Returning to Richmond

Once upon a time, I was wide-eyed college student arriving in Richmond for the first time to tour a beautiful private school in the city called the University of Richmond. It probably would never have hit my radar except for an uncle of mine at the time who was an alum of the university who gave me the "best four years of my life" spiel. So I threw it into the pile of college applications I was working on and lo behold - four years later, I was graduating from UR, having had the best four years of my life. 

Aside from enjoying my time at school, I also fell in love with the city of Richmond. While I did live on campus all 4 years, I would of course head into the city on occasion  - to Carytown, to Shockoe Bottom, to downtown, to Pony Pastures. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to stay in the area after graduation, the professional world conspired to pull me away. I spent a few years within a couple hours of the city - heading south down the 95 corridor to teach in North Carolina and then north to DC for a few years of grad school. And from there I was off to Texas for almost a decade. 

After a tumultuous 2020, it seems the universe has seen fit to bring me back to Richmond after an absence of over 15 years. I am excited to be back, and I am excited to relearn the city that charmed me all those years ago. The city, of course, has grown up extensively in the intervening years. As have I!

And so, I've decided to document my rediscovery of the River City for whoever may choose to follow along. My first few months here have been fairly isolated, but as the pandemic begins to loosen its grip a little bit, and being fully vaccinated myself, the time is right to get out there and get exploring again. So I hope you'll join me as I get back out there and avail myself of all this fine city and region have to offer!