“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” This line from the Emily Brontë poem “Fall, Leaves, Fall” perfectly captures the wistful beauty of Fall in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The approach of Autumn stirs different expectations in everyone. I look forward to playing golf without intense Summer heat and tailgating … Read more
If you like brain teasers, love a good head-scratching mystery, or just enjoy playing pretend, there are some amazingly fun escape rooms in Virginia you can visit to challenge your mental acuity. Escape rooms are a great way to while away an hour with friends, family, or work colleagues. It’s an opportunity to prove … Read more
Fall is finally here! In the state of Virginia, where we live, we’re already pulling out our flannel shirts and stepping out for a pumpkin spice latte. That’s a sure sign that the explosion of Virginia Fall colors won’t be far behind. In Virginia, Fall foliage typically begins to change colors at higher elevations in … Read more
[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
[Updated Aug 11, 2025] It won’t be long before the sweltering days of Summer say their goodbyes. The nights and mornings will get a little cooler, and the promise of changing leaves in the Blue Ridge Mountains will be tantalizingly close. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer year-round treats, from Spring blossoms and Summer wildflowers to Winter wonderlands. But Autumn has … 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
