Special ‘Snapshots’ Post: UCI Road World Champsionships

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September 27th, 2015

  • IMG_6716 The Lee Monument on Monument Avenue.
  • IMG_6752 Franklin Street on VCU's campus.
  • IMG_6786 Broad Street.
  • IMG_6811 Near the starting line on Broad Street.
  • IMG_6847 Broad and Belvidere.
  • IMG_6853 Broad and Belvidere.
  • IMG_6879 Monument Avenue.
  • IMG_6891 Monument Avenue.

In September 2015, The Union Cycliste Internationale had its championship race in Richmond. The week-long event included several races leading up to the men’s and women’s championship races that weekend. I was able to catch the racers along the course in several spots. Those included the starting line on Broad Street in Downtown, at the intersection of Broad and Belvidere, Franklin Street on VCU’s campus, and on Monument Avenue.

Special ‘Snapshots’ Post: Skyline Drive (September)

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September 7th, 2015

  • IMG_6505
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  • IMG_6691 This has to be the coolest amphitheater I've ever seen!
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This was my first trip to go see Virginia’s mountains. I went to Shenandoah National Park for this trip — there is a scenic roadway, the Skyline Drive. The road goes through the mountains and has overlook areas where people can pull over and sightsee. The road extends for about 100 miles, though for this trip, I only went about 40 or so.

Snapshots of RVA: Dogwood Dell and Pumphouse Park

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August 21st, 2015

  • The Carillon
  • IMG_6245 The Carillon
  • IMG_6267 The Carillon
  • IMG_6273 Point of view from the front of The Carillon.
  • IMG_6286 The Carillon
  • IMG_6319 The Pumphouse.
  • IMG_6335 The Carillon
  • IMG_6338 The Carillon
  • IMG_6365 The James River.
  • IMG_6367 The Boulevard Bridge.
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This trip began with plans to see Dogwood Dell, but I soon discovered there was more to the area than that. Hidden behind the Carillon is the Dogwood Dell trail. After walking along it for a while, I discovered Pumphouse Park, which is another separate park. That’s where the Pumphouse is, and the building was actually used as a venue for special events many decades ago.

Snapshots of RVA: Belle Isle East

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August 19th, 2015

  • IMG_6161 Downtown Richmond from the eastern part of Belle Isle.
  • IMG_6169 Downtown Richmond from the eastern part of Belle Isle.
  • IMG_6173 The pedestrian footbridge and the Lee Bridge from Belle Isle.
  • IMG_6176 Downtown Richmond from the eastern part of Belle Isle.
  • IMG_6186 Downtown Richmond from the eastern part of Belle Isle.
  • IMG_6196 Downtown Richmond from the eastern part of Belle Isle.
  • IMG_6217 Downtown Richmond from the eastern part of Belle Isle.
  • IMG_6225 The eastern part of Belle Isle.

Having walked the western part of the south Belle Isle before, I decided to head east this time. I began at the pedestrian footbridge and found a trail on the eastern part of the island that I didn’t realize existed and from there, I saw some cool views of the downtown skyline, framed by trees and greenery on Belle Isle. I circled around that trail and made it back to the main part of the island — the eastern trails are not as long as the western trails.

Snapshots of RVA: Pocahontas State Park

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July 24th, 2015

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  • State Park Road cuts through the park.
  • State Park Road cuts through the park.
  • Sunny skies through the trees.
  • State Park Road cuts through the park. State Park Road cuts through the park.

These are pictures I took during a trip to Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County. The park is one of the biggest in the area. I went at around midday so I caught the sun at its peak, and though it was a hot day, it didn’t feel like it at the park since there is so much tree cover. Concerts are also held at the park, in an amphitheater.

Snapshots of RVA: East Floodwall

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July 19th, 2015

  • IMG_5878 Hotel John Marshall.
  • IMG_5883 The sun rises over Richmond, from Brown's Island.
  • IMG_5892 The James River from Brown's Island.
  • IMG_5900 The sunrise from Brown's Island.
  • IMG_5916 View from the Mayo Bridge.
  • IMG_5927 The Mayo Bridge from the Floodwall.
  • IMG_5936 Downtown Richmond from the Floodwall.
  • IMG_5945 The Mayo Bridge and downtown from the Floodwall.
  • IMG_5954 Downtown Richmond from the Floodwall.
  • IMG_5969 The Southern States silos.
  • IMG_5991 The Manchester Courthouse.
  • IMG_5996 Downtown Richmond from the Manchester Bridge.
  • IMG_6015 The sun rises between the Dominion Building and the new McGuireWoods building.
  • IMG_6042 The Dominion Building.
  • IMG_6049 View over the Downtown Expressway from 5th Street.
  • IMG_6052 Manchester from the James River bank.
  • IMG_6060 Downtown from the James River bank.
  • IMG_6065 The Virginia War Memorial from Tredegar Street.

Having already seen the west side of the Manchester Floodwall, I decided to check out the east side for this trip. I began at Brown’s Island as the sun rose. I then headed toward Hull Street, crossed into Manchester, and headed east along the outside of the wall, facing the James River. The walk provided a different view of the river and the city I hadn’t seen before. I reached the area of I-95 and turned back toward Hull Street, but this time I walked along the inside of the Floodwall, so I could see the iconic Southern States silos. They’re very much a part of the Richmond skyline, though they’re often not pictured since the site is on the Manchester side of the river across from downtown.

As I was in Manchester, I decided to snap a few pictures of the Manchester Courthouse, which has an unexpected bit of appeal to it. The building stands out among its surroundings and even looks out of place since the area has a lot of former-factories-turned-lofts and is overall more residential.

After that, I crossed the Manchester Bridge back into downtown. I captured a few pictures of the Dominion Building, which is also a notable part o the Richmond skyline. I had the luck of being there as the sun rose and appeared between the Dominion Building and the new McGuireWoods building. The sight was pretty neat. Finally, I ended along the bank of the James near Tredegar.

Also pictured is the Hotel John Marshall building, which stands out as one of the tall buildings in the city with its ‘Hotel John Marshall’ lettering atop it. I took this picture during another trip.

Snapshots of RVA: Monroe Building and Triple Cross

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July 5th, 2015

  • The Canal Walk.
  • IMG_5695 A train is parked on the tracks over the canal.
  • IMG_5696 A train is parked on the tracks over the canal.
  • IMG_5703 A train is parked on the tracks over the canal.
  • IMG_5710 These are ramps from I-95 to and from the Downtown Expressway.
  • IMG_5714 Richmond's Triple Crossing.
  • IMG_5724 Richmond's Triple Crossing.
  • IMG_5745 Along the Canal Walk.
  • IMG_5748 Along the Canal Walk.
  • IMG_5751 Riverfront Plaza.
  • IMG_5756 Riverfront Plaza.
  • IMG_5765 Richmond skyline from Riverfront Plaza.
  • IMG_5793 I-95 from the landing at the Monroe Building.
  • IMG_5804 I-95 and Main Street Station from the landing at the Monroe Building.
  • IMG_5825 The Monroe Building.
  • IMG_5827 Downtown skyline from the landing at the Monroe Building.
  • IMG_5852 I-95 from the landing at the Monroe Building.
  • IMG_5855 Ramp to I-95 from the landing at the Monroe Building.
  • IMG_5862 The Monroe Building.
  • IMG_5871 Broad Street facing Shockoe Bottom.
  • IMG_5869 Broad Street facing Shockoe Bottom.

I took these pictures during a run through downtown Richmond and near Canal Walk. I originally set out to find the Triple Crossing, billed as the only place in the world where three Class I railroads intersect in the same spot. After finding it, I made my way toward Richmond Riverfront Plaza, where two identical dark-brown towers stand and are a major feature of the downtown Richmond skyline.

I then headed toward the Monroe Building, which is the tallest building in Richmond and where many of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s offices are. The tower stands over I-95. There’s a landing at the base of the tower that overlooks the interstate, and since the building is on relatively high ground, you can get a great view of the city from there.

Finally, I made my way toward Broad Street, which has a neat view of Shockoe Bottom since it dips as it heads east toward the area.

Snapshots of RVA: Virginia State Capitol

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June 15th, 2015

  • IMG_5623 House of Delegates chamber in the Virginia State Capitol.
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  • IMG_5639 George Washington statue in the Virginia State Capitol.
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  • IMG_5662 Old City Hall.
  • IMG_5671 St. Peter's Catholic Church.
  • IMG_5676 The sky roof in the James Center lobby.

These pictures are from a tour through the Virginia State Capitol and a few points of interest in Downtown Richmond. In the slideshow, you’ll see photos of the inside of the chamber where the House of Delegates meets. There’s also a photo of the inside of the old City Hall building. I also visited St. Peter’s Catholic Church, just a short distance from the Capitol.

Snapshots of RVA: Pipeline Rapids Walkway and Rocketts Landing

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May 30th, 2015

  • The Pipeline Overloook at ground level. The Pipeline Overloook at ground level.
  • Pipeline rapids walkway The Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway. The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway. The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway. The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway. The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway. The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway. The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway. The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway. The James River from the Pipeline Rapids Walkway.
  • Under the Manchester Bridge near Brown's Island. Under the Manchester Bridge near Brown's Island.
  • Part of Shockoe Bottom from Great Shiplock Park. Part of Shockoe Bottom from Great Shiplock Park.
  • Part of Shockoe Bottom from Great Shiplock Park. Part of Shockoe Bottom from Great Shiplock Park.
  • The James from Great Shiplock Park. The James from Great Shiplock Park.
  • Rocketts Landing from Great Shiplock Park. Rocketts Landing from Great Shiplock Park.
  • Richmond skyline from Rocketts Landing.
  • Entrance to Richmond at Rocketts Landing. Entrance to Richmond at Rocketts Landing.
  • Historical marker at Rocketts Landing. Historical marker at Rocketts Landing.
  • A water tower at Rocketts Landing. A water tower at Rocketts Landing.
  • Sunny skies at Libbie Hill Park. Sunny skies at Libbie Hill Park.
  • Sunny skies at Libbie Hill Park. Sunny skies at Libbie Hill Park.
  • Sunny skies at Libbie Hill Park. Sunny skies at Libbie Hill Park.
  • Richmond's Main Street Station. Richmond's Main Street Station.
  • Richmond's Main Street Station. Richmond's Main Street Station.
  • IMG_5329 Monroe Building from Main Street.
  • IMG_5335 Entrance to Shockoe Bottom.

I took these pictures during a trail run that began along Canal Walk. I found a pathway leading to the Pipeline Rapids Walkway near the Pipeline Overlook — the path led to a ladder, leading to the actual walkway. It’s a little hidden, but once you find it, it’s a very neat discovery. The walkway is right along the James River and you get a fantastic view of both the river and the nature along it. The walkway leads to a riverside beach and ends where Brown’s Island meets the Manchester Bridge.

After checking out the walkway, I made my way to Rocketts Landing by way of the Virginia Capital Trail, where the James River is deep enough for boats to sail. There’s actually a marina there. I headed back to the city and stopped at Libby Hill Park as well, where there is a fantastic view of the city skyline.

Snapshots of RVA: Richmond City Hall Observation Deck and Downtown

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May 22nd, 2015

  • IMG_4635 An American flag was draped from the side of the VCU children's museum, which is under construction. This was Memorial Day weekend.
  • IMG_4638 The view of the Virginia State Capitol and its surrounding buildings from the observation deck.
  • IMG_4657 The view of Broad Street from the observation deck.
  • IMG_4718 This view includes I-95 as it enters the city right next to the Monroe Building, a Virginia governmental tower which is the tallest building in Richmond.
  • IMG_4722 This is the view to the city's east, including Church Hill.
  • IMG_4866 This view includes the U.S. courthouse, which is the curved building.
  • IMG_4868 The view directly west of Richmond, from the observation deck.
  • IMG_4881 The southern part of downtown, from the observation deck.
  • IMG_4917 City Hall, from Broad Street.
  • IMG_4934 The Egyptian Building is part of VCU Medical Center.
  • IMG_4936 A tree next to the Egyptian Building.
  • IMG_4944 This is the White House of the Confederacy, where Jefferson Davis lived and worked.
  • IMG_4964 This is a statue of George Washington outside the Virginia State Capitol.
  • IMG_4983 The U.S. Court of Appeals sits directly in front of the steps of the Virginia State Capitol.
  • IMG_4993 A view of the Virginia State Capitol.
  • IMG_5003 This fountain sits on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol.
  • IMG_5012 A view of downtown Richmond.

During this trip, I ventured to the top of Richmond’s City Hall, which stands out as one of downtown’s tallest buildings. The observation deck is at the very top of the building, on its 19th floor. From there, you can get a full 360 degree view of the city — as you’ll see in the gallery. It’s a truly remarkable perspective, because you not only see the buildings surrounding City Hall, but also as far as the James River, the trees towering in Chesterfield and Henrico Counties, and even the CBS 6 tower to the west. It’s also pretty remarkable to watch the VCU medflight helicopter take off and land, since VCU Medical Center is right next door and the helipad is on top of one of its buildings. After I came down, I walked around VCU Medical Center’s sprawling campus, and eventually made my way to the Virginia State Capitol, all within a few blocks of each other.