Maymont House Estate

Prior to leaving on Friday evening, there was talk about tropical storm Earl and it’s potential impact on the Virginia coastline.  It almost detered us from making the trip, but the drive down Friday couldn’t have been better weather.  I was surprised at the amount of traffic, especially between midnight and 3am, the time we pulled into Marylee’s house.

Saturday morning was pretty low key — coffee, breakfast on conversation on the deck.  We had a chance to catch up with Marylee on her recent trip to France and with the Coe family who joined us mid morning.

Possible Coe Residence - 2011 ...?

I needed to pickup some new sunglasses, so we ventured out to Short Pump Mall.  I guess I was expecting the “traditional” mall layout we have in New York.  However, this mall was arranged like Sangertown Mall but actually outside.  Walkways on two levels were under cover outdoors and everything opened to the courtyards between the stores.  A nice place to shop.

I stopped into an religious store to pickup a little something for my sister Debbie — she’s coming into town next weekend for Judy and Dave’s youngest, Joshua’s, baptism.  This is the first time anyone in a store has ever offered to “pray for me” — I must have looked liked I needed a little help.  The store clerk went on to tell about a couple specific scriptures in the bible regarding the lack of importance of material items.  I then asked if the merchandise in the store was free.  The irony and humor was lost on him.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

We stopped at Firebirds for a late lunch and had a great meal.  We headed back to the house to clean up and then onto Patrick and Erin’s house to watch the thriller “Ghost Writer” — yup, I’d pass on this one if you haven’t already seen it.

Sunday we awoke to a beautiful sunny morning that started in the upper 50′s.  We shut down the air and opened the windows the previous night and were awoken to a beautiful song bird outside of the window.  This bird had the voice of a wounded Harvey Fierstein.

Erin came over in the morning and setup Shannon and I with their canoe, which we took out on the Woodlake Reservoir.  It was a peaceful Sunday morning canoe trip with a variety of fowl along the shoreline.

"Bird Poop Island" - Woodlake Reservoir

Blue Heron - Woodlake Reservoir

Back to Marylee’s for a little lunch and then we were off to Maymont Park.  This park is impressive.  The entire area is the estate of James and Sally May Dooley.  They purchased the estate from a farmer and with vision and considerable expense had turned it into an estate house that looks out upon elaborate themed gardens.

Italian Flower Garden - Columns

Italian Flower Garden - Overlook

Italian Flower Garden - Walkway

The Dooleys left the entire estate to the City of Richmond to be used as a museum and park.  The city opened the park to the public in 1926.  Most impressive to me was that this park is free to the public.  The only thing the Foundation asks for is a $5 donation if you’re touring the residence — an outstanding value.  As expected, photos inside the house were not allowed.

Maymont House - Front

Maymont House - Back

The elogance of this park’s design is as inspiring today as when they passed it on in the 1920′s.  Though the generosity of the Dooley family and with the efforts of the Maymont Foundation, this generation has the opportunity to appreciate it.  This just solidifies my previous remarks about the value of our public parks and it enforces my speculation that parks can survive as independent entities.

Japanese Garden - Waterfall

Japanese Garden - Foot Stones

Staircase from the Italian Garden to the Japanese Garden

For dinner we had some awesome baby back ribs at Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue.  Thanks again to the Coes.  You can check this place out on a former Bobby Flay challenge.

Buz and Ned's

A great couple of days and weather looks good for Labor Day.  I hope everyone enjoys the holiday.