Bandit Home, Only by Train!

The James River offers the RVA so much to do and see. There are parks and trails and beaches everywhere, and each spot has something unique and special. We explore as much of it as possible, and try to maximize the leisure potential of each location we come across. 60+ degree, sunny days in January make it especially easy to get away for the day on the James. A spot we have recently come to love is along the North Bank Trail, between Texas Beach and Belle Isle. This weekend, we packed our coolers, and hit the road. Parking at Texas Ave, we took the pedestrian bridge over the tracks, and crawled through the fence and hopped a passing train. Grabbing onto the steps of a passing train made the hike so much quicker and easier!

Upon arrival at the Hobo Headquarters, we gathered some wood, and a few coal stones from the aforementioned train, and started a nice fire. It was still a little chilly out, so it was just the heat we needed to be absolutely comfortable. One of the bandits managed to whittle a fish hook, and gather the needed supplies for fishing. This came to nothing, as we really had no need to fish! We explored and respectively tagged the abandoned, but not abandoned tunnels, and set up camp on the sandy beach overlooking the more touristy western shore of Belle Isle. 

 

Cracking into our cans, and getting into relax mode, we played with the dog, sat by the fire, and basked in the views. This could be one of the longest bits of time I have spent on the river outside of summer time, as well as the most productive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the sun began to set, we packed up, cleaned up (because littering the river is super not cool), and hit the tracks again. Another Bandit adventure down, countless more to come.

 

 

Diggin Up Worms

Its amazing to think about the food we eat! I have no intentions of getting into some conversation here, only saying, I was sorting through the photos on my phone trying to free up some space on my third memory card for it... and i noticed SO MUCH FOOD! I am definitely not going hungry! Of course there was that phase when I was getting high all the time, so there were some really strange concoctions in that time period of my cell soul. 
Such items as:
Sparks and cheese crackers topped with chocolates!

Or homemade garden pickle and cheese quesadilla with jalapeno jelly and ranch worcestershire sauce, for dipping.

Those are, of course, items I made myself. I have, however, been known to make more respectable meals too!

Like a lovely shrimp cocktail!

Cheese Burgers!!

I must mention my adventures at restaurants around the country as well... all of this has served as a reminder, that even in these trying times... this bitch is not going hungry!!

How the River Bandits Get By On The Weekends

Whats to do around here on a cold... not so cold... effin nice winter day? Bandits hit the rocks... the river rocks. vacant old buildings provide a stage for bonfires, and photo shoots. Grape blunt roaches and portable margaritas provide fuel for adventures. Railroad tracks and abandoned tunnels tell stories of bandits before, and the adventures, and mis-adventures they encountered along the way.   

Morning Walks- Morning Hikes!

No longer downtown! What to do? Car- free for the time, I am walking to work... along HOPKINS RD!! this is not my typical urban stroll you may have grown accustomed to reading about! I love the walk, its a little dangerous in some spots, as there is no shoulder space on one of the bridges, and the cars FLY around the sharp turns!! None the less, its a great way to start the day. The sights are beautiful, believe it or not! The sights you are about to see, are for the most part un-retouched! 

Corporate Sell Out, and The Lower 4th

My goodness shit has been BUSY!! Finally taking the dive, working for myself, taking the bus, striking big deals, making that dolla! WHO HAS THE TIME?! I am making it work in big ways though, and its about to get BIG! I finally had the chance, thanks to a new friend, who dragged me out of the house and got me back on my streets, to do some wandering around! Starbucks in hand, I arrived at my humble abode, nearing the last time I will arrive there, I hit the parking deck with the dog and the roommate, and got my spark back after having felt empty for a little while! Miraculously, I stumbled across this little message on my walk to the house from the bus stop. And that's how it started!

While on the Lower 4th Level, I was able to catch views of the neighborhood I had not seen before.

Anyone in Richmond, has noticed that this metropolis is more of a ghost town... especially after business hours, and everywhere you look, if you look enough, you will see reminders of the promise of a good life. If you sell yourself to corporate America, as I have, you will be met with luxury, and security.

Until it all ends!!

Fortunately for me, I find peace and comfort in riverside sunsets, graffiti, and skyline views!! Love it or hate it, thrive or die, Richmond is MY CITY, and I want to be no where else!!