Northbank Trail

 

While in Richmond, I decided to hike the Northbank Trail across to Belle Isle. Never heard of Belle Isle? Well, here's some info from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources:

"The human history on Belle Isle predates the arrival of Europeans. Over the centuries, it was home to a Powhatan settlement, a rich fishery, a 19th-century ironworks, a 20th-century hydroelectric plant, and most tragically, a notorious Confederate Army prisoner-of-war camp. Today, it is an immensely popular location for outdoor recreation and wildlife watching in the Richmond area."

Accessing Belle Isle requires crossing the James River on a suspended pedestrian bridge. 

Connecting again today to Skywatch Friday.

Bike Race

 

They had a police escort through Richmond last Saturday, so I can only conclude that this was either an official bike race or, alternatively, that they were all being escorted to prison. :-)

821 Café

 

The 821 Café is a popular eatery just across the street from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. It has a very small dining area, hence the people outside waiting for tables to open up. But what it lacks in space, it tries to compensate with good food at more or less reasonable prices. I had their Grummus Wrap loaded with hummus, field greens, feta, kalamata olives, banana peppers, cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette in a flour tortilla and a side cup of fruit for $12. 

Views

 

Reflection

Walk or Ride?

 

Imagine having to go to the barn, harness the horses, and hitch them to the carriage every time you wanted to you wanted to ride instead of to walk somewhere. Then imagine of having to do all that in reverse every time you got home. I think I would have chosen to walk a lot more. :-)

The Daily Commute

 

Open Carriage

 

Beautiful day for an open carriage ride AND another link to Skywatch Friday.

Shoulder Month

 

Just the slightest hint that spring is around the corner. March is one of those "shoulder months" here on the Middle Peninsula, when afternoon temperatures can range anywhere from the upper 60s and low 70s to the upper 40s and low 50s. Today, for instance, we're expecting a high of 55. Not quite as pleasant as last Wednesday when I snapped this picture and when the afternoon high was nearly 76. 

Welcome to spring! 

Updated 3/21/2024

Monkee's

 

Monkee's is now open for business. According to the Monkee’s of Williamsburg website, the store offers an extensive selection of designer boutique-style shoes, clothing, and accessories that are hand-picked seasonally to reflect current trends while also maintaining a classic Southern style.

Geothermal

 

Geothermal work being conducted under partly cloudy skies on Colonial Williamsburg's Palace Green.

Linking again today with Skywatch Friday.

Powder Magazine

 

Officials in Colonial Williamsburg have decided that the wall surrounding it’s historic powder magazine was restored to the wrong height. Instead of ten feet, it never would have actually been more than seven. So work has begun to restore the wall to its “proper” height while keeping as much of the original material as possible.

Mellow Mushroom

 

Ate lunch here on New Year's Eve. My first time. Great atmosphere. Good service, even on what appeared to be a rather busy afternoon.

Francesco's

 

So, I've had to overcome a reluctance on my part to share my local favorites, mostly because I favor the little known and often slightly out-of-the-way places to eat, which are not likely to remain "little known" if I spotlight them. Anyway, Francesco's is one of my favorites.

Greeting me, as I entered last night, was this cool color-changing sign. More about this place tomorrow.

In-Between

 

Yep, it's been that kind of weather here. Kind of in-between sunny and pleasant and everything else. So it probably was a wise idea to carry an extra wrap with you just in case.

Linking again today with Skywatch Friday.

Ice Rink

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la 

The ice rink on Duke of Gloucester Street (aka Dog Street) has become an annual tradition here. Quite a treat, especially in southeastern Virginia where daytime temperatures around this time of year rarely fall below freezing. Hope you are able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas Eve. I've got a full day and evening of singing ahead of me. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!

Rehearsal

 

Handbells

 

The Fall

Take just a few days apart, the photo above shows a Gingko tree in all its autumn glory, and then . . .

 

the great fall. :-)

Run & Gun