Thursday, July 5, 2012

Happy Fourth Of July!

 Nuala started the fourth off with a walk down to the Rivah in the cool early morning hours and watched the sun come up.

After our hike Nuala had breakfast then chilled out at home while Al and I went with Dave Belde and his girls Sophie and Lilly, to have breakfast at the Paradise Cafe. We rushed breakfast and made it back to the hood in time for the annual kids parade. John & Ruth Ann rig the boom box for the march music and we are joined by Luna, Rosie, Nora, Ann, Karen, and the Star Spangled Patriots Beryl, and Inga.

Clockwise from left, Klara, Jack, Hadley, Carlin, and big girl Kelsey on her Townie bike.
Clockwise from top left... RA & Eleanor, Alex skates along, Poppy-Nuala-John try to figure out idiosyncrasies of the boom box, Ellie Belle, and the masses ready to be released.
Mia.... Flo, Heather, Inga..... Dave Belde and the girls Sophie and Lilly (behind a couple that thought they should hog the spot light)
Clockwise from top left- Leah, Hadley, Carlin... Doc Dave with Greta in tow.....  Dave, Lilly, & Sophie.... Leah, Mike, Hadley, & Carlin... 

Dave and Kelsey hosted the Fourth picnic at their home on Riverside Drive... Great food, great company, and great view of the fireworks across the river.

Alex's 7 mile hike.

It's been a hot one in Richmond since arriving on Saturday, though there was a bit of a respite Monday morning. Alex, Nuala, and I took advantage of the cool morning and went on a hike down the North Bank Trail and back home on the South Bank Trail, with a few stops for dips in the James River and a picnic out on Belle Island.
7 mile hike folks... These boys and Nuala were pooped after our walk.
 Top Left - Mile Zero.... Across the Nickel Bridge and we dropped down to the trail at Maymont. The Maymont Bears were keeping cool somewhere out of site.
Al and Nuala along the North Bank Trail.
Al and Nuala leave the North Bank Trail and cross over to Belle Island on the Lee Bridge Foot Bridge.
Al takes a dip off Belle Island, Richmond skyline from the Trail.

Last dip at Flat Rock on Belle Island before heading home.