FAMILIAR AND LESS FAMILIAR Teddy Gregson Photo Courtney Mannion While recently going through clothing, I stumbled upon a wel l-worn pair of frayed jean cut-offs. I hesitated slightly and then came to my five senses with a full-blown hit of fresh Belle Isle around me. I was sudden ly back in the summer months in Richmond; when the air hugs you with a blanket of warmth and the sun glistens off your skin with a slight glowing effect. Those new to Richmond and veterans concur on the same nature parks in the area. These are just a few of my favorite spots in the area to bask in the sun.
BELLE ISLE
TEXAS BEACH
Many Richmonders will agree
Richmond also offers the
HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY
that wasting away at Belle Isle
North Bank Park at the edge
This is one of my all-time
is a great way to spend
South Randolph . Better
favorite spots in Richmond.
a summer day.
known as Texas Beach,
Nothing else as serene and
If you have yet to visit Belle
though barely enough beach
beautiful exists in all of the
Isle, it is a 54-acre island
to consider it that, the trails
city. This cemetery, located
with plenty of trails, beaches,
follow the train tracks behind
just off of Cherry St. a few
and best of all , boulders to
the beautiful Maymont Park
blocks from campus in
climb and explore. Besides
and leads into Riverview Cemetery. This park is known
never crowded like other
for great mountain biking as
locations such as Bell
beautiful scenery and hiking opportunities, there is the James River, great
well as hiking trails. Warning:
Isle or North Bank Park.
for swimming, rafting or
the trails are long and it will
This cemetery is known
kayaking. The animals and
wear you out by the end. Also,
specifically for its gothic
people live in tandem and
be sure to wear comfortable shoes with some traction
landscape and graves. A gO-foot pyramid made
because most of the trails are uneven and rocky.
of granite to commemorate
on a good day a blue heron may be visible on the beach. For history buffs, the island
stands erect within the
Smith originally explored the Isle in the 17th century, the
depths of the cemetery.
site housed a nail factory in
different paths, be sure to
Also, while exploring the
the 18 th century, and later a
see the mysterious statue
village with a general store
of a black dog watching over
and school. It was also home
a young girl's grave.
for captured Union soldiers. A visit can be a pleasurable experience for ghost enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
ink
fallen Confederate soldiers
has an interesting past. John
to a Civil War prison camp
8
Oregon Hill, is surprisingly
