It was a Memorial Day that was wet and overcast. Not the best day to hit trails or slog up a muddy mountain side. But I wanted to get outside, and I wanted my lovely wife to join me (and she wouldn’t really do the muddy mountain side either.) The great solution … road trip to the Big City.
Okay, Okay … “Big City” is relative. With Dallas being my declared home, and that is 1200 miles away, I decided to go the river city, to Richmond VA. There are some great urban trails in Richmond … Belle Isle, Buttermilk, and more. I’ve done these, but not today.
Today, we shopped, we smelled, we snacked, we saw some sights.
First Stop … Short Pump area is the location of REI … a place of games, gadgets, garments, and galore. I got a FJALLRAVEN HIGH COAST HYDRATIC TRAIL SHELL JACKET … Fjallraven is one of the leaders own producing rain gear that is made from recycled polyester that is PFC-free. The jacket is soft, flexible and supposedly a solid rain gear. It is a bit weak on the water-proof, for the interior will get damp if out in a solid rain or wet environment This is not insulated for warmth but has ample space for layering. Has a longer back side, great for bending and covering the belt line.
The vent-zippers were uniquely placed on the side of the shell – this also gives access to pockets within the shell (pants, shirt, et al) without having to totally unzip.
Add a great hood (not as cumbersome as the Mountain Hardwear one I have) and reflexive strips strategically placed, this is a well designed, thought out shell. The non-PFC technology will only continue to improve. Overall, I am pleased with the fabric, feel, and formation of the Hydratic.
I have a Mountain Hardwear Gore-Tex shell, but it was at home (LESSON: read the weather report BEFORE you head out.) So this lighter one will be a great one for light weather, windy days. Fortunately, REI has a very liberal return policy and we will see.
From REI, we went to our main destination – Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. The place was wonderful … that fresh aroma after a rain, roses in bloom, minimal crowd since rain was coming and going. Though the flowers were wonderful, walking with someone was better – and so much better for it was the prettier than any flower wifey.
I love being outside. I got lost in the aroma. I am overwhelmed by the beauty of God’s creation.
Roses, Asters, Hydrangea, and more. Even simple mini cedars and not blooming flora made this place a delight.
We worked up an appetite, and the Tea Room no longer opens outside of special events, we headed into downtown RVA for ROOTS Natural Kitchen. We had salad. Yes, I had salad. Spinach. Ha. Even more than seven leaves.
ROOTS NK is right next to Red Eye Cookies – oh well, I guess we just had to.
Then we went to University of Richmond just to drive around. I always love this beautiful campus (my parents went here in the 50s.) I’ve done weddings from the lake’s gazebo, studied in the library, and have always appreciated this campus.
The campus was the setting for a 20 year old movie, Cry Wolf. I headed home and watched this horror flicked shot right here at Univ of Richmond. Considered the first PG13 Slasher movie, this teen flick has a pretty familiar story-line but it was the setting I was interested in.
Shops, Smells, Snacks, Scenery … you don’t have to go to the mountains or the beach to enjoy a holiday. But you do have to go sometimes.
The arial photo is a stock photo of University of Richmond.
Where did you spend Memorial’s Day?
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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