A couple of weeks ago, we returned from a short trip to Virginia – Charlottesville (home of the University of Virginia) and the mountains; thought that I’d just outline some of the highlights for those who might have a opportunity to visit the area or may want some travel suggestions.
First day, drove from Winston-Salem toward Smith Mountain Lake (just to the east of Roanoke) – beautiful ‘man-made’ lake; the
Booker T. Washington National Monument is near the lake (his birthplace); headed toward Lynchburg, and stopped at
Popular Forest (below, middle), an estate that belonged to Thomas Jefferson, and is presently being restored; this house was his ‘private get-away’ whereas Monticello in Charlottesville was more a ‘public’ home inundated with visitors during his lifetime; BTW, Appomattox is close where Lee surrendered to Grant at the
McClean House (below, right). Then we headed into Charlottesville for a 2-night stay at the Boar’s Head Inn (MAP package – excellent food).
Full day in Charlottesville which we’ve visited numerous times, so decided to be more selective – a visit to
Montpelier, home of James & Dolly Madison, also undergoing restoration – the outside is pretty much back to its early 19th century size (had been tripled in square footage by the Duponts who owned the property for decades – a story in itself); this house is located in the Barboursville area and our day included a visit to several wineries. In addition to many wineries in the area, a must visit for ‘first-timers’ is
Monticello, the fabulous (and restored) home of TJ; another restored presidential home is Ashlawn which belonged to James Monroe – the most ‘modest’ of these historic places.
Then we were off on I-64 West which intersects the junction of two wonderful mountain highways, i.e. the Skyline Drive (heading north) and the northern beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway (which extends 476 miles into North Carolina, ending at Cherokee near Asheville); decided to travel on the Parkway for an hour or so – some just beautiful vistas and overlooks; left the road and headed into
Lexington, Virginia – a small town that I just love because of its mountain beauty & history – home of the
Virginia Military Institute (VMI),
Washington & Lee University, and the
George Marshall Library; Stonewall Jackson’s house (below, left) is near the visitor’s center (he was a teacher @ VMI at the outbreak of the Civil War and is buried in the city’s cemetery sans one arm; his horse - stuffed, Little Sorrel, is in the
Chapel Museum (below, right), which is a small but quite well done Civil War presentation). After the Civil War, Robert E. Lee became the president of Washington College there which was renamed after his death – Lee is buried in the Chapel. We took a horse carriage ride, which is a relaxing and lovely way to see the town and learn about its history.
Continuing into the mountains toward Hot Springs, Virginia near the West Virginia border for a 2-day stay at the Homestead, one of those old mountain resorts; in fact, dates back to the 1760s (Washington even stayed there then), but the current buildings are about a 100 years old; relaxing time with some excellent meals (again on the MAP).
Then back home with a few more winery visits both in Virginia and in North Carolina (some comments about the food & wines made in the ‘eating thread’).
