The Last "Winter" Ride of 2016 (March 18, 2016)

 Calling this the last winter ride because "Spring" officially starts this Sunday. However tomorrow will be much cooler and Sunday (Day one of Spring) positively cold with a high expected around 39.
During the vacation this week had three remarkable days of riding to the mountains (with temperatures in the 80's) and to the Petersburg area with temperatures in the 70's. Today was in the low 70 range and a hard north wind blowing. The cold air will be in that wind.
Still a great day for a ride. Went to the Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond, which opened in 1822. Lots of Richmond and US history is buried there. A few weeks ago I went to the house of John Marshall who was the Third US Chief Justice from 1801-1835. He had a very interesting career in the Supreme Court and prior to that as well. He is just one of the many interesting people who are at rest at that cemetery.  

Rode around that area a bit...watched two Richmond motorcycle cops at work (luckily they had nothing to do with me) and explored some new roads. I ended up via a roundabout route in Church Hill. Interesting part of Richmond and very old. In fact will be going to the Church Hill Irish Festival tomorrow...at least until the rains come. While I was there today stopped again at Alamo BBQ. Bikers and BBQ are a popular combination, and Alamo is really good. Three bikes there, two Kawasaki motorcycles (the silver and black one is mine) and a Ducati. Nothing like a great lunch on a wonderful day.    

Stopped on the way home and wandered around Canal Walk. They have some most interesting art there, and its a nice place with some good places to eat, the Canal (which is very fun to watch flow) and some condos if you have some serious coin to spend on a place to live.
I like going there, and used to bring my dog. In fact the last time I took a photo of this, she was in front of it looking confused. She was used to me taking photos though so it was all good (she died last November and is still greatly missed). Nothing quite like a border collie!
Still, it was a great day to ride in what has been a great three days of riding. Weather will be a break for a while as will the return to work as my vacation ends with work on Monday but I had a wonderful time. Virginia has so much to offer and I do love to explore its many wonderful places, eat its fine food, and just take in the sights and sounds of this amazing state.