Living in the suburbs on half an acre doesn't afford me much dirt time. However, I managed to get out today and hit some urban trails. Started on the Buttermilk trail on the south side of the james river. Follow it and it'll bring you to a footbridge across the canal to Belle Isle. Or you can do like I did and rock hop down/across the canal What's awesome is watching/listening to the river flow through, under and around these giant boulders. High waters create these little pools in the rocks, that, even though they are cut off from flowing water are filled with aquatic wildlife. some can be 8-10 feet deep, spotted several small schools of minnows in a few of them. Continuing down the rocks Cross the canal at the old hydroelectric plant (which was in use as early as 1967) and climb up on to the flood wall on Belle Isle to rejoin the trail Cross over the northern end of the island and you're met with the mighty james river Here I sat and rehydrated, read a few chapters of a book and took in the sounds of the river. Had my dua with me today Just south of here is a quarry pond There used to be a prison camp here in earlier times. Prisoners rough cut granite from the pit and steam generators ran equipment the lifted the blocks out of the 19ft. pit. That is, until they created a crack the let the river flow in and flood the pit. Then it was abandoned. Here's a view from the cliffs surrounding the quarry I would have loved to go all day and not see anybody. Unfortunately, this area is a pretty popular spot in the summer. The rocks were filled with cuties sunbathing but I'll save those pictures for myself. Continued the loop around Belle Isle, crossed the canal again and hopped on the motorcycle and headed back home. All in all a 5 mile hike. Not a bad day. Need to do it more often. I also had my LTWK next gen with me today Thanks for looking
Looks like a good trip. River banks are awesome. So much to see and find. Ill have to check out that LT. Looks awesome.
