Down the "Lost Highway" (Feb 24, 2013)

Yesterday watched again (for the umpteenth time)  the movie "Wild Hogs" Final song is "Lost Highway" by Bon Jovi, with the lyric "in my rear view mirror, my life is getting clearer", and that certainly describes my life at this time. On a nice day in Richmond, took a ride don the motorcycle around town. Nice to get out, it has been awhile since I have been on the bike, it is after all still winter here in the RVA and between work, the cold and the rain riding has been difficult of late. However, today was not "too bad" though sure looking forward to spring, and the promise of better weather in Richmond.

I rode around downtown mostly, made a stop by Rocketts Landing, where I took this photo of Conch Republic there. Actually I did get a short visit in at nearby Poe's Pub, and got a frosty cold beverage there. I like that place, meet some interesting people there, and today was no exception. Rocketts Landing is an interesting development, when I first got here there was little there, but it is now apartments and condos and a number of really good restaurants have popped up. While I did not go here today, I have in the past, this is a neat place right on the James River.

Friend of mine and his girlfriend are renting this house in Church Hill, which is one of my favorite areas to explore. Lots of cool places there, a lot of history and of course gas lanterns all lit up, as well as cobblestone streets. St John's Church where Patrick Henry gave his "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" speech was made still stands near here. I like being here, and over the next few years will do some serious exploring around here and around Virginia, now that my favorite mode of transportation is here with me.
The change in my life is not of my wish, but dealing with circumstances as they have happened. I plan to make the best of what life, and my soon to be former wife, has made my future, and to enjoy the things here that over the last few years I have found so wonderful. If I am to be exiled from my home,. there are certainly a lot of worse places to be than Richmond, Va. I have been amazed with the quality of the people that I have found here, and I find myself excited about the future to come!  

Richmond - Ride One (February 15, 2013)

 So on a workday, but a day which reached 62 degrees, took my first "real" ride in the area. No, was not long, but a short ride is better than no ride, and it was a beautiful day to get out. This photo at left is from Forest Hill Park, stopped to get some photos with the motorcycle there, and took this just before getting out on the roads. Richmond will be interesting, noted during the ride (as I have driving) that the roads can be rather rough. Good idea to keep a close eye on the surface. Drivers (again some long experience) tend to be ok, though traffic can be heavy at times.

Rode around Forest Hill Avenue, also took a ride around Riverside Drive - a very scenic drive beside the James River, and headed into Richmond. I took the photo at left at Tredegar, which was the armory for the Confederacy during the Civil War. It was a real good start to what will be some interesting and fun riding. I have been on a number of roads thinking "this would be great on a motorcycle", well due to unexpected circumstances, the motorcycle is here. I plan to take full advantage of it, over the next few years. This is a fun and interesting town, and there is a lot of cool things to check out in Virginia.  

Vulcan in the RVA (February 2, 2013)

 Well...my wife of 23 years has decided that we should split (a new boyfriend helps for her). She always thought I loved the motorcycle more, finally she is right. Anyhow, got a ride with some friends from work (thanks guys!) to Concord on a Friday night, and on Saturday morning bundled up and rolled the Vulcan down I-85 toward Richmond, VA. It was bone chilling cold...something like 40 degrees when I headed out. Though I was very bundled up, had to make a few stops to warm up, such as at this rest area in North Carolina. It was a very good ride though, and sure is more fun than in a car. 

Be nice though if she would have left me in the Spring, she does know I ride! At any case it was colder in Virginia and the clouds were gathering. I stopped at the Micky D's in South Hill, VA where I took the photo at left, and coffee got me the rest of the way in. I made it to where I will be keeping the motorcycle just before it started to snow! (Just flurries though). When life gives you lemons, ride your motorcycle to the beach I always say (though will be a while before weather is prime for that). Going to see some interesting sights in the State of Virginia, and going to do it via the best mode of transportation there is. It is going to be a fun year(s).