Labor Day in Richmond

Every move is different but one thing has stayed the same each time we've moved - the last month before you move is always filled with stuff to do. Of course, much of it is moving related, but so much is just trying to fit everything and everyone in before the big goodbye. Our September definitely followed that pattern. In addition to the regular routines of work, sports, school, and church we somehow managed to fill every weekend with people and places and before we knew it September was gone!  

The month started with a Labor Day visit to Richmond where we met my sister Jessica and her daughter Katie for a rainy Richmond adventure. The initial plan for Labor Day weekend was a camping trip with our family, Jessica's family, and Charissa's family but kids activities and other things made life too busy for that and Richmond was a great alternative! We met for lunch at Raising Canes, home of the best chicken fingers in the world (according to Jared), to catch up and talk about out itinerary for the day. Since Labor Day was gray and rainy we decided to skip the Botanical Gardens and instead headed to Tredegar Iron Works which is the National Park Civil War Visitors Center. 




The building used to be an iron works so in addition to the Civil War history there were displays about the foundry and Richmond's past as an iron and coal center. In all honesty, it wasn't the most exciting National Park we've ever visited but it was indoors and that was our main motivation. I personally enjoyed admiring the building itself more than the museum displays.  


Natalie continued her quest to earn as many Junior Ranger badges as she can and was once again sworn in as a Ranger. Obviously, the other people in the museum that day were as much in love with her cuteness as we are.

The rain had slowed by the time we left the museum so we walked along the James River and then over a suspension footbridge to Belle Isle where we spent some time wandering along the many trails.




Again my favorite part of the experience was the buildings, although many of the "buildings" on Belle Isle couldn't properly be called that anymore as many of them were just overgrown metal frames.  We ended our day with ice cream and shopping in Carytown, a shopping neighborhood in Richmond that has a unique, funky feel. It would definitely be a hipster's favorite place to shop.

As we left Richmond that afternoon I was struck with two regrets. First, we should have made more time to visit with the Ottos while we lived relatively close by.  Second, even a rainy day can be a great day if you're with the right people.

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