Chester, VA

Not a huge day of exploring; had been to lunch a while back in Chester, VA with a group of us from work, and got sort of lost and came across some sights. Thought it would be fun to go back, so I give it a quick visit today. It is down on I-95 at Exit 61 (A+B). During my first visit to the Richmond area we stayed at a hotel there, and ate at a local Chili's. Seemed like a nice town, with quite a few stores and strip malls; a bedroom community for Richmond, VA. Came across what I believe was Chester Village Green, a mixed used community which is where I took the photo at left. Got quite a few of those in the Charlotte area, so I stopped to check it out.

This is another view of the Chester Village Green, which is a mix of retail, a library, and apartments. Often go to Huntersville, NC when I am home and visit Birkdale Village there; which is also a mix of apartments, business, and other services (though Birkdale also has a movie theater) and is a nice place to wander and hang out. Charlotte is also making the light rain a sort of giant mixed used development of sorts with the train being the access to the housing and places along the line. Would be nice I would think to not need to travel further then a short walk to get all the things, or most of them at least, that you would need.

While in Chester, visited a Civil War site I had not seen; Battery Dantzer. It was part of the Richmond defenses during the War. Typical of most of the "forts" it was largely an earth work fortress. Both sides in siege warfare used the main material at hand...which was dirt. The battery had a number of troops there, and a number of large guns, and traded fire with nearby Union forces and forts across the James River. It played a role in protecting Confederate Naval Forces after an unsuccessful attack on the Union Supply base at City Point. Many bases such as this running from Richmond to Petersburg and beyond held off the Union Army.
Below is Ft. Drewry/Ft. Darling (called by different names) which is located just off the Jefferson Davis Highway. There on May 15, 1862 guns from the heights there (such as the one seen at left) drove off a fleet of Union gunboats which included the ironclad USS Monitor. The US Navy plan was to shell Richmond from the sea. I have been there before, noticed since the last visit that the gun platform had been painted. It is a good half mile walk to the earthworks which make up the fort, and I could not hardly have picked a hotter or more humid day to visit, but enjoyed my return to it nonetheless. Richmond certainly has a lot of history in the region. I should also note while out in the car today, a blue bird flew real close to the windshield. Apparently, this scared him a great deal, as he left a white gift on the hood of my car! I am told that this is good luck, though a bucket of water removed that lucky sign from the car when I got back to the apartment.

Chesterfield Airport

Another working Saturday, but before work went out to the Chesterfield Airport to see the planes fly for a while. Used to fly in the Navy (aircrew not as a pilot) and it was wonderful. In fact, at a small airport like this once did a "Discovery Flight", and thought it was a remarkable experience. The world is a different place from up in the clouds, and its fun to see the world as the birds see it. It is fun to check out the different planes; small planes such as this one, business jets, and even occasionally military planes. As to that last saw a C-130 (now moved to one of the local military basis for training a while back) at the Dinwiddie County Airport. In fact at their web site, they have a lot of interesting photos (including the C-130 I mentioned, plus some blimps that visited there). I am a big fan of air shows and know the Chesterfield airport has held them in the past; hopefully in the not too distant future they will again. Airports are good for recreational fliers, for business (and in fact there is a large industrial park nearby...fairly common feature to many small airports) and occasionally they also offer some other treats. In the case of the Chesterfield Airport, there is a rather good restaurant there. I on a previous visit noticed a large line, dropped in, and enjoyed a very good buffet meal there. At any case for me, it was a nice way to spend a little time before work on a very hot and humid June day.

Child Savers Ride/Greek Festival (June 5, 2010)

To be honest, had planned to be riding my motorcycle today to Lincolnton, NC to a big bike, bbq and band festival held there called "Hog Happenin"; but work had other plans. Yeah grateful to have a job, lucky (blah, blah, blah) but at any case made the best of it. For work is later in the day, right now there is a lot going on in Richmond. For instance, note the sign at right. It is at the old abandoned (mostly abandoned as there is a Bank of America branch and a Firestone still there) mall known as Cloverleaf Mall. Told that back in the day it was really something, but now is mostly closed. Yesterday though it was given this new sign...will soon be Stonebridge and a Kroger is coming in 2011. Will keep an eye on this in the months to come as I go by it about every day on the Midlothian Turnpike. This was the site where the Child Savers Charity Ride was going to leave from. Expected were some 500+ motorcycles and of course their riders and some passengers as well. If I can't get out and ride my motorcycle, its always fun to hang out for a while with some bikers and to check out their rides.
Here you see part of the group which was due to head out at 9:30 am. The ride is sponsored and put together by The Tuskegee Airman Motorcycle Club of Virginia. Not a gang, the Tuskegee Airmen ride for the fun of it, and do this as well as other charity rides and events during the year. The group is named in honor of the famous Tuskegee Airmen of WWII who broke racial barriers flying P-51 Mustang fighters in bomber escort missions over Germany. They were one of the most effective escort groups of the war, and proved that black pilots were fully the equal of white ones. Many bomber pilots owed their lives to those brave men. As for me, checked out the fine motorcycles and enjoyed talking with some of the riders.

I left from there, and went to the Greek Festival. I got there early (as noted, don't have a lot of time today) and checked out some of the great food, enjoyed some of the music, and noted that the lines got long early. There was a lot to see and do there. I also enjoyed a pre-event walk down Grove Street, which is a very nice street with some interesting houses and condos. The event (which runs through Sunday June 6) was a lot of fun; and the food is remarkable.
Having to work kind of spoils a day, but Richmond sure takes a lot of the depression out of spending a Saturday inside with much going on. Even more happening tomorrow, and looking forward to a great Sunday in the city. Certainly there is a lot going on in town, and that is a beautiful thing indeed!

Raceweek in Concord (May 30,2010)

Back from a four day weekend visit to the Concord, NC area. Snapped this photo on May 31..thought it would be fun to run by the racetrack and see some of the many displays out there before the race, but thought wrong. Was a mass of traffic even early on for the long Coca-Cola 600 (have had luck doing that before, but not this year) so rode out and took a look before riding back to the house. Did enjoy the day's races (the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600) from the comfort of my tv. Have been (and certainly will again) be watching from a seat at Charlotte (formerly Lowe's) Motor Speedway.


Race week (actually its more like two weeks with the All-Star Race the week before) brings a lot of interesting sights to the area. I saw the planes in the previous post flying near the house (can hear the cars on the track too...they tend to be somewhat loud) and also while visiting the planes during the visit to Concord Regional Airport on May 29 to see the planes in the previous post saw this group of motorcycle cops at the airport. The NC Highway Patrol rides BMW motorcycles by the way...an interesting thing to know if you get stopped by them in the state. There were more cops there than you often see in one place at one time, other than a police convention.


Bike here is from Grumpy's Custom in Charlotte, NC. A big thank you goes to them; they worked on my bike, doing a bit of maintenance work and also fixing the electrical problem I was having. I like dealing with small shops, and this one was one of the better ones I have come across. The work was first rate, the price was more than reasonable and I left there very happy. Felt good to ride again, it has been awhile thanks to the time of year (bad time of year being "the season" to have either a motorcycle or a boat in the shop) but beat "dealer time" and price hands down. They also build some fine looking motorcycles, and believe come highly recommended by this motorcyclist. Enjoyed a great time in Carolina; got a nice upcoming event which involves my motorcycle (which by the way the blue bike here is not it unfortunately, though very fond of my Vulcan Classic), but also a lot of exciting things coming up this weekend in Richmond also. You have got to love this time of year!

Warbirds at Concord Regional (May 29, 2010)

Bruton Smith puts on a big show over the Memorial Day weekend at the local track known as Charlotte Motor Speedway. He also likes to honor the armed forces that weekend, and brought a few planes to town. The photo at left is the Memphis Belle, though not the original plane (that is currently at the Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC) but the plane that was in the movie of the same name. Still an impressive B-17 from World War II. Those were remarkable aircraft flown by remarkable men in a very amazing time in our history. The crew of the Memphis Belle was famous for being the first crew to fly the missions needed to get to go home. Before that none had accomplished that feat, being shot down before meeting the number needed.
The Skyraider seen here, was a Vietnam era plane. Noted for its rugged construction, it was used for ground attack over the jungles. I believe it could actually carry a larger bomb load than the B-17 could, and the Skyraider was flown both by the Air Force and the Navy. The plane in flight is a C-47, which was developed from the DC-3 airliner. It flew in war from WWII to Vietnam. It was said to be one of (if not the) most important aircraft of WWII flying in supplies, weapons, and men. Seeing these flying examples of these historic aircraft was a real thrill. To hear the old engines, see the smoke and to see what the planes actually look like in the air was a real thrill.

Forest Hill Park (May 22, 2010)

I heard about Forest Hill Park from a friend who had found it; said it was really something to see. I also read an article in the newspaper that said they were going to rededicate the lake today, so figured it was a good day to get out and check it out. It is not far from my apartment, a short easy drive to the park the entrance of which is seen here. That sign is a reproduction of the original sign at the park which was established in 1934. The land was originally owned by William Byrd III (a name I have seen around Richmond) from land holdings he had in the late 1700's. The park covers some 105 acres, and I really enjoyed taking a walk around the grounds.

The Stone House dates to 1843 and was part of the estate back then. Enjoyed walking around the park, and actually went on some of the trails. A creek with some very large rocks was back there, some stone walks in the very dog friendly park, and got to meet a lot of friendly people out walking around. Richmond does seem to like to say hello, and I enjoy that a great deal. Some of the walks were pretty rugged but getting out was great and enjoyed the remarkable scenery along the way. There are a lot of places for picnics and room for games. Should also note that the park is on the Virginia as well as the National Historic Registers.
Of course the reason for the celebration today at the park was the re-dedication of the lake at Forest Hill Park and this is one view. I have more photos on my Flickr Photo Page (and there is a link to that on my page) if you care to see them. A very worthwhile and fun place to explore, and I will be doing some more of that over the time I am here in Richmond, VA. I would consider this to be a first rate park, and one of the best I have seen so far in the area. If you are looking for natural beauty, a great walk or even some fishing (catch and release only though according to the signs) Forest Hill Park would be a great place to check out.

Before the Roar..laid back in Concord

Nice "visit"...not sure of the correct term when home is two places anymore...to Concord, NC over the May 14-17 weekend. Was blessed with good weather there; both the sunshine of Saturday and most of Sunday, and the Sunday night-Monday rain. I drove that rain (and dodged the crashes) on I-85 on Monday morning. Took the photo at left on Saturday at the Cabarrus Arts Festival. The Old Courthouse is a art center now with locally produced art for sale. A very old building, it is the centerpiece site in Downtown Concord, which has a number of old buildings and many stores to check out. The festival is always fun and enjoyed it this year.
There were a lot of arts and crafts displays there, bands played and there was even a beer garden along with lots of things to eat. The library up the street had a book sale. Patty and I wandered around checking out the sights and sounds of the festival. Not quite Riverrock (which I missed this weekend unfortunately) but nice to get out and wander a bit on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon. Summer seems to have come early. My motorcycle is still in the shop (though I got some news on that...should be out soon as I have a big ride coming up in Carolina in a few weeks) but enjoyed the time with Patty both there, and during a walk on Sunday.
As noted, Sunday Patty and I took a walk along the Greenway. A nice development by the city, has views such as the one at left, and is a great place to walk, jog, run or bike away from traffic. Peaceful and cooler on a early Sunday morning, we enjoyed the stroll along its path.
Coming up the next two weeks will be more explorations of the Richmond area, plus two weeks of racing in the Charlotte area with both the All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 coming to town (the first on May 22, the second Memorial Day weekend). I will be checking all of that out over the next three weeks, and will have some interesting sights to show here.