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.

 

 

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.   

In the Thickest Fog... Manchester Sees it All!

Recent moves bring different views, and horrors, ghosts, and bombs on every corner. In the district of Manchester, Stockton Life doesn't miss a beat. Wake up to a fog so thick, you cant see past the glass in the windows... very very big windows. Would you die for the view? Cut through the riff-raff, and scale quietly and swiftly through the stairwells... never to be caught off guard in the elevators! Be sure to check out stairwell 5 as it holds the information you need to get through the concrete jungle!

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!!

RUN, RUN RUN AWAY... TO THE PLACE WITH THE DOUBLE FACE!!

ITS THE DOUBLE FACE PLACE!
When you are on a frantic flee from attacking pool drains and and other scary Richmond shit, the last thing you want to happen into is a creepy alley with FACES EVERYWHERE!!

But alas, I saw a happy hungry hippo, and said to myself, "this must be a magical place where happy dreams come true!" I was not correct... but soon learned that the only danger was the smell of molten garbage, and back-wash, and cigarette filled PBR cans. Much like any other alley or corner in this town really! Accustomed to these conditions by now, I stopped to have a look around, and see what I could take from this place.

 The adventure always continues to other venues, such as Lombardy street, where all the VCU kids run awry. But thats no problem at all, cause that is my shit!

It just gets a little awkward when there are faces staring at you EVERYWHERE YOU GO!!