[Updated on September 18, 2023] The Appalachian Mountains encompass a massive portion of the United States. They span 420 counties in 13 states, with foothills as far south as Alabama and all the up into New York State. Before the arrival of Europeans, the region was home to numerous indigenous tribes, including the Cherokee, Iroquois, Powhatan, … Read more
Staunton VA is one of the oldest mountain towns in the Shenandoah Valley, which lies just west of the Blue Ridge Mountains range. It’s a popular destination for travelers who appreciate history, good food, and old-fashioned charm. The town of Staunton is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA to the east and the Alleghenies to the … Read more
As the sweltering days of Summer say their goodbyes, the nights and mornings get a little cooler, and the promise of changing leaves in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Fall is tantalizingly close. Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains (as we do) offers year-round treats, from Spring blossoms and Summer wildflowers to Winter wonderlands. … Read more
It’s approximately 4,497 miles from Tazewell VA to Munich, the German home of Oktoberfest, the world’s largest celebration of beer. But if a trip to Deutschland isn’t in your Autumn travel budget, there’s an awesome alternative in beautiful Tazewell County, Virginia, with no passport required! Virginia Fall festivals are our jam, and the Southwest Virginia town … Read more
The state of Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Southern Appalachia and are all widely recognized for their musical influence, both historically and currently. On a personal level I’ve been equally blown away by regional talent at the Blue Ridge Music Center’s amphitheater and British post-punk shows in Richmond’s awesome venue, The National. I’ve traveled up and down … Read more
“O Bessie Bell and Mary Gray, they were two bonnie lasses…” Written by a long-forgotten author in the 1700s, this poem memorializes a haunting tale from Scotland about two young cousins who succumbed to the black plague. There are countless other poems, songs, and stories that were brought to America by the Scots-Irish people. … Read more
[Updated August 15, 2023] Virginia is one of the largest apple-producing states in the nation, with plenty of apple orchards scattered throughout the state. Many apple orchards in VA sell their apples locally, along the east coast, and even nationally/internationally. While you can visit these farms and pick up pre-picked bushels, many VA apple orchards … Read more
If you’re looking for the best pumpkin patches in VA, you’ll find a seemingly endless array of options to choose from in every corner of the state of Virginia. Of course when you’re choosing a Virginia pumpkin patch, it isn’t always just about the pumpkins. Sure, picking out a pumpkin that’s perfect for … Read more
Located 16 miles west of the Blue Ridge Parkway (and just 11 miles west of Waynesboro), the lively town of Staunton VA is teeming with art, theater, music, and Southern hospitality. Known as “the Queen City of the Shenandoah Valley,” Staunton was settled in 1732, incorporated in 1801, and has grown to a population of over 25,000 … Read more
You don’t have to look very far to find some hair-raising haunted places in the state of Virginia. From Civil War sites and haunted hotels to spooky mansions and creepy forests, there’s an endless list of legends about the ghosts of Viginia. Whether you’re into the whole supernatural scene as much as we … Read more