Train Depot Pitstop (Tuesday trip)

  A couple weeks ago my bookclub visited the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad for our recent book The Girl on the Train.  While here we discussed the book, were introduced to the next book and received an informative tour of the museum.

The tour was interesting as I had never visited here before.  Inside you see all types of items from the train itself, to what the conductor wore, signs and dining car items.

The group made the climb upstairs and took in the sights of downtown Suffolk.

 We concluded our trip with a peek in the caboose.  I actually didn't know these were the living quarters for the train staff.

Not sure about the story behind the torpedoes.

It was a nice day trip.  Train fans would appreciate seeing all the memorabilia and model trains.  

If you are interested in visiting the museum you can find out more information here.

Maymount Adventure in Richmond Virginia

  Richmond is a few hours away from me so when the kids and I travel there we take advantage of the sights unique to the area.  One of my favorite places to visit although this only makes my second visit is Maymont.

  Maymont is a large estate that includes gardens, a mansion and winding trails showcasing a variety of animals.  You cross bridges, walk past streams and waterfalls and even climb stairs as you stroll the 100 acres.

There are several garden arrangements. The Japanese garden was our favorite. 

 I spy with my little eye a waterfall! It was so unexpected that it was really neat to see.

On the trail we saw the regal Bald Eagle!

American Bison were visible from the trail!

A barn showcases the transportation of the past.

The kids got a kick out of the other kids!

Maymont is definitely a must see in Richmond, VA.  In addition to all of this, they also offer activities and several special events for an additional fee throughout the year.

1st Day Hike

  Sunday I took advantage of the 1st day hike at my local state park here in VA.  I already hold a pass for free entry which was another lure for people but I wanted to start the year off on foot and fresh air!

  In addition to the free entry fee a variety of parks offered guided tours or encouraged unaccompanied tours.  I was running late so I hiked alone.

  I choose a local park versus one I really wanted to go to that was several hours away.  Chippokes State Park is one of my favorites.  I have been here a few times and nothing gets better then finding a new trail and exploring more!

  Chippokes Park is locates in Surry, VA and offers a unique experience in addition to the pool and cabins.  This park has working farm as well as an antebellum mansion.

  I have toured the house and the kitchen located in a separate quarters but I love the walk to the mansion and the view!

  I had a great day.  A solo day had so many rewards and gave me a lot of time to think and reflect on myself, the new year and explore my surroundings.

  I always use Map My Run as I'm the only one without a Fitbit to keep track of my miles but the phone battery died so on the way back it stopped calculating.

  Not too bad if you take into account stopping to take a ton of pictures!

  I can't wait to take my family back to show them the new path I found!  Keep following as we have a fee more state parks to explore before we have seen all of them in the state! 

For more information about this park check it out here.

A Day Out On the Bike

  A couple weeks ago it was supposed to hit 70°.  Prior to that a week or two before that was warm as well.   I thought that that was probably the last good day before the winter made its mark and decided to stay so it was time to take full advantage of it.

  I loaded up my bike to hit the VirginiaCapitalTrail.  This trail has been a focus for several months.  It's a nice solid even trail over 50 miles long.  This trail runs from Jamestown Settlement to downtown Richmond.

  I am an amateur cyclist.  I have ridden topping off at only 12 miles.  Mostly off road and strictly on a mountain bike.  A mountain bike weighs more, requires more effort to pedal and doesn't reach the speed of a road bike at least with any real ease.  Maybe these are all excuses but they are tidbits I have heard, and again I'm an amateur.

I started at mile marker 0. No pressure!  I can do this.  I am so excited.  I have my water bladder for hydration, my phone is locked onto the bike (extra battery packed too), helmet, sunglasses, cycling gloves, fruit and a protein bar!  I think I'm as prepared as I could be! 

Along the way each mile excited me more as I passed it and got closer to the end.  The trail was such a great surface.

I picked the perfect time of year and day.  The temperature was just right.  It wasn't too hot or cold.  I did run into some strong wind at the end but in the beginning I was completely comfortable.  Our fall comes later so I was able to catch the colors on this mid November ride.

The trail took me over bridges big and small.

The water views were the rewards.

I am not sure at what point of me taking pictures did I realize that it was taking time away from me finishing.  This was never a race.  It was my first time.  I had nothing to compare it to so there was no record to break.  

There was so much history to see on this stretch.  Plantations, the home of a past president and other history markers declaring momentous acts!

So many signs so little time to read.  I started the trail at 10:45 am.  I was planning to make it a 4 hour trip.  I exceeded it by an hour.  I stopped at two main trailheads to stretch and go to the bathroom.

It was always so reassuring to see how close I was getting.  The signs were in addition to the mile markers.  I never really felt alone and isolated either. There was always someone coming from the other direction, passing me or cars on the nearby road.  

I'm almost there.  When you have ridden 40 miles and you see that you are here.  It's truly amazing, such an accomplishment, such a feat!  

I will not lie and say I was not in pain.  The week working up to this day.  I had rode he 12 miles and another day 4 miles, I had ran a couple random days as well.  That was the extent of my training.  I do know that I have the endurance.  So not completing the trail wasn't an option.  My legs hurt particularly my thighs and around my knees.  My butt had been lost some where around mile 20 something.  It was so numb and I couldn't use one leg long enough to give either a rest or my butt.  

I pedaled on.  I hit a strong wind after that last trailhead and already exhausted that I couldn't even motivate myself anymore.  I had did multiple stretches at that stop but nothing was enough.   I had 12 miles left I had to keep going; there was no way I wasn't going to finish! 

I knew there were supposed to be more hills on this end so I was slightly prepared.  I laughed hysterically at them when they popped up.  I still pedaled on.

Then on one hill I saw the city.   The sun was starting to set.  It was so pretty and what a relief.  I had made it.  I was done. I had did it!  

My husband was parked shortly after marker number 50 so I didn't hit 52.1 which is the whole trail but that's ok.  Hek, had i known he was right there I would have snapped a picture of me and 50 but oh well I guess that will have to be next time!

What did I learn from this trip?  That I was as prepared as I was going to be.  That I could do it.  That alone time is nice.  That being alone is not scary.  That I am independent and can do things bigger then me.  That even when told I maybe shouldn't try it that I can try it and see what happens.  This was probably my biggest and definitely last accomplishment for he year but I'm so happy with it that that's fine by me.  

Next time of course I will beat my record because of the sheer fact I don't need  to take so many pictures.  

I also must add.  Although I was sore that night.  The next morning I was completely fine.  I woke up and waited for alarms to go off in my body and nothing did. I sat up and moved and all was actually just the way it was before!

I have already looked to see where else I can ride and I saw a 100 mile race.  I am not sure I'm ready for that just yet but I would like to continue riding my mountain bike and get a road bike and have the ability to ride either.

Have you completed a final item for the 2016?  Do you have a big goal for next year?

#NaBloPoMo

Wordless Wednesday

  Well we went to Colonial Williamsburg again this past weekend.  Squeezed out one more trip as our membership expires at the end of the month.  What I didn't know and what we were fortunate to have come at the right day was the illumination.  We have always gone during the day and left at closing or before that.  Never have we been there to see the lights, fires or candles.

We got there in the early evening as the sun was going down .  It was soo nice outside at 70° in December!

 We were staying for an evening show at The Capital!

As the darkness approached candles were visible in the windows.

Then the show was about to start!

Fire, drums and fifes, rifles!  Soldiers marching and the action is about to begin!

A stroll down the street was a new sight to us as most of the houses had lights in the windows!

Although we didn't participate; ice skating was going on as if we were in upstate NY in the middle of winter. YES, people we have ice skating here in December in 70°!

  It was a great experience.  I saw so many pictures via instagram and can't wait to renew our membership to catch more glimpses of times, seasons or holidays I missed out on this year @colonialwmsburg.

Wordless Wednesday

  We bought a pass the last time we stayed in Williamsburg for +Colonial Williamsburg  so we decided to go one last time for the year.  I like this time of year as much as the spring.  When you visit Colonial Williamsburg multiple times you get the opportunity to see different things, performances, entry into a different home and even how the spruce up the homes be it wreaths in the winter or beautiful blossoms in the garden in the spring.

  So today I am sharing with you the variety of door displays to include wreaths and trimmings.  If you look closely you will see so many varieties of items.  From shoes, to iceskates, artichokes, apples, peppers and oranges.

  My family had a great time walking around looking at the sights and catching a little bit of history in action.  We even might have walked away with a bit more knowledge then what we arrived knowing.