My trip south

A little over a month ago, my best friend, partner in crime, golf buddy, companion chief mischief maker and so much more, moved with the dog to North Carolina.

And this past weekend, I had the opportunity to fly south and visit.  I have not historically been a particularly huge fan of the state, or more precisely the hot, humid climate.  But he didn't move to just anywhere North Carolina, he moved to Pinehurst.  Because where is a better place for a golfing architect, than one of the top golf towns in America.  Yep.  So down I went. Clubs in tow.  And to be clear, after this Boston winter, I was more than a little excited to see some sunshine.

I have a million retrospective thoughts and saw so much, but a few things stuck out. A couple of the not really noteworthy notables, were the abundance of trailer homes and the pervasiveness of strip malls and chain restaurants.  No, neither of these are unique to North Carolina, but I was struck by both during my travels.  And,  although somewhat embarrassing to actually admit, it took me being in Pinehurst, and Southern Pines, and Whispering Pines to realize they are all named as such for the amazing number and ubiquity of the pine trees. Duh. 

However, the two things I saw that really struck me, or perhaps I should say, offended my sensibilities, were roofs and windows.

If i were to go into a new business as result of my trip, it would either be replacement windows or more likely the construction, manufacturing and sale of asphalt roofing.  I can't say I've ever seen a place with such a profound preference for huge, towering, multi-peaked, multi-tiered, multi-lined roofs.  In retrospect, I wish I'd thought to capture some example specimens on camera so I could share.  There were entire neighborhoods of roof lines that were nonsensical (I was wandering around with an architect, he couldn't explain it either!), it was like keeping up with Jones, except with roofs rather than lawns.  The one caveat is that it was pretty exclusive to new homes and additions. The historic cottages in and around all of the 'Pines' were generally well scaled and quite attractive, but something seems to have taken a hold of the building community and exploded the roofs.  Baffling is all I can say.

On the other hand, were the windows.  I'm notorious for having a really horrible attitude about replacement windows and being from the north I suppose this is compounded by being accustomed to a certain quality (thickness) of window; we need good windows here to keep out the 5 feet of snow.  What I saw there, in both new and replacement windows, were windows that appeared so slight, they actually looked wavy, like saran wrap rather than glass. I understand (although I don't like it) why this is done so often on homes in similar climates, but what absolutely floored me, was the same wavy-fake-glass look of all the replacement windows on the Resort itself.  I wanted to love it.  To be taken aback with it's amazing history and the stories it has to tell.  Instead I was fixated and offended by the windows.  

I expected grandeur and some amount of pompous grace.  I was so sorely disappointed with the tired look of a cheaply (which I'm sure it wasn't) maintained Resort that's past it's prime.  I expected the feel of the Mount Washington Hotel, so stunningly maintained and renovated, and instead I felt cheated and was ecstatic that I hadn't stayed there just for the privilege to play the course (which apparently is the shoe-in for a non-member).  And that in and of itself didn't sit well with me. I'm sad for the resort and hopeful that it doesn't destroy the glory of a beautiful little town.