Point of Rocks Park

It's just a small county park...but it makes me so happy.  Point of Rocks park, in Chesterfield, has ball fields, a playground, picnic areas and my favorite part....a ton of walking trails.  I usually visit this park when I want to get in a run outdoors.  I will pop in my ear plugs and just take off.  This time I opted to leave the ear plugs out...and walk...just to take in everything on my journey.

On this visit I ran into 2 snakes, a pack of Cubs (scouts), a man with his three boys and more bugs than a person can count.  But it was one of the most relaxing walks ever.  The smell of autumn is in the air, a hurricane is on the way and snakes are all out to play!  Haha. 

Running on Monument

With it's cobble stone streets and memorials to some of Virginia's participants in the Civil War, Richmond's Monument Avenue is a site to behold.   Now add several bands and cheering crouds lining the avenue, people dressed in costumes and 42,000 walkers/runners and you have the annual Monument 10K. 



Our wave at the starting line






In Monroe Park pre race



The Landmark Theater



Waiting in our wave to get
the party started

And sorry there are no pictures during the race because I had my hands full trying to keep up with the other runners.  I am happy to report I finished in one piece and was able to reach my goal of running the entire thing.  I really Really REALLY wanted to stop and just walk.....several times.  But I was afraid my ride would leave me :)  I will definitely put this on the calendar for next year.  Maybe by then I'll have more Busy Bryants to join me!

Maymont park continued

After much begging and pleading with the computer I was finally able to upload the remaining pictures from our day at Maymont Park.  Twas just a short week ago....but feels like it's been a month.



The family mausoleum.  It sits on a hill overlooking
the James River





I dunno about you...but I could live here.






Much of the view is obstructed with trees
but the view from the house is looking over the
James River



The park has a petting zoo, numerous floral gardens (Japanese garden, Italian garden, Butterfly garden), a learning center with a cafe and gift shop, offers tours of the mansion, and has every kind of outdoor space you can think of for picnicking.  If you come for a visit and plan to see everything give yourself several hours and bring your camera.  You are going to love it!   

Maymont Park

I was lucky enough to take a day off during the week and sneak off the Maymont Park, in Richmond, recently.  This park has to be one of my favorites.  Historical, botanical, and just gorgeous....this place has everything I like in a park. 

I can only share part of the pictures today (the computer and I are having issues getting along)

A staff member discussing hawks



The bobcat exhibit.  I haven't seen a bobcat
in there in years....but I still always go look.



I will work on getting the rest of the pictures uploaded soon...The park is just too beautiful not to share!  I think I really could spend an entire day sitting here and taking in the sites....well unless Emma went with me :o/