Lexington, VA and the Blue Ridge Parkway (July 23, 2016)

 The Saturday morning motorcycle ride turned out to be fantastic. Came to me the night before...be fun to see something new. So rode to Lexington, VA starting at 630AM. Early start due to the expected heat and humidity..both of which would be over 100.
Went up the Midlothian Turnpike which was a fun road early in the morning. Hardly any traffic and it was cool. Both those conditions would change as the day went on. Still a lot of interesting things to see there, and I enjoyed walking around. First stop was the Visitor Center, and you need to do that if you do go...lots of good information to be found there.  

Using the maps at the Visitor Center I was able to find everything I wanted to see. Have more photos on the Richmond and Me blog page. There I said the Statue of Lee in the Lee Chapel was NOT the grave (and its not) these are the graves of the General and his wife. They can be found in the basement which also has a very fine museum to the General. Interesting man as where they all. I think that US Grant said it best when he spoke of admiring their dedication to their cause, though that cause was the worst men ever fought for.
I also have a photo of Stonewall Jackson's grave on the Richmond and Me page, and his house is also there. He also was a teacher (Jackson) at VMI and I wandered around there. Both VMI as well as Washington and Lee are beautiful schools.
Even with the heat. had a great time wandering around the campuses of the schools. Lots of great old buildings and a lot of history there.  

The George Marshall Museum was really interesting if small. Still a lot of very interesting items and history to be found there. One thing they had that I had never seen was the Nobel Peace Prize which is at left. I believe that he won it for The Marshall Plan which he designed which basically enabled Europe to recover after World War II. To everyone's credit they did things different after that war, unlike WWI. Wanted to prevent another World War and (so far) that has worked.
The museums, the graves, the schools, the town...it was all a lot of fun. I was glad that I took this ride. Was going to be a real short trip, but ended up spending a lot more time just looking around and seeing things then I had imagined the night before when it was planned.
Still a lot of new and very interesting things to see in Virginia, this is a very fun state with a lot of things to offer and a lot of variety.
Looking forward to some more explorations in the very near future. Got quite a few ideas in mind.    

Of course, there also are some old favorites of mine, and The Blue Ridge Parkway is pretty much at the top of the list. Sure I like beaches but riding up there in the (somewhat today) cooler air is a great deal of fun. Just watch your speed there...top speed is 45 and rangers do work the roads. Why race down the roads though when you have such amazing sights? It is my favorite road to explore and one I come to a few times a year. In fact this is not my first visit this year, and probably won't be my last. Went some 60 miles on the Parkway and that took me back to I-64 which is how I got back to Richmond. Made a couple of water stops at rest areas, it was blazing hot, but a great time and a fantastic ride. One of the bigger ones of late which took me a total from the trip meter of 289 miles.  

Hot Ride in the City (July 22, 2016)

 It's July so hot is to be expected. Certainly hit that this morning; headed out early on my fantastic motorcycle and went for a ride. Started out and it was in the 70's. Nice very sunny day with expected heat index to rise to the 102 range by the time I got back. That it did. Was fun when moving, but man those red lights were hot. Even the asphalt was hot. Walked around some but not for long in that heat. Expected to be hotter the next few days. The ride to Ashland, VA was nice though, as I rolled down I-95 to that city. It was fun and traffic was not too bad either.

Ashland, VA is a cool town. It is a college town which is also pretty cool. Some nice restaurants and good places to hear live music...plus some damn fine coffee can be found there. It is also a train town. A number of tracks run right through Ashland. I did explore the museum in the old train station which was cool if small. The train does stop there (which runs to DC by the way) but you can't get tickets there to ride on it. I did read you can buy them on the train, but there is no discount if you do that.
Anyhow spent some time there. Usually go to Ironhorse Restaurant but it was not open yet, and I wanted to make this an early day, so after a short visit I got back on the road again. This time I rode back toward Richmond via VA1.  

VA 1 is one of my favorite roads, runs though pretty much the entire state North to South and passes a lot of small towns. It is a much more scenic drive than I-95 and the slower pace is very nice.
Back in Richmond I went to Canal Walk, where I saw some of the art works there, and just wandered around again for a little bit. It is a favorite place as well to visit.
After that, rode up Forest Hill Avenue past my house and got some ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Seemed good as the heat index was now some 102 degrees. Home from my three hour ride having covered just a hair over 50 miles. Looking forward to my next one!

Sunday: King of Pop Ride and a Night Cruise (July 17, 2016)

Relatively moderate day temperature and humidity wise so got out on Sunday morning and rode around Richmond. This part of the day was just under 50 miles. While in Louisville a couple of weeks ago went with the family to Steel City Pops and they were pretty good . So went to try this place in Richmond, It was pretty good too, and good on a hot day. Rode a number of places in the area before and after...was out for four hours and enjoyed getting my knees in the breeze.

After going home to watch the NASCAR race and relax got back out for night ride...a buggy night ride out in the country but still fun, Rode up and back via Highway 5 with some backroads tossed in. While not as long as the earlier ride the distance was longer (fewer stops though did stop at Malvern Hill Battlefield) and was out for around 90 minutes. Total distance from the ride(s) was 97.5 miles from the day.
As I write this on Monday after two very good days of riding, the temperature in Richmond is at a feels like level of 100+. Think I am going to do some things around the house today. Riding into heat like that is like riding into a furnace. Was blessed with more moderate weather this past weekend.  

Oops...The Cold Harbor Area Ride (July 11, 2016)

Previous post is the earlier ride, but this is my blog and I can do it...or in this case fix it...anyhow I want to. Forgot these photos and this ride, but it was a very good ride. Headed out on a nice day with cooler temperatures and humidity for a ride. Actually went down some new roads which were past a lot of farms and full of the smell of "good country air". To me though it kind of reeks of shit...but what do I know. Anyhow past the cattle and farms and enjoyed the twisty roads.
Nice area out there, and of course was a big part of the Civil War. Two invasions of the Richmond area (with the second being successful and ending that war) happened out there, and in some cases only a short distance apart. Some four years apart but in some of the battlefields just a short walk from the other.
Like going out there and on this day traffic was very light and I enjoyed that The motorcycle did not miss a beat and I was grinning from ear to ear.    

This is the Cold Harbor Battlefield, and I have been there "a few" times. In fact the top photo was also taken there, you can see the cannon in the background and the visitor center at the right (part of it anyhow).
Bottom photo is where those cannon area. I did walk out to some of the earthworks. It was an epic battle and the one that General U.S. Grant said if he had to do it over again, he would not.  

Anyhow, rode back and on the way back got this photo of the James River from the Lee (yeah that Lee) bridge not too far from my house. Nice area and as you can find from the later post below this one as well as from some other posts I am very fond of the James River. It is not far from the house and just a fun place to ride around./ I also like to wander around it often.
This was a very good ride and did not want to miss this post. This time of year you don't get weather like this often.
As far as distance I think this was another short sort of ride...maybe 60 miles though seem to remember it was a little under. Sure enjoyed it though.    

Morning Putt (July 16,2016)

It's that typical Summer weather: hazy, hot and humid. So got up early this Saturday morning and got the bike out for a while. First stop was the nearby Farmer's Market at Forest Hill Park. I try to make that on most Saturday's. Unlike my last visit got there early before the massive crowds hit. It is a lot of fun, and I got a little breakfast there and wandered around for a short while.
Was not too bad, as the rains which are due today held off, though it was not a sunny day. Rode around a bit, and decided to head for Riverside Drive.
While on the way there, saw this Sunflower which was on a sidestreet off of Westover Hills Boulevard.
Had to make a stop, as I think these are pretty cool. Impressive if strange flowers. Got this photo and then headed on down Forest Hill Avenue to the Pony Pasture area.      

Know I make a lot of stops here, but it is such as beautiful place and a really nice ride. Especially fun early in the morning as it tends not to be real busy. Thankfully, most people seem to sleep in and so on early Saturday's or for that matter Sunday's the roads are largely mine.

Ditto for Stony Point Fashion Park which was pretty much deserted. This is a photo of the P.F. Chang Restaurant there. It was nice to wander around and this remains one of my favorite malls. This is coming from someone who really does not like malls but they are fun to wander around especially when the stores are not open yet. That was going to happen at 11AM, and still a little early here.  

Stopped in Church Hill to see the old Civil War Hospital. These are some of the uniforms, weapons and especially the medical kits they used. In the park there is this small museum, All of the medical buildings of what was one of the best hospitals for injured soldiers in the Civil War (North or South) are long gone. Still a lot of items from that terrible period remain.
I am a big fan of history, and also of the Civil War (no leanings for the Confederacy, but that is what is featured here in Richmond being the former capital and site of a number of battles) so do enjoy seeing these places and many of the battlefields here.  

Finally, made a stop at Stone Brewing which was a nice stop. While there started to notice a few rain drops and finished my small beverage. This brewery is one of the newer ones and one of the biggest in the area. It is a branch of this company which has operations also someplace else. Nice building though and a lot of cool things inside. What it coolest is that the beer is pretty good. It is my second visit, and I will be back again.
Anyhow rode home on this sort of ride, walk around, repeat ride. Nice though and even though the mileage was not very far (just under 50 miles) the places were fun and the ride was wonderful. Not long after I got home, showers happened, so was a good ride.

Great Pair of Rides (July 10, 2016)

 After being out of town on a rainy trip to Louisville, Kentucky for a few days, and after a day of rest took the motorcycle out on a Sunday ride. First stop was the Short Pump Town Center in Short Pump. Nice ride out there, and it was a great day for it. Humidity has been a bear the last week (both in Louisville and here) and that makes it not a great deal of fun riding.
This morning though it was nice and I enjoyed the ride out. Wandered around the mall for a bit which was not yet open as it was before noon, but a nice place to walk. In the Richmond area that is the big dog of shopping malls. Fun to look around and see what there was to see.  

Stopped in to the Carolina Ale House which is in West Broad Village. That is just up the street from Short Pump Town Center. West Broad Village is a neat mix of retail and residential. They have places like it in other cities, both in Virginia and North Carolina. Sure there are others in many states.
Used to go to Carolina Ale House when I lived in Concord, NC and nice to see it here in Richmond. This opened up just a few months ago. Has an impressive beer selection, good food from what I have had so far, and nice people. I enjoy going there and getting a little taste of where I lived for 14 years before coming to Richmond.

 A really good surprise while at the ale house was finding that Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has free admission via a Facebook post. I have always wanted to see it but figured this is my chance. So rode out that (thanks to GPS on the phone) and wandered around for an hour. It was really, really impressive and I enjoyed seeing all the things they had to offer. Told it is really impressive around Christmas time and will be going back. In fact, sure I will be going back to see the flowers and plants. It was just a beautiful place to wander around for awhile. I have some more photos posted on my Richmond and Me blog...this place deserved its own post.

After a short visit at home following the three previous spots I visited, got back on the motorcycle for a little evening riding.
First stop was to Forest Hill Park for a David Bowie tribute band. Crowd there (large as usual) seemed to really enjoy it and I thought they were very good. Love going to Forest Hill Park for this monthly free event. They are doing cover bands this year and have some good shows coming up.
There was the Intergalactic Taco truck there, and I purchased some taco's before heading back out.

Thought a night ride was in order, so I took the motorcycle to Riverside Drive. Nice to see the area as the sun went down. Traffic was much lighter than usual and as I have come to know from past dusk/dark rides various animals tend to come out. On a previous visit there were deer, but on this one it was rabbits. Like deer they tend to freeze in the headlight. I thought that was pretty cool. I also really like this photo at left as I was heading back to the house.
Did not cover a lot of miles on the two rides, just under 60. Do have to say though, as was the last ride that I really enjoyed being out on a wonderful Sunday and I had a fantastic time.

Wonderful Day in the RVA (July 2, 2016)

Very nice morning which got a whole lot nicer as for the first time since the last time I got the bike out for a spin. Ended up being an interesting local ride of some 60 miles...well, almost anyhow. Was concerned about a problem last time, but turned out to be nothing at all. In fact that could have been the wind on the last ride...was hearing things.
Started out with a stop at the Farmer's Market at Forest Hill Park. That is the old stone house in the background, with my wonderful motorcycle in the foreground.
I always have a good time at the Market, good music there and lots of booths to explore. Usually I get there early, but today it was packed to the gills. Still fun to wander around and explore. One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday and at my favorite place in the neighborhood. Forest Hill Park is a treasure.
After that rolled down VA5. Considered going to a Civil War battlefield which took me to Malvern Hill battlefield. Instead of getting to Seven Pines I got a bit of a surprise during the ride.....    

...and ended up at the Virginia Aviation Museum. Or rather, what was the museum, which I found out yesterday was closed. I have some photos of a tour this month which I made while at the airport on my "Richmond and Me" blog. Apparently the building lease ran out.
Read that while the collection will be hopefully kept together for now its closed and this plane (and the A-7 which is also outside) will go back to the Navy and Air Force soon. The plane in the photo of course is an F-14 Tomcat. I will really miss this museum and hope that it returns in some form and fashion in the near future.  

Wandered some more. Had lunch at KFC (which considering my trip tomorrow is a good way to kick that off) but came to Richmond International Raceway. I was asked at the gate if I was there for some sort of RV thing (nope) or the DOG SHOW. Dog Show I said...hell yeah. Was a very pleasant surprise. Had a competition of a variety of "diving dogs" and the whole dog show judging thing. It was my first and very cool. As the former best friend of a very kind and loving Border Collie named Mollie this was a very wonderful event and I enjoyed it a great deal. I rode some more and made a trip down Broad Street. I think I have a few photos here of the WTVR TV tower, which is a huge thing. Well, got this one from a very different angle.

Finally ended up in Church Hill where I got a few more photos and this of course which I have a few times of Richmond is a favorite stop there. Church Hill is very old. I also wandered around St. John's Church (where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me Liberty or give me death" speech. I also made a stop in Manchester where I had one (and only one) Legend Brown Ale at Legend Brewing. It was a sunny day with low humidity and enjoyed the feel of the sun, the rush of the wind and the sound of the V-twin. Will be grinning for sometime after this ride