This is a retrospective blog of my seven-week exploration of Virginia along with a journey through the Shenandoah National Park and on down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Cherokee, North Carolina. 'Retrospective' means simply that it wasn't written during the trip, but is being written in hindsight a little over a year later. Baaswell Sheep accompanied me and is writing the blog in the way he's done my later blogs, since he's so good with the color commentary. Unfortunately, since I didn't plan for this blog back them, my pictures are limited to the major attractions, but I'll try to make those galleries a little bigger than I do in my later blogs.
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Today was another slow day where my companion worked in the local library much of the day. He did get out for lunch and visited an interesting restaurant and a large antique store, but then it was back to work for the afternoon. The two clocks below were featured in the front windows of a cool antique clock store, but it wasn't open while we were there, so all we could do was admire them through the windows.
The Bedford library is adjoined by the Dr. John A. Wente Memorial Garden, which includes the Storybook Garden targeted to children. A lovely place to stretch your legs for a little while and take in the beauty of nature.
We gave this quaint little place a try, giving the tuna sub a try with a side of macaroni salad for me (in case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a vegetarian sheep, of course). The restaurant is also a floral shop on one side, and to make it even more unique, it's in an old bank building that still has the vault with a private table inside for guests who aren't claustrophobic. (Sorry, we couldn't get a straight-on shot of the vault room, as there were guests in there the whole time.)
We found this park just south of downtown and were attracted by the lake and the three skill level walking track. Since my companion is an avid backcountry hiker, he went for the advanced level with the red markers, but kept losing track of the trail. He said it kept directing him into the woods off the primary loop, but then the markers would just run out. I believe him, as I know he's done some long and challenging backcountry hikes and he's never had issues like this. Still, it was a pleasant setting and the lake was nice, filled with lots of birds. Just watch out for that advanced trail: bring a compass and a map with you!
Bedford does have a bit of a patriotic slant, but with the National D-Day Memorial here it's no big surprise. We tried this grill for dinner, as it was casual and the chicken wings appealed to my companion. Me, I had a nice garden salad. The surroundings were kind of basic, not quite a hole-in-the-wall, but nothing fancy. Still, the food was fine and the service was good.
Please note that all restaurant and product names are used simply for referential purposes and links provided as a courtesy. Reviews are the sole opinions of the reviewer: no restaurant has paid to be listed here, and no restaurant is being explicitly endorsed. In other words, go out there, try them all, and form your own opinions!
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