Mother's Day in the RVA (May 12, 2013)

 Pretty good day, took a ride on the motorcycle to some areas in Richmond, love to do that though it has been a while thanks to weather and a trip over a weekend to North Carolina of late. This though is Quaker Steak and Lube in Richmond, VA. It was one of my favorite places in Concord, NC and love the one here. Good food and "beverages" and they have a big bike night on Wednesday nights. I have not been to the one here, but have been many times to the one in Concord. I work nights, but usually can make a few thanks to days off down the road. Always some interesting bikes and people there. 

 This is the line of bikes at Buz and Ned's...this is the second and newer location (one downtown I have been going to for years) and this is one of my favorite places to eat. However, got to say, did not eat at this one today, being Mother's Day, it was pretty packed. This was my first time to be at the new location, and just wanted to get a photo of it. In fact, the photo below is the inside of the restaurant. Most of the seating at the Boulevard Location is outside under the "tent" which is pretty cool.
BBQ is popular with the motorcycle crowd and there are usually some bikes of interest there. I liked checking some of those out (that is mine though right in the front)
Short Pump is an interesting section of town, though traffic is usually pretty heavy and good to keep your eyes open no matter what you are riding or driving for that matter. Home to some huge malls and lots of places to eat and buy things, it is certainly a different section of town.   

As I said, this is the inside of Buz and Ned's in Short Pump. I headed back down town where I saw the very rain swelled James River, and came across a number of VCU graduations (and the traffic thereof) but made my way finally to Church Hill where I made a stop at the much less crowded Alamo BBQ for a quick bite. They don't have beer but Legend Brewing Company does and I dropped by there for one.
I got home after a three hour ride on the bike, counting stops and other sights. It was a great time and looking forward to the next one, which should be a lot sooner than this one was.        

Riding in the RVA (April 27, 2013)

 It was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride, but put some of the "motorcycle" photos from the ride on my "Racing with the Wind" page, these are some of the sights. Started with a ride to Carytown (also down River Road and then to Cary Street) which is very scenic. Carytown is always fun though, for those who like shopping it has a lot of that, but also for those of us who like eating has some of that. I have eaten at Galaxy Diner (and found it good) in the past, but there are a lot of places to chow down and have about anything you would desire food wise. Fun section of town. 

 Rode though The Fan and Downtown (both interesting sections) but stopped for some food at Alamo BBQ in Church Hill. Church Hill is one of the most interesting parts of this very interesting city and one of my favorite places to go. Alamo is a real treat - on this visit tried this "Cuban" made with pork bbq and an order of "Cowboy" beans which also have BBQ in them. I found it really, really good and will be back for this very soon! Enjoy also riding around Church Hill, which has a couple of very interesting parks and some amazing looking houses. It also has some very fine places to eat, and many of them have come in the last few months.    

This is out in what is called "Manchester" and again a lot of new things have been popping up there. This is of course an old thing; was the former Philip Morris Tobacco factory, but has been turned into apartments now. Richmond does not tear things down, but rather changes them over to other uses, which is what makes it a very interesting place to live. I like that, as there are some remarkable places to see, and it is different than most cities I have lived in over the years. Like to explore the different sections of the city, on what was a nice riding day with temps in the 70's, a local ride was a good idea.   

Finally stopped  at Legend Brewing for a (as in one) Brown Ale. It is Richmond made and frankly is pretty good stuff, especially when (and especially when riding or driving) in moderation. Took this photo of Richmond from the deck...they have a large outside area (also an inside area) to enjoy the fine food and beer. Richmond is starting to put a lot of places in areas where there is a view of the river, and it really is a good (and in my opinion way overdue) idea.
I had a good time on a very fine Saturday while checking out some really neat places and seeing some very interesting sights.

Touring the RVA (April 7, 2013)

 Got out on a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride in Richmond and surrounding area. It was the warmest day of the year so far, and a good day to get out and ride for a bit. While passing though downtown Richmond, stopped to get this photo of the Virginia State Capital...this was designed by Thomas Jefferson and has stood for a long long time. There are free tours of the building, the inside is just about as remarkable as the outside. If you are ever in the city, be sure to come back and check this place out, it is well worth your time to see it. 

As for the statue, it is also on the capital grounds, it is of George Washington (and some associated figures) and is quite the statue. This is a city of statues and there are some amazing ones here in the area. In fact it seems that I come across new ones all the time...saw a statue of Edgar Allen Poe on the capital grounds while I was there on the 7th, had not seen that one before.
While there you can also take tours of the Governors Mansion which is also on the grounds. That though you need to check on, as sometimes the family needs will cancel  tours of the building.  

Finally, made a stop in Prince George, VA to the Tilted Kilt...a sort of Hooters like sports bar except the women all wear Kilts. Different and a nice place to stop. Got to see women in kilts as well as some of the NAsCAR race.
It was just a beautiful day (if a bit breezy but you can't have it all, all the time) to get out and ride and I sure enjoyed it. Exploring Richmond is a great deal of fun, and I never really know what I will come across. Looking forward to some great days and great rides now that my motorcycle is here in town with me. It is going to be a fun Spring for sure, looking forward to it.  

City Point (April 1, 2013)

 Beautiful day for a motorcycle ride, and took one to City Point, which is a few miles from Richmond down on I-95 (and a short ride on 10). Was the big depot for the Union Army during the Civil War to supply the army which was trying to take Richmond and Petersburg. Many of the buildings there are old and they are original. For instance this was part of a plantation owned by Dr Eppes, and was known as Appomattox Manor. It is possible to tour the house and the outbuildings which also offers a fine view of the Appomattox River. There is no admission charge to see the buildings. 

 Some of the buildings though have new uses, and many of them are now private property. You can't go in this building, but it was a Tavern back during the Civil War. Many of the old churches are still used as churches today, and there are a lot of historic markers to tell you what the places were and how they were used. Some (it has been some years) are no longer there. Coming into town there was a Union Fort, one of the few remaining in what was an extensive line of defenses there. It is a fun place to park and just walk around to see what you will come across from the period. 

This cabin is the Headquarters of Union commanding General U.S. Grant. Some of the wood over time has been replaced, but it is pretty much what he lived in while he was there. There were once many cabins just like this one, but of course this one was worth keeping and sits once again on the original site.
I have been here a few times, and it is still one of my favorite places to visit. Hopewell (which is what this area is part of) is a very interesting town to visit, and there are a lot of things to see there. Thanks for visiting my page, I hope you enjoyed it.

Sunday Park/Church Hill Irish Festival (March 23, 2013)

Good day in the RVA, day four of Spring though not as warm as expected, but bundled up and went for a ride on the Motorcycle early in the day. I took a ride down Hull Street visiting a couple of motorcycle dealerships (just to look, not in a buying mood, happy with my Vulcan) but did stop at Sunday Park and took this shot at The Boathouse Restaurant. Two of those in Richmond, the one here, and another at Rocketts Landing. I have eaten at this one, some very good food. The ride though short was a lot of fun, and glad I got this in. Considering we have a 100% rain chance tomorrow....I am very glad!

 This was very cool...went to the Church Hill Irish Festival; and as you can see nothing like enjoying some beer and music with a vast gathering of my close and personal friends. At any case, it was a fun crowd and had a great time there. I have learned this in the four years I have been here...Richmond really knows how to throw a party. I had a great time, went with Tony, a friend from work and we wandered about the crowd (such as we were able to) and enjoyed the day. Church Hill is one of the most interesting sections of Richmond, there is an awful lot to see and do there, and we often do it.
Finally got a photo of one of the band stages, and they also had an Irish band playing (in addition to some rock bands). We got some dinner, and went to his place to watch the Louisville game (which they won, now going to the "Sweet 16"). We are both originally from Louisville. It was just a fantastic day, in a wonderful place...sure glad to see Spring here at last!  

 Went to get an oil change in the car on Monday March 11, and very pleased with that (both service and price). Wanted to get out a bit and do a little sightseeing. Made a pass by Monument Avenue, which I think is the prettiest street in Richmond, and is said to be one of the prettiest  in the USA. Got to this statue, which is the Stonewall Jackson one; and there are quite a few along Monument Ave.
Whole area is one of my favorites; road I am on here is called "The Boulevard" and has this, plus Buz and Ned's (where I had lunch), also the history and art museum, Maymont and Byrd Park and Carytown. All of those are areas that I like to wander around and see some art, history and sights.
It is a fun place in a very fun city, and all that is within a few blocks of this statue. Getting out and exploring everything is pretty neat and a great  time. It has been four years that I have been here, and never get bored.

 This is the dog at Hollywood Cemetery, said to be looking at the grave of a little girl. Amazingly large cemetery it has a lot of Civil War notables (both Officers and Enlisted), plus a lot of Richmond movers and shakers and is a great place to explore both some history and some beauty.
The notables include President James Madison and John Tyler as well as the first and only president of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis.
It was nice there on a Monday, usually it is pretty crowded, but on this day the crowds were very light and it was fun to do some walking around. 

This is the James River as seen from Hollywood Cemetery, got a lot of rapids there (we have had some rain lately) as well as a view of Belle Island on the other side. I have been there a few times too; it is a fine place to walk around.
All in all, a very good Monday, nice to get out and see some interesting sights, many of which are favorites of mine.  

Byrd Park/Malvern Hill (March 10, 2013)

 Nice day to get out, Sunday March 10 had blue skies, and mid-60 temperatures, a perfect day to get out and ride. Went to Byrd Park to the Bell Tower, which was a WW1 memorial when it was built. Enjoyed the ride there, and it was fun to hang out at the park. Its a cool place and is right next to Maymont which is also worth a visit. I have to say Richmond has some very cool parks to check out, and I do have fun doing that. Today, there were a lot of people there, both on two wheels and four in the park.....to be honest it has been a wet cold winter here, and I am ready for Spring (which actually starts officially on March 21). While there visited the lake and also checked out the houses there, lots of really old places and some of them are quite amazing. It is one of the neatest places in the city, and sure have a great time there.

I also made a stop to the lake there, where I got this photo of these birds. There were quite a few there, and they put on quite a show for me. Lots of sea gulls and also a number of Canadian Geese. I like the lake and afterward rode down The Boulevard to Broad Street and then downtown. Had a great time checking out the sights in the city, and then headed to Highway 5. I was headed to Malvern Hill, one of the many battlefields in Richmond, It is one of the best preserved and has a lot of historical markers to let you know what happened there in one of the biggest battles in the Richmond area.    

Malvern Hill was a stand by the Union Army (which was in retreat) which stood off Confederate attacks by a line of cannon. The battle was considered a classic of artillery for many years.
Following that, rode back and made a stop at Poe's Pub (for a Guinness Stout ) before heading back to put the bike away. It was a great day out,and I had a great time.
As I said, looking forward to some Spring here soon, hopefully the winter weather is over for 2013 and better days, such as today, are coming up very soon!