Belle Isle February 19, 2017)

On a very and amazingly warm Sunday in Richmond took a walk to Belle Isle. Course I drove there, but parking was quite an adventure. Seems on a day with a high in the 70's a whole bunch of people came up with the very same idea.
Still, got there and took a walk across the bridge (there is also another). Seen here is a view of Richmond from there, and the remains in the river of a former bridge.    

Belle Isle is remarkable. This is a view across the James with Hollywood Cemetery seen in the background (also a remarkable place). Over the years the island has been a, or the site of...a rock quarry, Indian campground, a Civil War prison, a iron plant, a metal factory, a power plant, and even a defensive gun emplacement again during the Civil War. Amazing bit of history and beautiful sights.    

Now used by bikers (bicycles), hikers and just people enjoying the sights and all that the Island has to offer. On this day it was a really full of people and I had a great time getting a good walk in, and exploring some of the places there.
I have been there many times in the past and hopefully will be again in the future.
It is one of the great treasures of Richmond and is one of the things that makes this city so much fun.  

An Afternoon in Ashland, VA (February 18, 2017)

Motorcycle ride to Ashland, one of my favorite local cities on a 70 degree day. First stop was a return visit to Hanover County Airport which is in (or very near) to Ashland, VA. Why you ask? Cause I love aircraft that's why!

 Down in Ashland which was named for Henry Clay's house in Kentucky. In fact that is the Henry Clay Inn in yellow in the photo (named for him, he never owned it), and to the right is the old Train Station which is now a Museum/Visitor Center. Fun place to explore and to see both some very cool historic items and information on very cool things to see in the area and the state. Plus from time to time you get to see a train fly by.

Trains are a big park of the city, these tracks run right down the center of town. Ashland is concerned about upcoming plans to run three tracks down the street. The third track would be for high speed rail.
The train would significantly shorten the time it takes to get North or South but would for sure impact the town.
Will be interesting to see what happens and how that goes.  

Took a walk around the campus of Randolph-Macon University while I was there. Beautiful old school with a mix of old and new buildings and a real nice athletic facility. Had not wandered around there but enjoyed it a great deal. I also had lunch at Suzanne's in Ashland and that was really fantastic. I will be back to eat there again on a future visit.

Finally made a stop at "Center of the Universe Brewing" which is also near the airport (part of the reason I went to the airport was also to find this place which opened later in the day). Nice place with some very fine beer, as well as some very fun pinball machines. They also have a very nice outdoor area as you can see here. Had a great time there and like Suzanne's I will be back.
For that matter will be back to Ashland, a town I have visited many times in the past and will again many times in the future. Nice town with some very friendly people and many interesting things to see and do.