Some Favorite Richmond Places (October 16, 2010)

Took my friend Keith (from work, another transfer from Louisville and Concord, NC) on a tour of Richmond today (our second time, he came down for the IndyCar race in Richmond last year). First stop was a favorite place: Buz and Ned's Real Barbecue. Real good Richmond style barbecue, and a fun place to eat. I find the food really reasonable, and the service is good as well. Just before that, we walked over to Velocity Motorcycles to check out the very interesting motorcycles to be found over there. It is my favorite motorcycle shop in the Richmond area, and the fact that both places are across the street from each other is a real plus.
At left is a view of Belle Isle. I was just there a couple of weeks ago, but it was fun to show it off to Keith. There is a lot of nature to enjoy there, but also a great deal of history; that Island has seen a lot of uses since it was owned by the Indian's (John Smith was there in the early 1600's). Indian camps, rock quarry, various factories, power plant, civil war prison, and now a playground for the people of Richmond and visitors from all over. The walk across the bridge under the highway and over the James River is a real fun walk with great views of the Island, and also of the city of Richmond. This was my third trip there, and will not be the last one.
Third photo is of Keith and I exploring Malvern Hill. This field was the site of a battle with some 150,000 soldiers (on both sides) during the Civil War. One of my favorite local battlefields; it has a lot of information and history to be found there. We wandered around much of the battlefield and there is quite a bit to see there. Good information on the battle can be found on the web.
Following that, we made a final stop for a cold Legend Brown Ale at the Legend Brewing Company; enjoying that Richmond made beer on their beer deck outside. Did a very interesting ride up Hull Street before dropping him off at his apartment, and then I returned to mine on a very fine night in Richmond, VA. Of note, on this Saturday night I am enjoying the Bank of America 500 live broadcast from Concord, NC...where my family (and I often) live. Certainly this "tale of two cities" gets interesting sometimes; especially when you live it as I do.