After a hiatus……drumroll please…..35-Mile Drive Presents Visit Goochland is back! We can’t think of a better way for a grand re-opening than to celebrate at the Manakin Farmer’s Market this Saturday, September 12th 9-1.
Join us for a special book signing of On Richmond’s Wheel by Aynsley Fisher and Tom Houff– our hot-off-the-press new book celebrating cycling in Richmond. The book shares Richmond’s extensive cycling history dating back to the late 1890s and the high wheels and brings us up to the eve of the greatest bike race in the world– the 2015 UCI Road World Championships.
We share the inside scoop on how Richmond came to win the bid for host city, and how, once the dust settles and the 1,000+ cyclists and their teams from 70 countries, 500 international media and nearly half-a-million fans have returned to their corner of the globe, Richmond will continue to emerge as one of the country’s top bike-friendly towns.
The book showcases stunning photography of iconic Richmond cycling scenes by noted photographers Jesse Peters, Chris Johnson and Wayne Dementi.
We believe– not that we are biased, of course– that ORW is a must-read for cycling enthusiasts, history buffs, Richmond natives full of good old RVA pride, our hometown peeps and tourists looking for a timeless souvenir from their experience at the Worlds. BTW, our foreword writer, Virginia native Ben King, will ride for Team USA. Woo hoo! Stay tuned for more info or follow us on FB at 35-Mile Drive Presents Visit Goochland.
Ever been to Field Day of the Past? Located just off the Rockville/ Manakin exit on I-64, near the Rte 288 interchange, is a festival unlike any other. Part country fair, complete with carnival rides and fair food, and part historical heritage event with antique cars, tractors and machinery, Field Day takes place in a village setting with paths for easy strolling. How will you know you are near? Just look for the American flag flying high over the tree tops. Don’t miss out on this great family event!
Field Day of the Past mixes the warm, down-home atmosphere of the county fairs of yesteryear with exhibits and displays of museum quality. Historical displays and exhibits, re-enactments, tractor and truck pulls, small engine displays, arts and crafts, flea market, antique and modern construction equipment demonstrations, a log cabin with ongoing heritage craft demonstrations can be experienced throughout the weekend. Volunteers demonstrate the daily routines of the life of a family surviving in early rural Virginia which include wheat and peanut threshing, meat smoking, the making of sorghum molasses, washing clothes, canning, saw milling and other chores.
Permanent exhibits and structures include a working United States post office, a 1930’s grocery store and garage, fire lookout tower, blacksmith shop, wood wright shop, ice house, gold mining equipment, Pullman railroad car and engine buildings.
Field Day of the Past is a member of the 35 Mile Drive Association www.35miledrive.com
If you haven’t been to My Manakin Market…you’ve got to go! Located in eastern Goochland County, conveniently near to I-64 and Rte. 288 and Short Pump, this market has got it all!
Over 45 vendors set up under the canopy of mature oaks and sell everything from locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, wine, sorbet, flowers and plants and art….and that was only this week!
With live music nearly every Saturday, the market is a destination for the whole family.
Mad City Chickens is a sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge—and even a mad professor and giant hen taking to the streets—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom.
Please join us after the show for a Post-Movie Party and Book Signing by Pat Foreman, Author of City Chicks, Chicken Tractor and numerous other books. 4:30 – 6:00pm Ellwood’s Café 4 N. Thompson Street
Don’t Miss This Week’s My Manakin Market – Manakin-Sabot, VA
Summer produce is here in all it’s abundance! There is plenty of fresh local food to choose from… this week look for corn on the cob, green beans, lettuce, Swiss chard, collard greens, beets, peppers, carrots, cucumbers, TOMATOES (both slicing & cherries), zucchini, summer squash, cabbage, potatoes, onions (a few left) fresh & potted herbs and BERRIES.
We have a great selection of meats, including grass-fed beef, pastured pork, lamb and poultry. We’ll have cheese this week from Night Sky Farm– come and try a sample! Our selection of baked goods includes breads, muffins, focaccia, pies, quiches and GLUTEN FREE products. We also have honey, candy, homemade spices, jams, jellies, local wines, and lots of other delicious Virginia Grown items available at My Manakin Market!
What makes us unique? We are PRODUCER ONLY and support sustainably raised produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and true artisan crafts! Check out What’s In Season now! Come early for best selection!
Join us for a special event at the Page Bond Gallery for the release of Colombia, Pictures and Stories by Sandy Fisher. Wine reception and booksigning. Tuesday, June 21, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Please RSVP to bviewfarm@gmail.com or 784-3131.
The book features photographs from Sandy’s time in Colombia while in the Peace Corps in the 1960s and afterwards. This year the Peace Corps celebrates their 50th anniversary.
Page Bond Gallery, 1625 West Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220 (804) 359-3633
The book will also be available for purchase at the Fountain Bookstore, 1312 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia (804) 788-1594
After months of blogging on various topics, it makes sense to revisit our roots, to redefine exactly what 35 Mile Drive is all about!
Truth be told, the 35 Mile Drive Association is many things. We are artists, musicians, restaurants, farmers, bed & breakfasts, wineries, tours, living history, historic sites, parks, river adventures, museums, realtors, gourmet food providers, hunt clubs, taxidermists, farmers markets, special events, publishers, designers, writers, photographers, landowners. The best thing about such a thing is we are a sum of our parts…offering a unique snapshot of the destinations, activities and culture that best represent Goochland County, Virginia.
We celebrate the hospitality and tourism industry in Goochland and promote our region as a getaway-for-the-day destination for the surrounding Richmond area.
Want to know more about our businesses and destinations? You can visit our website at www.35miledrive.com , subscribe to this blog, follow us on twitter @35miledrive and soon will be able to find us on facebook. We have logo decals available for purchase, details coming soon.
We have many artist friends who have embarked on a “painting-a-day.” We thought that sounded like a good challenge… so coming soon, we will be doing a “blog-a-week!” Each blog will feature one of our members. Be sure to check in regularly to see what’s new on the 35 Mile Drive!
Dallas, 12″x16″, Oil on Canvas Panel, Opening Bid $200.00
This is Dallas, and he did a great job modeling for us today. He was, however, very disappointed once he realized he was not roping, or getting fed. I would have never thought in my wildest dreams that I would paint an animal “plein-air”, which means from life. It is very difficult, because unlike a human adult, they will not sit still. This takes confidence and patience. What a fun challenge this morning!
No Place for Girls, 12″x16″, Oil on Canvas Panel, Opening Bid $200.00This is my husbands shop… one of his favorite spots on the farm. As far as I can tell, its where the guys stand when it rains instead of going home. I guess it really is no place for girls because I drenched my pink Victoria’s Secret shirt in used motor oil within five minutes of sneaking into his garage.
Robin Caspari is a Goochland County resident and friend of 35 Mile Drive. For over 20 years she has stayed true to her creative goals of painting in an expressive unrestrained style. Her work has been active in galleries, exhibitions, publications and charitable causes (including the United States Humane Society and Corolla Wild Horse Fund to name a few.) She is an active member of Oil Painters of America and the National Impressionist Society.
Robin is currently involved in an intense project, painting a painting a day for a year and unveiling a select few for sale through a weekly painting auction via her facebook, twitter and enewsletter. The weekly auction will only last 6 months.
It’s finally here! Tomorrow kicks off the first annual Rassawek Spring Jubilee Heritage & Wine Festival! The weather looks great, low 80s on Saturday and upper 80s on Sunday! Don’t forget your sunscreen, hats and walking shoes!! Live music, wine tastings, children’s activities and traditional demonstrations and living history all weekend.
The details are in…. Saturday 10-6 and Sunday, 11-5. Rassawek is on the north side of Route 6/ 35 Mile Drive in western Goochland, a few miles before the town of Columbia. Visit www.rassawek.com for further details.
HERITAGE SHOW
HILL TOP, GAZEBO & MUSIC STAGE
4-H Club Livestock & Archery, Alpacas, Miniature Horses, Mutton Bustin’, Barnyard Animals, Horses & Carriages, Beekeeping Demonstration, Local Artifacts, Early American Demonstrations, Plein Air Artists Painting Demos
FOOD
BBQ, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Homemade Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Pecan Jacks, The Fudge and Sweet Shoppe
GAZEBO-CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
Bird House Project, Old Time Games, Corn Truck, Exchange Hotel Museum, Demonstrations
MUSIC STAGE
SATURDAY 21st
11am-12pm Thirteen Generations
12pm-1pm-Studabee
1pm-2pm- Ridge Runners
2pm-3pm-The River City Band
3pm-4pm-Cary Street Ramblers
4pm-5pm-Dixie Ridge
SUNDAY 22nd
11am-12pm-Statement
12pm-1pm-Grass Eclectic Company
1pm-2pm- Thirteen Generations
2pm-3pm-Good Natured Riot
3pm-5pm-Michelle Nixon and Drive
TREE HOUSE
The hollow tree found in the Innsbrook area and was erected here this spring.
SAYLOR CABIN, BUILT IN 1844
The Saylor cabin was first cabin on the property in 2003, moved from St. Paul’s Chruch Road in Goochland.
The Cherokee cabin was second cabin on the property, moved from Cherokee Road in Richmond, VA. The Cabin was originally built in 1910 and moved to Rassawek in 2006. This cabin was obtained from the Brisco Guy family.
The Greenhouse is from James Madison’s Montpelier, it is a 1910 Lord Burnham Greenhouse. Stories and Tales will be playing periodically throughout the day inside the cabin, a documentary of local people.
WINERIES
Byrd CellarsWinery, Grayhaven Winery, Saude Creek Winery, Mattaponi Winery, New Kent Winery, First Colony Winery
FOOD
Chocolates by de Rochennet Chocolatier, The Bakery Farmville, Grapevine Restaurant
What is 35 Mile Drive? Literally 35 Mile Drive is another name for River Road West, a scenic Virginia byway in the Richmond, Virginia area. The stretch of road in question runs 35 miles through Goochland County. Some highlights from the road….things to do, places to see, right in Richmond’s back yard.
Let’s start at the Henrico/Goochland county line and head west.
Tuckahoe Plantation- Thomas Jefferson’s boyhood home. He attended the one roomed school house still there and open to visitors. Could it be that TJ’s appreciation for architecture and domes was inspired by the domed schoolhouse ceiling? Like many a historic property, Tuckahoe is believed to have a few supernatural residents. A popular destination for filmmakers, you could say that Tuckahoe is Goochland’s Little Hollywood. Today, Tuckahoe has a farmer’s market on Sunday afternoons during the summer, selling their grass-few beef, eggs and other seasonal items.
Mother Mary of the Church Abbey- Since 1994, it has been the home of fifteen monks living in the Benedictine tradition. It is also houses the Shroud of Turin Center, a workshop destination for scholars and the faithful. There is a gift shop with monk-made items like sweets, jams, honey, textiles and a bookshop. Also, it is home of Benedictine Academy and the Bobby Ross Field. Ross (class of ’55) is a famed football coach and inductee into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Thistledown Alpacas- Goochland has a growing alpaca population. Several farms are open to the public.
Brookview Farm- A certified organic farm. 2007 Stewards of the Land, a national award by the American Farmland Trust! They sell their organic grass-fed beef through Lulu’s Local Food Co-op.
James River Work Center- The state farm. Home to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Greener Pastures Program. Rescued racehorses are given a second chance at life when their racing careers are over due to age, injury or performance. Horses are matched with offenders in a training program. Offenders graduate with a Groom Elite certification, giving them job skills to work in the horse industry. Many of the horses are available for adoption. It’s the only program of its kind in Virginia. Now home to 30 horses with 30 Groom Elite graduates! The TRF National President , Robin Williams, started the program and lives in Goochland.
You could say the state farm is Little Hollywood West. HBO’s John Adams was filmed here. Boston harbor and Braintree still sit waiting for a sequel perhaps on the Powhatan side.
Tanglewood Ordinary- A historic property family-dining Southern style! Fried chicken, anyone? Don’t miss their collection of Post magazines.
Tucker Park at Maiden’s Crossing- Goochland’s newest river park in development. Will be the site of a music ampitheater, birding platforms, trails, fields and primitive boat launch.
Brightly Bed & Breakfast- Historic B&B, one of only two in Goochland. Beautiful gardens.
Nadolski’s Butcher Shop- Specialty boutique butcher with locally sourced meats, specialty items, sausages, wine, beer and cheese. Home of many special events.
Goochland Courthouse- Built in 1826 by Cumberland builder Valentine Parrish and Dabney Cosby (a Staunton brickmason who had worked for Thomas Jefferson at UVA.) TJ’s influence is seen in the architectural details including the Tuscan portico, full Tuscan entablature, temple form and color scheme of red brick and white trim. Did you know, the brick wall was built around the complex to keep out wandering cattle!
White Hawk Music Cafe- Goochland’s musical metropolis! Combines music education (over 100 students in guitar, piano, voice, banjo, mandolin) with live performances and cafe food. A gathering spot with pickin’ parties every Thursday night, open mic on Tuesdays, and live music on the weekends.
Orapax- 700 acre hunting preserve for quail and pheasant. Customers come from over 39 states and six countries!!
Rapalee Taxidermy- Showroom open to the public, see dynamic mounts of over 100 animals from around the world.
Byrd Cellars Tasting Room- Sample wine from three local vineyards. Part of the 35 Mile Drive Wine Trail which includes Grayhaven Winery, Windsong Winery & Byrd Cellars.
Rassawek- Stunning property, home to the Spring Jubilee Heritage & Wine Festival May 21-22. Vineyard (Byrd Cellars) and village of reclaimed structures with historical value. Available for private rentals. Can see three counties and the James River corridor from the gazebo (formerly of 6th Street Marketplace!) Two restored log cabins, James Madison’s Montpelier greenhouse (now the wine tasting room,) music pavilion, ponds and trails. Named for the original Monacan Indian settlement along the river nearby.
In honor of the Kentucky Derby tomorrow….our twitter ticket treasure hunt is up and running! Go to the White Hawk Music Cafe in Goochland and look for Secretariat. Did you know Secretariat was the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby in under 2 minutes? He still holds the track record today! Check out page 121 and you will see Big Red blazing across the finish line! You also might find the tickets you seek.
Join us for a special book signing of On Richmond’s Wheel by Aynsley Fisher and Tom Houff– our hot-off-the-press new book celebrating cycling in Richmond. The book shares Richmond’s extensive cycling history dating back to the late 1890s and the high wheels and brings us up to the eve of the greatest bike race in the world– the 2015 UCI Road World Championships.
The 35-Mile Drive Presents Visit Goochland 