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 10, 2024] 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
[Updated 9/15/24] 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 … 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
My lady and I are HUGE lake day lovers, and have been for years. Since travel is work for us, a day at the lake feels like a vacation, with time for swimming, enjoying a lake float, grilling food, watching birds and butterflies, and just hanging out with friends and family. We’ve been going to Lake … Read more
Surrounded by an array of farms, orchards, and wineries, Harrisonburg is Virginia’s first official culinary district. The sheer variety of places to eat in Harrisonburg VA is truly astounding for a town of around 51,000 people. There are 80+ locally-owned restaurants that showcase the best farm-to-table food in the Shenandoah Valley region. With more than … Read more
