Visiting Apollo 11 (March 5, 2017)

Drove today to the Steven Udvar-Hazy Center, the "annex" to the National Air and Space Museum. The main museum is in downtown Washington, DC, this is located in Chantilly, VA. Amazing collection there, and this is my third visit to the museum which is one of my favorite places in Virginia. All sorts of planes there, such as this WWI aircraft. German in this case, and was typical of planes of that era. Wood, wire can canvas. No parachutes for the pilots either. It was a very tough way to fly and to fight and the toll in that war was high on planes and pilots. Another one of the planes in the WW2 collection, again this is a German aircraft. There are many though from all eras of flying including some rare Japanese aircraft, some British and some amazing American aircraft.

Big reason for this trip was to see Apollo 11 which is getting cleaned up for an upcoming four city tour during the next couple of years. This is the Command Module from the first crew to land on, and walk on the moon.
The very vast majority of aircraft and space craft are the planes and spaceships that made history. There are all sorts of things to see, as well as rockets, and personal items from many of the pilots and the era. I always have enjoyed my visits and certainly am looking forward to the next one.

Seen here is a later day WWII Navy plane, and an F-100 from the early Vietnam era. The museum is open most days and admission is free though parking is $15. The museum is located near Dulles Airport, which came in handy when the Space Shuttle Discovery landed on the back of its 747 carrier aircraft a few years ago. I have posted photos of that amazing spacecraft in previous posts on visits to this museum.

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.