James River Landing Park, A Hidden Gem

We went to James River Landing Park for the first time the other day.  For those of you not familiar with it, the park is located along the James River on the Southside.  Take Robious Road and turn as if you are going into Bettie Weaver Elementary and/or James River High. Then keep going straight, eventually veering off to the left to go to the park.  Stay straight to go to the boat launches, dock, and picnic tables.  

Needless to say, we loved it, but I couldn't help thinking, "Why the heck haven't I been here before?  What a waste!"  Oh, well, crying over an unused park is like crying over spilt milk -- it just doesn't help anything.  Let's face it -- we are spoiled here in Richmond with so many great parks and activities from which to choose.  I definitely wouldn't enjoy being a mother nearly as much if I were out on Timbuktu with nothing to do.  So thanks, Richmond!

The park is quite a generous size and well secluded with its own spacious parking lot, which is quiet as it is not connected to a through street.  We met some friends and were the only ones there, so my friend Dawn and I felt like we could actually relax there and let Sam and his buddy Nathan run around to their hearts' content without worrying about any kind of traffic. Needless to say, I really enjoyed being able to hold more of a conversation than usual with Dawn, as well as to be able to focus on the boys' latest pirate project, making "pirate toast" out of fallen tree limbs.  Don't ask because I have no idea either.  Let's hear it for active imaginations!  I bet Bill Gates had a remarkable imagination at that age, too!  

Ah, it's peaceful back there!  There are slides, bucket swings, and all sorts of funky things to spin around on, hang onto, etc.  However, other than some covered picnic tables, there is no shade to be had, so keep that in mind when you plan your outing.  The day we were there it was beastly hot (surprise, surprise).  Nevertheless we all had a great time and then decided to "hike" over to the main area, using the trail leading right from the park.  The boys were thrilled to be "hiking" for at least a minute of two.  We mommies were thrilled to be in the shade to cool off for a few minutes. 

Once at the landing, it was a whole different world -- a few degrees cooler with a refreshing gentle breeze blowing.  Aaaah!  We checked out the floating dock on the river and did some fishing with Nathan's mini-pole.  The water was so clear we could watch the fish swimming around, munching on cereal that Dawn thought to scatter for them.  Forget the worms, who knew that Cinnamon Life made such great bait?!

I was already planning our next trip in my mind -- we'll bring a picnic and sit at the tables on the bluff overlooking the river, then fish with Sam's Pirates of the Caribbean fishing pole.  We'll bring Daddy Mac and the kayak, too.  Oh, and can't forget the main attraction, too -- the park. It's hard to choose, but it's sure nice to have all the options.

LibbY