Riding in the RVA (April 27, 2013)

 It was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride, but put some of the "motorcycle" photos from the ride on my "Racing with the Wind" page, these are some of the sights. Started with a ride to Carytown (also down River Road and then to Cary Street) which is very scenic. Carytown is always fun though, for those who like shopping it has a lot of that, but also for those of us who like eating has some of that. I have eaten at Galaxy Diner (and found it good) in the past, but there are a lot of places to chow down and have about anything you would desire food wise. Fun section of town. 

 Rode though The Fan and Downtown (both interesting sections) but stopped for some food at Alamo BBQ in Church Hill. Church Hill is one of the most interesting parts of this very interesting city and one of my favorite places to go. Alamo is a real treat - on this visit tried this "Cuban" made with pork bbq and an order of "Cowboy" beans which also have BBQ in them. I found it really, really good and will be back for this very soon! Enjoy also riding around Church Hill, which has a couple of very interesting parks and some amazing looking houses. It also has some very fine places to eat, and many of them have come in the last few months.    

This is out in what is called "Manchester" and again a lot of new things have been popping up there. This is of course an old thing; was the former Philip Morris Tobacco factory, but has been turned into apartments now. Richmond does not tear things down, but rather changes them over to other uses, which is what makes it a very interesting place to live. I like that, as there are some remarkable places to see, and it is different than most cities I have lived in over the years. Like to explore the different sections of the city, on what was a nice riding day with temps in the 70's, a local ride was a good idea.   

Finally stopped  at Legend Brewing for a (as in one) Brown Ale. It is Richmond made and frankly is pretty good stuff, especially when (and especially when riding or driving) in moderation. Took this photo of Richmond from the deck...they have a large outside area (also an inside area) to enjoy the fine food and beer. Richmond is starting to put a lot of places in areas where there is a view of the river, and it really is a good (and in my opinion way overdue) idea.
I had a good time on a very fine Saturday while checking out some really neat places and seeing some very interesting sights.

Touring the RVA (April 7, 2013)

 Got out on a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride in Richmond and surrounding area. It was the warmest day of the year so far, and a good day to get out and ride for a bit. While passing though downtown Richmond, stopped to get this photo of the Virginia State Capital...this was designed by Thomas Jefferson and has stood for a long long time. There are free tours of the building, the inside is just about as remarkable as the outside. If you are ever in the city, be sure to come back and check this place out, it is well worth your time to see it. 

As for the statue, it is also on the capital grounds, it is of George Washington (and some associated figures) and is quite the statue. This is a city of statues and there are some amazing ones here in the area. In fact it seems that I come across new ones all the time...saw a statue of Edgar Allen Poe on the capital grounds while I was there on the 7th, had not seen that one before.
While there you can also take tours of the Governors Mansion which is also on the grounds. That though you need to check on, as sometimes the family needs will cancel  tours of the building.  

Finally, made a stop in Prince George, VA to the Tilted Kilt...a sort of Hooters like sports bar except the women all wear Kilts. Different and a nice place to stop. Got to see women in kilts as well as some of the NAsCAR race.
It was just a beautiful day (if a bit breezy but you can't have it all, all the time) to get out and ride and I sure enjoyed it. Exploring Richmond is a great deal of fun, and I never really know what I will come across. Looking forward to some great days and great rides now that my motorcycle is here in town with me. It is going to be a fun Spring for sure, looking forward to it.  

City Point (April 1, 2013)

 Beautiful day for a motorcycle ride, and took one to City Point, which is a few miles from Richmond down on I-95 (and a short ride on 10). Was the big depot for the Union Army during the Civil War to supply the army which was trying to take Richmond and Petersburg. Many of the buildings there are old and they are original. For instance this was part of a plantation owned by Dr Eppes, and was known as Appomattox Manor. It is possible to tour the house and the outbuildings which also offers a fine view of the Appomattox River. There is no admission charge to see the buildings. 

 Some of the buildings though have new uses, and many of them are now private property. You can't go in this building, but it was a Tavern back during the Civil War. Many of the old churches are still used as churches today, and there are a lot of historic markers to tell you what the places were and how they were used. Some (it has been some years) are no longer there. Coming into town there was a Union Fort, one of the few remaining in what was an extensive line of defenses there. It is a fun place to park and just walk around to see what you will come across from the period. 

This cabin is the Headquarters of Union commanding General U.S. Grant. Some of the wood over time has been replaced, but it is pretty much what he lived in while he was there. There were once many cabins just like this one, but of course this one was worth keeping and sits once again on the original site.
I have been here a few times, and it is still one of my favorite places to visit. Hopewell (which is what this area is part of) is a very interesting town to visit, and there are a lot of things to see there. Thanks for visiting my page, I hope you enjoyed it.