Right after Circleville, we turned onto a windy road for about 12 miles to reach the summit of Spruce Knob. At over 4,000 feet, it is the highest peak in West Virginia. From the parking lot, a sign directed us 900 feet to the observation deck where a marvelous view greeted us.
However, the fun was on the rock outcrops nearby. Shortly afterward, we drove to Seneca Rocks where a large granite outcrop stands next to the road. Had there not been a visitor center, we may have admired it from the road and drove on. (more…)
Just before White Sulphur Springs lies the cute town of Lewisburg. Cute shops and restaurants line the street and a Carnegie library, North House and former college stand erect. Had it not been for the signs “Jim Justice for Coal Miners” and signs that said “Pray for West VA” and “W Virginia Strong” you would think you were in Virginia. It didn’t seem like a coal town. In front of the North House was a wood two-story house that housed a covered wagon.
Downtown Lewisburg
White two-story houses and a golf course marked our approach to the Greenbrier Resort. Turning into the gate house, we were instructed to park across the street at the train depot and walk a small path to get to the hotel. A large car carrying truck was unloading fancy cars – probably shipped here for wealthy guests. Pink and white impatiens surrounded the white brick guard house. As we entered the grounds and rounded a corner, the sprawling, almost White House looking structure rose seemingly out of nowhere. Large white columns flanked the front entrance. (more…)
Normally most people driving to Beckley, West Virginia from Atlanta would take I-85 Northeast to Charlotte, NC and then I-77 north to Beckley, WV, passing through Southwestern Virginia. Because of that, I’d researched a few towns in the Blueridge section of VA with towns such as Wytheville and state parks called Hungry Mother and Grayson Highlands. I figured if time permitted in either direction, we’d explore or have lunch in one of these spots.
Plans changed when Hurricane Matthew made landfall in North Carolina on the day we left Atlanta. While halfway to Charlotte on a cloudy day, wind gusts picked up considerable. Weather radar indicated that Matthew’s outer bands were pounding Charlotte with lots of rainfall.
We detoured by heading north from Greenville, SC to I-26 in Asheville, NC. I’ll say the drive was pleasant. But once we went on I-26 north from Asheville to Johnson City, TN. The car climbed up the mountain and at the top of the peak we were totally fogged in. Making the descent towards Tennessee, the fog lifted and we saw the most beautiful scenery.
We then hooked onto I-81 northeast to Virginia through Bristol and Abingdon. My guidebook mentioned Abingdon as the “first English speaking settlement west of the Blue Ridge.” We needed lunch too so we stopped off at the Pepper Mill.
Founded in 1766, the Omni Homestead rivals the Greenbriar. Remember these were both in Viriginia when founded as West Virginia didn’t become a state until 1861. A little less pretentious and right in the middle of town, we drove through a residential area (reminiscient of the Grove Park Inn) onto the grounds into a parking lot. the massive red-brick, Federal style hotel looked very Thomas Jefferson. The sun glistened on visitors sitting in rocking chairs on the front porch.
Come sit for a spell on the veranda
Inside, a large 2-story, classical lobby, also with palladium windows but not a zillion varieties of chintz, greeted us. At the far end, a more casual restaurant bar with more updated furnishings awaited. (more…)
