April 30 Richmond (not BC :))

We left the outer banks this morning and headed North. Very nice roads on our way to Richmond (not BC); we had some light rain on the 3.5 hour drive. Crossing Chesapeake bay we crossed first a long bridge, then ducked into a tunnel about 10 times longer than the deas tunnel (in Richmond BC :))
I was somewhat worried the first time I saw the word "tunnel" as I have a 13' 8" clearance on our rig. We first had to pull into an inspection station as we were carrying propane tanks. A black guy comes out and inspects the tanks that they are off before we can proceed. The minimum height allowance was 14'6" so were good to go.
We arrived at "americamps.com" around 1:30 and settled in. This seems to be a very popular RV park for transition RV'ers as it apparently is half way from Maine to Florida. it definitely is full tonight.
Since we only had a half day in this area we zoned in on two things to check out; the one was the canal walk by the riverfront, the other which we went to first was a historic homestead in the middle of the city called the Dooley property. The soup and nuts is he made his money investing and building railroads after the civil war had decimated the railroad systems. Lets say he was an opportunistic person at the right place at the right time. The property was willed to the city of Richmond on their deaths. It is a gorgeous property with impeccable main house and out buildings. We took a 45 minute tour of the main part of the home. Very impressive. One of the more important items I paid attention to was the beautiful stained glass and art pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany. And since I am in the lighting business I felt this was something I needed to spend lots of time on; after all this is a working holiday!! here is an exerpt from the history of this man: (DL staff? pay attention!)

Louis Comfort Tiffany History - Louis Comfort Tiffany was born in New York City February 18, 1848 the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany who founded the prestigious New York silver and jewelry firm Tiffany & Co. His father company founded in 1837 catered to the wealthy elite, presidents and royalty such as Queen Victoria of England. At the age of 18 Louis began to study art under American landscape artist George Inness. In his 20’s Louis traveled widely in Europe and visited Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. There Louis developed an interest in Islamic architecture and ornament, Romanesque and Moorish art, and Japanese ceramics. Growing up in such a wealthy family had enabled Tiffany to travel in Europe four times between 1865-1872. 

On his return to the United States in 1872, at the age of 24 Tiffany began his first studies in glass and mosaics. Later his experiments with iridescent glass were conducted by exposing hot glass to a series of fumes and metallic oxides. Over the years Tiffany Studios would produce many stained glass windows, lamps and glass vessels using his famous “iridescent” glass. 

Tiffany was inspired by Thomas Edison’s new invention, the incandescent filament light bulb. He was among the first to create a revolution in home illumination using his colored glass to produce beautiful commercial electric lamps. Effort was made for Tiffany’s artistic products to reach all economic levels sometimes at the sacrifice of company profit. Louis Comfort Tiffany introduced his style and left his mark in the U.S. by redecorating a number of private homes and public spaces. Mark Twain, Cornelius Vanderbilt and, the presidential White House are listed among Tiffany’s clients. Most Louis Comfort Tiffany lamps were made between 1895 and 1920. Tiffany is best known his Art Nouveau style of free flowing almost sensuous natural forms and designs. Many recognize his glass vases, windows and lamps but he was also involved in interior design, furniture, rugs, ceramics, jewelry, bronze items, painting and photography. Louis Comfort Tiffany was a visionary of Art Nouveau design. His items are prized and treasured both here in America and all over the world. Louis Comfort Tiffany was as skillful a businessman as he was an artist. Prior to being named the first Design Director of his father's Tiffany & Co. in 1902, he managed a number of interior design firms and decorative art companies. His career spanned over 50 years including tenure with L.C. Tiffany & Associated Artists, the Tiffany Glass Company, Tiffany Studios, Tiffany Furnaces and the L.C. Tiffany Furnaces. He died in New York on January 17, 1933 at the age of 85.

There are many companies that make Tiffany Style reproduction lamps and lighting in the stained glass tradition. These companies offer many traditional styles and newer contemporary designs as well. TiffanyLamps.com offers the finest Tiffany Style reproduction lighting, Since 1988, with the finest manufacturers and is and Authorized Dealer of Meyda Tiffany, Dale Tiffany, Paul Sahlin Tiffany and Quoizel lighting companies. These four Tiffany style lighting manufacturers have the highest quality standards, producing stained glass lamps and lighting fixtures that are sure to beautifully illuminate your environment.

BTW we sell Tiffany products at Design Lighting!!

After that we drove to the core of the downtown area; not much there. Certainly nothing compared to the very impressive River Walk in San Antonio.
It was time to make a Costco run to get some necessities; we typed into Miss Garmin the coordinates and made the drive over. After getting some basics we settled into our home at Americamps, had a drink on the "patio" and then watched our favorite show: Jeopardy!
Some tidbits on our trip so far:
We've driven 208 hours so far (this includes the drive at Christmas from Langley to Palm Springs)
We've driven just over 9,000 KM's. : based on the planned trip after new York to home (our break back home for one week) we are at the half way point.
I am averaging 19 litres of diesel gas per 100 KM's

 heading into the Chesapeake Bay tunnel

 I have to admit, I was nervous pulling 65' of trailer and truck through this tunnel

 The Maymont home

 the fixtures were actually dual; electric AND gas. Sallie didn't like the gregarious "look" of the incandescent bulb; she much preferred gas!!

 this is "her" bedroom; they slept in separate bedrooms; no wonder they had no children!!

 hee hee. hey, its art!!

 this was one of the first art works made by Louis Comfort Tiffany. apparently it is an invaluable piece of art that belongs to the city of Richmond Who now own the property)

the front door is actually under the "bridge|" on the right of the picture; the trees blocked ,most of the frontal view