Blue Ridge Country November/December 2021 - 30

system in the eastern United States. Inside
the Luray Caverns is the project of a mathematician
and electronics scientist who
made the stalactites sing. A pipe organ
uses the natural geologic features over 3.5
acres of the cave to make music. It now
plays via an automated system; but, with
a bit of good timing, you might get to
hear an actual human play Bach's " Moonlight
Sonata " on this amazing creation.
(luraycaverns.com)
Complete your visit to the town with
a stop at the rescue zoo, heritage village,
car museum and a singing tower. Taste a
variety of cuisines at favorite local eateries;
and stop for sweet treats at one of the
many family-owned bakeries.
The Swinging Bridge. (Paint Bank). Immerse
your taste buds and your senses at
this restaurant in the heart of the Blue
Ridge mountains. On the menu are the
traditional breakfast delights (eggs, grits,
sausage, ham and more) and a burgers,
dogs and sandwich selection uniquely created
with their own farm-raised beef and
bison. Weekend dinner specials include a
classic blue plate, prime rib or pan-fried
chicken. The atmosphere is rich with
wood, stone and decorations that bring
nature indoors. And, there's a real swinging
bridge inside! Visit the gift store and
watch the water-powered grist mill next
door. (theswingingbridge.com)
Nearby, you can shop at a general
store, learn about trout farming, stop at a
nature center, shop for antiques and drive
through small mountain towns for a look
at times gone by.
Safari Tent. (Dugspur). Blend a safari
MUSEUM CAPITAL?
L
adventure with a cozy mountain experience
at this single accommodation in the
southwestern part of the state near Barron
Springs. Inside are two comfortable beds
with linens, towels and soap provided
along with a table and chairs. There's a
Coleman grill and firepit for cooking,
utensils included, and an ice cooler for refrigerated
items. Other particulars on the
property are a private deck, compost toilet,
a solar-heated hot shower and Internet
access. An overnight stay here is a terrific
way to go glamping surrounded by green
pastures, rolling hills and quiet privacy.
(glampinghub.com)
Stop by the local meadery and cider
establishments for handcrafted drinks
and the nearby indoor farmer's market
for local products. Visit an alpaca farm
and pottery outlet in the neighbor town
of Fancy Gap.
The Omni Homestead Resort. (Hot
Springs). Lose yourself in luxury at this
2,000-acre property in the Virginia mountains.
This resort has welcomed guests for
over 200 years, including 23 U.S. presidents.
Choose from 483 guest rooms and
suites for accommodations and seven
restaurants for dining options-elegant,
casual, barbeque, snacks and pastries. On
the property are pools (one indoor), a fitness
center, spa and salon. Twenty-three
meeting rooms are available for parties,
banquets and events. For fair weather
there are two 18-hole golf courses; and,
during winter you can ski and snowboard
(private lessons available) on the property.
(omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia)
For more experiences around the area,
attend a performance at a music center;
shop upscale antique shops; learn about
Allegheny arts and crafts; take a guided
history or wine tour; or drive the scenic
roads of Bath County.
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Mine Wars Museum. (Matewan).
Hear the real stories of a pivotal
event in the historic struggle for " human
rights and justice in labor for the working
people " in the privatized coal camps
of Central Appalachia. The Battle of Blair
Mountain in 1921 survived only as a
whispered legacy prior to the formation
of this independent people's museum.
Through the work of historians, archaeologists,
mine workers and others, carefully
collected and curated exhibits reveal the
struggles for dignity, fairness and safety.
Archival photos, videos, interviews and
rare artifacts are presented in themes
such as " life in the coal camps, " the role
of women and the events following the
battle. (wvminewars.org)
Join guided tours of the area to learn
about the famous Hatfield & McCoy
feuds. Take a driving tour of surrounding
wilderness areas to see waterfalls. Dress in
layers for a brisk winter walk on the many
trail systems nearby.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.
(Weston). Visit this unusual place that
housed thousands of patients through
the changing tides of mental health
treatment approaches-some helpful
and some horrid. Opened in 1864 (and
closed in 1994), it's the largest hand-cut
ittle Wytheville, Virginia, sits
by I-81 and I-77 in southwest
Virginia with lots of lodging-and
eight museums.
Count 'em. Six actually bear
the name " museum. " Four of
those are run by the Town of
Wytheville.
In a town of about 8,000
residents, that's one museum
for every 1,000 people!
" You could spend more
than a day " exploring it all,
says Andrea Burton, Wytheville's
coordinator of educa30
BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
tion and volunteer programs.
Newest: Wartime relics from
the 1700s to the 1900s are
on display inside the Octagon
House History Museum (503569-4753),
585 W. Main St.
This addition to Wytheville's
museum mecca combines war
stories with a spooky spotlight
on the paranormal.
Most historical: The Edith
Bolling Wilson Birthplace
Museum (276-223-3484),145
E. Main St., occupies a portion
of the building where President
Woodrow Wilson's
second wife was
born on Oct. 15,
1872. Learn why
this First Lady was
dubbed " America's
First Woman President. "
Edith
Bolling
Wilson
Most handsome: The stone
Rock House Museum (276223-3317),
205 Tazewell St.,
was built in 1823. It was the elegant
home of Dr. John Haller,
Wytheville's first resident
physician and also saw action
during the Civil War's Battle
of Wytheville.
Most diverse: From farm
equipment to the polio epidemic,
the Thomas J. Boyd
Museum (276-223-3331),
295 Tazewell St., spans history
from early settlers of the
1700s.
Most roadworthy: An old
gas station houses the Great
Lakes to Florida Highway
Museum (276-223-3330),
975 Tazewell St. This focuses
on the corridor of US-21, an
http://www.luraycaverns.com http://www.glampinghub.com http://www.wvminewars.org http://www.theswingingbridge.com http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country November/December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country November/December 2021
