Tuesday, January 07, 2020

Waiting for the Robert E. Lee...


It is Tuesday and a day of sightseeing in Richmond. Such a pretty city with so many historic areas and new buildings too. We started off with a hearty breakfast and then Jeff decided to stay home since it is a rainy, damp day.

The three of us headed to the historic St. John's Church where Patrick Henry gave his famous speech, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Unfortunately the church is not open for tours in January.


We saw some old graves and the grave of Elizabeth Arnold Poe, actress-mother of Edgar Allan Poe.




Next stop was Proper Pies where we purchased slices of pie to eat later. The place has rave reviews, but our choices were disappointing. I tried a Chai Meringue and tossed it after one bite.


By now it was raining and we spent the next few hours exploring the Holocaust Museum. It is housed in an old warehouse and had an extensive collection of sadness tracing the pre-war years and then the camps.



Life sized replica of the Nuremburg Trial.


Lots of pictures and commentaries from Richmond survivors. At the end was a full size replica of the Choral Synagogue which was impressive. Also a wall of honor of American Jews who had shaped the course and culture of our country.



Time to eat again. This time we went to Millie's Diner which was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I had a bowl of really delicious vegetarian chili which warmed me up.


The rain finally stopped and it was just gloomy. We drove around seeing some new areas created from the old Tobacco Row buildings. Our next stop was Monument Drive which is an historical landmark. The wide boulevard with stately homes is very impressive. At intervals there were statues in the center. At the far end was Arthur Ashe of tennis fame. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were there mounted on their horses. Saw several others and would love to walk here on some sunny day.



On the way home we drove past the White House of the Confederacy where Jefferson Davis lived during the Civil War. The home is now surrounded by large hospital buildings.


Another great dinner at a Chinese fusion restaurant and home to sample our slices of pie. Nothing really outstanding, but we ate them anyway. We all watched the Jeopardy tournament and came up with some correct answers. Then we talked and talked. Tomorrow Jeff and I will head south to some warmer weather.

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