A day at Monticello ... part 1

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Mitchell<br />September 5, 2013

Albemarle County Charlottesville family Lynn R. Mitchell Monticello Thomas Jefferson tourism Virginia history Virginia Is For Lovers A day at Monticello ... part 1

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell September 5, 2013

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U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander James Hoeft going ashore ... thanks for 20 years of service

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbs9palj5_Emt_xwjVvKdlwnDqYhZlrhGCPlukRdIIL4Vz38vVzGF78duuKiDKuRmIxB7rNlyolxVZNoX086JoJAWrwEdz3uyiPwWSELnDWZ7HdPxjqX593QI90Qg2RSOH4Bz5055NBs7/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbs9palj5_Emt_xwjVvKdlwnDqYhZlrhGCPlukRdIIL4Vz38vVzGF78duuKiDKuRmIxB7rNlyolxVZNoX086JoJAWrwEdz3uyiPwWSELnDWZ7HdPxjqX593QI90Qg2RSOH4Bz5055NBs7/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Watch</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aye mates, for 20 years</div><div style="text-align: center;">This Sailor has stood the watch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While some of us were in our bunks at night</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seaman Hoeft stood the watch</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />While some of us were in school learning our trade</div><div style="text-align: center;">Electronics Technician Third Class Hoeft stood the watch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen<br />brewing on the horizon of history,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ensign Hoeft stood the watch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many times he would cast an eye ashore</div><div style="text-align: center;">and see his family standing there</div><div style="text-align: center;">Needing his guidance and help</div><div style="text-align: center;">Needing that hand to hold during those hard times</div><div style="text-align: center;">But Lieutenant Junior Grade Hoeft stood the watch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He stood the watch for twenty years</div><div style="text-align: center;">He stood the watch so that we, our families and</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our fellow countrymen, could sleep soundly in safety,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each and every night,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Knowing that Lieutenant Hoeft stood the watch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, we are here to say</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shipmate ... the watch stands relieved</div><div style="text-align: center;">Relieved by those you have trained, guided, and led</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lieutenant Commander Hoeft, you stand relieved</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have the watch! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Boatswain, stand by to pipe the side, shipmate going ashore! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3AeDvioAfE_gL9fURGSjLNT-pHbGDtjctkBe1gVRycnHjPueeB_oSybqed-cu5KwpnNINJRyHBZOnapuGhF94xzmwx5PoTWvbtL45CEAdtiV9eTBgunOwg1dTzrLXVN6CsnrjCftB63c/s1600/_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3AeDvioAfE_gL9fURGSjLNT-pHbGDtjctkBe1gVRycnHjPueeB_oSybqed-cu5KwpnNINJRyHBZOnapuGhF94xzmwx5PoTWvbtL45CEAdtiV9eTBgunOwg1dTzrLXVN6CsnrjCftB63c/s400/_12.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Jim Hoeft sits at the Governor's conference table in Richmond. </i><br /><i>Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2011/02/part-2-bloggers-at-bill-bollings.html">4th Annual Bloggers Day</a> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>February 16, 2011</i></div><br />We know him as Jim or JR who was the founder of <a href="http://www.bearingdrift.com/">Bearing Drift</a> and now has founded <a href="http://www.vapolitics.us/">Virginia Politics On Demand,</a> recruiting top-notch bloggers to help provide news and information to the Virginia blogosphere. He has covered Republican Advances, Eric Cantor's Republican Roundup, candidate events, interviewed elected officials and those running for office, and fill in for radio personalities. That is the Jim I've known since 2006.<br /><br />Jim's other career was as an officer in the U.S. Navy and, in a ceremony in Virginia Beach on Friday, September 13, 2013, he retired after 20 years of service.<br /><br />His Naval career began in 1992 at the Recruit Training Center in Orlando, Florida. From 1992-93 he was at Nuclear Power Training Command in Orland, and in 1993-94 part of Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, SC. He ended up in Newport News, Va, from 1994-96 with the PCU Cheyenne (SSN 773). He spent 1996-99 at Old Dominion University NROTC, 2000 in Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, RI, and returned to the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) from 2000-02 and the USS Ponce (LPD 15) from 2002-03.<br /><br />Jim found his niche in public affairs:<br /><blockquote>2003-06: U.S. Fleet Forces Command<br />TAD: Hurricane Katrina<br />Navy Expedition Combat Command<br /><br />2006-07: Navy Personnel Development Command<br /><br />2007-08: Navy Public Affairs Support Element<br />TAD: Amphibious Squadron 8 embarked<br />USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3)<br /><br />2008-11: Joint Public Affairs Support Element<br />TAD: Operation Assured Delivery<br />Operation Odyssey Dawn embarked USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC 20)<br />Pakistan Flood Relief<br />Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill<br /><br />2011-13: Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command<br />IA: United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti</blockquote>Congratulations to our friend and colleague with best wishes for the next chapter in his life and a sincere thank you for 20 years of service to our country.<br /><br />Cross-posted at <a href="http://vapolitics.us/2013/09/u-s-navy-lieutenant-commander-james-hoeft-going-ashore-thanks-for-20-years-of-service/">Virginia Politics On Demand </a><br /><br /><i>Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell</i>

Bearing Drift Bill Bolling Bloggers Day Jim Hoeft Lieutenant Commander James Hoeft Lynn R. Mitchell U.S. Navy Virginia Politics On Demand U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander James Hoeft going ashore ... thanks for 20 years of service

The Watch Aye mates, for 20 years This Sailor has stood the watch. While some of us were in our bunks at night Seaman Hoeft stood the watch ...

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9/11 ... our American flags are flying

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeKU0I0VrS7nZcQbWrx_GWJG8ql3I5RUIq9_2ZGxNoQjcvPBAEtYO-Ck_i1ff0ptRWIQohKOEuwNMxiagOWJVv64S7YphNUAALEf-CXr-VPYbenUzNtMiHLHo_zsi4wxKsRTB8qFUHelH/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeKU0I0VrS7nZcQbWrx_GWJG8ql3I5RUIq9_2ZGxNoQjcvPBAEtYO-Ck_i1ff0ptRWIQohKOEuwNMxiagOWJVv64S7YphNUAALEf-CXr-VPYbenUzNtMiHLHo_zsi4wxKsRTB8qFUHelH/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">Our American flags are up ... not much of a breeze on this sunny, warm September day.</span> </div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />September 11, 2013

9/11/2001 American flags honor Lynn R. Mitchell never forget Terrorism 9/11 ... our American flags are flying

  Our American flags are up ... not much of a breeze on this sunny, warm September day. Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell September 11, 2013

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'There's some good in this world ... and it's worth fighting for'

<a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2006/10/theres-some-good-in-this-world-and-its.html"><i>[Encore post from October 24, 2006, during the George Allen campaign]</i></a><br /><br />Got home early last night - around midnight - early for these campaign days of putting in 12- and 16-hour days at headquarters. I work hard as a volunteer ... the local activists say I live at HQs. Not true ... but not far off....<br /><br />My 19-year-old daughter was still awake when I walked in the door. She hugged me and we sat in the living room and talked and talked ... even teens need their mommies once in a while.<br /><br />She understands my need to help in the political process. I got involved in politics in 1999 when she was 12 years old - the first BUSH campaign. She's lived with this for a long time. She sees my intensity. She learned American history, government, and politics from me - her home school teacher.<br /><br />After 9/11 it became more intense. I felt an urgency, a need to do what I could to put the right leaders in position to protect my family and my country.<br /><br />My daughter shares my love of America and, while not the political junkie I am, she understands my need to be involved. She sees my interest and love of politics ... but she also sees when I'm tired, beat down, feeling the attacks....<br /><br />We talked a long while about all sorts of things ... and then she put "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," a movie I had not seen, in the DVD player. She fast-forwarded to one particular scene.<br /><br />It brought tears to my eyes ... because it proved without a doubt that she got it. She understood what I was doing. She understood what I was going through.<br /><br />She was showing me a scene between Frodo and Sam where Frodo feels he can't go on ... and Sam is explaining how and why they must go on. I hugged my daughter to me and told her it was exactly what I needed to see ... and somehow my sweet girl had known that.<br /><blockquote><b>Frodo:</b> I can't do this, Sam.<br /><br /><b>Sam:</b> I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something.<br /><br /><b>Frodo:</b> What are we holding on to, Sam?<br /><br /><b>Sam:</b> There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for. </blockquote>

family Frodo George Allen Lord of the Rings Lynn R. Mitchell politics Sam some good worth fighting for 'There's some good in this world ... and it's worth fighting for'

[Encore post from October 24, 2006, during the George Allen campaign] Got home early last night - around midnight - early for these campaign...

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Adventures with Barb: Rockingham County and Liskey's sweet corn

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK63OoE824NXRDooU8CQz5sLvIZKWlyr6xPYTMnfKGtQGeNThyphenhyphenXrJVVCSNxNqZGHsI3CFiIKj8i-NMRFqgqxjRJD8NM3qxY10YaSfk1CaVhIE-5A9Y_codk3PQ1cRlQueCL1lbylfqvJLd/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK63OoE824NXRDooU8CQz5sLvIZKWlyr6xPYTMnfKGtQGeNThyphenhyphenXrJVVCSNxNqZGHsI3CFiIKj8i-NMRFqgqxjRJD8NM3qxY10YaSfk1CaVhIE-5A9Y_codk3PQ1cRlQueCL1lbylfqvJLd/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It was pouring rain in the Shenandoah Valley today but that didn't stop my friend Barb and me from heading north to Rockingham County for some Liskey's sweet corn straight out of the field. Their popular roadside stand is usually packed with vehicles as consumers from near and far stop to buy some of the freshest, just-out-of-the-field corn around.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdAmBxEgElkq3C94JsV5CXH5vr21HWd_v0zO_a09TQCc_HH-vxaOWZsvsizewQougyG_Y6z236Ne-kWokR0JQmtOJyVcXEXLV5nxwKXKGrOUP3aRyAr9lePxoNKoTjAj5I_SbnJdeO8yW/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdAmBxEgElkq3C94JsV5CXH5vr21HWd_v0zO_a09TQCc_HH-vxaOWZsvsizewQougyG_Y6z236Ne-kWokR0JQmtOJyVcXEXLV5nxwKXKGrOUP3aRyAr9lePxoNKoTjAj5I_SbnJdeO8yW/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfOZkWPaxVC8_HfA3AYJidYRwmwhOpsKqdrpcFfvT9Pum5829uZ_w334JD-sV4MZl9cDjRpH2NI5WHOIS3xNxDW1GcdoVy0ciJnJI3wxR5uPHcqOavfgPEtyMR6dwMcebmzT0W_ItckGC/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfOZkWPaxVC8_HfA3AYJidYRwmwhOpsKqdrpcFfvT9Pum5829uZ_w334JD-sV4MZl9cDjRpH2NI5WHOIS3xNxDW1GcdoVy0ciJnJI3wxR5uPHcqOavfgPEtyMR6dwMcebmzT0W_ItckGC/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Today's fog and heavy rain made it a quiet adventure today since we were the only ones under the tent picking through a heaping mound of corn as we looked for big, just-right ears. Together we bought five dozen -- some for friends, some for family, some for freezing, some for eating.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBOzo-sCVTv25IxJJgYVcY_ZLpTQGxMhKdXX8NGXgLoXNPbT9KkU01prna8KA5m4Wvf2IZzRhl7P__R6sMNYE8o1nBrc_I9pRLdwuQhMw93THS724QnFKshYG_gH61IWPXFJCNSPmxEMp/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBOzo-sCVTv25IxJJgYVcY_ZLpTQGxMhKdXX8NGXgLoXNPbT9KkU01prna8KA5m4Wvf2IZzRhl7P__R6sMNYE8o1nBrc_I9pRLdwuQhMw93THS724QnFKshYG_gH61IWPXFJCNSPmxEMp/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfvi0zppLs_PaQPvOpAPeo4U9mp64RJQmuY_ecM_noO_Ut34uHzUFChz2DoDLksTuN8fCGzOOAceXtaMau2smHB3JJCBvn7QNBMMWW7uaWqZF_c0EnxkNCLpwG332dTTLwm000fGuuWUq/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfvi0zppLs_PaQPvOpAPeo4U9mp64RJQmuY_ecM_noO_Ut34uHzUFChz2DoDLksTuN8fCGzOOAceXtaMau2smHB3JJCBvn7QNBMMWW7uaWqZF_c0EnxkNCLpwG332dTTLwm000fGuuWUq/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6hNocjMSi7uWwsa1tQu0BVxygaK5piRIUcwd7mLrLXkiM8EWABGmTcuFOcF__yAHenx0bJAGvAPxxs7hk-HXvmoMC3xAK5XTMdFAB2W6nLhW-kgkAxWi5TsMNDk-Ll08b5bi5d_ZzENe/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6hNocjMSi7uWwsa1tQu0BVxygaK5piRIUcwd7mLrLXkiM8EWABGmTcuFOcF__yAHenx0bJAGvAPxxs7hk-HXvmoMC3xAK5XTMdFAB2W6nLhW-kgkAxWi5TsMNDk-Ll08b5bi5d_ZzENe/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />By 10:30 some of the ears I had purchased were shucked and boiling on my stove. We had corn for lunch and corn for dinner. <i>Yum.</i><br /><br />As we drove back through the rain and fog to Augusta with our prized ears, I told Barb about a growing-up memory when I was a little girl in Chesterfield County. My mom and aunt would buy dozens of ears of corn on the cob, parboil it, and slice it off the cobs into freezer bags for good winter eating. My sister and I would sit eagerly at the table waiting for leftover cobs that had just enough of the good kernels left for nibbling. That was some <i>gooood</i> eating. Barb has done her share of putting up corn in the freezer, too.<br /><br />Memories and summertime corn. It was all good today.<br /><br />The Liskeys have been growing and selling corn for 29 years. Mrs. Liskey said they will be there for another 10 days or so and then that will be it for this year. With Labor Day cookouts this weekend, you may want to get some for the grill.<br /><br />The stand is on Rt. 11 just south of the Rockingham Farmers Market (with the windmills) and is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Corn is priced $5.50/dozen, $3/half dozen, and $0.50 an ear. The fields surround the stand ... it is as fresh as it can be -- picked each morning. Their phone number is 540.434.2196.<br /><br />Summer and corn-on-the-cob. As Andy Griffith would say, "Hmm, hmm, good!"<br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />August 28, 2013

Adventures with Barb Augusta County Chesterfield County family farm market friends Harrisonburg John Liskey Liskey's corn Lynn R. Mitchell Patsy Liskey Rockingham County Shenandoah Valley Adventures with Barb: Rockingham County and Liskey's sweet corn

 It was pouring rain in the Shenandoah Valley today but that didn't stop my friend Barb and me from heading north to Rockingham County ...

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Staunton weekend lunch with the Bollings

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNCCC4BujqCQgt_BG28E7KJI6FWecDXAEKlFtI-u4LWAH7wnFsInODK6_OCb3DzYYxUi1AySxEl0LGTtYgAsm5szgsLL1pBIzBrXxA0M_1Xw88vMRcvk0-aoBT9AuuxiawZDbfo7cCd8-/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNCCC4BujqCQgt_BG28E7KJI6FWecDXAEKlFtI-u4LWAH7wnFsInODK6_OCb3DzYYxUi1AySxEl0LGTtYgAsm5szgsLL1pBIzBrXxA0M_1Xw88vMRcvk0-aoBT9AuuxiawZDbfo7cCd8-/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and wife Jean Ann at Staunton's Depot Grille over the weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBam-uLCHysEWPHKqdLS0mlkM-OyD61J7BTpQFJrXq7HWgwJSzhG2lZyipWeu1py9vpoI9SjXoQeEpzRyHLf7I96Bis7zJIeg74ziyH74u334bbv5MB7rfR_krJ6iieI3oOHBQOh9c4ws/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBam-uLCHysEWPHKqdLS0mlkM-OyD61J7BTpQFJrXq7HWgwJSzhG2lZyipWeu1py9vpoI9SjXoQeEpzRyHLf7I96Bis7zJIeg74ziyH74u334bbv5MB7rfR_krJ6iieI3oOHBQOh9c4ws/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Lieutenant Governor and Dr. Kurt Michael at the historic downtown Staunton train station.  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsiXpkTaBePHp3QtLrkIzfOiXbtMIITW9HnYtGJSWma5lUOpQMJ4lOCdzCLgEF07v0oLdy6nYh-IQ2IFuM4pqiw4rrrWMOOG3ZTxYTRhyphenhyphen60WMgcmt9SKLdHhyJUxFa8cnK9KYg_uSskIo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsiXpkTaBePHp3QtLrkIzfOiXbtMIITW9HnYtGJSWma5lUOpQMJ4lOCdzCLgEF07v0oLdy6nYh-IQ2IFuM4pqiw4rrrWMOOG3ZTxYTRhyphenhyphen60WMgcmt9SKLdHhyJUxFa8cnK9KYg_uSskIo/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQEVc1J1kaGTb3iG4IdsV9MTCluS3Gx85lc3T9P61uLVveqZIGdaYqf_wkRZdR2CoK0V0Ya0Mi559DIu1snnzjuubY47vAdHb490AyYiLjMD5CTjTfyy3z6P_f016kDLWezH7wDYhUJye/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQEVc1J1kaGTb3iG4IdsV9MTCluS3Gx85lc3T9P61uLVveqZIGdaYqf_wkRZdR2CoK0V0Ya0Mi559DIu1snnzjuubY47vAdHb490AyYiLjMD5CTjTfyy3z6P_f016kDLWezH7wDYhUJye/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jean Ann and Bill Bolling on the railroad bridge behind the Depot Grille Restaurant with a commanding view of downtown Staunton.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEbBwqW45YkoCtMP1avcXjGT1b0IUvyQpQsAJI9GED-PC1n7MkzNlQE2gc3cx43NJ2b8Gt7_wC_juhOtGUQpZvzUctG97HDQdsBBXlvOZE9RA67Ay9ns-ZZNPNFLK44E8TgFhRNNG_6tx/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEbBwqW45YkoCtMP1avcXjGT1b0IUvyQpQsAJI9GED-PC1n7MkzNlQE2gc3cx43NJ2b8Gt7_wC_juhOtGUQpZvzUctG97HDQdsBBXlvOZE9RA67Ay9ns-ZZNPNFLK44E8TgFhRNNG_6tx/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jean Ann Bolling, Kurt Michael, Bill Bolling</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aEPNqfQm9oyf-jJEu6MC8KsO3B-HqBzTx5K2PlORbrShsXgQpc0SELy3D-q_v_SHL3kUBXxAzA2neq_M4hO_Z-p3_qutakXNc7jax2XBtPsawpozzkhJVa1vgMXeSnedcbhIErS0lSSw/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aEPNqfQm9oyf-jJEu6MC8KsO3B-HqBzTx5K2PlORbrShsXgQpc0SELy3D-q_v_SHL3kUBXxAzA2neq_M4hO_Z-p3_qutakXNc7jax2XBtPsawpozzkhJVa1vgMXeSnedcbhIErS0lSSw/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sears Hill observation deck overlooking the train station and downtown Staunton.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRT0vuGfm2ISa-Ha5ObI53aCKoc-DuE7O2I5iVSG4-n2PDL0XP_P1NSHXiGD9lwKV7kVJZshL-p8yl1P40lpb1VU6GMTOaR_NhxM6sHdUvuqKvhuAjaeWadGGIGnM5Q62TfsUwyZpRL7p/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRT0vuGfm2ISa-Ha5ObI53aCKoc-DuE7O2I5iVSG4-n2PDL0XP_P1NSHXiGD9lwKV7kVJZshL-p8yl1P40lpb1VU6GMTOaR_NhxM6sHdUvuqKvhuAjaeWadGGIGnM5Q62TfsUwyZpRL7p/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg83Uk8_R6rChg5IAC8c3zircuCbSRjBd9myhFgMDkFssWd20n6PZkwwM17GWygrGgMp1dGD8O7JhsFMVh60PZAhdKLtEW-tAlOYlLCUsGg2WDC4bIjBXb8ybwFMLBZYfodtvadTtVY3p/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg83Uk8_R6rChg5IAC8c3zircuCbSRjBd9myhFgMDkFssWd20n6PZkwwM17GWygrGgMp1dGD8O7JhsFMVh60PZAhdKLtEW-tAlOYlLCUsGg2WDC4bIjBXb8ybwFMLBZYfodtvadTtVY3p/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Heading up Sears Hill to look over the city from the observation deck.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM2KMGAmq7MT1nky7DFyXkkHfmZRPm2R7eTsIYiYz-RDtoW0sBbL76JbNQFux7keJD-kTTaZJH4SkSNW8mCckF_RGUHKmfhxgzwIvSNkJANuxEeBX0lWMz385KYVsrRCEdxrUq28wSsi1/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM2KMGAmq7MT1nky7DFyXkkHfmZRPm2R7eTsIYiYz-RDtoW0sBbL76JbNQFux7keJD-kTTaZJH4SkSNW8mCckF_RGUHKmfhxgzwIvSNkJANuxEeBX0lWMz385KYVsrRCEdxrUq28wSsi1/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Walking the downtown streets of Staunton on a beautiful day with temps in the mid-70s.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />August 17, 2013

Bill Bolling Depot Grille Historic Downtown Staunton Jean Ann Bolling Kurt Michael Lynn R. Mitchell Sears Hill bridge Shenandoah Valley Staunton Virginia Is For Lovers Staunton weekend lunch with the Bollings

Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and wife Jean Ann at Staunton's Depot Grille over the weekend. The Lieutenant Governor a...

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Photo: Bill and Jean Ann Bolling on Staunton's Sears Hill bridge

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKb9Dvs5qo3a-apfUYn4h5lBO7jXDvEbSG0q8pU7fboiDARVy9ZK8LPA_3tjzOqAGZ4PS2dMs6DO4W6Bye-W6pZquG9lWh5idtKuxmxklHUgR36YWxCHi07wElq1go9MIVQFd9VLN_4eK/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKb9Dvs5qo3a-apfUYn4h5lBO7jXDvEbSG0q8pU7fboiDARVy9ZK8LPA_3tjzOqAGZ4PS2dMs6DO4W6Bye-W6pZquG9lWh5idtKuxmxklHUgR36YWxCHi07wElq1go9MIVQFd9VLN_4eK/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">Lunch Saturday with Lieutenant Governor <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=12220636661&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/bollingva?directed_target_id=0">Bill Bolling</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100003218640991&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/jeanann.bolling?directed_target_id=0">Jean Ann Bolling</a>, and Dr. <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1118178617&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/Kurt.Y.Michael?directed_target_id=0">Kurt Michael</a> at Depot Grille on a beautiful day in historic Staunton, Virginia. My life is richer for longtime friendships with people who have servant's hearts.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="userContent">"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="userContent">–Martin Luther King Jr.</span> </div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />August 18, 2013

Bill Bolling Depot Grille Jean Ann Bolling Kurt Michael Lynn R. Mitchell Sears Hill bridge Shenandoah Valley Staunton Virginia Photo: Bill and Jean Ann Bolling on Staunton's Sears Hill bridge

  Lunch Saturday with Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling , Jean Ann Bolling , and Dr. Kurt Michael at Depot Grille on a beautiful day in hist...

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SWAC area localities benefit from state tourism grants

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtZ2ca0mg0HMaBCnQt-OopN7ox2YZ-30J6mlwIxalGw-R3DFxolNlBMMxOPnXy4nlEkL1PjOaRadaljl2OEQatafMSXjpZ_ZbC_NEtUSdBUPHJ1iOC0HR3bcAoOziAQuXIXFpfBiEhN04/s1600/LOVE+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtZ2ca0mg0HMaBCnQt-OopN7ox2YZ-30J6mlwIxalGw-R3DFxolNlBMMxOPnXy4nlEkL1PjOaRadaljl2OEQatafMSXjpZ_ZbC_NEtUSdBUPHJ1iOC0HR3bcAoOziAQuXIXFpfBiEhN04/s320/LOVE+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b>Staunton's Convention and Visitors Bureau</b> got the lion's share of Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Grant program for the Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta County (SWAC) area, <a href="http://www.governor.virginia.gov/News/viewRelease.cfm?id=1941">announced on Thursday by Governor Bob McDonnell</a>, with $50,000 destined for use in tourism destination marketing, research, and planning.<br /><br />Tourism is a $20 billion a year revenue generator for the Commonwealth, generally providing 5:1 return in tax revenue and supporting 207,000 jobs. Dollars invested in tourism are proven to provide a 5:1 return in tax revenue for Virginia, and the grant awards and matching funds provide a stimulus to localities seeking to increase tourism visitation and revenue. <br /><br />Other SWAC localities receiving tourism grants are $3,466 to the <b>Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center</b> in downtown Staunton to increase bus tour business; $3,881 to the <b>Artisans Center of Virginia </b>for website development; and $5,000 to the <b>Waynesboro Tourism </b>for their Mountains to Main Street marketing campaign.<br /><br />Virginia's tourism industry is marketed as <a href="http://www.virginia.org/">Virginia Is For Lovers</a>, promoting love at the heart of every Virginia vacation.

Artisans Center Bob McDonnell Lynn R. Mitchell Staunton Convention and Visitors Bureau Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta County Stonewall Jackson Hotel SWAC tourism grants Virginia Is For Lovers SWAC area localities benefit from state tourism grants

Staunton's Convention and Visitors Bureau got the lion's share of Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Grant program f...

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Governor McDonnell tends injured Times-Dispatch reporter

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAatZKxHBtKKD2DEeMiWJeuJm_AFaRAWTG1KIc1cQtaNBFibN7EEHdRkm12i5LWrAaOJoQKsnxf4o3HSAONjndT6eFeDA_-WbO-wO8enap1o5q7dZzR1ekN3eqtN7YMP34iZonZIwXsxm/s1600/Bob+McDonnell+and+injured+reporter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAatZKxHBtKKD2DEeMiWJeuJm_AFaRAWTG1KIc1cQtaNBFibN7EEHdRkm12i5LWrAaOJoQKsnxf4o3HSAONjndT6eFeDA_-WbO-wO8enap1o5q7dZzR1ekN3eqtN7YMP34iZonZIwXsxm/s400/Bob+McDonnell+and+injured+reporter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Governor Bob McDonnell with injured Times-Dispatch reporter Rex Springston.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Mark Gormus with the <a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/reporter-injured-while-covering-oyster-tour/article_d6d2324d-97b6-5549-85b9-75909b75b022.html">Richmond Times-Dispatch</a> </i></div><br />When Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Rex Springston passed out while covering a boat tour with Governor Bob McDonnell on Thursday, one of the first people to spring into action was the Governor himself.<br /><br />Springston, the newspapers environment reporter who was covering McDonnell's tour of an oyster shucking facility in the Northern Neck, had earlier lost his footing and fallen. He had broken his arm in the fall but didn't realize it at the time.<br /><br />Reporter John Hoke picks it up from there:<br /><blockquote><i>The tour included a boat ride to a nearby oyster ground. Springston said that when he jumped into the boat, he stumbled and reached out with his left arm to catch himself. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>“He landed kind of funny,” said Todd P. Haymore, Virginia secretary of agriculture. “The governor caught him.”</i></blockquote>Even though his arm was hurting, Springston carried on with his interview of McDonnell. It was while reviewing those notes that he fainted and crumpled onto the floor of the boat and, when he came to, the Governor was leaning over and tending to him until EMTs arrived to take him to Rappahannock Hospital where the broken arm was discovered and treated.<br /><blockquote><i>Springston said the governor called him at home Wednesday evening to see how he was doing.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>“I’m just glad Rex is doing alright,” McDonnell said in an email. “That was a frightening moment for everyone. It did give me a chance to use some of my old Army medical skills, but I think we both would have preferred to not have had that opportunity.”</i></blockquote>It's nice to see a human interest story and a <a href="http://bearingdrift.com/2013/08/15/bob-mcdonnell-isnt-in-the-washington-post-today/">break from the negativity</a>. Here's wishing a speedy recovery to Mr. Springston.<br /><br />Cross-posted at <a href="http://vapolitics.us/2013/08/governor-mcdonnell-tends-injured-times-dispatch-reporter/">Virginia Politics On Demand </a>

Bob McDonnell George W. Bush John Hoke Lynn R. Mitchell Northern Neck Rex Springston Richmond Times-Dispatch Virginia Governor McDonnell tends injured Times-Dispatch reporter

Governor Bob McDonnell with injured Times-Dispatch reporter Rex Springston. Photo by Mark Gormus with the Richmond Times-Dispatch When Rich...

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Frontier Culture Museum is one of '10 Places for Kids to Fall in LOVE with History'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzMCX7gVpEj-s-gbf6ztBbz-vydky3u1L9QnfXuD6YquvRK6vtKm9d63iZiEeCSiWUOJXdl7paFMdziJCTvTrS4J7uq0pIt8lmGfn_FqFuwpDfQOo9P-m6DyjbhaXA39cIDDxHA7XTmMB/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzMCX7gVpEj-s-gbf6ztBbz-vydky3u1L9QnfXuD6YquvRK6vtKm9d63iZiEeCSiWUOJXdl7paFMdziJCTvTrS4J7uq0pIt8lmGfn_FqFuwpDfQOo9P-m6DyjbhaXA39cIDDxHA7XTmMB/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Counselor Heidi Salatin helps summer camp participant learn how to draw water from a well at the 2013 Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia's summer camp.</i></div><br />In the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, take a break from the fast pace of life to haul up buckets of water from a well ... feed chickens ... help mix bread and make cheese at the English Farm. These are just a few of the hands-on activities available at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia in the central Shenandoah Valley.<br /><br /><b>Virginia Is For Lovers</b>, the tourism site for the Commonwealth, has included this popular museum as one of its <a href="http://blog.virginia.org/2013/08/10-places-for-kids-to-fall-in-love-with-history/">"10 Places for Kids to Fall in LOVE with History"</a> -- and what a great pick it is!<br /><br />Listed with the likes of Williamsburg and Jamestown, the brief description includes a link to the site that gives a fuller feel of all the FCMV has to offer:<br /><blockquote><i>The <a href="http://blog.virginia.org/2013/08/10-places-for-kids-to-fall-in-love-with-history/">Frontier Culture Museum</a> in Staunton features life on five different farms — German, Scots-Irish, English, American, and the newest – West African. Meet the farm animals and homesteaders living life in their Old World tradition just as they would have prior to coming to America. $10/adult; $9/student aged 13 through 18; $6 per child aged 6 to 12.</i> </blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2qyGrYbz2WLdGe7RNALCCVzDOAGdN11budKpskcvKYXDrE1EAqhm2TMPgE-5iucqoHY1MpENsZQnpxNf5V1-pu366ENcdCzdQSY7i4tP85gxsUcXWgoAq2t9Innv80cYgeSdYpXFdYe4/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2qyGrYbz2WLdGe7RNALCCVzDOAGdN11budKpskcvKYXDrE1EAqhm2TMPgE-5iucqoHY1MpENsZQnpxNf5V1-pu366ENcdCzdQSY7i4tP85gxsUcXWgoAq2t9Innv80cYgeSdYpXFdYe4/s640/18.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />There's so much to do at the Frontier Culture Museum ... it's the Busch Gardens of history museums!<br /><br />Surrounded by the natural beauty of trees and fields and mountains, the quiet of the peaceful setting is often broken by the laughter of children who scamper along the two miles of trails or dart for a nearby fence to ooh and ahh over the animals.<br /><br />Spring brings lambs and piglets and chicks. Summer brings <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/?page_id=513">camps</a> attended by dozens of children. Fall brings school groups and cooler temps. Winter has a special beauty as the pace slows down.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-8r_530UlyPwIxrQJThSbgBaNrXhGBKqdJA-2I1la3ZaQdeAD1iQtWeMbjG_6vQwUlmSGH4ZfVSR4PJa4-NZqLTfm-uKUOoMeiWmaBHhHYUYd_M1HdSps7jrydzeW5nFAc_tgj8dzUJw/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-8r_530UlyPwIxrQJThSbgBaNrXhGBKqdJA-2I1la3ZaQdeAD1iQtWeMbjG_6vQwUlmSGH4ZfVSR4PJa4-NZqLTfm-uKUOoMeiWmaBHhHYUYd_M1HdSps7jrydzeW5nFAc_tgj8dzUJw/s400/32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Dressing in period costumes is part of the fun for the <a href="http://frontierculturemuseum.blogspot.com/2012/08/john-lewis-society-feast.html">John Lewis Society</a> members, ages 12-16, who are assigned to one of the farms and mentor with on-site interpreters, learning to work with the animals, participate in daily activities, help with household chores, and become interpreters who interact with the museum's visitors. </div><br />The Frontier Culture Museum is unique by providing the perspective of immigrants from various cultures who traveled to colonial America to begin a new life. Beginning in the 1600s, they sailed from <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/?page_id=308">England</a>, Germany, Ireland, and <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/?page_id=303">West Africa</a>, bringing with them the skills and beliefs of the communities they left behind. They became American pioneers.<br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;">A one-mile loop takes in the <b>Old Country</b> with authentic or reproduced farms providing a wealth of hands-on opportunities for young and old alike.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuok-1xx1Fay1uW_1PrKOki6UU5SWPhMqPJ3hpkeww5kR-ki44RTZHQj3BSeZnU2Nu4tsDCp46UDrCLDYK-Ym7QWSPs3Ny6vH-nlzTYwEtVH-XjOEbT_JV7kvJfrAshRD2tupOIpN9CAc7/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuok-1xx1Fay1uW_1PrKOki6UU5SWPhMqPJ3hpkeww5kR-ki44RTZHQj3BSeZnU2Nu4tsDCp46UDrCLDYK-Ym7QWSPs3Ny6vH-nlzTYwEtVH-XjOEbT_JV7kvJfrAshRD2tupOIpN9CAc7/s640/5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;">In <b>England</b>, interpreters Sally Landes, Dick Spencer, and others explain a typical day in the life of a 1600s English farm with food demonstrations, sheep sheering, wool gathering, gardening, and even a May Pole in the springtime. Children may be asked to help cook but -- first and foremost! -- they wash their hands in the water bucket. </span><br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Germany's</b> garden, house, and </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">oversized barn</span> offer kids a chance to try an outdoor German game, walk in wooden shoes, and watch chickens peck for bugs. Interpreters may be hoeing in the garden, explaining farm equipment in the barn, or describing a day in the house. </span><br /><br /><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXAvrZkFJ53cOYcg9l3v_OTPekd31SJm4A9vhO_0xvPLZt_c7uexUnGyhhD7bnaRRGKXN63YJPfF14jox_-L-1l2LNqOaZ6dy1NoO4Q0DpYuNwFJWr74Q_fzP_myWKKBaOC3je51vnMvL/s400/23.jpg" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxzONJsHHqGvXqfh2zOG9qfpKd8GQba6XkPx6vtDNHX1x2C_3IcsMULoRIn-m9ZUMl9S_ksx5bW6sksKn9-7MbaAWnrY5twTZNbOjtzGg3_aTxARMGWviPrmmdOVPE-gaXM7Qa8LeNJ9M/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;">The <b>Irish Farm</b> stands out with its stone walls and pigs in the front yard. Try one of the beds in the tight quarters or help cook over the fire. Outside, a small kitchen garden supports the household and authentic cattle are in the field.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWswhvwZWuuRQFFwjkvoQpVkLwjeAQt-pAsmA_hDx2oXnw-qDLl6suQptD8sbr7SvNj9k7ZM_ic7PeuQbHJq97ISjUTysPMW2bF1BDgAS2gWM35sSKe24mIojw5HkqYgS7Yqn5zcw1cGW0/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWswhvwZWuuRQFFwjkvoQpVkLwjeAQt-pAsmA_hDx2oXnw-qDLl6suQptD8sbr7SvNj9k7ZM_ic7PeuQbHJq97ISjUTysPMW2bF1BDgAS2gWM35sSKe24mIojw5HkqYgS7Yqn5zcw1cGW0/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;">The 1700s <b>Igbo West Africa</b> family compound is made up of several buildings, garden, and goat pen surrounded by a fence typical of the day to keep out wild animals. </span><br /><br />With low, windowless thatched-roof buildings, the dark interior stays cool from the hot sun.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxzONJsHHqGvXqfh2zOG9qfpKd8GQba6XkPx6vtDNHX1x2C_3IcsMULoRIn-m9ZUMl9S_ksx5bW6sksKn9-7MbaAWnrY5twTZNbOjtzGg3_aTxARMGWviPrmmdOVPE-gaXM7Qa8LeNJ9M/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyirR4A7hs_Z8yaBIoBHVPgmwRT75msd78zApuGG6BbQ-dxAVwrnOn6MDrMITvS-gWxickUK3iw5jGTC64TGuuTHXUyqa5sDagAI51RjeNqUJl1diTI-AOsacQPJCiu9p_pXZypajsF37/s640/20.jpg" width="425" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENlAhShnHrHamUMIHjDruv3crxKRyIAORxhs4lcPzNoEB1Jgqjif6TsJn9LEA-krhfR6K43leSdnhSeFGbCaOG4PLil6YIU45vXBq3umYMVkc0ZeRpdi0NjqVSA-9G0G62x6otrqxt5TS/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;">There's the <b><a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/?page_id=318">Irish forge</a></b> blacksmith shop where a step into its dark interior reveals tools, craftsmanship, and the unique thatched building itself, and the nearby creek and <b>pond</b> (outside the window) with ducks and quiet seating to take a break in the shade. Costumed interpreters enjoy talking with families and demonstrating life as it was at that time in history, with opportunities for children to watch, observe, and help when it's safe.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW40bXFub91vI01f54Hc4rptN1fIev8-KsIbhbPFu-IN_Dqa638ustjpkaUk8FWmRAiwgaD813qxNXh1TzbGKExoEl3XRHlmSz1jVqGeHDK3_CYueL5jXpGti2f0PEXNdB2Gf2CrdG6sGw/s1600/48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW40bXFub91vI01f54Hc4rptN1fIev8-KsIbhbPFu-IN_Dqa638ustjpkaUk8FWmRAiwgaD813qxNXh1TzbGKExoEl3XRHlmSz1jVqGeHDK3_CYueL5jXpGti2f0PEXNdB2Gf2CrdG6sGw/s320/48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">The second loop goes to the <b>New World</b> represented by two American farmsteads representing the 1820s and 1850s as well as a colonial school house, a one-room early American log cabin circa 1700s, and a Native American encampment. Harvesting the fields, caring for animals, carving, stockpiling wood piles, cooking, cleaning, sewing ... the list is endless of chores that were routine for pioneer families. </span><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">In the <b>American farm houses</b>, children may be asked if they would like to help cook, sort eggs, sew a quilt, or play early American games.</span><br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;">In the <b>one-room log cabin</b>, there is ongoing work cutting logs, splitting fence posts and railings, and other early American survival skills. Step inside ... but don't forget to duck to miss the low overhang. Many bathrooms in today's houses are larger than the cabin. Look in the garden to see what's growing ... it could be tobacco or another cash plant.</span><br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Take a look at the <b>barn</b> and farm equipment and, if you're lucky, a horse team will be there cutting hay while sheep graze in the adjoining meadow.  </span><br /><br /><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxzONJsHHqGvXqfh2zOG9qfpKd8GQba6XkPx6vtDNHX1x2C_3IcsMULoRIn-m9ZUMl9S_ksx5bW6sksKn9-7MbaAWnrY5twTZNbOjtzGg3_aTxARMGWviPrmmdOVPE-gaXM7Qa8LeNJ9M/s400/31.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYgY0KNU-uIlq58YVdW3fD5hVr0CwlPO5LerQcVa4F4fQ4OFwp5-J9wcaGXg_pJfRb4tXLDGRgz3JWgsZTXYqi-U3dXmb_R4IsjWSDU7sxo9jS1EOCByFNRcTdsniinXvX8QvKbAWujP-/s1600/51.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></span><br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;">The <b>Native American encampment</b> is a work in progress, representative of all Indian nations who passed through the Shenandoah Valley. Costumed interpreters are happy to answer questions and demonstrate the work going on in that part of the museum. Feel free to step inside the shelters and check out tools.</span> <br /><br />The Frontier Culture Museum is a children's playground of wonder full of fun and exercise. But don't tell them they're learning history, geography, various cultures, and getting in some P.E. at the same time. Just let them think they're having fun.<br /><br /><i>Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell</i>

10 Places for Kids to Fall in LOVE with History Dick Spencer Frontier Culture Museum Heidi Salatin John Lewis Society Lynn R. Mitchell Sally Landes Shenandoah Valley tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Frontier Culture Museum is one of '10 Places for Kids to Fall in LOVE with History'

Counselor Heidi Salatin helps summer camp participant learn how to draw water from a well at the 2013 Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia...

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McDonnell welcomes STEM education to Lynchburg

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNpGmfgNvpfIcCan7G6aZQ4OHnlWgJ5H2CiuQ9pn9rwa1exLq77ejTTUP-BgG_PPDwg3kvTuegpcL7RVZcQOLaZpi4AoyfA7m1MZcFbJ8TZ4i8R-YrQLhuw8LUmulK1Udr7Al_NS1t4Hi/s1600/Bob+McDonnell+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNpGmfgNvpfIcCan7G6aZQ4OHnlWgJ5H2CiuQ9pn9rwa1exLq77ejTTUP-BgG_PPDwg3kvTuegpcL7RVZcQOLaZpi4AoyfA7m1MZcFbJ8TZ4i8R-YrQLhuw8LUmulK1Udr7Al_NS1t4Hi/s1600/Bob+McDonnell+5.jpg" /></a></div><br />Bringing more science-based education to Virginia's students has been a priority of Governor Bob McDonnell and so, on Monday, he was in Lynchburg to <a href="http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/virginia-opens-16th-stem-academy-in-lynchburg/-/20128466/21429128/-/uthgpo/-/index.html">open XLR8, the 16th STEM Academy</a>, at Central Virginia Community College. It's a move that will provide students with access to lab equipment and classroom space, and open a world of possibilities. <br /><br />The goal of STEM -- an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math -- is to help close the gap between education and industry, and further the economic vitality of the region. The overall program motivates students with hands-on learning to solve real problems with real solutions in a real-world situation. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83593">InTech</a> reported in 2010 that STEM was a necessary part of future education because "most jobs of the future will require a basic understanding of math and science—10-year employment projections by the U.S. Department of Labor show that of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected for 2014, 15 of them require significant mathematics or science preparation." They also noted, "The 2010 ACT College and Career Readiness report found only 29% of the tested 2010 graduates are considered college-ready in science and 43% are considered college-ready in math."<br /><br />The STEM Academy curriculum works toward leveling the playing field for American students, offering them an opportunity to learn in an innovative, engaging classroom where they will develop critical thinking skills through hands-on, project-based learning. STEM Academy students will receive dual enrollment credits for all courses, allowing them the option to work toward a college degree. <br /><br />Additionally, the STEM Academy will offer transfer possibilities through articulation agreements with local colleges and universities for students wishing to continue their education. STEM Academy students will also be able to earn industry certifications, allowing for job readiness upon program completion. <br /><br />The Governor, who is fulfilling a campaign promise to Virginia students, noted, "We set a goal of making sure that every student, regardless of their zip code, would have access to a high quality education," and continued:<br /><blockquote>“Making sure Virginia’s students have access to the best education possible is the single most important thing we can do to ensure their success in the future. In today’s highly technical global economy, careers in science, technology, engineering and math are on the rise. <br /><br />"In order for our students to be successful and fill rapidly expanding technical jobs, we must ensure mastery of the STEM subjects. Over the last three years, we have seen a doubling of STEM academies in the Commonwealth. <br /><br />"Today, I am pleased to join XLR8, Central Virginia Community College and AREVA to cut the ribbon and officially open the Commonwealth’s 16th STEM academy. STEM academies are partnerships created between K-12 schools and our colleges which provide our students with new opportunities through the use of state of the art labs, access to instructors at the college level, and the ability to earn dual course credit.”</blockquote>Providing more science, technology, engineering, and math to students is a partnership of private business and government. In Lynchburg, the new STEM school has been a joint effort of Region 2000 Technology Council, Future Focus Foundation and Workforce Investment Board; Central Virginia Community College; the school divisions of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell and Lynchburg; and area business partners including AMTI, AREVA, The Babcock and Wilcox Company, Centra, Delta Star, and Wells Fargo. XLR8 compliments current regional K-12 STEM activities and workforce development initiatives.<br /><br />Cross-posted at <a href="http://www.swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/08/mcdonnell-opens-16th-stem-academy-in.html">Virginia Politics On Demand</a>

Bob McDonnell Central Virginia Community College EDUCATION engineering InTech Lynchburg Lynn R. Mitchell math Science STEM Stem Academy Technology XLR8 McDonnell welcomes STEM education to Lynchburg

Bringing more science-based education to Virginia's students has been a priority of Governor Bob McDonnell and so, on Monday, he was in ...

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It's Smokey Bear's birthday with a party on Twitter

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vBSKR8UIAdAJ8a2md23TBiaiBb9NaCmyaIZMEjMJeLp6CS30bbYNgqeQ_xeLNjGbLDwdG04IzHVhLmtCURkM12KDa931OBrSd9Iz1X522j1-m5GvmesFjYIXS66Z11-bnVj60TdiqZly/s1600/Smokey+Bear+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vBSKR8UIAdAJ8a2md23TBiaiBb9NaCmyaIZMEjMJeLp6CS30bbYNgqeQ_xeLNjGbLDwdG04IzHVhLmtCURkM12KDa931OBrSd9Iz1X522j1-m5GvmesFjYIXS66Z11-bnVj60TdiqZly/s1600/Smokey+Bear+1.jpg" /></a></div><br />It's Smokey Bear's birthday but this Boomer bear is keeping current as he celebrated with a party on Twitter Friday afternoon. From 1-2:00 p.m. @Smokey_Bear, the 69-year-old interacted with fans in an interesting mix of nostalgia and reminders of fire safety tips to prevent wildfires as birthday greetings came in from across the nation.<br /><br />In what was the highlight of my day, my tweet was answered by Smokey and I got a virtual Smokey Bear hug! For just a moment or so I was six years old again.<br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Happy Birthday <a href="https://twitter.com/smokey_bear">@smokey_bear</a>! True story of a cub rescued from forest fire ... became icon advocating fire safety for millions.<br />— Lynn R. Mitchell (@swacgirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/swacgirl/statuses/365886598124011523">August 9, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script> <br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/swacgirl">@swacgirl</a> True <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SmokeyBearHug&src=hash">#SmokeyBearHug</a> <|:') \ / <<br />— Smokey Bear (@smokey_bear) <a href="https://twitter.com/smokey_bear/statuses/365887333347762176">August 9, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />And, oh yeah, I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smokeybear/app_517922941613859">signed his birthday card</a>, too.<br /><br />Perhaps the most interesting piece of information gleaned from the exchange was the question, "Have wildfires increased over the last few year or has social media and TV coverage just made us more aware of them?"  Smokey's response: "Since 1950s, gone from 22 million wildland acres burned to less than 7 million today. There are differences in local conditions."<br /><br />Smokey signed off from his birthday party on Twitter:<br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This has been the best 69th Birthday a bear could ask for. Thanks for joining in! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SmokeyBDay&src=hash">#SmokeyBDay</a><br />— Smokey Bear (@smokey_bear) <a href="https://twitter.com/smokey_bear/statuses/365896063275646977">August 9, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />And he followed up with one last reminder....<br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">And, remember, only you can prevent wildfires. On <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SmokeyBDay&src=hash">#SmokeyBDay</a> and on every day of the year.<br />— Smokey Bear (@smokey_bear) <a href="https://twitter.com/smokey_bear/statuses/365896174361772035">August 9, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Happy Birthday, Smokey! See you next year....

birthday Lynn R. Mitchell National Forest Service only you can prevent forest fires Smokey Bear SWAC Girl Twitter It's Smokey Bear's birthday with a party on Twitter

It's Smokey Bear's birthday but this Boomer bear is keeping current as he celebrated with a party on Twitter Friday afternoon. From ...

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Senator-elect John Cosgrove wins 14th Senate District special election

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sd8tqTRQmR5hPuC2W2R_HRe4BN8LZeSaIPVHNePzGjkkLdBmqsaWKbGvZVcfkysz1Jt82s3_QPO70YNQPDs3-f1XR8TnV0S5jvyeB6AV6n3oAmJTKKecBD6pltkKjFH_BG8lnDzoEC0X/s1600/John+Cosgrove+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sd8tqTRQmR5hPuC2W2R_HRe4BN8LZeSaIPVHNePzGjkkLdBmqsaWKbGvZVcfkysz1Jt82s3_QPO70YNQPDs3-f1XR8TnV0S5jvyeB6AV6n3oAmJTKKecBD6pltkKjFH_BG8lnDzoEC0X/s400/John+Cosgrove+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.johncosgrove.org/">John Cosgrove</a>, the Republican delegate who served for 10 years in the Virginia House of Delegates, won Tuesday's special 14th Senate District election after the Democratic candidate dropped out in July, leaving him unopposed in the race. He will serve the remaining two years of retired Senator Harry Blevins' term.<br /><br />Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell congratulated Cosgrove on his win:<br /><blockquote>"I want to congratulate John on his election to the Virginia Senate. For over a decade John has served the greater South Hampton Roads community and the Commonwealth of Virginia with dedication. John has been a valued member of the House of Delegates and a personal friend to many of us. We will miss his insight and expertise on the issues, and know he will be a tremendous addition to the Virginia Senate. On behalf of the entire House of Delegates, we wish him the very best in the years ahead."</blockquote>In May Cosgrove <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/05/john-cosgrove-wins-14th-senate-district.html">won the Republican nomination</a> in a three-way firehouse primary after his endorsement by Congressman Randy Forbes.  Other endorsements included the man he is replacing, Senator Harry Blevins, as well as Senator Tommy Norment, Senator Ryan McDougle, Delegate Chris Jones, Sheriff Jim O'Sullivan, Eric Wray, Commonwealth Attorney for Chesapeake Nancy Parr, Treasurer Barbara Carroway, and Mayor Alan Krasnoff as well as others.

14th senate district Hampton Roads John Cosgrove Lynn R. Mitchell politics special election Virginia Senator-elect John Cosgrove wins 14th Senate District special election

John Cosgrove , the Republican delegate who served for 10 years in the Virginia House of Delegates, won Tuesday's special 14th Senate Di...

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President George W. Bush recovering after artery blockage surgery

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik80vxKWC9sl9uR2KDUbfdY1sOMzd6Y_U_jSsebJU2lxYmRaWu9h3Nl9Elil_meRMZ1hHlj68kPn2yBNrD8YanVoSjMQIPTmQlXBsW2NvnIFutTd6ndBbfDPJXPxfz4GgtD3GK7xVs1Wxa/s1600/George+W.+Bush+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik80vxKWC9sl9uR2KDUbfdY1sOMzd6Y_U_jSsebJU2lxYmRaWu9h3Nl9Elil_meRMZ1hHlj68kPn2yBNrD8YanVoSjMQIPTmQlXBsW2NvnIFutTd6ndBbfDPJXPxfz4GgtD3GK7xVs1Wxa/s320/George+W.+Bush+34.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br />President George W. Bush, 66, underwent successful surgery for a <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/06/george-w-bush-undergoes-surgery-for-stent-after-blockage-discovered/">blocked artery</a> on Tuesday morning and is resting comfortable, according to a Bush family press release:<br /><blockquote>During President George W. Bush’s annual physical examination at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas yesterday, a blockage was discovered in an artery in his heart. At the recommendation of his doctors, President Bush agreed to have a stent placed to open the blockage. The procedure was performed successfully this morning, without complication, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. President Bush is in high spirits, eager to return home tomorrow and resume his normal schedule on Thursday. He is grateful to the skilled medical professionals who have cared for him. He thanks his family, friends, and fellow citizens for their prayers and well wishes. And he encourages us all to get our regular check-ups.</blockquote>Prayers and best wishes to President Bush and his family.

blocked artery Cooper Clinic Dallas George W. Bush Lynn R. Mitchell stent surgery Texas President George W. Bush recovering after artery blockage surgery

President George W. Bush, 66, underwent successful surgery for a blocked artery on Tuesday morning and is resting comfortable, according to...

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Fodor's: '4 U.S. road trips to take before you die' includes one close to home

Only four destination roads are listed in the group of <a href="http://www.fodors.com/news/4-us-road-trips-to-take-before-you-die-6995.html">"4 U.S. road trips to take before you die"</a> from Fodor's, the travel people, and since one is right here in Virginia, there's no reason not to hop on and go!<br /><br />Travel writer Jimmy Im includes the Blue Ridge Parkway as one of those four coveted road trips:<br /><span class="blog-text"></span><br /><h2><span class="blog-text">Blue Ridge Parkway: Virginia to North Carolina</span></h2><span class="blog-text"><img alt="blue-ridge-pkwy-nc.jpg" height="300" src="http://www.fodors.com/wire/blue-ridge-pkwy-nc.jpg" width="452" /><b> </b></span><br /><span class="blog-text"><b>Distance: </b>470 miles<br /><br /> Road trippers can expect lush forestry and some majestic mountains on the <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/north-carolina/the-north-carolina-mountains/blue-ridge-parkway/">Blue Ridge Parkway</a>, a 470-mile drive connecting <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/virginia/central-and-western-virginia/shenandoah-national-park/">Shenandoah National Park</a> in Virginia and the <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/tennessee/great-smoky-mtns-national-park/">Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a> in North Carolina. While it averages roughly 10 hours to drive, plenty of highlights along the way ensure you'll want to take several days to explore the route. Locals call the Blue Ridge Parkway a "window" to the region as several cultural and unique towns are right off the highway.<br /><br /> Visitors stop for a photo opp at the Humpback Rocks in Blue Ridge, VA, a natural rock outcrop that has a storied history. Nearby is the <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/virginia/central-and-western-virginia/review-166229.html">Natural Bridge of Virginia</a> in Rockbridge Country, one of the oldest tourist destinations in the country and constantly voted as one of America's best natural wonders. Stop in Roanoke, the largest metropolitan city along the route, to visit charming farmer's markets. <br /><br /> Several attractions await in <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/north-carolina/the-north-carolina-mountains/blowing-rock/">Blowing Rock</a>, North Carolina, but a road tripper's favorite is the actual Blowing Rock itself, a cliff looming 4,000 feet above sea level, harboring magnificent views of Hawksbill Mountain and Table Rock. For the mother of all views, stop at <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/north-carolina/the-north-carolina-mountains/blue-ridge-parkway/activities_h2447231_hiking.html">Waterrock Knob</a>, which, at 7,000-feet high, showcases breathtaking mountain views.</span>

4 US road trips to take before you die Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway Fodor's getaways Jimmy In Lynn R. Mitchell North Carolina Virginia Fodor's: '4 U.S. road trips to take before you die' includes one close to home

Only four destination roads are listed in the group of "4 U.S. road trips to take before you die" from Fodor's, the travel pe...

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Charlottesville: Fry's Spring Station restaurant

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzBoSQOnBSpdudIrRpNbXdQoHVCXVPCc0qS0sMvOJRJvD7mrXP29MQyKt2qP9unqsgf_FyGHXB4riI4U_dNscPtYJkbOM0BGgr4EjzS1rmvuZl6bxwOCjyoaw7bwktwTxytbwnQ9vbZ61/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzBoSQOnBSpdudIrRpNbXdQoHVCXVPCc0qS0sMvOJRJvD7mrXP29MQyKt2qP9unqsgf_FyGHXB4riI4U_dNscPtYJkbOM0BGgr4EjzS1rmvuZl6bxwOCjyoaw7bwktwTxytbwnQ9vbZ61/s640/8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In a renovated 70-year-old service station on the corner of Charlottesville's Jefferson Park Avenue and Maury Avenue, <a href="http://www.frysspringstation.com/menu.php">Fry's Spring Station</a> is an award-winning restaurant offering gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan courses that are appetizing for all palates.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0zTY30EmoI-3YFPWRzFFut8KuJ_Eykpppa-GohuXvLKgNIlYPmLw5LQNATXzEGx-fow-27l8R-aQsRyvRoNsG2qLbjxzcNmWMhCgC_Igaf73YjF4XW3P-MryOpCq-h_OmUVKpfjwlduT/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0zTY30EmoI-3YFPWRzFFut8KuJ_Eykpppa-GohuXvLKgNIlYPmLw5LQNATXzEGx-fow-27l8R-aQsRyvRoNsG2qLbjxzcNmWMhCgC_Igaf73YjF4XW3P-MryOpCq-h_OmUVKpfjwlduT/s640/1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A brick oven is capable of cooking 22 wood-fired pizzas at once. They also offer crisp and crunchy salads, pastas, and Paninis on Foccacia bread, with a variety of entrees, sides, and appetizers as well as a large <a href="http://www.frysspringstation.com/menu.php#drinks">selection of adult beverages</a>, many from local vineyards and breweries.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Plentiful outdoor seating beckons guests on warm and cool evenings, thanks to year-round heat lamps, while inside 100-person seating ofers exposed brick and reclaimed heartwood pine floors. With a mixture of Spanish, Jeffersonian, and Art Deco architecture, Fry's Spring Station offers a sophisticated, one-of-a-kind dining experience in the heart of Charlottesville.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU4aMSo3KvW1wr0b1zLMQAJ4zWvGlAxI78vVZdsIzNAXYS9CXJboUe4R6Rx7Gn8ohcYFrXIm-NHK7w4HyE5hSL1tBy2cObZb1cAvqkR6UiC_KMwPXy00LEUqRdPl5VWQxUpAZWOjFwbg2/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU4aMSo3KvW1wr0b1zLMQAJ4zWvGlAxI78vVZdsIzNAXYS9CXJboUe4R6Rx7Gn8ohcYFrXIm-NHK7w4HyE5hSL1tBy2cObZb1cAvqkR6UiC_KMwPXy00LEUqRdPl5VWQxUpAZWOjFwbg2/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Margherita Supreme wood-fired pizza: roma tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella. Scrumptuous.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLr5NTvQRQvgmu7KNdYs_eESpwTgv35_ep3tPPzR2YdrULM_NlSnpXPsjl0qS900j58YDh7JiFkfJJSCVqGenoRAiSYwHn1FiWQm2kzeaVpHaawnROS_6ISJv9yFP2LiygumieYfTavk-/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLr5NTvQRQvgmu7KNdYs_eESpwTgv35_ep3tPPzR2YdrULM_NlSnpXPsjl0qS900j58YDh7JiFkfJJSCVqGenoRAiSYwHn1FiWQm2kzeaVpHaawnROS_6ISJv9yFP2LiygumieYfTavk-/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fry's pretzel appetizer with three dipping sauces -- honey mustard, ranch, and marinara. Also pictured: spinach salad with roasted red peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, hard boiled egg, bacon, and tangy vinaigrette.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXyXrxk2ugpSiQkEHdQBw3qFQnw0pWbDqHTpeeuXOlXpzRzSLj7-Pj7udQOb9pZwOtolvra1OZJQsD_270TJRMmKJf5x75pOueF_l-qid7M6ZvqtqclU7FEZJbaSm9y9pNNNjILeIlnIo/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXyXrxk2ugpSiQkEHdQBw3qFQnw0pWbDqHTpeeuXOlXpzRzSLj7-Pj7udQOb9pZwOtolvra1OZJQsD_270TJRMmKJf5x75pOueF_l-qid7M6ZvqtqclU7FEZJbaSm9y9pNNNjILeIlnIo/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chicken Club panini with side garden salad. Not shown: Bold Rock cider from Bold Rock Cidery in nearby Nellysford, a crisp and refreshing hard cider crafted with care using Virginia Apples. The guys in our group proclaimed it some of the best they had ever tasted.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_yK5w9qSp5gNXz-MKD15k7SjrYqKxFCklbIHYwrtVAiAC3tSUS2F8mfhAOptytJjJLYZT97MiNTV7qf47q37U-yjZ-B-Z1KDHllMpmoYLws6y2eCbe9b1990jNkAUu73zhbHhkYbPu8b/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_yK5w9qSp5gNXz-MKD15k7SjrYqKxFCklbIHYwrtVAiAC3tSUS2F8mfhAOptytJjJLYZT97MiNTV7qf47q37U-yjZ-B-Z1KDHllMpmoYLws6y2eCbe9b1990jNkAUu73zhbHhkYbPu8b/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Jefferson wood-fired pizza: white pizza with fresh arugula and prosciutto. Not shown: Pear and Gorgonzola salad made of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, candied walnuts, sliced pear, gorgonzola, and orange vinaigrette. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8udatJX-G8b7__zOu_0j4dDAhCKHNRnvF4SJICv6EPkfew6jGsKOQk9t_ZOvDrBAKiwwkWaibWg6La3Bv3XPU36GN3BEZ_5AwYHfjnHeSttDbMi0s9eF1tvko07K_mErqr-b9woPSmnn/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8udatJX-G8b7__zOu_0j4dDAhCKHNRnvF4SJICv6EPkfew6jGsKOQk9t_ZOvDrBAKiwwkWaibWg6La3Bv3XPU36GN3BEZ_5AwYHfjnHeSttDbMi0s9eF1tvko07K_mErqr-b9woPSmnn/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Framed prints on the walls are scenes reminiscent of service stations from an earlier time. By the time we left, patrons were inside and enjoying the outdoor patios.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGU8uT-2tzdn9sEn1oIsqGJjZEUU5DFq1xQe609FpaHU5ZvSyKNMClYWnix6TNque6S14yDKBtnlr2rVKRhbGFItyp-uGbsQzRl327CRozbyRnwPBcNVaAUQ9kEYlUWpvSckgFuWPOK6H/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGU8uT-2tzdn9sEn1oIsqGJjZEUU5DFq1xQe609FpaHU5ZvSyKNMClYWnix6TNque6S14yDKBtnlr2rVKRhbGFItyp-uGbsQzRl327CRozbyRnwPBcNVaAUQ9kEYlUWpvSckgFuWPOK6H/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One down side: There are five tight parking spaces behind the building and no on-street parking. It's obvious they have a lot of foot traffic. Other than that, the food and atmosphere definitely make it a popular choice for lunch or dinner.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell</div><div style="text-align: left;">August 1, 2013 </div></div>

Charlottesville fire-roasted pizza Fry's Spring Station glutten free Charlottesville restaurant Jefferson Way Avenue Lynn R. Mitchell outdoor dining vegan vegetarian Virginia Charlottesville: Fry's Spring Station restaurant

In a renovated 70-year-old service station on the corner of Charlottesville's Jefferson Park Avenue and Maury Avenue, Fry's Spring S...

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