RVA Tour with Debbie (August 5, 2017)

 Debbie and I explored some sights in Richmond for seven hours on August 5. We stopped at some of the forts along Highway five....which there are a number of. This photo of her was taken at Fort Gilmer. We also toured Fort Harrison, Fort Hoke and viewed a number of the others. They made up part of the defense line for Richmond during what turned out to be the closing days, and closing battles of the Civil War for the Army of Northern Virginia.

We also went to Malvern Hill which was part of the Seven Days Battles, This was a series of battles to capture Richmond. This failed though the Union had many successful engagements such as this one.  

We also went to see Agecroft, which is located in a neighborhood in Richmond. It was brought over from England and reassembled, The manor was originally built in the 1500's. Next door to it is the almost as old (1600's) Virginia House, also brought over from England.
This is not all we saw but just a sample. All of this she had never seen as well as many other sights to be explored in this most amazing city and surrounding area.

Dragon Boat Races (July 29, 2017)

On a rainy day in the RVA, went to Rocketts Landing to watch the Dragon Boat Races held on the James River every years. Many local teams plus teams from around the US come to compete. It is a fun event and even with the rain which was substantial at times there were a lot of teams which showed up, as well as a very large crowd. The last sort of surprised me but then again Richmond does tend to come out for the outdoor events.

This is one of the races. Usually in teams of three or four and went on early in the morning and into the afternoon. I have been going the past few years and always enjoy the event...like the crowd on hand regardless of the weather.
Looking forward to making this event again in 2018

Charleston, SC Trip (July 21-23, 2017)

Drove the car to Charleston, SC with Debbie to visit family (her's) and see one of my favorite places. Charleston is a fantastic city and has much to see and do. Course this time of year its also blazing hot and humid (so though is about the whole Eastern side of the US right now). This photo was taken at the Isle of Palms and that is the Atlantic. England, where my Triumph motorcycle was designed is a few thousand miles across the water.

Ft Moultrie is seen here. An old fort which started construction during the Revolutionary War was also added to during the Civil War and later during World War II. A lot of history in the Charleston area and it was fun to explore some of the sights of this structure there.
It is a one of my favorite places in the area as I do love to explore history.  

Zoomed in on this out at the harbor...this is Fort Sumter. It can honestly be said that the actual war part of the Civil War started here. The fort was shot at by massed Confederate cannon and surrendered the next day.
Did not on this trip but have taken the boat ride out to see it. It is something to tour. During the Civil War and the siege of Charleston by the Union Navy the Fort was held until the city surrendered.  

This is the Arthur Ravenel Suspension Bridge which was built in 2005 to replace an older (and very hair raising to drive) bridge. It is built with towers 575 feet high. In fact the bridge is high as Charleston is one of the busiest ports on the East Coast and some of the ships that pass under it are...pretty damn huge. Fun to drive over and a vast improvement over what was there before. Did much more while we were there but had a fantastic time in Charleston, SC.

Photos from a Motorcycle Ride in the RVA (July 9, 2017)

 From the motorcycle ride on Sunday July 9. Made a few stops along the way. Took this photo from the Canal Walk area of Richmond. The old Canals were part of a transportation system used just after the Revolutionary War and have been restored in the recent years. There is a lot to see and do on them with many restaurants as well as art...even a sort of Canalboat rides. It is a fun place to explore, especially on a quiet Sunday. Usually a packed and popular place.

 This is Richmond seen from Rocketts Landing. Once again a nice place to visit with a lot of Restaurants and as you can see, some really great views from the shores of the James River. In that area is a bike trail (paved) which runs from that area all the way to Williamsburg, VA and is very popular. I take a different sort of bike ride

 On I went to a series of old Confederate forts (that is Fort Hoke with my motorcycle beside it) just off of VA5. Nice place to visit especially on a quiet Sunday. There is a whole series of forts along that road as well as the interconnected earthworks.

This is Fort Johnson. These were all part of the Richmond defense line. One of the larger ones is Fort Harrison which was captured by the Union during the Civil War. It was a wild time in the history of this country. Not too far up the road from these forts is the Malvern Hill Battlefield which I also enjoy visiting.
It was a wonderful day for the motorcycle ride with low heat and humidity. Fun to visit some of my favorite places in the city and to just get out in the breeze. I have a few more photos on my "Racing with the Wind" blog page from this ride. Thanks for visiting!

Lexington....Day 2 (July 7, 2017)

 Second day of the Lexington, VA visit. Got to do a little looking around the city...there is a lot to see and do there.
I wanted to get a photo of this building which dates to 1790 and is one of the oldest remaining in Lexington. Many of the buildings were lost in a fire some years ago, but even those are from the early 1800's. This though was a law office. Different firm but still is today as well. I love exploring this city to see the many sights.

 Made a visit to Virginia Safari Park in nearby Natural Bridge VA. Amazing place. It is a drive through zoo. Had never done this, but Debbie thought it would be a good idea.
Turned out to be a great idea. The animals are mostly out in the open. Few exceptions such as Giraffe, Zebras, Hippos but a lot of interesting creatures.
I got to feed this fallow deer which as many did come right up to your car...

...or sometimes in it as was the case with this Bison. Glad I did'nt but the guide book said (as I noted later) in big letters "DO NOT FEED PET OR TOUCH ZEBRAS, BISON OR WATUSI CATTLE".
I have seen them in zoo's and even have some Bison here in Richmond at Maymont Park, but THIS is my closest encounter ever. Amazing creature and was a real thrill!

There was also this Elk which was beautiful and a bit on the huge side. I have to say this was a wonderful visit to this park and in a future visit (via car, doubt motorcycles are permitted..and you would have to be nuts to attempt it if you could) would make this a stop.
Very cool thing to have and like that most of the animals are wide open. Got a lot of land to roam and that is pretty neat.
Got back to Richmond later that day and have to say it was a wonderful trip!

Road Trip to Lexington (July 6, 2017)

 First day of a two day visit to Lexington, VA. I have been there before and enjoyed this very cool town. Lots of history there. Took the car (as well as my girlfriend) this trip which started with a drive (well to the Blue Ridge Parkway via I-64) followed by a drive on the amazing Blue Ridge Parkway. Always love the views from up there, and the sights you can see on the way (more on that directly below).
Have read that it is one of the favorite roads in America. Don't know about that but as for me...well hell yeah!

This was a first time for me, which surprises me considering how many times I have been on it both here in Virginia but in North Carolina too. Traffic stopped when this beat came into view. Did not get out to visit with him, but did get a couple of really good photos and this I would consider one. Have seen some amazing sights on the Parkway, and now a bear!

Made a first time stop to the VMI Museum. There is also a George Marshall Museum (which I visited on a previous visit) but this was my first visit to this one.
Had a lot of items related to Stonewall Jackson. As a history fanatic the Civil War is a favorite study of mine, and this man was certainly a big part of it. A bit on the nutty side but a fearsome killer. The Uniform is one of the few (in fact they said the only one remaining) which he wore. The gray coat was worn the day he was shot in the left arm...bullet hole in the upper left sleeve.

Regardless of what you think of guns they have certainly been a part of this country's history for good or bad. This collection at VMI traced the development of them over the years. Saw many unusual designs along the way to the current path of American weapons. Exhibit though also covered European weapons which makes sense as they are also the path many of us came from back in those days. Amazing museum and well worth a visit.
Course the visit was not all bears, dead Confederate generals (both Lee and Jackson are buried in Lexington, VA) and that will be covered in the next post.  

Pony Pasture (July 1, 2017)

Nice time today at one of my favorite places, and best of all its close to home. Pony Pasture is next to the James River, which is seen in the photo at left. Loved to take my dog Mollie here (and I firmly believe she loved it too!) and walk the trails and check out the river. It is a fantastic treasure in the Richmond area and one of the most popular parks. You can get out in the water or wander among the trails there. Fun to see all the people, all the dogs and to check out the beauty to be found here.