My parents gave me a ride to Nesbitt Realty. Along the way, there were paved / cleared roads. I shot pictures of Richmond Highway, and areas near Belle Haven. From my home, it looked like each day was getting easier; driveway shoveled, snow plows working, summer's approaching again. Mom gave me a gallon of milk. A brisk winter walk in boots, snow pants, ski jacket, long johns, to the store. CVS open too? Awesome! German engineered car made it home from church, just to the spot where I met up with my mom and dad. Pops drove me home, while all the snow started hailing down. Life is awesome!
This aerial photo from 1980 depicts the intersection of Frye Road and Rt 1 (Richmond Highway). It's amazing how much this area has changed. Compare this to a Google satellite image from today.
Frye Rd & Richmond Highway
This Howard Johnson Motel and restaurant stood at the corner of Rt. 1 and Fort Hunt Road in 1980. In the background is Belle Haven Country Club, in the foreground is Rt. 1. The building has been replaced by a Hampton Inn and the highway has been expanded since then.
1980 And Belle Haven Country Club golf course in the background!
Richmond Highway Express, nicknamed "REX" is a bus route operated by the WMATA (the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) in partnership with Fairfax County, the City of Alexandria, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Federal Government. The REX is a limited stop express bus that serves the Richmond Highway corridor. Before the REX, riders from Fort Belvoir had many stops to make along Richmond Highway enroute to Huntington Metrorail Station and to the King Street Metrorail Station.
REX buses operate every 15 minutes in both directions on Richmond Highway during weekday rush hours. During non-rush hours and on Satuday the REX comes through every 30 minutes. Then on Sunday the bus only operates every 60 minutes. Buses operate between 5:30 AM and 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM on Sunday.
The REX uses special technology which allows REX buses to sustain green lights in order to move more quickly up and down Rt. 1. The REX bus has low-floor buses for quicker boarding and SmartCard for quicker paying. In addition the REX has only a limited number of stops:
Jackson Loop (North) & Gunston Road (Fort Belvoir)
REX passengers may transfer at any Richmond Highway stop to Fairfax Connector routes, and may transfer at Huntington and King Street Metro stations to rail service as well as other local bus service such as Alexandria’s DASH.
To stand-out from other Metrobuses and other area bus lines, REX buses are purple-blue with a golden yellow logo featuring the image of a running lion. The lion references the three lions emblazoned on the Fairfax County seal, which references the family crest of Lord Fairfax. Bus stop signs use the same color scheme, and stand out among the other bus stops along Route 1.
Kings Crossing is located at Richmond Highway & Shields Avenue, Alexandria, VA. Kings Crossing serves Groveton, Penn Daw Village, and Huntington Run. Kings Crossing hosts the following businesses: Walmart, Chuckie Cheese's, Patient Firt, Sarku Japan, Jimmy John’s, Mazzio’s, Healthy Nails and Spa, and Sweet Frog.
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
To stand-out from other Metrobuses and other area bus lines, REX buses are purple-blue with a golden yellow logo featuring the image of a running lion. The lion references the three lions emblazoned on the Fairfax County seal, which references the family crest of Lord Fairfax. Bus stop signs use the same color scheme, and stand out among the other bus stops along Route 1.
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.