The Kinsey family came ready for the end.

Armed with bags from McDonald's, towels and other beach-friendly gear, Glen Allen residents Stephanie and Jack strolled into Cobblestones Family Recreational Facility yesterday with daughters Alison and Emily for likely the last time this summer.

"This is it," Stephanie Kinsey said, beaming. "[Monday] we'll do some odds and ends at the mall for school outfits, and Alison is getting her nails done."

Alison, 11, starts middle school tomorrow at Hungary Creek, while her 6-year-old sister, Emily, enters first grade at Springfield Park Elementary School.

But yesterday, for a couple of hours in the blazing sun, the girls frolicked in the 38,000-square-foot pool dotted with dozens of other families and a suitable-for-climbing alligator and hippopotamus bobbing in the water.

Amid the squealing, giddy children splashing and swooshing down a giant blue slide, there were some folks sans little ones who sought out Cobblestones in Hanover County for some final summer recreational time.

Ron Rinaldi of King William and his girlfriend, Anna Marie Rosky, who was visiting from Pennsylvania, staked out a picnic table shaded by an immense umbrella.

"We were down in Virginia Beach yesterday and planned to spend the weekend, but it was nuts. It's a zoo down there. This is the place to come," Rinaldi said.

Though he and Rosky were celebrating what they called the "last hurrah" of summer, Rinaldi, an auto body repair instructor at Richmond Technical Center, wasn't merely frittering away the day: Spread open on the table in front of him was an auto body repair textbook.

"Homework," he said with a smile.

Cobblestones, formerly called Overhill Lake, closes today at 5:30 p.m. for the season.

Earlier yesterday afternoon on the James River in downtown Richmond, the usual array of dog walkers and bikers trudged across the bridge to Belle Isle, many already donning swimsuits for a dip in the James River.

Upriver at Pony Pasture, some families picnicked on rocks, and groups of kayakers slid into the water.

Along one trail, 2-year-old Emma Notarnicola walked with her tricycle as her mom, Kate, scooted her along.

Ahead, Joe Notarnicola walked with the family dog, a chocolate Lab named Kaloo, who was probably the biggest fan of the every-other-week trip to the river made by the family.

"We get all of our needs met here. He loves to swim," Kate said, shaking her head affectionately at the excited dog.

Even though the Notarnicolas, who live in the Museum District, visit Pony Pasture year-round, they wanted to bring Emma before she starts preschool tomorrow at Reveille United Methodist Church.

But first, said Kate, "we just want to tire her and the dog out."
Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or mruggieri@timesdispatch.com.