Sunday, June 5, 2011

Showing off the RVA Part 1 (June 4, 2011)

View from Drewry's Bluff site of the Civil War era defenses called Ft. Darling. On May 15, 1862 the Confederate Marines (read it was the base for the Marines in the war), 8 cannon (some salvaged from the CSS Virginia) , drove off a force of five US Navy ships (including the USS Monitor) which were headed to shell Richmond. The fort, located some 100 feet above the river, was too high for the ships to shoot at, and the Confederates won the three hour battle. The Union Navy never again attacked the Confederate capital. During the battle, US Marine John Mackie's actions lead him to be awarded that branches first Medal of Honor.
Following the visit to the battlefield, we headed for Buz and Ned's Real Barbecue. We were also going to check out Velocity Motorcycles which was next door to it on The Boulevard, but it has moved to a new location on Marshall Street. Being bikers though (the three of us have gotten to be friends from work, but all of us rode motorcycles together in North Carolina) we enjoyed seeing the Harley-Davidson V-Rod in this photograph. As for the food it got a thumbs up from all of us, though two of us had eaten there before. Nice place, and as for Velocity will check on where that is moved to, and will take a look at that in the near future!
Of course, had to take the visitors to Monument Avenue. Not just for the impressive statues such as this one of Robert E. Lee, but also to see the houses. I believe I read (though can't remember where) that Monument Avenue was named one of the most beautiful streets in North America. I always enjoy visiting it, and like the sights to be seen there. Many great statues can be found there of the Confederate generals, and also one of tennis legend (and Richmond native) Arthur Ashe. We rolled up and down the street making a few stops to take photographs. I think this street is one of the must see locations in Richmond, and seems to be popular with visitors.
This is the group that went with me. The son at left is Chris, his dad Eddie (from Louisville, Kentucky, a connection we all share) is next to him, and at the far right is Keith. We all worked at the factory in Louisville, Kentucky, transferred to Concord, NC. Following the closing of that factory, Keith and I now work in Richmond, Va (Ed did not make the move). Ed's son is studying history at U of L and thought Richmond would be interesting to see for that reason. I think Ed was interested in what he missed. We did much more during the day, and visited a lot more places, and those will be seen in my next post. It was a great time though and fun to check out this very interesting city that I have come to appreciate and enjoy so much!

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