Mountain Hike Monday - North Bank Trail

Saturday was such a beautiful day to be outside! So, we took Charlie and went hiking on the North Bank Trail in downtown Richmond! And, Charlie was all smiles!



We parked near the pump track/Boulevard Bridge lot and started our hike there along Maymont! We could even see the bear!



It really was a glorious day! I'd been wanting to hike this route for a while, so was very anxious to get a great day to get outside!



There are so many trails downtown that it can seem like a maze. We're still learning them all and how they connect. Dynamo rides down here with the guys but all of this is new to me!



Charlie always wants to be the leader, but spends lots of time looking for his slow momma! We stopped for a photo opp and some water!



Did you say water?





We passed a couple of cemeteries, but I was looking in particular for Hollywood Cemetery!





The views from the trail were amazing...



The city really is lovely!



We finally got there - Hollywood Cemetery!



It was breathtaking!



The boys rested on the bench while I wandered around and read the headstones and snapped pics!



Here was Jefferson Davis' monument...



And, Lewis Ginter...



His company produced the first pre-packaged cigarettes! Also known for sharing his fortune to help build the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond because he wanted Richmond to have the finest hotel in the south!

His mausoleum overlooks the water...



You could spend hours walking and looking! It is beautiful...





There were people everywhere...



This kind lady shared a copy of an old book with me that tells the various historical facts about the cemetery. I can't wait to go back and see the whole place!



So much history!



Inside the book it said that the name for the cemetery came about due to the abundance of holly trees found on the grounds. Hence Holly-Wood!

We turned back and at the end of our hike we had completed 5 miles! What a beautiful day together!!

Take me downtown...

We took the day off on Monday to just relax and spend time together! So, we decided to take a trip to Downtown Richmond and explore the trails there!



Charlie was still a little worn out from the day before, but once we said "park" he was ready to ride!



It's quite a maze down by the river. You sort of have to know which general direction to head! We parked at the Reedy Creek lot and headed towards Belle Isle!



There are rock formations everywhere you look. Beautiful rock wall built obviously many years ago for one reason or another.



Old buildings and structures are here and there as you venture in and out and around the rocks!

The bridges all around are amazing...



This bridge was a little rickety to me. But...they drive ambulances and firetrucks across! It's very old looking...



There's even a wall for rock climbing (at your own risk) around the quarry.





Then, we rounded the corner and there was the water access for Charlie! He had been waiting patiently to go in! Every little path to the water he tried to go down!





And, across the way was Hollywood Cemetary. Can you see the tiny cross in the picture?



On our way back we took the Buttermilk Trail. Popular for runners and bikers, this was a very lush green trail running along the tracks and Riverside Drive!

It was very rocky in spots! I don't think we passed one runner or biker! I think it was because it was a Monday!

When we got back near the parking lot I snapped a pic of the tunnels! I asked Dynamo why the one is a different shape. I had seen it several times before and never thought about why it might be more rectangular instead of round. Anyone know?



And, the signs were unique I thought...



We loaded up and headed home! Charlie was beat! So was I! What a lovely day together!

Mountain Bike Monday - Who would've thought?

We got back on the bike for the 2nd time together since early February yesterday. We rode in downtown Richmond!

I know what you're thinking...there are trails in downtown Richmond? Yes, lots of them. And, the scenery is breathtaking. Abosultely. Gorgeous.



We parked over at the Boulevard Bridge (or Nickel Bridge) and ventured first to the new Pump Track section...



This section is relatively new, but it was fun. I can see where once you were familiar with the trail, you could roll quickly through it.

There is actually a "Pumphouse" there with a park area...



Then, we ventured across the bridge over to the Riverside Drive area (South of the James River).



The view from on top of the bridge was breathtaking. What you're seeing here is the railroad bridge...



I felt like I was on top of the world...



My stomach was a little funny feeling. I don't do heights well, but I got a little more comfortable by the time we went back across the second time.

When we got off the bridge we jumped onto the singletrack and carried our bikes over the railroad track. We were now under the Nickel bridge...



We headed down this rocky fireroad along the river...



The Carillon was off in the distance...



We were headed towards the city (downtown where all the skyscrapers are). Along the way we watched the rushing river flow. Once we got down the river a ways, we jumped onto this concrete type paved area along the big rocks...



Spectacular rocks everywhere...



We even saw a guy with his rock-hopping Boston Terrier. That dog was having a ball running and playing. You can see in the pic the dog is "smiling."



And, this scarey looking place on the other side that looks like a prison, but I think the plaque said it was a hydroplant...



Have you ever seen so many rocks? And, in downtown Richmond?



We ventured across this rickety old bridge to get over to Belle Isle. Yes, they even bring the fire truck over this thing when necessary...





After we got off the bridge, we headed over towards a little section of trail past the entrance to the footbridge.



The train off in the distance. There is a parking area over by Brown's Island where the train passes through. The conductor always waves to the people below...





They put in a new rock garden area on this section of trail to allow folks to practice their skills...



Here's Dynamo practicing his...







I just can't describe to you how lovely it was yesterday outside. We enjoyed the fresh air so much.



I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to enjoy this lovely creation that God made.



It just doesn't get any better than this...



Off in the distance is Hollywood Cemetary...



Next, we ventured to the top via some singletrack. I'm not sure what this section is called, but there were some people below fishing in a quarry-like area.



At the top we paused to look at the river off in the distance. It went as far as the eye could see.



Of course we had to snap a pic of us.



Once we navigated our way down from the top of this big hill we saw this old structure...



On the way back we decided to take the trail next to the fence and railroad tracks.





Here I am pedaling away. It seemed a little tight the first time we came this way, but this time it wasn't so bad.



We got to the hike-a-bike section (I HATE CARRYING MY BIKE) and climbed to the top, crossed a pedestrian bridge and hopped onto Buttermilk Trail.



Some of the beginning sections were familiar as we rode them when I took my skills class last summer.



I definitely felt more comfortable riding the rocky parts, but did have to walk some of the sections. I think the more we go, the more comfortable I will become.

Even though this part looks intimidating, it really is pretty fun.





You can choose the skinny side or the wider side. I chose wider.



We headed over to the Forest Hill Park side...



This "bridge" was so cool. I wasn't ready to ride it, but Dynamo did...





We finished up our ride along Riverside Drive, hopped onto the Nickel Bridge, and found ourselves back at the car. We did about 11 miles. We had a lovely time on a glorious day. Would you have ever thought there was all this beauty in downtown? We enjoyed stopping and talking and taking pics. We even petted a great dog along the way. It was so nice to see lots of people enjoying the day. Some crazy kids were even swimming in the water.

We had a lovely time together. Hope your weekend was fun and full of blessings. Ours was!