Pony Pasture (August 5, 2010)

Second time is the charm; found the Pony Pasture Rapids on my second trip to the area. Suspected that I had missed a turn, and that was the case (though did enjoy the drive a couple of days ago, and in fact re-drove the area after visiting the park). Nice area with a great view of the James River. Good crowd there on a very hot (like 100 degrees hot) Richmond day. As I have noted in the past, lived for a few years in the Louisville, Kentucky area and loved the Ohio River. The Ohio River was the center of much of the really good activity (Thunder Over Louisville and a slew of concerts) in the city, and for Richmond it is much the same.

Rapids on the river bring a lot of tubers and kayaking, and photo at left has a group setting off. The James is very rocky at spots, but those make some great areas for swimming platforms, and make it a different sort of river. Lots of ducks and other birds and animals there; was a really peaceful place indeed. I was very glad I found it, and will be returning there from time to time in the months and years to come. In fact, both this and Forest Hill Park are a few of my favorite places to visit, which also would have to include Maymont Park, which is a remarkable thing. I wonder what parks remain to be found that I have yet to see?
In fact, Maymont Park will be having a Jazz Festival on August 14-15 which will have some 25 acts for a very reasonable price. Some of the proceeds will benefit the park, and it should be a really good event. There is certainly always something interesting in Richmond to do and see. I do get frustrated with people at work who like me have come from Carolina; afraid (I imagine) to go out, and have nothing to say but "there is nothing to do or see here". I frankly have been amazed at what I have discovered here, and look forward to seeing what will be coming up. Richmond I have found is a fun and interesting town with a lot to offer to those who get out and explore it. To this point, it has been a real pleasure to live here!

Cherokee Road Cruise (August 3, 2010)

Was not really the plan, via Yahoo directions I was going to check out the famous "Pony Pasture", but I must have missed the turn. Did enjoy the drive down this road though which runs (for the most part) along the James River. In fact, the items at right were pulled some years ago out of the James River (according to the sign at the bottom of the item in the left in the photo). According to the info found there; that left item is a "Cannon mold"...hot metal was poured into it to make Confederate cannon such as the one seen at left. Always wondered how they did that, know now I guess. The Civil War is never far away in the Richmond area for sure.

Second big surprise were the many large houses on Cherokee Road. Had quite a few (for lack of a better term) "mansions" both new and old there. Course, as I know from Louisville and Charlotte living waterside living seems to bring out the big money places. This one though at left I thought was very interesting; something different than the usual run of the mill house. Not a great photo (did not want to be on the road too long, some big logging trucks were running on the road, and sure one had my name on its front end) but this was one house. Made for a very interesting drive today, and enjoyed that area.
Also of note were the houses on Old Gun Road which took me back toward Midlothian Turnpike. Like Cherokee Road, some really remarkable places to see. Glad I got out even though missed the Pony Pasture (still lots of time here to find it though).

Virginia Holocaust Museum (August 1, 2010)

Back in WWII, my grandfather served in the US Army and went ashore during the liberation of Europe on D-Day. With the passing of my father last week, many of those old photos have come back to me via both e-mail and memory. Among the places that he went was one of the German Concentration Camps, and those photos have always been haunting. Partly due to that, I went today to the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Shockoe Bottom. It was my first visit since coming to Richmond, and this was certainly not the typical light and airy Richmond museum. Admission is free (donations accepted) but the subject is certainly sobering.
The museum has a whole history of the Holocaust from the earliest ride of the Nazi's, though the horror of the ghettos of Warsaw, and of course the prison camps. This is shown in photos, movies from the survivors, movies from the trial of the Nazi's, and many items from the camps and the periods of the persecution. There is a warning that younger children should not be taken through the museum, and some caution should be taken for sure. Much of it is pretty graphic and shocking, but it is a period of history that should not be forgotten ever...and it is a great thing in my opinion that this museum is here in Richmond.
I have always been a student of history, and that is one of the reasons that I find Richmond such an interesting place to be. It is hard to believe that minds such as Hitler and his like could even dream up the horrors that they inflicted on the Jewish people, as well as on the rest of the world. It is good that places such as this exist to remind us all that evil is out there, and we must resist so that nothing like this happens ever again. Unfortunately, though not on this scale, it has happened again since WWII, but the world to its credit has not turned such a blind eye as it did back then. Certainly the Virginia Holocaust Museum is not an easy visit, but it is an important and worthwhile one.

Walking: Carytown, Monument Avenue, and Church Hill (August 1, 2010)

Overcast and somewhat gloomy this Sunday in Richmond, but temperatures were nice, and the humidity was low, a good time to take the car and take a walk around some of my favorite areas. Took a walk around Carytown which is a very amazing place with a number of stores and also quite a few "interesting people" along its streets. Photo at left is the Byrd Theater, which was built in 1928. The Byrd is on both the state and national historic registers. I am told it is a remarkable thing to see inside. It also shows movies for a low price which it has been doing for years. In fact it was the first theater in Virginia with sound. Next Sunday is the Carytown Watermelon Festival and those streets will be packed with people, and vendors.

I took a walk around Monument Avenue. I like that street not only for the historic statues which line the brick avenue, but also the great houses which can be found there. Of course, I also was pleased (both in Carytown and on Monument Avenue) to see three classic motorcycles which were in use (since they had license plates) and also an old VW Bus (with the required Grateful Dead Sticker). It is a beautiful street to stroll down, and I have done that in the past. Today though was especially nice thanks to the vehicles I saw, as well as the heat being much less of a problem. Enjoyed the walk there, and think it is a worthy place to visit when you are in the area.
I also got out to Church Hill, which is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the Richmond area. I like the Soldiers and Sailors monument near there, also enjoy visiting St. John's Church, but also of interest are the houses to be found there. Like with Carytown, and Monument Avenue, Church Hill has some beautiful old houses and some quite unique ones as well. Course this photo was of interest to me not just for the houses, but also for the pair of Honda Shadows (I used to ride one of those before I got the Vulcan) out front. There is a lot to see there though, plus from many points some nice views of the Richmond area from its lofty points. There is a lot of history to be found in the Church Hill area. I also before heading back to my apartment, made one more stop, but that deserves a special comment all its own in my next post.

Farewell to my Father (July 20-July 27)

Got terrible news from my brother on July 18, my father passed away in Southern Indiana at age 73. A great man who took care of me for many years, and gave me the tools that made my life was it has become. He loved trucks (worked for a number of truck lines) travel and adventure, and liked to laugh. His passing makes the world a less interesting place indeed. My wife Patty left from Carolina, while I drove from Richmond to Louisville. During my time there went to some of my favorite places in the city and remembered good times with him. As he took care of me, I took care of his final arrangements for his time to be spent with Mom, who went ahead of him a few years ago. Photo at left was taken at Cherokee Park in Louisville, a beautiful place in the "other" River City.
Went to a lot of places where I grew up, and thought of things we had done together. Felt strange as with most visits home I spent a lot of time with him, we would drive around (he was big on driving...liked to get out in the car and just look at things...guess that is where I get that from) and the Louisville and Southern Indiana area has a lot of interesting sites. Like with Richmond it is an area big on history, and keeps its history close and current. I will have a few more photos on my photo page shortly. This was taken in Jeffersonville, Indiana which is a very fine city there with a lot of historic sites to check out.
Last photo is the view of the Ohio River from the Indiana side, and the new "Yum Arena" which will be the new home of the Louisville Cardinals basketball team (the building that is getting the nickname "The Toaster at center). The visit was a time spent with my wonderful wife Patty, family from all over (we are all widely scattered), friends of mine, and many people I have not seen in years. He had quite the send off and would have been pleased at how many family and friends came to say goodbye to him. Sad, but also wonderful as well at how sad events bring so many people together. While it is sad that he is gone, I am left with many wonderful memories, and have tried to pass on the many things he taught to my family. He had a great impact on those who knew him, and the people he knew were the better for knowing him. I could not have asked for a better father and consider myself fortunate to have been his son.

Short Pump

Interesting day to say the least. Got out for a while today, and did a fine bit of exploring on a hot and humid Richmond, Virginia day. Actually this was the last stop on my journey today, the Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, Va out on West Broad Street. I sort of came across this massive (and I do mean MASSIVE) mall during my explorations. It was quite the shopping center two levels, and I don't know how many stores. I am not a big mall freak, but I do know that I have going to have to have a walk with Patty around here when she gets back to Richmond. Plus, the mall has a Harley-Davidson store, so think there is something for everyone here.
What I went to West Broad Street to see was Quaker Steak and Lube. It opened here "not long ago", I actually found out about it while at Bike Night at the Quaker Steak and Lube in Concord, NC (have a few photos from that in a previous post). Bike Night there (on Wednesday nights) is a massive thing with something like 900 bikes being typical. They also have Bike Night here on the same day. Not sure when I will be going (bike in is NC, plus I work nights) but if Concord is any indication, Richmond might want to check out Wednesday nights here. I am told it is growing quickly and drawing quite the crowd. Know I have spent some fun nights in Concord there.

Not sure what it is that draws motorcycles to Quaker Steak and Lube. Course they do have a motorcycle themed bar, a nice range of hot wings, and good "beverage" specials on Bike Night. There tends to be a lot to see and do. This one in Richmond is on a smaller piece of land, so would be interesting to see what they can do with it. In Concord they have a lot of parking plus a number of bike themed booths along with a band at the events there. One thing I do know, like taking photos of my Nissan Versa with a group of Suzuki's in front.
Today was my first time in South Pump, told there was not much there of note. I tend to think after a short visit there, that I was told wrong.

Sunday in the Carolinas (July 11, 2010)

The long visit to Concord/Charlotte is winding down today. A most remarkable holiday/vacation is ending. Great time with the family, friends, and also enjoyed the fact that I had this long to-do list, and I did it all for a change. Weather was good other than the heat (one rainy night) and it was just nice to be in my own house, with my own family. This is a very interesting place. This morning enjoyed breakfast with Patty at Punchy's Diner in Concord. Good food, very reasonable prices (and a chance to try Liver Mush if you have never had it). They even have cars and bikes on display inside the restaurant. Harley out front is a customers bike, but I liked it. Seeing a lot of bikes with Ape-Hanger handlebars, to each their own.
During the morning dog walk, had a group of ultralight aircraft flying together "someplace". Could tell that from the noise of the engines, and the types of the planes. With my cousin also (this month) becoming a licensed pilot, and being an aviation nut myself, had planes on my mind, so rode the Vulcan out to Wilgrove Airport, a small private field just outside of Charlotte, NC off of NC 24/27. The fact it is a nice country ride out there also did not hurt. Classic field with grass parking for the planes, and one runway. Quiet on a nice Sunday morning, but was neat to get a look at it. A number of airports like this can be found in North Carolina.

During the morning motorcycle ride, came across South 21. I have seen this place featured on "Diner's, Drive In's, and Dives" so stopped for a photo even though it was closed for vacation. I remember back in the day that there were many places like these, and in fact Sonic is sort of bringing that sort of thing back. I have been by here a few times, but never stopped in. Have been told by a number of people its pretty good though, so will be checking that out in a future visit. That is my motorcycle by the sign by the way at far left. Often go places and then drag Patty to them later on...motorcycles are great for exploring new areas.

Last photo was at Time Warner Arena in Uptown Charlotte. Nice place; the two spindles out front are supposed to be representative of Charlotte's textile history (lots of mills were in this region for a long time). I have been in there, it is a real nice arena, and in addition to concerts (such as the upcoming Paul McCartney) they also host the Charlotte Bobcats (now owned by Michael Jordan) and the Charlotte Checkers Hockey team. I also went by the Epicenter; sort of a food/bar area which was pretty cool. Been past it but have not walked around it. That is where "Whiskey River" is located, owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. of Nascar fame.
At any case, it has been a remarkable and fun 10 days in the Carolinas, but will be returning to Richmond in a few hours, and am looking forward to seeing what new (and at this point) what old favorite things I can explore there. Sure feel lucky to live in two remarkable places, and have a great deal of fun in both of them.