Richmond Canal Cruises

Proving, once again, that there is always more to explore, we spent 40 minutes on Saturday touring Richmond's Riverfront Canals.  I've lived here all my life and this was my first time taking the boat tour.  

We didn't actually plan on taking the tour.  We were visiting some of Richmond's breweries with out of town friends and we stopped for for dinner at Conch Republic.  Next thing you know we were sitting on a flat bottom boat listening to a history lesson being narrated by Cotton.  

Cotton, you see, was the name of our boat captain.   And as you cruise the canal he gives you all the history of how the canal originally came to be...and how it came to be in it's present form.  He also points out some very unique facts about the city of Richmond and other city sites you might want to explore.  

I enjoyed the city's skyline from this unique perspective. We were on the 6 o'clock tour so the sun was still up pretty high in the sky.

Meet Cotton...He likes it when we say "Hi Cotton"

You can find the boat tours in the Turning Basin between 14th and Dock St. on Virginia Street.  Or as Mr. Busy points out it is right next to the Southern Railway Taphouse Patio.  The tours leave at the top of the hour and last approximately 40 minutes.  They run from April to November with varying hours.  Check out their website for the hours and days of availability.  Adults were $6 while children and seniors were $5.

Explore Richmond's Canals...it was on my bucket list.  I just didn't think I would be seeing them from such a unique place.  Thanks to our friends we now have a great new story to tell and memory forever.

Happy adventuring.

Lynchburg Virginia

Back in January our little family visited Lynchburg Virginia for a weekend.  We were there to watch Tommy run at Liberty University.  While there Mark and I took advantage of a few free hours and hiked around on the city's James River Heritage Trails.  This was one trip I actually took my camera and shot pictures with it instead of with just my phone camera...and wouldn't you know the memory card went all wonky on me and none of the pictures were saved.  We had a great weekend but I had only a few photos from the trip that I didn't feel were "blog worthy".  Now fast forward to July 2014 and Tommy visiting the city again as a student at Lynchburg College.  He had been there for a special program for a month and we were in town to pick him up.  We were all excited to see him again and to get a chance to revisit the city again.  They have miles and miles worth of trails so we went off in a new direction this time...and this time I made sure the pictures were good and SAVED! 

We parked between the James River and Amazement Square.  This visit we hike the Riverwalk Trail, a portion of the Blackwater Creek Bikeway and Point of Honor Trail. 



Amazement Square





Along Blackwater Creek Bikeway




Hollins Tunnel





What the....???



 



At Hollins Mill Crossing





On our last visit we hiked the Percival's Island trail which took us over the James River.  I enjoyed that hike but because it was January we froze our butts off.    We also visited Old City Cemetery in January...great spot if you are into old cemeteries...and we are.  And if you want a great place to stay near the riverfront try The Craddock Terry.  It was phenomenal!  

This week we are gearing up for a camping trip and for a bike event that is coming soon.  Summer is speeding by.  <sigh>      

 

Richmond's New Pump House

In the mood to visit a Richmond historal building that is over 150 years old???  If so there are dozens of places like that around Richmond and on Monday I had my heart set on visiting one.  The New Pump House or Byrd Park Pump House is located at the Southern portion of Byrd Park on the James River and Kanawha Canal.  The Pump House spent several years providing the city with water as well as a place for concerts and parties.  I had read a few articles and seen a few photos so I've had it in the back of my mind to visit. 



I can imagine that area lit up with candle light for an evening concert



From what I've read in articles Richmonders would board flat bottom boats up stream and travel by way of the canal to the Pump House.  Once here they would celebrate in the pavilion area until time to return home.  Now the windows are boarded up and the building is in various levels of disrepair...but you can still see the charm and attraction of the once great pump house.  There are a few trails right around the building that seem to only lead to the nearby rail road and to a portion of the canal. There has been work on the building in order to restore and preserve it.  I for one would love to attend a concert or ball here one hot summer night :-) 

Hollywood Cemetery

Is it wrong to think that a cemetery is beautiful?  Well if it is then just don't tell me.  Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond is a history lovers dream spot and a must see for residents and tourists.  As before I have lived in Virginia all of my life and until now never been to one of Richmond's most historical places.  But now I can mark it off the "been there, done that" list.  And I must say....it's beautiful. 

The Confederate Memorial

According to their website over 18,000 Confederate
Solders are buried here

Wrought iron gazebos get me every time

See that dogwood tree?  They were everywhere!  Along
with azaleas and other flowers

The cast iron dog....he looked to be watching
over a child's grave

General J.E.B. Stuart

The mausoleum associated with the Richmond Vampire

General George Pickett

President John Tyler



President James Monroe



Except for that telephone pole the presidents
have a gorgeous view of the James River

Lewis Ginter

Jefferson Davis

A child of Jefferson Davis rests near his
monument









Some of the sites were just heart wrenching and sad.  Some of them were funny and definitely on the odd side.  With the concrete and wrought iron seats throughout the cemetery and the flowering trees and fresh blooms it almost felt like a park.  Because it's built on a large hill there are steps built right into the land and the place almost took on a feeling of a maze.  They offer walking tours but we opted to just strike out on our own.  That way we could go at our pace and not worry about Emma making a spectacle of herself  :)  If ever in Richmond make this a stop on your tour.  You won't be disappointed. 

The Shirley Plantation

You would think that living in such a historical state like Virginia all of my life that I would have been to see every nook and cranny the state has to offer.  And I think it's fair to say I have seen a good part of it.  But it seems that what I most often overlook are the things in my very own back yard.  I have been much better about that in the last couple of years and I'm so glad about that.  Sunday Mark, Emma and myself went on a little morning trip to Charles City County.  Our destination: Shirley Plantation.  I have passed this site at least a few dozen times and each time I think to myself "I really want to go there sometime". 

The long drive leading to the plantation

Welcome!

The Shirley Plantation stakes claims on being the first Virginia Plantation and dates back to 1613.  It also boasts that it is the oldest family owned business in North America.  Cool!  The plantation is located on Rt. 5 in Charles City County and only about a 20 minute ride from Richmond.  You travel down a very long drive to get to the home site and pass through crops of cotton along the way.  In the winter you see only the remnants of the crops from the previous season.  The construction on the home began in 1723 with the Hill-Carter Family.  Over the years as various family members took ownership changes were made.  Some added things to the grounds and house, while others removed things.


To start the tour you need to purchase a ticket in the gift shop.  The gift shop is run out of what was once the "laundry house".  Like most plantations that were built back in the day things like the kitchen, laundry, cellars and even guest rooms were kept apart from the main house.  You will get a map of the property when you purchase your touring ticket.  We were given a small card with a time on it and instructed to meet our tour guide on the front porch of the mansion at the time on our card.  Tours run everyday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  They are closed major holidays.  Tours were $11 per adult and children are $7.  Emma was free :)

The drive right before you reach the mansion.

The main house and a two of the out buildings.

The main house.

Just a closer view.

Our tour guide.

You can't take any pictures once inside the house.  So I will just have to tell you the house was beautiful.  The first thing you notice is that you can on the first floor and look up all the way to the third floor.  The stairs are not circular but built so that it's open to the top.  There were cute stories that our tour guide shared with us about the families that have lived here and events that have taken place.  There is so much history in every inch of the house.  The top two floors are still occupied by the family and are not available for touring. 

The back of the house.

 

A view of the James from the house.

Now that is an old tree!

After the tour of the house we were free to walk around the rest of the grounds on our own.  The other buildings include an ice house, kitchen, laundry house, stable, and a few other buildings.  The majority of the buildings are symmetrical and built to have a matching building.  If you check out the website to the plantation you can get a view of the grounds from the air and understand what I mean about matching building.

The kitchen.

Can you imagine having
to cook with that oven?

The ice pit in the ice house.

Some farm equipment on display.

There are gardens on the property but being the middle of the winter it is not in it's prettiest state.  And from what I understand there is a small cemetery on the property but not on the tour.

The gardens.

We probably went on our tour on the coldest day of the year!  But even so it was an enjoyable visit and I'm so glad we finally made time to stop by. 

One last look at the mansion before leaving.

This weekend we are looking forward to going on the Heart of Virginia wine tour and then going to a birthday party for a good friend.  As always it will be a busy weekend for The Busy Bryants.