Monday, May 16th, 2022 … Two Lane Adventures Continue!

We departed Roaring Rivers Winery in Trapnell NC on our way to Lyndhurst VA. I made Charlie stop as we headed out the stone gate of the winery, because I thought it made such a beautiful picture! On the first part of our journey today, we took US-21 to I-77 to US-221.

We came into the town of Hillsville VA and I saw this beautiful Veteran’s Memorial. But I could not find out any more information about it, which is sad because I would like to brag on it a little, because it really stuck out to me.

The Crooked Road winds through almost 300 miles of scenic terrain in southwest Virginia, including 19 counties, four cities, and 54 towns. Here, the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Traditional Country music is as beautiful and rugged as the landscape itself. You can experience authentic mountain music where it was born at nine major venues and over 60 affiliated venues and festivals. Some of them include: Ralph Stanley Museum, Country Cabin II, Carter Family Fold, Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, Rex Theater & Old Fiddler’s Convention, Blue Ridge Music Center, Floyd Country Store & County Sales, and Blue Ridge Institute & Museum of Ferrum College.

Located atop the magnificent Blue Ridge Plateau in southwestern Virginia, Floyd is a haven of natural beauty. Floyd is a key stop on The Crooked Road, Virginia’s heritage music trail – with our famous Friday Night Jamboree at the Floyd Country Store.

The building still looks fresh and new, but the Farmer’s Supply closed its doors after almost 90 years of service to the residents of Floyd. The store has been operating since the 1930s. The store became another victim of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Blue Ridge Cafe is located in the former Floyd County Bank Building and dates back to the end of the 19th century. Originally built around 1897 and then extended in the early 1900’s, this was the home of the first bank in Floyd County. The building became a restaurant in the late 1920’s but retained the bank vault which is still in the cafe. There have been many different owners over the years, but the love of southern comfort food has stayed the same.

I am not turning this blog into anything political. Nor am I trying to start a debate on his reputation or his politics. I am just showing you how someone plastered his house with Red, White and Blue and Trump.

 

We toured through Roanoke VA. We were on US 11 aka Williamson Road is Roanoke’s Main Street. Williamson Road is the Valley's Main Street. Once a major thoroughfare for travelers through Roanoke, this busy retail street is still a major entrance to the Star City. Today, Williamson Road links rapidly expanding commercial centers along Hershberger Road with the new excitement of downtown Roanoke. A tradition of convenient location, good value, and efficient and friendly service provides the building blocks for a new Williamson Road and the Williamson Road community.

How does a town get the name of Troutsville? A good source of trout? The Town of Troutville was established in 1956. In 1881, this area had no name. The railroad came through and a station was built. There were three houses then which were occupied by John, Jim and George Trout - so the area was called Troutsville.

Just before the Buchanan, VA sign, we saw this small sign. It intrigued me. New Freedom Farm is a nonprofit community farm. The farm exists to aid veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, traumatic brain injury and other conditions by using the therapeutic activity of interacting with equines, farming, and peer-to-peer support. The end goal is to empower individuals and help them heal by realizing their efforts and contributions. New Freedom Farm heals heroes through horses by offering veterans and first responders space and confidence to develop deep friendships through equine activity and gentling, fostering physical, emotional, and spiritual health, assisting individuals with reintegration into civilian life.

Entering the town of Buchanan you find a colorful mural popping out at them from the side of The Witt Stop Restaurant on Main Street. The restaurant owner wanted people to stop and take note of the mural even if they have never stop in the restaurant. The primary goal was for it to be an eye-catcher. The mural contains all of the good things about the town into one work of art. It has hunting, Twin River Outfitters, kayakers, and hikers. The mural was a group effort, with members of the community suggesting additions throughout the planning process. The Buchanan-based eatery is owned and operated by Witt, who also owns The Anchorage House, a renovated historical venue, and C&S Witt Creations, both of which are also located in Buchanan.

The Buchanan Theatre was built in 1914 as the Main Street Show, a silent movie house for this small Virginia town. After decades of successful operation, the theater eventually closed in 1985. The theater was later sold for $75,000 to the widow of the last man to operate the cinema. The new owners spent $130,000 to restore the theater and reopened it for second run films, film festivals, revival screenings, concerts, and more. The outside ticket booth, projection room, concession stand, and more were restored and now welcome Buchanan residents, who no longer have to travel 30 minutes away to see a movie.

Our son and daughter-in-law were just here a few days before us! Natural Bridge State Park was the 37th state park. It was dedicated on September 24, 2016, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark in 1988. The 215-foot tall Natural Bridge is a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. The park is more than just the bridge; beautiful forests and rolling meadows showcase the area's karst terrain, and vistas of surrounding mountains and the James River valley display nature's splendor. Access these areas via the 7 miles of hiking trails, including Cedar Creek Trail, which leads from the park's Visitor Center under the bridge to the Monacan Indian Village and Lace Falls with its 30-foot cascade.

 

In Lexington VA, a monument of Texas pink granite stands to honor the birthplace in Rockbridge County of Sam Houston, former governor of Tennessee and Texas. Sam Houston was born on March 2, 1793, in a cabin in Rockbridge County, Virginia. The monument at the Sam Houston Wayside is a 38,000 pound piece of Texas pink granite commemorating the birthplace of the Texas hero.

We arrived at Sherando Lake Recreation Area, part of the George Washington National Forest, our home for the next 3 nights.

We meet up with our wagonmasters, Gary & Sheryl, for our 2022 Yankee Caravans here, in just a few days.

Stay tuned to follow more of our #TwoLaneAdventures