Charlotte sometimes….

I always have the travel itch, and lately I’ve been scratching it in an unusual way: driving to Charlotte to watch Major League Rugby’s Anthem RC play. I dislike flying so I’ve been making the trip over a three-day weekend, with two days basically sacrificed to the road. To avoid construction work on I95, which can add hours to the drive, I’ve been taking smaller, old-timey highways which take almost the same amount of time, but allow me to cruise along roads a lot less traveled….

I’ve visited twice so far, with two more visits planned before summer ends, and I’ve been trying out different hotels each time to see if I can find a favorite. A few weeks ago, I stayed at the Le Meridian Charlotte and this past weekend I tried out the Hyatt House Charlotte Center City. Le Méridien had the better vibe and blissfully easy parking, but the towels felt like they’d been stolen from a budget gym. Hyatt House, meanwhile, upgraded me to a corner suite on the top floor with skyline views and gloriously fluffy towels — but made me pay dearly for valet parking.  Hyatt House gets bonus points for being across the street from the Midnight Diner, which is open 24-7 and serving everything from eggs to meat-and-threes round the clock.  Charlotte boasts an impressive number of hotels so I’m going to try out the Grand Bohemian Charlotte next.

Charlotte earned its “Queen City” nickname from Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III — a bit of colonial-era flattery that somehow stuck.  Fast forward to today, and the city has an easy-paced, laid-back vibe, especially at night in the uptown area where I stayed. The city feels like it’s constantly rebuilding itself in real time. After two visits, I’d say Charlotte feels more like a city people move to than a city people vacation in (especially given you can do all the ‘must see’ attractions in two days with some time left over).

During the long hours before Anthem matches, I did try to play tourist. I ruled out visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the art museums (although I hear all three are worth visiting) and ended up spending most of my time walking around NoDa and Camp Northend, hip areas full of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. I also enjoyed a stroll through Freedom Park and a long hike along Little Sugar Creek Greenway.  I am also exploring things related to America 250,  and decided to take a quick detour to South Carolina to explore Kings Mountain National Historic Battlefield and learn about the Revolutionary-era battle that took place there between the Loyalists and the Patriots.

Charlotte may not overwhelm tourists with attractions, but it absolutely knows how to feed people. I had excellent street tacos from a roadside truck I’ll probably never find again, absurdly good hushpuppies with cinnamon coffee butter at Haberdish, decadently delicious sushi at Yama Loso, and enough caffeine from the city’s endless coffee shops, including Provided Coffee, HEX Coffee, Kitchen & Natural Wines, and Waterbean Coffee to power a cross-country road trip. Maybe Charlotte should update its nickname to Coffee City.

Charlotte may never crack anyone’s “must-visit American cities” list, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s comfortable, easygoing, and surprisingly easy to settle into for a weekend — especially when rugby, coffee, and good food are involved.

I suspect I’ll keep finding reasons to return to the Queen City, whether for rugby matches, coffee, or just another long weekend on the road, so if you have recommendations — restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, hidden gems — send them my way. There’s a good chance I’ll end up back on those Carolina highways sooner rather than later.

Charlotte Sometimes – The Cure

Wole Soyinka says U.S. revokes his entry visa

Key Points

• He says the Consulate revoked his B1/B2 visa. He claims the letter gave no specific grounds.

• The notice came in an October 23 dated letter. He shared the news at a Lagos briefing.

• He says relations with U.S. officials stay cordial. He seeks clarity and avoids personal confrontation now.

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka (Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka) speaks today. He says the United States revoked his travel visa. He reveals the move at a Lagos media briefing.

Soyinka says the U.S. Consulate sent an official letter. It lists the revocation under State Department rules. He says the letter gives no stated reason.

The case comes amid recent U.S. visa revocations. Officials sometimes act without public disclosure of full grounds. He says he will seek clarity through proper channels.

What Soyinka says so far

His visa was a B1/B2 for business travel. He says a notice arrived on October twenty three. He earlier declined a request for a re-interview appointment. He says the invite sought a full re-interview.

He insists he holds no crime record in any place. He asks if he ever misbehaved to the United States. He says “I have no visa,” during the briefing.

How visa rules may apply

It is a B1/B2 class for visits and meetings. Such visas face revocation under State Department rules. Officials may cite general discretion in such reviews. Lawyers can seek review or apply for fresh waivers.

Revoked visas can be reconsidered after extra checks. Applicants sometimes attend fresh interviews for status updates. Consulates may suggest routes for lawful travel neùeds. Wait times often depend on local resource levels.

Soyinka keeps a calm tone toward U.S. officials. He says relations remain polite despite the new bar. See the U.S. mission visa ban warning for background.

He told hosts abroad to pause any travel plans. He says those with invites should avoid new bookings. He adds that people can find him in Lagos.

Soyinka has long ties with American schools and groups. He has taught and spoken widely across many states. He says past relations with officials were always polite. He values dialogue and fair process, he adds.

The briefing held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park. He invited group hosts to suspend any U.S. events. He thanked supporters for patience while he seeks answers. He urged calm while the process runs its course.

In September he received a recall for a re-interview. He first thought the notice was a fake letter. He later confirmed the letter came from the mission.

#B1B2Visa #FreedomPark #Lagos #NigeriaNews #USConsulateLagos #USVisa #ValidUpdates #WoleSoyinka

Wole Soyinka speaks out after U.S. revokes his visa, saying he received no clear reason for the action. Read full details below #ValidUpdates #WoleSoyinka #USVisa #NigeriaNews #FreedomPark

https://validupdates.com/2025/10/wole-soyinka-says-u-s-revokes-his-entry-visa/

A parting shot from Great River Road Visitor Center in Freedom Park in Prescott, Wisconsin.

#travel #freedompark #wisconsin #teampixel

At the Great River Road Visitor Center in Freedom Park in Prescott, Wisconsin.

#travel #freedompark #wisconsin #teampixel

At the Great River Road Visitor Center in Freedom Park in Prescott, Wisconsin.

#travel #freedompark #wisconsin #teampixel

At the Great River Road Visitor Center in Freedom Park in Prescott, Wisconsin.

#travel #freedompark #wisconsin #teampixel

"Fish Boy" at the eclectic Freedom Park, Camano Island, Washington, USA. Bronze.

A sign nearby reads:
"Great opportunity! OK for kids to sit on Fish Boy for a photo.
But please don't step on the flowers."

I could not find a plaque to give credits.

#Art #Sculpture #FreedomPark