Belle Isle

 

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.