Return to Hampton, VA (June 28, 2014)

Have not been to Hampton, VA for a while...but enjoyed my last visit some time ago. Read about Fort Monroe and wanted to see it; so got on the motorcycle on a mid 80's late June day (low humidity) and rode down I-64 (for the most part) to the Fort. Roads were real heavy with traffic-in fact came to a stop a few times. I actually got off near Williamsburg, but followed signs to Hampton Roads knowing that Hampton was nearby...and with more signs (VA is much better than Carolina telling you where things are) I was able to find my way to the Fort. I was impressed to say the least.  

"Fort" in Richmond being a dirt mound (which once had wood works but are gone) this was the real deal. Nice place until like 2011 (as I remember) it was an active military base. It also was during the Civil War. Got to see the building where Robert E. Lee lived while in the US Army..and the area where Jeff Davis was held for a time after the war (after friends posted $100,000 bail he was released and never tried) was also there. Very good (and free) museum in the Fort.
Photos above and to left are of the fort, its a big thing, and never fell (was in Union hands) the entire Civil War. I also have some photos on my Photo Page, but it was a very cool trip and enjoyed seeing it.  
Lots of interesting things in the area, and also being on the water got to see some fishing boats (commercial) and nice to be near the water anyhow.
Got back on the highway and headed back to Richmond...but first...

Stopped at the Hampton Air Park. There is also the Hampton, VA Air and Space Museum (which I have been to...charges admission) but wanted to see this free attraction. Has some rare planes and rockets. With a NASA facility and Langley Air Force Base in the area, they get some interesting things. Enjoyed my second visit here, looks like most of the items have been fixed up since my last visit with paint. Also had some people there to give information which was nice as well.
Coming back, same traffic problems....so at Williamsburg took VA5 back to Richmond. One of my favorite roads and a whole lot less traffic. Came to a 186 mile ride (thereabouts) and was a really good day for it. Hampton is a neat place to explore and plan to go back in the future....but with beach traffic (VA Beach is not far) might reconsider doing this again on weekends.  

2nd Annual Richmond Bacon Festival (June 8, 2014)

Went to this (the first one) last year...both were held in the 17th Street Farmers Market in Richmond, VA. The first was not well organized, beer lines were massive, they ran out of food...to be honest I was gone in 15 minutes.
The people who put it on said it would be better this year with more food, more beer, and a larger area. They were right...it was a whole lot better. The lines were shorter even though the crowd was much, much larger. It is one of the most interesting parts of Richmond held in the Shockoe Bottom area of the city.

 The main focus was Bacon and there were all sorts of bacon based treats...even bacon ice cream. There was all sorts of neat things to check out at a (usual) price of $4 for a sample.
Beer (as has been the norm of late) was $6 a cup (up from $5 in the last few years) but it is a good chance to check out and try some different beers.
It was a neat event, I like getting out to see some of the things Richmond has to offer, and it sure offers a lot as I have found. Fun to see all the people too...got to see some very interesting tattoos and this city is certainly fond of those!    

There were bands, there was bacon, there was beer, it did not rain (though it was more humid than the motorcycle ride the day before which is on my Racing with the Wind Page), and I also have some more photos (including one of the neat tattoos) on my Photo Page.
Richmond certainly (as you can see from the photo at left) loves these events as do I. Had a great time and am looking forward to the next one.
Closed out the night at Music in the Park, held on a regular basis in Forest Hill Park which is also in Richmond, VA