GIve me the lunch, with a side order of towing...

Know how when a airliner lands on the runway, and the thrust reversers kick in and you feel like you are going backwards? Well, sort of had that feeling on I-95 this weekend.

In the context of the start of this post, lunch is of interest on Sunday April 19 which started out better than it ended. Noted in a previous visit that there was quite a crowd at the Chesterfield County Airport for the buffet. I was also told during a haircut while talking about the area that a great place to eat was at the Chesterfield County Airport. So I went back on Sunday April 19 and checked it out. Got a lot of good food for $9.75, all you can eat and beverages included. They had salads, breakfast or lunch type food (chicken, North Carolina and Virginia style BBQ) on the buffet, and it was really good. I enjoyed a few plates, also the view. I am an aircraft fan (which is how I ended up at the airport in the first place a few weeks ago) and enjoyed watching the planes land and take off. I will be coming back there again. Also enjoyed the people, was an older church sort of crowd but a lot of fun and very nice to the guy from North Carolina in the motorcycle shirt with shorts on.
After lunch headed to Chester, NC. I was headed to the City Point Unit site (was a Union supply depot in the Civil War, and General Grants HQ during the Petersburg campaign) when all hell broke loose just short of Exit 61A. All of a sudden a very loud BOOM, check engine light and it felt like that airliner landing as power dropped off. Also of concern was the continuing noise. I got the car into a nearby hotel lot on 10, and raised the hood. The spark plug wire and plug was attached still to the motor. Problem was it was on top of the motor. I attemped to repair the car, but could tell it was stripped out. Got plugs changed over a year ago, but apparently it had blown out. Found out this week again from friends at work, that this is relatively common and has happened to a few people.
Anyhow AAA towed me to a shop near my apartment, at the Firestone Auto Center at 7303 Midlothian Turnpike. Talked to Store Manager John Tate, and they got started on repairs. Required some major work to the engine, the head had to be taken off and a helicoil put in. They also did some work to the engine while the head was off. It was an expensive repair, but have to say I am well pleased with how the car runs. While wish this had not happened, the work was first rate, and the car felt like it had a new motor in it (John said they cleaned off all the 100,000 mile gunk). Sort of like lunch, would use these guys again, and appreciate the fine service given to a guy from "out of town". Got the car back on Tuesday.
Will be giving it a good test this weekend, driving back to Carolina for the weekend. Still plan to make it out to see the HQ of General Grant in a few days. Have really enjoyed exploring the sights and history of Richmond, VA over the last couple of months. I am always impressed with the people I have met amid my travels and problems here in my "part time" city.

The Horror of Comcast...Part II

Nothing to set the morning off like the monthly Comcast bill. Mentioned the saga in a couple of previous posts. Well, got my bill today, and once again it is a mess. Basically, I had gotten the service which was on a COD basis on February 16 (all new installations are that way, fine with me). Got a bill about a month later for the installation. Told them it was COD, had the service, must have paid. Checedk with bank...no payment on it. So I stop the check, and write a new one. Problem solved right? No. First check posts on 3/10, the February 16 check posts on 3/11. In a communication thought I was getting a credit for my stop check fee, turns out it was for their returned check fee, which was caused because they lost the first one (taking a total of 23 days to post a check and sending a bill prior to that counts as "lost" to me).
As a friend suggested, who has also had problems with them (third friend did finally get his worked out after "a few" phonecalls) wrote the corporate site. Dealing with the local office he told me was like slamming your head into the wall. I see his point. Looking forward to the perfect business relationship; I send them a check each month, and they provide a service. Actually, the service itself (knock on wood) has so far been pretty good.
Anyhow, while in Louisville, came back to find that two people died in my apartment complex while I was gone of apparent drug overdoses. News said they were dead in the apartment for some 36 hours. I guess considering that, things could be worse. Checked out some local blogs today, some good stuff out there in the Richmond area. I do enjoy reading them, and they have been pretty informative on the local things of note in the area.
Getting in some overtime this weekend on Saturday, will be doing a bit of exploring this Sunday. Still an interesting place to check out, and get a lot of goodsuggestions of things around town to see. Do need to check on some good local places to eat; like when in an area to get outside of the chains and get to some places with "local flavor". Not a food critic at all and will not be doing reviews of food places, but interested in what people find good in the town. One place I am going to check out this weekend is the food at the Chesterfield County Airport. At a previous visit to the airport (just to see it while out exploring) saw that was packed on a sunday. My barber in talking about the town, also said it was a good place to eat. Will have to see what its all about. Nice place though....a buffet with planes to view; think that would be right up my alley.

Midlothian and Chesterfield (March 28 and 29)

An amazing thing happened this weekend in Richmond; it did not rain the whole weekend. First weekend I was here it rained with snow, then the next weekend went to North Carolina...sunny both days. Following weekend, it rained all weekend here. Last weekend in North Carolina...picture perfect weather for three days (took a vacation day on Monday). This weekend here in the Richmond area.....a day of rain, but a remarkable Sunday.

Saturday, drove out on Hull Street. Very interesting road with a lot of stores and sights to see. Actually got out to the Metro Richmond Zoo which is out in the country. Did not tour it, but it looks like it would be worth a visit in the future on a better day. I did get to the Midlothian Mines. Its a small park on the Midlothian Turnpike. From the information there, it was the first coal mining site in North America. As with all mining, a very dangerous and sometimes deadly job; many people died down in those deep coal mining shafts . This is a photo of the remains of the only surviving building (such as it is) from the company. Park is also very nice and will be really nice when the trees are all in bloom (not far away I believe). Rains picked up in the late afternoon, and I cut the exploring off early. I did note that the Chesterfield Towne Center was packed; though the economy may be a bit rough, America (or at least Richmond) apparently still shops with gusto!

Sunday was a much more beautiful day. Have had good days in Richmond during the week days that I am here, but finally one on the weekend. I took some time and went to Chesterfield to see some of the sights there. Chesterfield was a very impressive town; nice buildings both old and new and a lot of history there as well. I liked the old town hall which is the building below. The museum there was closed on Sunday, and the old jail is being restored, but it is still neat. Drove out to the state park there, and enjoyed that as well.

I also rode out to the Chesterfield County Airport, which was really impressive in the sunlight. Apparently it is also a great place to eat, a buffet was going on in there, and they were lined up for it (and families not all pilot types at all). Got a feeling that will be worth checking out in the future. Looking forward to checking out the food at a future visit.
I liked my visit to the Chesterfield area; a very modern area with a lot of links to the past. Over the next three years will be an area which I return to in my explorations around the Richmond area.
I actually started my day fairly early in the morning, with a trip out to Drewry's Bluff (aka Ft. Darling) which is the first of the Civil War sites that I have seen. The area around here is full of them, and wanted to see one since I have been here. Finally the weather and time allowed it to happen. I was very pleased at my first selection. One because it was close to home (as is Chesterfield) but also was the site of a Naval battle (and I served in the Navy a few years ago.

The battle happened on May 15, 1862 when five Union gunboats sailed up the James River intending to shell Richmond. The Confederates up on this high ground, with the added firepower of sharpshooters, shelled and shot at the ships (one of which was the ironclad USS Monitor) from the heights. The Union ships could not elevate their shipboard guns up to hit the fort, and were driven off. While not much of the Fort remains, again it was a good walk in the country and a great view of the James River from its height.
I have posted some more photos from the visits on my Flickr page. Covered some 108 miles of driving on the two days of trips, and enjoyed them greatly. Next weekend will be in North Carolina, the following weekend will be in Louisville, Kentucky visiting family and friends there. Louisville shares a lot in common in many ways (in my opinion) with the Richmond area, but that will be the subject of a future post.
In the meantime, enjoyed a very pleasant weekend exploring some of the outlying areas of the region this weekend, and look forward to future tours of the area.

Home to Carolina/Back to Richmond

Had a great visit in Concord, NC (where my home is) from March 21-23. Nice to be back with Patty, my son Robby, and the two very cheerful border collies Cassie and Mollie. The weather was wonderful, and we all had a great time. I got the Vulcan out for a couple of good motorcycle rides. One was to downtown Concord on a Sunday morning (which is where I took this photo of the Old Courthouse...which is now used as an art museum) and one with a friend to High Rock Lake via some very fine backroads on Monday. Patty and I spent a lot of happy hours together, Robby and I discussed sports, and the dogs bounded around the yard chasing tennis balls. It all ended too soon; headed back late Monday night. I rolled into Richmond about 1am early Tuesday morning. Found my apartment the same as I left it, and had a pleasant sleep.
Since then have been posting some photos to Flickr, and planning the weekend coming up. This next weekend I will be in Richmond, and am looking forward to some new explorations of this fine city. Once again though and for the third weekend in a row, looks like exploring will be in the rain. Still, have seen many interesting sights so far, and am looking forward to some new discoveries here. After all here I don't have a motorcycle...I do have a car and a umbrella.
On Comcast, I have not heard anything new; don't know if the billing issues have been solved or not. I was told though from a friend (also having problems with Comcast) that miracles sometimes happen when you click on the corporate link on the Comcast site and complain there. Have not done that yet, but nice to know its there.

Walking Downtown Richmond

On Saturday February 28, took a (largely) walking tour of Downtown Richmond, VA. While a cold rainy day, better to see the area. I started on Broad Street to see the State Capital Buildings. The Capital itself is seen in the bottom photo of the building designed by Thomas Jefferson. It was amazingly beautiful both inside and out. This is the first building I have seen that Jefferson designed, and can see what all the talk has been about. I also enjoyed the statue of Washington on the grounds, the governors mansion, and the other statues in the area.
I wandered a bit around Broad Street and some of the side streets. I walked past the Richmond Coliseum, and also went by the Museum of the Confederacy (though did not tour it). I am interested in the Civil War, and certainly have come to a place where there is a lot of history about it. In fact at the end of the war, Richmond was the center of attention, and the Confederacy fell only a few days after Richmond fell.
I got back in the car after a few hours of exploring around Broad Street; drove a few blocks to Canal Walk. As I had noted in the news the bridge across the river has a section down, but certainly is a beautiful area. Enjoyed my first close up look at the James River which was rocky by Canal Walk, and also had a good section of rapids. You can see Canal Walk in the top photo above.
I did take a tour of the American Civil War Center. Admission was $8 of the facility which is on the grounds of the Tredegar Iron Works. That was a major armory of the Confederacy during the Civil War and many of the cannon on display were made there. There is also a National Park Service center there (which is free) and offered a lot of good information as well as a film on battles in the Richmond area during the war. I enjoyed the tour of the buildings there, and of the James River. I was raised in a river town (Louisville, Kentucky) and enjoy being in one again. Charlotte has rivers near it, but not through it, and none the size of the James or the Ohio for that matter.
Due to the rain and the cold in the late afternoon took a short driving tour of the area. Got a little lost, and ended up off Commerce Road and onto the Jeff Davis Highway. Came across the Model Tobacco building...amazing sort of Art Deco construction. Not sure if it was an actual tobacco company (never heard of Model Tobacco) but an interesting building. Looked to be used for storage, and was listed as a "business park", but was still impressed with it.
I have a number of photos on my Flickr Page taken during the five hour walk/drive. Saw some beautiful sights, and many interesting places. Richmond seems to have a great deal to offer and looks to be a very interesting place. I am looking forward to getting deeper into it over the three years that I expect to be here.

Cloverleaf Mall/Virginia Aviation Museum

Thursday morning on February 27, took off in search of sights around Richmond prior to work. This old mall is near my apartment on the Midlothian Turnpike. I have been told there are plans for redevelopment, though nothing appears to be going on there at the present time. There is a Firestone Auto Repair place out front in a stand alone building. I looked inside the front door, it is sitting and kind of waiting. Perhaps this will be the site of a future "Blues Brothers" remake, or a new Zombie movie. At any case, an interesting site to explore from outside the locked doors.
I had directions, rolled on down I-95 to I-64 East following the signs to the Virginia Aviation Museum. It is just outside of the Richmond International Airport in a cant miss building, with a pair of can't miss planes right out front. It is not often that you see an SR-71 Blackbird (there is also an F-14 Tomcat right beside it). The museum was really interesting for this aviation fan. Lots of amazing aircraft were found in there, including some Wright replica gliders and planes, some WWI aircraft (those were not replicas) and some historic and classic planes. There are quite a few hands on aviation displays, and everything is in really good condition. I often went to the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, NC and this collection was really in outstanding shape. Charlotte is short on storage space, and much of the collection sits outside; so sun and weather really take a hit on the planes.
I had a great visit at the museum, and also got a feel for some of the sights going into the city. Plan for the weekend is to do some exploring downtown. Had hoped to do some outdoor exploring, but looks like the weather this weekend will not cooperate. Area though seems to have a great deal of interesting sights to check out, and I am looking forward to exploring it.

Long Lonesome Highway...First Days in VA

On Sunday February 15, loaded up the car with stuff I did not have in the big truck two weeks ago, and rolled toward Richmond, Va in the early morning hours. Photo is a shot of I-85 just inside the Virginia border. Beautiful weather and a good day for driving. Made good time, though noted a lot of police working the roads both in North Carolina and also many working the roads in Virginia as well. Lots of good places for them to hide just inside of Virginia.

Got to the apartment in the early afternoon and spent the day setting up. Had food to unpack, the computer to plug in, and a few other odds and ends. First trip without my wife (will be flying solo here over the next three years other than weekend and three day visits to NC) though the third I have made here (one trip to find the apartment, one to tour work, and this one. Monday I had an appointment after work for Comcast to put in cable internet. Guess what....on time, and was quick getting it done too. Not too bad...like to have seen Time Warner in NC match that one (have DSL there, cheaper, but no complaints on Virginia Comcast service.
Wednesday did some exploring of the Midlothian Turnpike (or highway...whatever). Interesting road with a great deal of variety. Went with a friend from work looking for a computer; we picked the bones of Circuit City at the store located at the Chesterfield Town Center, but found what he is looking for at Best Buy. We also toured the mall, showing the signs of the recession in the small crowd there, but a nice looking mall. Went by it with my wife Patty on my last visit, but it was not open then and we left early on a Sunday afternoon.
Enjoyed visiting the Village of Midlothian area, interesting place and again my second visit there, but was nice to not be driving (can see more stuff better) and second look always shows more. Think this will be a road with a lot to offer, just still at the "overview point".
Have been struck by the friendly people of Virginia, both at work and people I have met out have been both very nice and helpful. That has been the best part of the time here so far. I plan over the next three years to check out all that I can that this area offers, and frankly my first impressions are very good.
Will be going back to North Carolina Friday, but will return Sunday night. Found I will be working from 3pm-11pm. Had that shift some years ago, but in the current economy have to do what I have to do. Will be great to be back with Patty, my son Robby, and our two border collies. It is also possible that a motorcycle ride will happen this weekend as well; weather permitting. Writing this on a cold and wet Virginia late afternoon.

On to Richmond!

So, finishing up the last few days of the "relocation two weeks, and its been quite an adventure. Luckily, I moved stuff to Richmond into the apartment on January 31-Feb 1 with Patty. Rental truck from Budget (a 15 foot truck, very pleased with them) went well, and got all settled in. Patty and got all set up, and the truck turned in the same day, had my Neon to drive around in.

We spent much of the 1st exploring the Midlothian Turnpike (seen here in the first photo) and checking out the area. I feel that if I need it, will find it along that road. Not much that is not there either to eat or shop for, or even entertainment. A big eight lane road that goes on for miles and miles, will be the center of my world there for some time.
Got back to Concord on Feb 1, worked a week at the factory, and got home. Have spent the last two weeks getting things ready. A funny thing happened last weekend; the furnace went out. Called some dumbasses from Motley Heating and Air in Concord, NC to fix it. Not sure those bastards could fix lunch; pretty much got screwed to the tune of $500, and two days after their "repair" on a Saturday morning, had fire trucks at my house (four of them) at 3:30am. Got a new unit last Tuesday from Carolina Cooling. I would not use Motley if they were the last company on Earth!

Last few days I have been getting things as ready as I can, getting a "Neon" load for the trip. A few things I forgot, the house computer (got a new one for here in Concord), and have been visiting friends. Will not be the last time to see them though; will be back here many weekends.

I will be leaving on Sunday morning February 15, and will report to work at 7:00 am on February 16. Got a letter yesterday with details (though I have the route down) to how to get to work, and where to park now.
Certainly going to be an interesting time in Richmond. I have made three trips there; have seen a lot of interesting places (such as the one to the left here), and am frankly looking at it with a mixture of fear and excitement. No one ever knows what the future holds, and that is certainly true in times like these, but the next few months and years will certainly be filled with all sorts of things new and challenging. My next post (Comcast willing) will be from Richmond, Va.

Virginia Trip #3 (Moving Weekend)

Made the move to Richmond this weekend. Used a big Budget Truck Rental 15 foot truck (very pleased with them by the way) and drove my stuff to the apartment. An older apartment (complex dates to the 1970's) but very nice inside. Patty and myself got me all moved in and set up. Nice place, quiet and well lit, neighbors friendly (one told me no problems living there in 10 years) and police patrolled (in fact we asked a cop directions to the local Food Lion which we found).
On Sunday morning did some exploring on both ends of the Midlothian Turnpike. Going toward the Village of Midlothian we found just about anything a person would need. As a motorcyclist two nice bike shops virtually within walking distance of the apartment, and down the road many places to eat, shop, and check out. One I will check for sure is the Chesterfield Town Center, the entrance of which I have posted here. Nice big mall with a whole lot of stores. It did not open till noon, so we did not get to explore the inside, but did explore the outside. Will be a great deal of things to check out over the next few years there.
It was a great trip and all went well; especially glad the weather cooperated with us. Sunny and warm this weekend made for a smooth drive there and back. Did note a lot of police on the roads, be advised they are serious about speeding, though this does not stop many from speeding (and saw quite a few getting to chat with police officers at the side of the roads with blue lights flashing).
On Sunday February 15, the move will be for real. That is when the adventure will really start!

A Blast from the Past...Two Weeks in Norfolk, VA

My first, no make that my only previous time spent in Virginia has been a two week period around 1983. I got into the Naval Reserve to make some extra money. Having spent four years in the Navy back in the late 70's, it was a job that I could do, and I had some fun experiences from those days. I had somewhat forgotten what it was like to actually be back in the Navy....in fact shortly after the trip to Virginia I resigned from the reserves (could do that as I had filled all of my Naval service requirements prior to that period. Virginia though was not the problem at all. In fact, overall (other than the military part of it) I had a very good time there. I took the photo at left at the Naval Base. As I remember it was April and the weather was wild. I can remember it being very cold some days and wore heavy coats, I also had a few days with t-shirts and shorts. The base was remarkable, easily the largest Naval base I had ever been on. The "pier" seemed to go on forever, and there were ships of all types along its huge length. Massive buildings (I worked in the Naval Supply Center which was also huge) and a great area from the pier to the main gate. It was a very cool place.

I made some good friends there, had a buddy named "Converse" and another named Jim (thats Jim in the photo below). Jim was from of all places, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He thought it was a great place to live and work. I on the other hand worked in Louisville, Kentucky, and at the time....well, lets just say the part time job in the Reserve was not out of a sense of fun. Anyhow, we went to Virginia Beach (where the second photo was taken) and had a good time there. It was an interesting town, very crowded on the main streets, but we liked the beaches. Due to the weather that day there were very few in the water.
I also remember going to (what I believe was called) the Azalia Festival. That was cool, had a German Naval Ship there, a Renaissance Festival, and they had a huge airshow (on a hot day) at the Naval Air Station. The planes put on a remarkable display, and could really do some flying over the Atlantic Ocean. We also (being sailors of a sort) some exploring of the local nightlife. I remember a few places we went to, but they were largely the normal rock and roll dives of the period. Listened to some music, and enjoyed some of the local beverages that the locals offered to sell us (for a nominal fee). As far as fun things to do, I think we got in more than our share.

My early impressions of Virginia were that it was a fun and interesting place. I did not return for a long time; really until I came back here. When going to Louisville via Charlotte there are two routes; one is through Tennessee, the other is via Virginia and West Virginia to Louisville. I can go up I-77 into West Virginia and pick up I-64 which runs into Louisville, Kentucky. It is a little longer than the I-40 route, requires the payment of tolls, but is a easier drive. Funny thing about I-64, not only does it run into Louisville, Kentucky, but taken in the other direction it runs straight into....Richmond, VA.