Old Gun, Cherokee, Riverside Drive along the James River

Bicyclists on Old Gun Road.

The red buds were blooming in Richmond.

The narrow, winding Old Gun Road as it heads downhill toward the James River.

While in Richmond last weekend, my sister and I took a drive along the James River and the old stomping grounds along Old Gun Road, Cherokee Road, and Riverside Drive, and retraced areas driven many times when younger. In those days, Sunday afternoons would find friends and classmates cruising the narrow scenic roadways or rock-hopping on the river. There are more houses there now than in those days but the river never changes ... it keeps rolling along its way toward downtown Richmond.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
3 April 2011

The mighty James River

The mighty James River looking west from the Rt. 288 bridge. Powhatan is on the left and Goochland is on the right. We were on our way to my folks' house in Chesterfield.

I-64 west of Richmond heading toward the Valley. Clouds could be seen over the western part of Virginia. Attended the RPV State Central meeting in Richmond with a friend last weekend where we drove through rain from the Valley to Innsbrook. In the afternoon it had stopped raining, was warmer, and partly sunny as we stopped at the Cheesecake Factory at Short Pump Mall for lunch before heading back to the Valley.

And by the time we hit I-81 to get off at Exit 222, the rain was coming down. Yep, back in the rain again ... but it was a great day.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
13 March 2010

Back roads of Chesterfield County ...

Mighty James River ...
Goochland on left bank and Chesterfield on right bank.
Swift Creek Reservoir in Chesterfield ...

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
May 9-10, 2009

Richmond, James River Park, Pony Pasture & Riverside Drive....

A canoe on the river....

Parking areas are located at various places along the river....
Trail follows the river....

Nothing defines Richmond more than the James River ... past, present, and future. Flooding, algae outbreaks, recreation, rock-hopping, boating, drownings, spinal meningitis outbreaks ... they all center around the James.

Those of us who grew up in the Richmond area remember the floods that blocked driveways on Riverside and Cherokee Roads ... classmates rowing boats in and out of properties ... the house under the Huguenot Bridge finally being lifted onto stilts after suffering multiple flooding ... biking to the river from Bon Air ... spending time on the rocks.

Before the establishment of the James River Park which stretches along much of the river's length, teenagers had to find a spot to access the river, often across private property. Most property owners were understanding. Saturdays and Sundays saw a slow crawl of vehicles along the narrow Riverside and Cherokee Roads ... teenagers looking for a parking spot for recreation on the river or just driving through to see who was there.

The James River is treacherous for swimming. An uneven river bottom, trees, roots and rocks all are possible traps to those who slip off a boulder or are caught up in the rapids and forced underwater. In the past, meningitis outbreaks forced a ban of the river for periods of time.

Boating is not possible at the lower end but, rather, above Bosher Dam. Canoes and kayaks are often seen on the lower end skimming around the multiple boulders but, in flooded waters, those daring the rapids sometimes meet a fatal end.

The James River and Richmond ... the two go hand-in-hand.

Photos by SWAC Girl

Rainy days, SWAC Niece, Ukrop's

SWAC Niece is under the weather with an oncoming cold but she stuck it out all day at school and passed her social studies test with flying colors. Woo-hoo! 

While she was at school, my sister and I roamed Richmond ... the Fan, Pleasants Hardware (old  Richmond ... but more about that later), VCU, downtown, Shockoe Slip, the Canal, Carytown, back across the river, Riverside Drive (my old stomping grounds), Pony Pasture, the river (nothing defines Richmond more than the James River), Cherokee Road, and out to Bon Air where I grew up for paninis at Ukrop's -- a Ukrop's that sits where Snead's Field was located which is where we went sleigh riding when I was a kid. I will have more to post later.

At all times of my life it's nice to go home again to spend time with family. Our family reunion is coming up in a few weeks and I will be there this year.

And as I look outside, the sun has come out in Midlothian....