Virginia Mountains - Vistas, History, & Wineries

[scifan57]

Back in my West Virginia Travelogue from last year (starting w/ post #55), I mentioned the Bunker and showed some pics - believe that you had participated w/ a post or two - the entrance is like from a sci-fi movie and the interior is well preserved - certainly worth a visit - now, I cannot remember if you have to be staying at the resort to do the tour - WELL, just checked HERE and quoted below, so seems likd a reservation is all that would be needed. Dave

I'd forgotten about that.

 

[giradman]

I'd forgotten about that.

No problem - the Greenbrier Resort is in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia which is surrounded by mountains for miles - pretty great remote location and the bunker indeed was underground - attached is a satellite map of the West VA & Virginia Mountains w/ the town mentioned indicated by the red pin - Dave
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[giradman]

Natural Bridge & Caverns

The Natural Bridge is located just off I-81 south of Lexington, VA (an upcoming post) - HW 11 (a.k.a. Lee Highway) actually runs over the natural phenomenon (see the aerial map w/ the location marked by an arrow). Quoted below some summary discussion of the natural landmark - click the link for more (Source).

Below several beautiful paintings of the bridge, a popular subject in previous centuries followed by modern photographs (the size can best be appreciated w/ the humans on the stream trail). A nice hotel is on the property w/ decent food (Susan & I once spent 3 nights which included touring the various attractions off I-81 nearby). Finally, there are Caverns - not as impressive as those in Luray, but quite enjoyable. Dave

P.S. for this & upcoming posts, please review back to the map in post #42 which shows the locales of the topics under discussion.

Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, Virginia, is a geological formation in which Cedar Creek (a small tributary of the James River) has carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain, forming a natural arch 215 ft (65.532 m) high with a span of 90 ft (27.432 m). It consists of horizontal limestone strata, and is the remains of the roof of a cave or tunnel through which the creek once flowed. Natural Bridge has been designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.

Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres (635,000 m²) of land including the Natural Bridge from King George III of England for 20 shillings in 1774. He called it "the most Sublime of nature's works". Jefferson built a two-room log cabin, with one room reserved for guests, beginning its use as a retreat. While President, in 1802, he personally surveyed the area. Many famous guests stayed here, including John Marshall, James Monroe, Henry Clay, Sam Houston, and Martin Van Buren.[6]

Natural Bridge was one of the tourist attractions of the new world that Europeans visited during the 18th and 19th centuries. Vacationing guests from all over the world took day trips from Natural Bridge on horseback or horse-drawn carriages to explore the countryside. In 1833, a new owner erected the Forest Inn to accommodate the increasing number of people.

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[scifan57]

Natural Bridge & Caverns

The Natural Bridge is located just off I-81 south of Lexington, VA (an upcoming post) - HW 11 (a.k.a. Lee Highway) actually runs over the natural phenomenon (see the aerial map w/ the location marked by an arrow). Quoted below some summary discussion of the natural landmark - click the link for more (Source).

Below several beautiful paintings of the bridge, a popular subject in previous centuries followed by modern photographs (the size can best be appreciated w/ the humans on the stream trail). A nice hotel is on the property w/ decent food (Susan & I once spent 3 nights which included touring the various attractions off I-81 nearby). Finally, there are Caverns - not as impressive as those in Luray, but quite enjoyable. Dave

P.S. for this & upcoming posts, please review back to the map in post #42 which shows the locales of the topics under discussion.



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Thanks for the post. An arch like this is quite rare in that part if the country.

 

[giradman]

Thanks for the post. An arch like this is quite rare in that part if the country.

Thanks & you're welcome! But, you piqued my curiosity, i.e. 'how many' natural bridges or spans are in the eastern USA - found the website Longest Spans in Eastern United States - the criterion is a span of 100 ft or more (which eliminated VA's Natural Bridge by 10 ft). Although I've been to all of these eastern states, some many times, I have never seen any of these natural spans/arches - however, in October, we are going to visit our son in Indianapolis and usually fly (2 planes) - prices have really gone up!

Thus, we may drive but take 'overnights' in Kentucky (specifically, Frankfort, the capital & Lexington - never been to either and some sites to see) - I'd love to visit item #9 on the link given, i.e. Natural Arch of Kentucky - my original plan was I-77 through West VA, then I-64 to the Lexington area, but just plotted a number of directions and if I head west on I-40 through Knoxville, TN, then north I can come close to the Kentucky arch (lower red pins on the second image below) w/o adding much time at all to the first leg of the trip - looks like a worthy 'quick stop'? Dave

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[scifan57]

I think you have quite a nice trip lined up. I'll enjoy seeing the pictures when the time comes.
If you ever get the chance to visit, Arches National Park in Eastern Utah has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.

Arches National Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It's a place I'd like to visit sometime.

 

[giradman]

I think you have quite a nice trip lined up. I'll enjoy seeing the pictures when the time comes.
If you ever get the chance to visit, Arches National Park in Eastern Utah has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.
View attachment 67208
Arches National Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It's a place I'd like to visit sometime.

Thanks for the pic - I know there are a LOT of similar structures out west, many in the 4-5 states that I've not visited in this country, one of which is Utah - we've been contemplating trips to that area for years but now a dread (not a fear) of flying has hampered our long air trip plans at our age - really enjoy these car vacations and may simply extend the distances w/ some overnights in-between? Dave

 

[giradman]

Homestead - Virginia's Mountain Resort

The Homestead (now the Omni Homestead Resort & Spa) has been a Virginia landmark since 1766 - description below (Source) - the resort is located near the Virginia-West Virginia state line near the Greenbrier (see map below). We've been visiting since the mid-1980s but have not been back since the Omni purchase and restoration (e.g. see the picture of the outdoor poor - the blue circle is the old one which to the left is a new addition). If you are interested in going, check the room prices and the dress code (which used to be formal); there are numerous activities on the property - we often did trail hikes & carriage rides; of course, golf is popular and the old courses famous (Sam Snead, the PGA golfer is from the area).

The pics below show the main building and the surrounding Alleghany Mountains; in our last stay we had a room w/ a porch (white arrow in one of the images) - indoor views of the 'indoor' pool which is near the spa (includes hot springs still in use that Thomas Jefferson used), lobby, dining room, and the President's Lounge, one of my favorites places for 'after dinner' drinks - not shown are the large glass windows in the lounge that look out toward the outdoor pool(s) and the beautiful golf course. Certainly, worth a visit and a lunch if not a longer stay. Dave

Experience the Southern hospitality and elegant charm that have made The Omni Homestead Resort a premier destination for 22 U.S. presidents dating back to the 18th century. With more than 2,000 acres of timeless comforts and modern amenities all under one roof, our Hot Springs, Virginia accommodations are the perfect getaway for business and leisure traveling.

Two major hot springs flow onto our property, offering guests the opportunity to take in the mineral waters just as President Thomas Jefferson did in 1818. Our two-acre water park, fueled by crystal clear springs, features two water slides, a lazy river, a water play zone and a sandy beach for the kids, along with a cozy whirlpool and private cabanas with exclusive services. Golfers can challenge themselves on nationally ranked golf courses. Guests can step into the Spa at the Homestead for an exhilarating rejuvenation like no other.

Outdoor activities abound at our premier Hot Springs resort, with the mountains and valleys bursting with summer and winter activities such as horseback riding, snowboarding, paintballing, falconry and ice skating. Relatively mild winters (average temperature of 39 degrees) and cool summers (average temperature of 62 degrees) mean that fun can be had year-round. There's plenty to do indoors, too, with an on-site theater showing classic titles and family favorites and the year-round pool adjacent to the spa.

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[scifan57]

Homestead - Virginia's Mountain Resort

The Homestead (now the Omni Homestead Resort & Spa) has been a Virginia landmark since 1766 - description below (Source) - the resort is located near the Virginia-West Virginia state line near the Greenbrier (see map below). We've been visiting since the mid-1980s but have not been back since the Omni purchase and restoration (e.g. see the picture of the outdoor poor - the blue circle is the old one which to the left is a new addition). If you are interested in going, check the room prices and the dress code (which used to be formal); there are numerous activities on the property - we often did trail hikes & carriage rides; of course, golf is popular and the old courses famous (Sam Snead, the PGA golfer is from the area).

The pics below show the main building and the surrounding Alleghany Mountains; in our last stay we had a room w/ a porch (white arrow in one of the images) - indoor views of the 'indoor' pool which is near the spa (includes hot springs still in use that Thomas Jefferson used), lobby, dining room, and the President's Lounge, one of my favorites places for 'after dinner' drinks - not shown are the large glass windows in the lounge that look out toward the outdoor pool(s) and the beautiful golf course. Certainly, worth a visit and a lunch if not a longer stay. Dave


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That's quite a resort! Is the original building still standing?

 

[giradman]

That's quite a resort! Is the original building still standing?

Below is a schematic map of the current resort - it is huge - I remember a fire destroyed the place but could not recall the details; but plenty of information HERE w/ several paragraphs quoted below - year of the fire in 1901 (bold below) and a small pic of the resort before that fire (best one I could find) - we've not been back in a while and I'm sure Omni has done a great renovation - just checked and only jackets required in the Main Dining Room (the two pics shown previously), but plenty of other causal restaurants have been added - in retirement, I no long take jackets & ties on our trips, but would be interesting to return to the Homestead. Dave

Ten years before our country was founded, The Homestead opened its doors as a humble, 18-room lodge tucked away in the mountains. Over the past two and a half centuries, the resort has evolved, sharing milestones with America and memories with generations of travelers. Today, The Homestead is an iconic resort encompassing 2,300 acres with 483 guest rooms, numerous dining outlets and more than 30 recreational activities.

A devastating fire which started in the pastry shop, destroyed the resort on July 2, 1901. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries or fatalities. The staff and community worked together and saved the Spa, Casino and Cottage Row. The day after the fire, Mr. Ingalls, along with resort executives and investors, such as JP Morgan, decided to rebuild the resort. Within a year, March 10, 1902, the Great Hall was completed and The Homestead was back in business.

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[giradman]

Booker T. Washington National Monument

Near Smith Mountain Lake (several pics below - and a great get-away about 2 hrs from our home) is the Booker T. Washington National Monument) - in pre-Civil War 1856, Booker was born a slave on a plantation in the locale on the maps below (and before Smith Mountain Lake even existed) - post-Civil War, he became a famous orator, educator (see the sign related to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama), and confidant to USA Presidents - several paragraphs below (Source). Many of his sayings are still quoted and he has been the dedication on coins & stamps.

We've been to the site probably three times over the years - easy stop if going to Roanoke, Smith Mountain Lake, or Appomattox (several future posts) - there is a small visitor's center and a self-guided tour of the grounds which shows slave quarter log shacks - live animals are maintained on the property and costumed guides are present. Worth a stop w/ plenty to do in the area (and just south of the Natural Bridge & Lexington, VA) - Dave

Booker Taliaferro Washington (April 5, 1856 – November 14, 1915) was an African-American educator, author, orator, and advisor to presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the dominant leader in the African-American community.

Washington was from the last generation of black American leaders born into slavery and became the leading voice of the former slaves and their descendants, who were newly oppressed by disfranchisement and the Jim Crow discriminatory laws enacted in the post-Reconstruction Southern states in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1895 his Atlanta compromisecalled for avoiding confrontation over segregation and instead putting more reliance on long-term educational and economic advancement in the black community.

His base was the Tuskegee Institute, a historically black college in Alabama. As lynchings in the South reached a peak in 1895, Washington gave a speech in Atlanta that made him nationally famous. The speech called for black progress through education and entrepreneurship. His message was that it was not the time to challenge Jim Crow segregation and the disfranchisement of black voters in the South. Washington mobilized a nationwide coalition of middle-class blacks, church leaders, and white philanthropists and politicians, with a long-term goal of building the community's economic strength and pride by a focus on self-help and schooling. Secretly, he supported court challenges to segregation.[1] Black militants in the North, led by W. E. B. Du Bois, at first supported the Atlanta compromise but after 1909 they set up the NAACP and tried with little success to challenge Washington's political machine for leadership in the black community.[2] Decades after Washington's death in 1915, the Civil Rights movement generally moved away from his policies to take the more militant NAACP approach.

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[scifan57]

Booker T. Washington National Monument

Near Smith Mountain Lake (several pics below - and a great get-away about 2 hrs from our home) is the Booker T. Washington National Monument) - in pre-Civil War 1856, Booker was born a slave on a plantation in the locale on the maps below (and before Smith Mountain Lake even existed) - post-Civil War, he became a famous orator, educator (see the sign related to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama), and confidant to USA Presidents - several paragraphs below (Source). Many of his sayings are still quoted and he has been the dedication on coins & stamps.

We've been to the site probably three times over the years - easy stop if going to Roanoke, Smith Mountain Lake, or Appomattox (several future posts) - there is a small visitor's center and a self-guided tour of the grounds which shows slave quarter log shacks - live animals are maintained on the property and costumed guides are present. Worth a stop w/ plenty to do in the area (and just south of the Natural Bridge & Lexington, VA) - Dave


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Thanks. I'd heard of Booker T. Washington but not the memorial.

 

[giradman]

Booker T. Washington was quite an influential African American from the early post-Civil War era into the start of the next century - being honored w/ a 'National Monument' is certainly a credit to his importance. Dave

 

[giradman]

I believe there was also a commemorative half dollar issued to commemorate him.

Yes - I've never seen one in person (or possibly at the Visitor's Center, but has been years since our last visit) - below are some images from the web. Dave
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[scifan57]

He also had two commemorative half dollars issued to commemorate him. One of them was shared with George Washington Carver.