April 1 at Maymont

 A remarkable day at Maymont, the place is just flat out a treasure, but especially in the Spring (also a lot of fun touring the house during Christmas time, but that was the subject of a previous post). Thought the gardens would be in full bloom, for a change I was right on the money. This is the Italian Garden at Maymont, and it was remarkable. All the flowers were in full bloom, and being an early Sunday morning the crowds were not (but really built up around noon). Before seeing this remarkable sight, I checked out some of the old carriages on display, and walked by the house on the land. 

 Down a large stone stairway, went to the Japanese Gardens. Got a lot of great photos (which many can be seen on my Flickr Page, and there is a link to that on this page) but this one was really the Photo of the Day in my book. It is the kind of place, on a day like this, that you never want to leave. I was amazed at the sights I saw there. It also is notable that this is the 100th anniversary of the Japanese Gardens at Maymont, there are a lot of special events going on around that.
While at Maymont, also went out and checked out some of the amazing birds (among which I saw some Hawks, Owls, Bald Eagles, and even some Vultures) as well as a bear (sleeping, but he probably had a bear of a night!) and a bison. There is even more there, just a whole lot to see and do. Of course it is a good place just to relax and check out what nature has to offer. After the blandness of a very mild Winter, nice to see so much in bloom at Spring time, and this one is really a remarkable sight indeed!  

I stopped at Hollywood Cemetery which has some great views of Belle Island and the James River rapids (which due to the rain of late, were running very rapid indeed!) and made a stop at Legend's Brewing Company for a "legendary beverage" (well, actually two legendary beverages) and checked out the view of Richmond from the deck there. Nice place, and I do enjoy the beer there.
It was a nice day to enjoy a fine morning and early afternoon in this very interesting city of Richmond, VA. If you get the chance soon, be sure to get out to Maymont and check out some of what it has to offer, its just a remarkable place!