Virginia Mountains - Vistas, History, & Wineries

[giradman]

Wineries Around Smith Mountain Lake

As with my last postings on Keswick Hall, Virginia Wineries abound throughout the state and a handful are near Smith Mountain Lake (see map below). The one opened on a Monday was Ramulose Ridge Vineyards, so we did a visit - as is now typical of these wineries, flights of related wines (e.g. reds vs. whites vs. sweet ones) are usually offered - I had the 'White Wine' flight (see pic below) which included some vinifera hybrids, while Susan had a 4-flight of their sangrias which she really enjoyed (unfortunately, these are home-made and not bottled so no buying options) - I was unimpressed with their whites so we made no purchases - if open in our remaining days, just might check out another winery nearby the lake. Dave
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[giradman]

@ Scifan57 - the other Jeff Daniels portrayal in my collection is a TV film from 2000, i.e. The Crossing in which he plays George Washington crossing the Delaware and attacking Trenton on December 26, 1777 - reviews were mixed but I've watched the movie a half dozen times (still own the DVD, never upgraded to BD). Dave

 

[giradman]

D Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia - Part I

About 30+ minutes north of us in the small town of Bedford, Virginia - the National D-Day Memorial is located there. The memorial is a large circular outdoor 'museum' (see pics 2 & 3 below) divided into a half dozen or so 'areas' (if readable the 3rd pic has numerical explanations - a link HERE) - the landing portrayals are spectacular with intermittent water eruptions simulating bullets entering the water (should have take a movie clip). More pics in the next post. Dave

The National D-Day Memorial is a war memorial located in Bedford, Virginia. It serves as the national memorial for American D-Day veterans. However, its scope is international in that it states, "In Tribute to the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of Allied Forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944" and commends all Allied Armed Forces during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, during World War II. The memorial, bordering the Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, is an area of over 50 acres that overlooks the town of Bedford. It officially opened on June 6, 2001, with 15,000 people present, including then-President George W. Bush. About 60,000 people have visited the memorial each year. (Source)

Thirty-four Virginia National Guard soldiers from Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, based in the town of Bedford prior to the war, were part of D-Day. Company A was decimated within hours of landing, and nineteen of the men were killed during the first day of the invasion. Four more died during the rest of the Normandy campaign. The town and the "Bedford Boys" proportionately suffered the greatest losses of any American town during the campaign, thus inspiring the United States Congress to establish the D-Day memorial in Bedford. (Source)

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[giradman]

D Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia - Part II

A continuation with more pics - numerous plaques are present throughout which could take hours to read - I've included only a few that may interest? The memorial walls in the Gray Plaza contain plaques of the names of the 4,415 Americans + Allied servicemen who died on D Day. Finally, the Reynolds Garden features statues of the main Allied leaders (2 of 6 busts included below) with Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 'rotunda' - there is a mosaic map of the invasion plan on the ceiling. Dave

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[giradman]

Virginia Dare Boat Ride on the Lake

Our last day started with a boat cruise on the lake aboard the Virginia Dare - the 2 hour ride went to the Smith Mountain Lake Dam (see quote below w/ link). The lake has about 500 miles of lake front with all of the peninsulas and inlets - see pics below - plenty of real estate developments from condos to houses are visible. Numerous small and larger islands (originally small mountain tops) dot the lake - one larger one w/ a house! (see below). A buffet lunch is an option, if desired. Dave

Smith Mountain Dam is a concrete arch dam located on the Roanoke River in Virginia, creating Smith Mountain Lake. The dam was built by Appalachian Power (a division of American Electric Power) between 1960 and 1963 for the purposes of pumped-storage hydroelectricity. The dam created Smith Mountain Lake as its reservoir, where recreation and real estate have become popular. (Source)

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[giradman]

Peaks of Otter Winery

After the boat ride we still had much of the afternoon for another activity - so, a visit to the Peaks of Otter Winery, about a 50 min drive northwest - this was Susan's place to taste, i.e. only 'fruit' wines are made (not my preference) - we shared an 8-item tasting (again her choices) (out of around 3 dozen options! Check HERE if interested) - she liked the 3 in the last pics, so we purchased a bottle of each. Now, the place is up in the mountains so some curvy narrow roads to negotiate. Dave

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[giradman]

Meadows of the Dan, Mabry Mill & Morisette Winery

Just returned from a 2-night trip to Meadows of the Dan in Virginia crossed by the Blue Ridge Parkway (about a 2 hr drive for us) - we stayed in the cute cabin shown (two of the pics below - had great Wi-Fi and a Roku TV). The first pic below is Mabry Mill in the winter (not mine but popped up on my Facebook page); but during this short visit we went to the mill (three of the images are mine, while the last is from the Park Service website with the Rhododendrons in bloom).

The mill was recently renovated and a new roof of white oak shakes put on (which are those in my pics) - added a video at the end of the person (had to recruit him from Tennessee) who split and applied the shakes. During the peak season, the water-powered mill can produce grist (which is for sale); also was a sawmill, plus a blacksmith demonstration may be in action. So not to be missed if you're in the vicinity.

On are single whole day there, we visited several wineries nearby, Ch. Morisette and Villa Appalachia - Morisette uses a lot of hybrid grapes, such as Vidal Blanc, while Appalachia has an Italian emphasis - the Pinot Grigio was quite good. Finally, not many restaurants in the Meadows area but a great country store, the Poor Farmer's Market makes delicious sandwiches, so for one dinner we shared some of their eats, plus brought a bottle of wine; and Susan made a dish which we had the second night. Nice quiet and inexpensive get-away. Dave

P.S. see the map with the locations of all the places discussed above.
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[scifan57]

Meadows of the Dan, Mabry Mill & Morisette Winery

Just returned from a 2-night trip to Meadows of the Dan in Virginia crossed by the Blue Ridge Parkway (about a 2 hr drive for us) - we stayed in the cute cabin shown (two of the pics below - had great Wi-Fi and a Roku TV). The first pic below is Mabry Mill in the winter (not mine but popped up on my Facebook page); but during this short visit we went to the mill (three of the images are mine, while the last is from the Park Service website with the Rhododendrons in bloom).

The mill was recently renovated and a new roof of white oak shakes put on (which are those in my pics) - added a video at the end of the person (had to recruit him from Tennessee) who split and applied the shakes. During the peak season, the water-powered mill can produce grist (which is for sale); also was a sawmill, plus a blacksmith demonstration may be in action. So not to be missed if you're in the vicinity.

On are single whole day there, we visited several wineries nearby, Ch. Morisette and Villa Appalachia - Morisette uses a lot of hybrid grapes, such as Vidal Blanc, while Appalachia has an Italian emphasis - the Pinot Grigio was quite good. Finally, not many restaurants in the Meadows area but a great country store, the Poor Farmer's Market makes delicious sandwiches, so for one dinner we shared some of their eats, plus brought a bottle of wine; and Susan made a dish which we had the second night. Nice quiet and inexpensive get-away. Dave

P.S. see the map with the locations of all the places discussed above.
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I like those shots of the old mill in all seasons. Is it still in use?

 

[giradman]

I like those shots of the old mill in all seasons. Is it still in use?

Hey Scifan.. - don't know if you looked at the video but worth a short investment of time - the guy shows you the old way of splitting boards with the rays to make shakes - but YES, the mill is still in operation as a gristmill and products should still be available for purchase (BUT check the websites to see - I was there in off season) - the sawmill can be viewed - the blacksmith shop should still show demonstrations 'in season' - BUT w/ our current President shutting down a LOT of National Park activities and firing so many employees of that system (yes, I think it's AWFUL) who knows what may be open and functional - SO, anyone reading this thread should check before showing up at any American Park System to see what is still opened. A SAD state of affairs having visited so many of these places in the past. Dave

 

[suenc]

Meadows of the Dan, Mabry Mill & Morisette Winery

Just returned from a 2-night trip to Meadows of the Dan in Virginia crossed by the Blue Ridge Parkway (about a 2 hr drive for us) - we stayed in the cute cabin shown (two of the pics below - had great Wi-Fi and a Roku TV). The first pic below is Mabry Mill in the winter (not mine but popped up on my Facebook page); but during this short visit we went to the mill (three of the images are mine, while the last is from the Park Service website with the Rhododendrons in bloom).

The mill was recently renovated and a new roof of white oak shakes put on (which are those in my pics) - added a video at the end of the person (had to recruit him from Tennessee) who split and applied the shakes. During the peak season, the water-powered mill can produce grist (which is for sale); also was a sawmill, plus a blacksmith demonstration may be in action. So not to be missed if you're in the vicinity.

On are single whole day there, we visited several wineries nearby, Ch. Morisette and Villa Appalachia - Morisette uses a lot of hybrid grapes, such as Vidal Blanc, while Appalachia has an Italian emphasis - the Pinot Grigio was quite good. Finally, not many restaurants in the Meadows area but a great country store, the Poor Farmer's Market makes delicious sandwiches, so for one dinner we shared some of their eats, plus brought a bottle of wine; and Susan made a dish which we had the second night. Nice quiet and inexpensive get-away. Dave

P.S. see the map with the locations of all the places discussed above.
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[suenc]

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The cabin was rustic and comfy, though a bit dark. I could imagine young Abe Lincoln there, studying law by candlelight. I love being close to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

[giradman]

The cabin was rustic and comfy, though a bit dark. I could imagine young Abe Lincoln there, studying law by candlelight. I love being close to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Yep - despite the picture of the inside of the cabin shown, I could NOT get that gas fireplace to come on despite trying all of the controls - could have contacted the Airbnb person in charge but for just 2 nights? Bottom line, I could see Abe sitting next to the unlit fireplace trying to read his books by candle light - Dave