Happy Friday!

Charlie boy wishes you a happy Friday!!!! Have a great weekend!! We'll miss being at the market this weekend, but will be sure to let you know when we plan on coming back!

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 Hike Monday on a Wednesday!

The weekend was filled with hiking and picture taking! It was my chance to practice my picture taking skills while enjoying some family time!

On Sunday we headed over to Pocahontas State Park and hiked the Beaver Lake Trail.

Even though the weather was warm, it felt really good in the shade on the trail!

Charlie had to check out any water he saw!

There were stops for water breaks!



Moochies with other fur children...



Then, we had to pose the little man on this stump carved into the shape of a chair...

Just one more...

And there it was off in the distance!

Party time!



He was like, "They're really gonna let me get wet!"



Oh, it's so cool...



And tasty...



Let's go in a little deeper...



Ta da!!!!



Maybe it was a little too deep!



So, back to the shore...



Look, mom, it's my paw!



Do we really have to go?



The park was just so beautiful with the light peaking through the trees!

And, onward we went...



The sun was just gorgeous as it lit up the forest...



The weathered and worn markings left by lovestruck teenagers years ago was still visible in the bark of the trees near the lake...

And, we tried to get the little man to pose for us at the bench by the lake. I think we were boring him...

Yawn...



Here's the smile...



The entire walk Charlie would look back like he was saying "Come on, Mom!"



As we ended the hike we stopped to inspect the water for our snake family!



We finished up by the parking area at the newly installed native plant garden near the Nature Center! Charlie had a blast!



So did we!