeral. We celebrated the life of Aunt Lois who had lived in Ashlar Village for years.

This is me with the Moriarty's. Part of the Abbott clan.

Wallingford. CT.

Of course, on the way to Ashlar Village where the funeral was held, we passed by Gaylord Hospital where they had 2 great old water towers.

Of course, Andy has been telling me for years that CT doesn't have water towers. I hated to prove him wrong but I did.

COMMENT - Scuba divers and water towers

2007-03-11T13:23:00.000-04:00

My son has a friend who got paid $200 an hour to scuba dive inside water towers and clean them out w/ a special underwater vacuum cleaner. He reported that there is some interesting and amazing stuff in the water inside water towers. Just thought you might add it to your w/tower archives......

Alden, Art teacher, Rolesville Elem.

Phoenix Submission #4 - Next phase of the tower

2007-02-12T21:45:00.000-05:00

Brunswick County. NC.

More photos from my friends making the water tower in Southport.

Scaffolding

2007-02-11T21:37:00.000-05:00

Topsail Beach. NC.

Jason found this picture that was recently in the Pender Chronicle.

The caption read "HUNDREDS OF SCAFFOLDING SECTIONS surround the water tank at Topsail Beach to aid workers in restoration. Painting is scheduled to be completed by the end of February. (Staff photo by Gary Weaver)"

It reminded me of a trip I took to Washington DC years ago when the Washington Monument had scaffolding all over it.

Melanie's Submissions - Travels on Highway 24/27

2007-02-11T20:46:00.000-05:00

Carthage. NC.

If you have time take a trip west on highway 24/27.
There are lots of water towers in cute little towns.

Biscoe. NC.

Locust. NC.

Belgrade, MT

2007-02-04T14:36:00.000-05:00

Belgrade. MT.

This town is next to Bozeman, a really
cute artsy town. Mary Katherine was there on vacation with her family over Christmas.

The first of many Wisconsin Water Tower Pics

2007-02-03T15:04:00.000-05:00

Milwaukee. WI.

Owen's buddy, Darin, from work has taken a job in Madison, WI. Here is the first WI submission from he and Susan.

I don't know how they plan to top this one.

Make sure to read the info to the left. This standpipe was operating until 1963. Impressive!

Too bad the sky looks overcast in this picture. But what can you expect from WI? Do you think we will ever get Owen to visit Darin there? Maybe we should start placing bets.

Work Trip #14 - Browns Summit - January 31, 2007

2007-02-03T13:56:00.000-05:00

Greensboro. NC.

I headed out of town this Wednesday for Greensboro and then planned to go onto Asheville. However the weather didn't cooperate and I had to cut my trip short. In preparing for a snowy trip back home I stopped at this state fueling station to fill my car. I talked with some of the DMV guys and they said this water tower was actually filled with a salt water solution (brine) that they were putting on the roads as a pre-treatment.

There was another similar looking water tower across the street at the Guilford Correctional Institution.

Browns Summit. NC.

With the beautiful sky in this picture of the Browns Summit Middle School it is hard to believe we had snow on the ground the next day.

Phoenix Submission #3 - Final products

2007-01-29T21:03:00.000-05:00

Summerville. SC.

A 1 million gallon tank Phoenix built that is only half done in this picture.

Scottsburg. IN.

Phoenix built this one about two years ago. Notice the peaked roof. This is a specialty tank. 500,000 gallons. I will get better pictures of this one, because Scottsburg is where I [Keith] get most of my tattoos.

Chehalis. WA.

This is a 500,000 gallon water tower built for a glass factory. One clear day, I [Keith] saw Mt. Rainer, Mt. St. Helen, and Mt. Hood in Oregon from the top of the tank.

Sunrise from the top. Not a bad job!