Station 2 and Chimborazo (February 25, 2012)

 Stopped by Station 2 on a Saturday, neat place to catch some fried pickles (loved them in North Carolina...they do a very fine version which also has a very good mustard based dipping sauce) and a frosty beverage. Took a friend from North Carolina (also by way of Kentucky) there. He spent some 12 years in North Carolina, and never had fried pickles. Fixed that oversight today with the visit. Nice place in a former fire station on Main Street-once again a good example of Richmond recycling of old buildings. Other interesting food selections, and a great selection of beer...including many interesting ones from Virginia which is fun to check out. They don't have a lot of televisions for games, but otherwise its a good place to hang out. They also have outside seating which would be fun on warmer and less windy days. This was not one of those: for this visit had to admire whoever rode that motorcycle on this 50 degree and very windy day. I have been on rides in weather like this-not for the timid for sure!  

 Photo of the James River seen here was taken at Chimborazo Park in the Church Hill area of Richmond. Certainly one of the most interesting and historic areas of the city, there is a lot to see and do in that area. Some of the oldest houses, some great historic sites (such as St. John's Church, which is where Patrick Henry gave his famous "give me liberty or give me death" speech) and some more great places to get a meal or to lift a glass. I like the old (and working) gas streetlights to be found there, and quite a few parks such as this one. Have been here before-the big "Childsavers Motorcycle Ride" ended here last year.

The park though in the Civil War was the site of a Confederate Military Hospital which was at the time the largest in the world. It also was unusual in that those who went for treatment there had a roughly 90% chance of leaving there alive. None of the buildings from that period survive...the building in the background is the Visitor Center which was a former "weather station" (if I remember it right). The museum inside has a number of Civil War items, and you can see a free film on the history of the hospital there. Also of interest are some of the neighborhood houses in the area...they are very old as well.