Sometimes you just have to get away, even if there’s no where special to go. This weekend was like that. The heat soared above 100 and it was positively miserable. We knew from experience that downtown DC would be crowded beyond capacity and space would be limited (and tempers would be short). It was no place that either of us wanted to be.
So Sunday morning, we headed down south.
We didn’t go anywhere fast-paced like Atlanta or full of fun and adventure like Disneyland. Instead we just drove through the countryside and visited small towns like Culpepper and Warrenton. We passed by historical sites that are known only to Civil War buffs (like my husband) and the local townsfolk. The temperature wasn’t any cooler, but it sure was less crowded.
Our first stop was an overnight stay in the town of Lynchburg, VA. The town was actually quite large and very old. What surprised me the most were the downtown buildings – most of them are old warehouses. Signs adorn the shops and restaurants giving some indication of what must have been there 100 years before.
Even the hotel where we stayed had a history.
At one time it had been a shoe factory (if the large shoe on the side of the building didn’t give it away). To remind you of its heritage, rows of shoes lined the windows of the main lobby,
they adorned the doors to each room,
and wooden shoeboxes were used to serve the continental breakfast.
But the best part about the hotel was that it no longer looked like a shoe factory. A recent renovation updated the decor making it modern and lovely while leaving beautiful exposed brick and high ceilings.
It was simply stunning, not to mention comfortable. And at $139 a night, we considered it a definite bargain.
But alas, we had other towns to visit and countryside to see so we headed out the next day and went right on over to Thomas Jefferson’s summer home, Poplar Forest.
It was a lovely house situated on acres of beautiful landscape. I think I would have enjoyed it a tad more if it hadn’t been 90+ degrees with no air conditioning inside. But at least I didn’t have to wear a blanket on my head like Henry just because his mama forgot to lather him in sunscreen. Poor kid.
We then headed to Floyd, VA. I’ll be the first to tell you that there wasn’t much there. Cow pastures lined the road about two blocks from Main St. if that tells you anything. But it was quaint and it was quiet which is what we wanted.
The hotel was a bit more rustic than our previous night’s stay.
But it was pretty clean and we had internet so I can’t complain.
Our third day brought more of the same only this time it was in the opposite direction as we headed back home. We stopped first in Lexington, VA which is an adorable little town full of great shops and yummy restaurants.
The next town was even cuter if that’s possible. Staunton, VA (pronounced “Stanton”) had a fantastic dessert shop full of yummy ice cream and gelato.
The CPA was a definite fan.
I, on the other hand, made my way to an adorable toy store where special toys for a certain someone could be found.
We didn’t stay long though as it was getting even hotter, if that was possible, and we had a tired little boy on our hands (even with his new toys). So we drove straight home, bypassing all the other cute towns and scenic detours along the way.
It was such a great trip. There was no hustle and bustle of the city to distract us, no rush to get somewhere, no fight for a parking space (and no parking meters either , I might add). Just me, my best guy, and my best baby. It was the perfect weekend getaway.
What did you do for the 4th of July, anything special?
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