Rambling around Richmond

On Saturday, I drove down to Fredericksburg to meet with Emily, Margie and Richard plus Robert, another urbexer from the DC group. We were exploring Richmond and meeting other explorers for breakfast. As I was driving through Front Royal I spotted a hiker with his thumb out so promptly pulled over. He wanted a ride to the trail which was a couple of miles away and all uphill to get there. Chris, or Cuss, as he's known on the trail, is from Sweden and was heading north, having begun his hike from Georgia on April 14th. He wasn't sure if he was going to make it to Maine as he was having problems, which he didn't reveal to me and I didn't like to probe. But he'd had a couple of days break in FroRo and was feeling refreshed, with new shoes and his supplies replenished. We chatted and laughed and I wished him luck as I dropped him off, praising him for his stamina and determination. He shrugged, fist bumped me and with a grin as he climbed out of the car, he looked back and said, "Man makes plans and the gods are laughing." Waving, he turned his back and continued on The Appalachian Trail. I love these hikers, they are mostly fine examples of humanity, showing bravery, persistence, creativity, unity and responsibility, to name a few. I envy their months on the trail, knowing I don't have the time or the funds to even think about it, or if I'm honest, their drive, but I revel in firsthand experiences like this. I hope he makes it.
I met the others and soon we were on our way to Richmond. We hadn't been here for a while and I held no grand ideas about finding any mind blowing abandonments, but we parked up near the James River and walked out to look at an old iron works.

We couldn't get too close from our position so gave up, watching instead the multitude of grown men playing with their radio controlled vehicles, trying to get them round an 'assault course' on the rocks. Deep discussions were taking place as they earnestly reviewed crevasses and cracks in the rocks and the depth of water in the puddles.
We backtracked and made our way further along the trail so we could cross over the bridge to Belle Isle. At this point we lost Margie, but couldn't worry too much as she often wanders off and never has her phone turned on.
Belle Isle is now a popular park area, once an industrial area with the iron works, a power plant and a nail factory as well as a granite quarry. Now it's for leisure only with walking trails, ruins and lots of areas to access the flat rocks that spread across the James River.

By walking onto Belle Isle we managed to access Tredegar Iron Works where we found some kids enjoying a doobie, one of whom heaped high praise on me regarding my Roland Rat t-shirt. I liked him. There wasn't much to see here but it is noteworthy since the site built over half of the cannons used by the Confederacy during The Civil War.

It was blazing hot but much of the trail had shady woodlands sheltering us, offering a noticeable drop in temperature under the canopy. We strolled around the ruins, eagerly ducking under anything that had a roof, relishing the shade.
The brick arches above once had mules pulling scrap iron from England, probably around 1815-1900. European migrants and slaves were the labor in this nail factory, also famous throughout the South for its horseshoes.
The skeleton above is known as the Chrysler Building, used during WWI to build tank hatches for Chrysler Motors. It was also one of the first buildings to be constructed by Old Dominion Iron and Steel Company, the still standing rusting structure proof of the fine casting that the company was famous for.

These were 2 police officers, their boat holding 2 bicycles which they were going to patrol the island on. I wished I had my bike, it would be a pleasant way to explore the whole island. Eventually the lack of things to explore and the intense heat had lulled us into a lazy saunter compelling us to consider a return to the cars, and then we'd walk about downtown, hoping to find more interesting scenes to photograph.

As we left the island, Margie appeared, non the worse for her disappearance, and not the least bit concerned that she'd been 'missing' for the best part of an hour. As I left the bridge a couple walked past me, the girl dressed up in tight plastic and leather gear with 5 inch heels. She had to be hot but as she passed the rest of the crew still on their way up the stairs, they stopped her for photos and I took a shot of them shooting her. She and her friend were taking photos by the river. Rather her than me negotiating those rocks in stiletto heels!

We drove downtown and parked near the Milk Bottle building, which I'd been itching to see firsthand. This had once been Richmond Dairy Company but now is 113 apartments. I wish they'd kept the logo on the bottles...

We sauntered about the back streets, finding old ghost signs on buildings and interesting windows to peer in. I was quite taken with the GWAR windows, a heavy metal themed restaurant which I would have loved to eat in, but I knew the others had no interest in it. On researching it, I found it was rated quite highly so it will be a port of call when I next come to Richmond with rock music loving buddies.

 There were plenty of curiosities to stare at as we walked about. Wonderful old neon signs and store fronts, an art deco abandoned building that we were disappointed to find no access to, murals and even an Alice in Wonderland pop-up bar, but a quick walk in had us spinning on our heels and exiting, it hadn't been put together well. I loved our group photo in the window, Richard proudly clutching his latest acquisition, a Mrs Miller greatest hits album. We played her 'songs' on our phones as we walked around, doubled up laughing at her screeching and poorly timed renditions of once loved old time hits. Downtown was my favoritist, listen here.
Inevitably, with all our walking we'd worked up a thirst and our attention soon turned to beer. And so a mini tour began, much to the chagrin of our 5th member, Robert, who huffed and puffed, and winged and whined as we supped our favorite tipples. By the time we got to the third brewery he had had enough and blustered that he was pissed, in the angry sense and not the 'too much alcoholic consumption' sense. So we wistfully cut our pleasure short and clinked our glasses together for the final time that day. It was dusk as we headed north towards our homes but even despite the lack of urbexing and the excess of Robert we'd still managed to have a few laughs and snap some acceptable photos.

Gold Pillars of Remembrance and a Party in Paradise

I took Friday off as I was finally having my Housewarming Party on Saturday and wanted to cook and clean before the big day. But when I woke up, the sun was shining, I had been expecting rain, so I decided to have a swift hike before committing to chores. I'd found a couple of new spots where I could access the AT, entry points that no Meetup group has yet posted, and I'll be keeping quiet about these. As expected my car was the only one there. The air was thick and wet from the humidity, oppressive and feeling like I had to punch my way through it. We'd had a lot of rain, and the mosquitoes buzzed loudly about my head as I quickly wiped my exposed skin with an organic deterrent, yet despite my protection they persisted in their attacks. The woods were a lush jungle green, the path barely drying. The foliage looked as though it had just burst from tight buds, it was so fresh and vibrant. Shiny new paw paw leaves unfurled and the Japanese stiltgrass stretched across the ground filling every bare brown patch of earth with wide flat blades of grass.

 I only ended up hiking a couple of miles. My heart wasn't really into it once I started. I began worrying about the many tasks that had to be completed before the party, but I will be back to explore these new parts of the trail at a more leisurely pace and when I can relax more. I had also noticed a bank on the way here filled with Aaron's Rod plants and I wanted to look at these closer before getting on with my chores.

 I adore these plants. They had always been abundant in the old brickfields when I lived in Conyer back in England and every time I see them they remind me of a dear old friend, Bernard, who had also lived in the hamlet. He had identified them for me when we'd gone on our many walks with his dog, Simba, and looked for old Victorian bottles to dig up. I had worked a few summers with him at Hever Castle, where we had built the bleachers for the amphitheater where Shakespeare plays had been performed. We'd pulled out long heavy planks of wood and many metal poles for the construction from storage, building the whole structure with a few hand tools and plenty of muscle. Only towards the end did he hire another couple of lads when after the we'd finished building the seating, we'd need additional hands to pull over the huge tent canopies across the metal frames which provided shelter for the seats. Those were wonderful days, when during our breaks we'd walk the grounds, allowed into outbuildings that the general public never saw. I remember standing in the old stables, sniffing the musty hay while reflecting that Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII had very likely stood in the same spot with their horses. Sometimes we would go to the local pub for lunch but mostly we'd sit on our newly built seating, munching sandwiches and enjoying the fresh air. I bet that seating isn't built by hand anymore, more likely been replaced by something much easier to erect. We'd also go back at the end of summer and dismantle the structure,carefully packing everything away in the right order as every piece of wood and metal was numbered. I also remember being in awe of Bernard and his skill at being able to drive his beat up 2 door van along the country roads with his knees while getting out his tobacco tin and casually rolling then lighting a cigarette. Dear Bernard passed a few years ago but I have so many fond memories of him and will always think of him when I see these plants.

From a distance they look like pillars of green dripping in gold coins that glittered in the bright sunlight. Insects buzzed and hovered in busy clouds around them since they give off a sweet honey scent, and ants crawled over the not yet opened flower buds. The soft leaves folded and curled almost in a pattern up the thick stalks, collecting the petals as they fell. I actually felt very homesick seeing these beautiful plants yet at the same time comforted because it was a part of home that was here in America.

Aaron's Rod is regarded as a weed in England but here it's known as Carolina Lupine or Common Mullein and because it was brought over by European settlers it's now regarded as a native plant. Interestingly, the leaves were once used as toilet paper or put inside shoes, providing comfort and warmth. Once dried the leaves were also used as torches by Romans after being dipped in tallow.
 I will have some in the garden for next year and will go back to this spot to get seeds. Crown Vetch sprawled below these golden glories like a white and purple carpet, also buzzing with bees. This bank was a wonderful wild pollinator area.
As I arrived back home I looked up at The Blue House and spotted my friendly doe under the weeping cherry. I had pruned this just a couple of days ago, pulling out all of the dead wood underneath as well as lopping off straggling branches. The previous owner had told me the doe liked to sit under this tree in the mornings but I guess it had been difficult to get under until I'd trimmed it.

 I backed up the drive slowly and she sat watching me, staying in her spot even when I got out of the car. She didn't look the least bit worried about my presence. I had a few words with her and then quietly went indoors. I have also discovered that a mockingbird is nesting in the tree. She sits on my front porch and makes a right racket while glaring at me through the window. I guess she wants me to vacate my home until she's reared her babies!
I spent the rest of the day making banana bread and putting together a batch of sausage and potato in a huge pan with peppers, onions, mushrooms, red wine and handfuls of basil from the garden. Once cooked this marinated overnight in the fridge. I dusted and vacuumed my already clean house and by the evening I was ready for visitors, meaning I had a day to sit and relax before my party began. On Saturday I made a batch of ham and spinach tarts and relaxed with Rosie Lee and Tricksie Treat before the guests arrived.

The party went swimmingly. As well as the best people from DCUE coming, I had old neighbors and long time friends joining in, and everybody got on splendidly, although a few of my favorite faces were missing. I took a couple of photos but as the evening progressed my pictures became a little blurry and I was enjoying myself way too much to remember to take some snapshots. I got a kick out of seeing people mingle that had never met previously and as I popped back into the house occasionally I was happy to see that some had found quiet sitting spots to chat, my studio area upstairs included. But the best part of all was the wonderful comments I got about my back garden. Carmen was the best, "Oh my God, it's amazing!" and wants me to fix her porch and yard. "I'll pay you!" she begged. I'll happily help her, even though I still have plenty of work in the front and back of my own place to do. but I puffed with pride as the compliments flowed, I really did feel like I had a little paradise at the back of my house. Some of my friends even brought me plants to add to the garden, a wonderful gesture, and with the dishes they brought we had a delicious spread.
As the groups changed throughout the course of the evening, I smiled as the chairs and tables changed positions too. It made me feel happy that my friends felt relaxed enough to make themselves comfortable. I had wondered initially if I had acquired too many chairs for the porches but it seemed I had just enough. Some were pulled around from the front porch and it seemed every time I came out from the house to the back porch the chairs had once again been shuffled about, it was like watching a silent musical chairs. The weather very obligingly decided to be perfect for the afternoon and evening. The humidity was low and the sun not too hot. I had turned on the AC but it really wasn't needed. Faint breezes wafted over the deck and not one person complained about the heat. We sat and ate, drank beer, chatted and relaxed. It was a wonderful party.
I took a few photos of the back garden a couple of days later as it's beginning to erupt into luscious growth. My elephant ears have emerged, hostas and ferns have sprouted at the back of the beds, moonflower and purple bean vines have found their trellises to climb. The tomatoes and basils, beans and peppers, cilantro, tarragon and rosemary are flourishing. All of my perennials are growing well, actually not one plant has died. My squash and zucchini are growing in the new space behind the fence as well as sunflowers and the hibiscus. My wild flower seeds have sprouted and finally so have my Mexican sunflower seeds. My pond is finally complete with its marginal plants in place and the cardinal flower growing at the back. It should flower in a couple of weeks.

All the pots and containers are growing well and for now I shall spend a month or so just enjoying this little haven. I may do a little weeding and coaxing but mostly I shall simply relish and luxuriate in my little spot of heaven. I still have plenty of work to do. Near the back gate is a carpet of liriope on the ground and the raised bed is full of it too. There's still a lot of grasses and all this will be pulled out to make way for native plants and a little bench nook under one of the living room windows. The plants won't die, one of my friends will bring his truck and take all of it for his New Jersey house where he wants ground cover. So until he's ready, the work can wait. and I can simply sit in my garden, relax, and listen to the bubbling of water from my pond while bees and butterflies buzz among the flowers.