Blue Ridge Country January/February 2023 - 45

Farm Heritage Road. Leave the urban
cityscapes behind and see what rural
life was (and still is) like on this scenic byway.
Between and amongst stops, you'll
drive rolling hills surrounded by working
farms in the valley alongside a mountain
ridge. And, there are historical markers
aplenty to stop and read.
Start with a homecooked meal at
Hometown Restaurant in Peterstown, and
ask a local about the Jones Diamond-prepare
to be amazed! Then, follow WV 12
out of town to begin the journey. Travel
14 miles to Forest Hill and pick up WV
122 east to Greenville. Visit the Cook's
Mill to see a gristmill, a log house from
1843, a forge building and the miller's
house. And, stop by Old World Libations
for meads, grape and fruit wines and a
walk beside Indian Creek.
At Raines Corner, take a left onto US
219 north, go four miles and walk through
a piece of history-Indian Creek Covered
Bridge. Built by two teenagers in 1903, it
is one of the most photographed in the
state. Another two miles away is where
PAT AND CHUCK BLACKLEY
Indian Creek Covered Bridge, built in 1903, is a
lure along West Virginia's Farm Heritage Road.
the fashionable folks of the 19th Century
came for the mineral springs. The historic
district " holds one of the largest groupings
of pre-Civil War native stone buildings in
the state. "
Drive another three miles to Union,
located along the Eastern Continental Divide
(where rain falling in the east eventually
flows to the Chesapeake Bay and
western rain finds its way to the Gulf of
Mexico). Drive to the Estill Block House
built in 1773 of stone with 18-inch-thick
walls (historical markers alert!). Then, see
the Old Rehoboth Church (dedicated in
1786, oldest church west of the Alleghenies)
and Museum. Appropriate for this
valley, the name means " broad places " or
" open spaces " in Hebrew.
Turn onto WV 3 east for our final stop
in Sweet Springs. On the way grab a bite in
Gap Mills. While there are no stoplights, a
diner, bakery and Mennonite-run cheese
(and more) shop have excellent food. In
our last destination named for medicinal
springs, the history dates back thousands
of years. A First Nation legend says
a wounded man was left in the waters to
die, returned to his comrades the next day
and was considered arisen from the dead.
Rest the night at the historic Lewis House
B&B and learn about the renovations underway
to save " Old Sweet " (Sweet Springs
Resort Park).
Length: 59.5 miles. scenicbyways.info/
byway/10348.html
THE PARKWAY,
YES, YOU DRIVE ON
BUT YOU CAN PARK TOO.
Find yourself here
Cruise on 30 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway through Patrick County and take in all
of the beautiful scenery. Picnics at a covered bridge, local wineries, camping, hiking,
and mountain biking are just a few other attractions awaiting you. From the rugged
outdoors to 5-Star luxury, there is so much to discover here. visitpatrickcounty.org
Visit the Patrick County Visitors Center at 126 N. Main St, Stuart, VA
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 45
http://www.scenicbyways.info/byway/10348.html http://www.visitpatrickcounty.org
Blue Ridge Country January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country January/February 2023
