Belle Isle

Meander your way to South 5th street in Richmond, and follow the signs to Brown Island. Take a right at the T-Intersection, and pass the war memorial. Park just before the main bridge, and walk across the suspension bridge to Belle Isle. This is where Heidi and I spent Monday. One of the best days in a long, long time.

Back in the early 1800's to 1900's, Belle Isle was used for a number of things, including factories used to create tanks and cars, handle raw steel, and even create electricity. Though everything is now either missing, rotten or rusted, the amazing level of history is still in tact. I think the most common use of the island now is leisure activity. There are trails for bike riding or hiking, rapids for kayaks and tubes, and massive, smooth stones creating the riverbed, where one can relax and listen to the water.

I have been to Belle Isle three or four times already, but each time only explored a little of the island. I'm not sure it is still so much an 'island' anymore, but if the definition of island is, as Merriam-Webster defines it, “an isolated group or area,” then Belle Isle is certainly isolated, though no longer surrounded by water. At the head of the isle, the part most upstream, a dam was built to divert water to the south side of the island, where the VEPCO Hydroelectric Power Generating Plant had 3 turbines powered by the water, which in turn powered the trolley system in south Richmond from 1904-1963. In 1963, a hurricane broke part of the dam on the north side, and the flow was restored entirely to the north and has been that way since.

The other two structures left on the isle are a Rolling, Milling and Slitting Manufactory, where scrap iron was forged into nails, wire and horseshoes, famous in the South; and the factory for vehicles. I failed at taking notes on the vehicle factory.

I would definitely suggest reading the RichmondWiki history section.

One thing not well documented is the quarry. The sign posted at the site says prisoners carved giant slabs of rock out of the hill, but eventually hit the river in two places, thus flooding the quarry. It's now a huge pond with turtles and other aquatic animals.

Most of this journey I spent without a shirt and carrying a backpack, which only really provided me with one thing: looking sexy as the sweat made me glisten.

Oh, and while we're at it, one BIG turn off is the smell. So if you have the chance, go after it rains and is high tide, cause it can wreak like septic.

After about three hours of hiking and exploration, we finally made it to the rapids for some relaxation. There was a large party going on on the largest rock, and the alcohol level was so high you could smell it from a long ways off. We found a nice little area that wasn't festering and set up camp. Our area of rapids was rather strong, and provided for an interesting 'swim' as we kept taking turns being swept away. Always be sure you know where to put your butt.

As the sun went down, we quickly realized that you can't very well see the sunset from the isle, as there is a large population of trees on the river side.

Suggestions for you, should you plan a trip:
Ask your mother to make a list of “Things you might need on a swimming/hiking expedition.”
Pack light, or light enough that everyone in your party can carry everything for at least a mile one-way.
Bring lots of fluids. Frozen waters last about 3-4 hours and double as ice packs.
Plan for a long day. Cause you have to walk everywhere you want to go.
Bring anything you might need for the duration, since the closest convenience store is far off.