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.

First Snow of 2017 (January 8, 2017)

It was Saturday January 8, 2017...aka yesterday when I awoke to the expected snowstorm that arrived pretty much on schedule. The storm blew in and the area got roughly 8 inches over the hours of the snowstorm,
Took this photo while out to see some of the sights of the storm which was pretty impressive and gave the area its first coating of frozen white water not just in 2017 but for that matter for the period of winter so far. No snow during the Christmas season,

I walked by Forest Hill Park which is a popular place to sled. Though there were few during my early morning stroll, more came later in the afternoon as this is a popular location for both sledding and newscasters.
On Saturday night temperatures fell to the single digits.Sunday temperatures were below freezing. The remaining snow and cold are expected to continue mostly though Tuesday. Warmer temperatures during the week (eventually rising to the 60's) should have it all gone by Thursday and Friday.

Trip to Indiana and Kentucky (December 28)

Spent time with my girlfriend in Indiana at the Rising Sun Casino from December 19-21. Very decorated for the holidays and those photos are directly below, as well as some photos from the trip there.

I also was in Louisville to visit my family but that visit was just from the 22-23 of December and have some of those, as well as the trip back to Richmond. Those photos are below this....

Atlanta Trip (December 28, 2016)

Actually made this trip from December 10-December 11, 2016 to see a Navy friend and his family. Got to fly and it has been far too long since I have done that. I also came across from very cool cars at one point....enjoy sharing the flight photos and the car photo here as well.

Christmastime! (December 28, 2016)

 Here and below are a collection of photos taken in the Richmond area during Christmas 2016. It was a remarkable and magical time of year and I had a great time seeing these and much much more during the Christmas season here. There is an awful lot to see and do here in Richmond and many amazing sights and events here.
I have over the past few years enjoyed this town and...God willing...hope to enjoy many, many more. It is a fun place to be during the holidays and I am glad I am able to share this small selection with you.  

Lights in the RVA (December 2,2016)

The Jefferson Hotel is just a beautiful place and I enjoy coming out here every year to see what they have done for the holidays. A very old hotel and I believe the only 5 star hotel in Richmond, it has a very neat history.
There was a rumor (which unfortunately is not true) that the staircase was the inspiration for the movie "Gone with the Wind" but it is beautiful and the hotel is certainly impressive.
They lit up the tree at left earlier last week and I picked Friday night to come out and take a look at it.
Very impressive and beautiful there, the tree will be the site for many parties and gatherings at the hotel. In addition to that they have a lot of other decorations in the hotel and it is just a joy to see it looking like this for the holidays.
I spent a lot of time just wandering around and checking out the various sites. Be sure to see the decorated alligator in the parking area which came from the fact that Richmond people used to leave alligators (baby ones) they brought back from Florida during vacations at a small pond once there.          

Real fond at The Jefferson of seeing what they do with gingerbread. Have seen trains, houses (and no tiny things but big enough to take a nice walk though).
The Sleigh is this years creation and as always a beautiful sight it is.
Not sure how many pounds this is, or how many hours it took to make but impressed with the fine craftsmanship that went into it.
Never disappointed at what I see there, and it is a magical addition to the Christmas season in Richmond. Photo below was taken from Legends Brewing of the city all lit up for the holiday.