A Flaming Van on Chippenham

Actually saw this on the end of the drive yesterday; a van in flames on Chippenham (aka VA State Road 150, or SR150). Driver (according to the local news) was unable to walk; his wheelchair and other equipment was burned up in the van. I saw two guys carrying him from the vehicle when I pulled up. One of the people who saved him saw the van on fire, and the guy waving from the window. As to how he drove, probably with "hand controls"...my brother in law drives though he can not walk. Very expensive but they work pretty well. Have also heard small planes can be flown with that equipment.

Got out to do some exploring further down Chippenham yesterday. Got back from a Carolina home visit over the weekend; enjoyed a great time there. Headed out toward Richmond. I have been down a portion of it; stumbled across the Stony Point Fashion Park on my first visit to Richmond. This time went by the Regency Square Mall; a nice two story mall. I rode out W. Broad Street, and I-64 was the point where I turned around. Rode down River Road which was interesting. Some really big houses and old churches...strangely though in the direction I went did not see the river. I did see it from Chippenham; neat view just before the photo where the van was on fire.
Richmond so far has been a very easy town to explore. Real good on putting up directional signs and point of interest signs so its hard to really get lost, and its a smaller area (city wise) than Charlotte. Seems a lot closer together which is pretty good. Different areas in Charlotte are pretty widely spaced; can do some real driving from Point A to Point B in that town.
Hope to get out some more during the upcoming rainy weekend. Looking forward to some of the festivals and events that will be coming up when the weather improves; seems to be a lot that goes on here in the spring and summer. Did make the Tacky Light Tour last Christmas; was a nice introduction to local events; that was different and fun to see.

Two weeks in Richmond

Very interesting two weeks in Richmond, VA. Heading home this weekend to rejoin family and friends in North Carolina, will be back Sunday night/Monday morning. As noted in previous posts, toured the Aviation Museum in Richmond, and also took a walking tour of the downtown. Saw quite a bit, and found very interesting what I saw. Had a great time getting around. Impressed that Richmond is a very easy city to explore; a great deal of signs telling you where places are. North Carolina could take a clue from what is done here. Helps to know where things are in the Carolinas, not a lot of signs for directions. I also have been impressed with how friendly everyone is here. They can be in North Carolina, but a lot of people there are from many parts of the United States (its a great deal like Atlanta in that regard).
Today visited the Richmond Music Center, once again a friendly store. Sure they are trying to sell stuff, but shook hands, asked my name, and gave me theirs. By the way if you play, they have a nice selection of instruments. Impressive wall of guitars in the store really grabbed my attention.
Planning to do some more exploring next weekend; looking to see what all this area has to offer.

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!