Week 33 Aug 12-18

Some Little Things about Richmond

 
Usually, I try to post about one specific topic, but this week there wasn't one specific thing that was really worthy of devoting an entire post to.  However, since moving to Richmond, there are lots of new things that we experience every day that are cool to us.  You know, the little things.....
 
If you ask anyone from Virginia, we are definately in the South, yet we live about 85 miles from Washington DC, which I would not consider the south.  So when I think of the south, I think about those southern accents.  Richmond must be the melting pots of accents, I think because there are so many transplants here.  The realtors who helped us find our house are from Alabama, definatley a deep southern accent.  Some parents on Aidens football team:  one from Illinois, one who lived in Detroit for 8 years (Wayne State grad), and a guy who move here 25 years ago from Fremont.  Yep, Fremont, MI.  A main toll road heading west is the Powhite Expressway.  I would call it "Po - White", and some people do.  Most locals call it "Pow - Hite".  The County to the northeast is Henrico.  I would say "Hen-ri-co".  Wrong....it's "hen-RI-co".  And a town to the west is Powatan.  I say "po-WA-tan".  Wrong again... it's "POWA-tin". 
 
People don't know what "pop" is here.  When you ask for "pop" and they actually know what you are talking about, they get this sympathetic look on there face as if they feel sorry for you and say, "Awww, your not from around here.  Where ya'll from?....Canada?
 
I do love though talking to the southern women.   They are so endering, but I dare you to try to get a word in edgewise when a southern women is talking.  Conversation is like a full contact sport to them.  I think they even keep score.
 

RVA stickers are cool.  "Richmond Pride".  It stands for Richmond,VA.  I got one for my car, but have yet to put it on.  Maybe this weekend.  The cool thing, I think about these, is that the concept is not that this is "official" logo of Richmonders, rather groups are encouraged to take this logo and modify it to make it there own. 

We made a trip to "Sweet Frog".  Not unique to Richmond...in fact they are nation wide.  It's frozen yogurt place where you fill up a cup with your choice of frozen yogurt, then top it how ever you want what seems like a hundred differnt toppings, then pay by the pound.

 

Another, not unique to Richmond, but otherwise new to us is Five Guys Burgers.  This is a simple Burger and Fry joint.  Nothing fancy, just great, greasy, sloppy burgers! 

 

Everything here is new to us.  We just don't know any better, and that makes it exciting.  Not everything we try is great, or even good, but it's definately from a differnt perspective that we experience these things.

The kids start their new school in a few weeks.  Drew in middle school, and Aiden and Morgan will go to JB Watkins elementary.  I am very nervous for them.  For Jen and I, we've experienced starting over in a new place throughout our lives, but for these kids, this will be the first time.  I am very nervous for them and will feel terribly guilty if it is a rocky start, although, deep down, I know it will be fine over time.

 

Week 32 - Aug. 5-11

Kings Dominion

Mom and DJ came to visit us in Richmond this weekend.  On Saturday, we took at trip to the amusement park, Kings Dominion.  This is owned by Cedar Fair, the same people that own a number of other parks including Cedar Point and Michigan's Adventure to name a few.  It was a nice amusement park.  Lots of roller coasters and big rides.  This is definately a riders park. 

There is a waterpark inside as well.  We did both in one day, which is really too much as we were not able to ride all the rides we wanted to.  The weather was great.  We were supposed to get scattered thunderstorms, but they never hit us.  Only a small rainstorm while we were in the water park, which was great timing.

It was very tiring, but fun.  We stayed until close.  This was DJ's first time riding roller coasters, and he seemed to enjoy them.  Drew and Morgan were pretty much fearless, and Aiden enjoyed most of them.  We will definately go back.

Week 31 - July 29 - August 4

New Favorite Cuisine SOUL FOOD

So my office is south of the James River in Richmond.  The area is called, or was once called Manchester.  Downdown Richmond is essentially accross the river.  I compare it to being on the west side of the Grand River in Grand Rapids.  The neighborhood around my office is a revitilizing area, but was once almost exclusivly industrial, so as you can imagine, most of the good eateries seem to be on the other side of the river......save at least one!

Croakers Spot!  If your ever in Richmond, make a point to go to 1020 Hull Street and find this little gem.  It is highly rated on most of the internet rating type sites like Yelp and Google.  They specialize in seafood and soul food. 

So I must admit, I went here by myself...but what is a guy supposed to do?  Sometimes leftovers just aren't going to cut it for a Friday lunch adventure.  Plus, I like exploring to local establishments to be able to be a good host when my friends and family come to Richmond.

This place is in a really urban area.  Old buildings, buzy street in between an area of newly built urban condos and an area that has, what seems to be condemable buildings.  So I was a little nervous that I may be out of my comfort zone a little, but it was without the slightest insidence. 

As I am catching up on some blogging, I can't recall the dish, but I think it was the Fried Seafood Dinner.  It consisted of fried fish, fried shrimp, and crab cakes, covered with sauted onions and green peppers, with sides of cabbage, grits, and a piece of corn bread.  There was so much food here, even I, could not eat it all.

And it was delicious!  Litterally, some of the best seafood I have ever had.  Oh, and the grits?  They were great too.  Being a yanky, I guess I don't appreciate this southern side, but these were great!

The atmosphere was pretty cool as well.  The waitstaff was fast and friendly, even though it was packed for prime lunch hour.  They had some ecletic music playing, from what I could tell including jazz and some MoTown classics.

The building takes up at least two old storfronts.  In one half, the entrance if for take out only, which was packed, the other is seated dining.  Very nice woodwork inside that looks pretty recently renovated.  This is a definate go back spot.  I think this will be the spot when I am hankering for that grease fix/comfort food and look lazy to make it.

Although, I may have no soul when it comes to dancing, I certainly have soul when it comes to eating!  If they only had a microbrew here, I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Week 30 - July 22-28th

GOOCHLAND (& the Gooches)

What an awesome name.  Are people from Goochland called "Gooches"?  I was afraid to ask.  I guess that's the term I will use.  Goochland is a county that boarders Richmond to the northwest.  Pretty much just north of the James river from Midlothian.  It is about a 10 minute drive from our house to cross the river and be there.

White Hawk Music Cafe

Jenny and I, itching to explore the countryside on our bikes, decided to take an evening ride and check out Goochland.  We took a short jaunt on 288 north over the James River and quickly got off the expressway on our way west. 

It was a beautiful evening, sunny and hot.  So hot, that the wind blowing accross you didn't cool you down.  It was like riding in warm water.  The scenery was great.  Rolling hills, lots of grassy fields as well as trees.  We had hoped to be closer to the river, but being unfamiliar with the area, we stuck to the main road. 

Once in Goochland, we looked for a place to grab a bite to eat.  I use Yelp to find these sort of places.  We came accross the White Hawk Music Cafe and proceeded there for a burger or something.

When we got there, we were hesitent to go in because the back of the cafe was full of people having some sort of jam session and we thought it might be a private event, but the person behind the counter welcomed us in, so we were commited.  This was a neat place.  Adorned with string instruments, they have a paninni style sandwiches, soups, coffees and thankfully some a small selection of longnecks.

As we sat, the musicians played on.  They were just sitting around picking bluegrass.  They took turns picking a song to play.  One person would play the tune for a while, then others would watch and pick up on it and join in.  It seemed that they would be in full swing after the first verse and corus.

The highlight was a little girl, probably 8-10, who what playing the fiddle.  For the most part, she would pick along with the rythem, but took a turn playing "Amazing Grace". 

Jen and I were very happy to find this place and enjoy a sandwich while we listened.  Being on a schedule to get home before dark, we only stayed about 30-40 minutes, but I could have listened for hours.  Pickers came and went as they all seemed to be friends and welcomed and helped each other.  It was a really neat experience.

We headed back south of the James, to the middle class subdivision we call home.  Although we sort of stick out riding rumbling Harleys through the docile neighborhood.  We will definatley visit the Gooches again!