Ride to Tappahannock (May 25, 2013)

 Last weekend did not get to ride due to what turned out to be endless rain that came down in buckets all weekend. However, this weekend was wonderful...Sunny skies and much cooler 70 degree temperatures (a nice change from the 90s of the past week) and with no humidity. Being Memorial Day weekend, decided to forgo the highways (which are packed with cars as well as the motorcycles heading to Rolling Thunder in Washington, DC this weekend) and ride on VA 360. Though I have been on it before, never been so far up it, taking a 50 mile ride to Tappahannock, VA. Before getting there, made a suggested stop at KW's Tavern which was a very fine place to eat. Tried the Chicken Wings with Maryland sauce which was simply outstanding. Though it is a very good ride from Richmond, I think it will be worthwhile to return to KW's in the future. After a good lunch got back on the road past some farms and country views and soon reached the area.  

This is a bridge across the Rappahannock River which was a much bigger river than I had expected. Looks like it would be a lot of fun with a boat, and was quite wonderful to look at. I also liked the look of this old bridge, which was quite interesting as well. On a nice day it was fun to be in this area with many of the buildings being very old, though not as old as the town which was started in the 1600's. As is the case with much of Virginia, much of America's history starts with this place. In fact while passing a number of Civil War signs and battlefields, also saw a number of markers from the Revolutionary War.  

 Not sure how old this building is, but had a good time checking out this quilt shop in the historic section of downtown. There were a number of historic buildings and businesses, and frankly due to time I don't think I got to see them all. I will have a few more photos on my Richmond and Me page from this trip, but sure enjoyed the time I spent there, and will be making a return trip in the future. It was a nice destination after a very good ride. Traffic was real light on most of 360 and the views along the way were remarkable. A very relaxed and enjoyable motorcycle ride on a perfect day.  

In Mechanicsville, VA came across this truck....which is an old Chevy. There were a number of other old vehicles in this area, which was found along 360..and I stopped to check them out. It was  a good pause and again another worthwhile stop. Mechanicsville also had a number of historical markers from the Civil War, in fact there was one very close to here in the parking lot of a local SunTrust Bank. The area is also not far from the famous Cold Harbor Battlefield, though you will pass quite a few on your journey to this area. I have been to some of them, just not by this route.  

Getting close to Richmond, came across the City Jail (for the City of Richmond) which I had never seen, but of course had read about. Looked like (from following the road which turned left and along the side) that it is being expanded. This is just outside of my normal riding area, and soon found myself getting back into familiar ground, and back in the Richmond neighborhoods I have come to know so well.
Fun trip, got to see some new sights and got to ride though some new places. Which is one of the reasons why I am so happy to have the motorcycle here in Richmond with me. No vehicle is so great for exploring as a motorcycle, in my opinion.