Blue Ridge Local Boy Sammy Shellor and the Lonesome River Band on Letterman Friday, November 11

Sammy Shellor and the Lonesome River Band on Letterman Friday, November 11

published by BMNN on Mon, 2011-10-31 00:36

Article Excerpt: Sammy Shelor, band leader and banjo player with the hit group Lonesome River Band was recently awarded the second Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass honor. Sammy and the Lonesome River Band will perform with Steve Martin on the "Late Show With David Letterman" Friday, November 11, 2011.

Why is a Confederate general honored in a stained glass window at a predominantly black church in Roanoke?

Window illuminates complexity of past
A window at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church honoring Stonewall Jackson is featured in a new Civil War book.

This window behind the pulpit is a memorial to General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, and depicts his dying words "Let us Cross the River and Rest in the Shade of the Trees."   

Why is a Confederate general honored in a stained glass window at a predominantly black church in Roanoke?  

Read this story here in the Roanoke Times

VIRGINIA IS FOR HONOR LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

Scenes from the Blue Ridge Parkway

A collection of images taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s favorite scenic drive! 
Photo calendar by Dave Allen

You can preview this calendar here and see each and every beautiful image! This makes a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer.  Dave's photographs are breathtaking!  You have heard me say many times, trying to capture the beauty of these mountains is like trying to photograph a rainbow, you can't! Well Dave has come pretty close!


Purchase this calendar for $29.99 here at RedBubble.com


VIRGINIA IS FOR BLUE RIDGE LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

ARE YOU A CIVIL WAR BUFF?

TOUR CONFEDERATE GENERAL JUBAL A EARLY'S LAW OFFICE

Jubal A Early was born here in Franklin County VA

Stay with us at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia and we will give you the thrill of touring the bad boy of the Confederacy "GENERAL JUBAL A EARLY'S" LAW OFFICE! This is just a couple block from the B&B.


The Grove, an antebellum home built in 1854 by John Stafford Hale and his wife, Margaret Ingles Saunders Hale, great-granddaughter of Mary Draper Ingles, is open for tours, by appointment only. Confederate General Jubal A. Early's law office is on the grounds Is located just a couple blocks from The Claiborne House, here in Rocky Mount. The owner has offered to take you on a private tour of the home and grounds with light refreshments for $8pp.

Shellie the Innkeeper at The Claiborne House can arrange this for you. You can walk there from the B&B, it is just a couple blocks, past our little farmer's market.

Did you know more battles were fought in Virginia during the War between the States than any other?


VIRGINIA IS FOR HISTORY LOVERS


Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway. We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

All aboard - this train is leaving the station!

VIRGINIA IS FOR CHOO CHOO LOVERS
From BlogVirginia.org posted by Casey | Posted on October 7th, 2011

Amtrak Virginia

Fall in Virginia is for train lovers. Families and couples alike will love these upcoming railroad-themed events.

• This weekend, October 8-9, is the Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival in downtown Appomattox. The event celebrates the Depot donated by Norfolk & Southern in 1973, and includes a street dance, parade, amusement rides, fine art show, and a brand new attraction – Masters of the Chainsaw. The festival goes on 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• The round-trip Amtrak excursions from Roanoke to Abingdon, Bristol, and Bluefield, WV will sell-out quickly, so you’ll want to jump on these.
  • November 5: Depart Roanoke for Abingdon and Bristol. Passengers will have 3 1/2 hours to enjoy nearby attractions in Abingdon, including the brand new Heartwood Center. The train will continue on to Bristol and passengers can choose to ride down or be picked up on the way back. There will be no touring time in Bristol. Feel free to order a boxed lunch with your tickets.
  • November 6: Depart Roanoke for Bluefield, WV. The attraction on this excursion is the ride itself. Several bridges, tunnels, and amazing scenery await passengers. Several restaurants are within walking distance of the station in Bluefield, and will welcome you to dine before heading back to Roanoke.
  • Rates: $150/adult and $95/child. Dome class: $275. Lounge class: $215
  • For Tickets: 540-774-0611
  • Print the Brochure
  • While in Roanoke, do make plans to visit the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the O. Winston Link Museum.
• Ashland Train Day, to be held November 5, is a family event with mini train rides, loads of model trains, a locomotive moon bounce, and many vendors, not to mention the real trains passing through all day long. You’re encouraged to look the part of a conductor and definitely bring your camera. Best of all? This is a free event!

Learn more about Amtrak Virginia and railroad museums in Virginia at Virginia.org.

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 25 minutes to downtown Roanoke to the O Winston Link Museum and Virginia Museum of Transportation, and highly recommends a visit to both!  We are also an hour and 15 minutes to historic Appomattox!

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

The day-to-day fun of running an inn

STEP 1: Be prepared for the unpredictable

Claiborne House is a circa 1895 Queen Anne Victorian

Yesterday we had two lovely couples from Alabama and a sweet mother and daughter here from Texas.  We also had something very annoying here as well, rattling moaning pipes! In 8 years as innkeepers, this is a new one for us. We have one bathroom that if a guest turns off the sink harshly there is a loud clunk sound, but this was not a clunk, it was that deep rattling sound that reverberates throughout the inn.

A few more Fall Photos from Franklin County Virginia

THIS IS FRANKLIN COUNTY Y'ALL!

See Rocky Mount off in the distance?

This is Virginia, ain't she a looker!

Shenandoah River State Park and in the background the great Shenandoah National Park, both celebrating their 75th Anniversaries this year!

O Shenandoah I love to hear you...

Don't take my word for it, come and meet Virginia for yourself!

VIRGINIA IS FOR FALL COLOR LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.


*Photo courtesy of my friend who lives in Luray VA!

Fall in Franklin County Virginia!

I took these images to show you how unbelievably beautiful it is here! Virginia is truly amazing.

Here is a view of Grassy Hill taken on Landmark Mountain

Cahas Mountain to the Left (Hwy 220 to the right of the image)

Panorama of Franklin County Fall 2011 on CleVR.com (These are compressed so not as brilliant as they appeared in real life!)

Be warned you have until the first week of November to get some of this! Then the leaves will be going away for the year!

VIRGINIA IS FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

Black Dog Salvage in Downtown Roanoke is a Must!

One of our favorite places in nearby Roanoke is Black Dog Salvage! 
Inn-fact that was where we released our resident gnome from captivity to allow him to live out his days on our porch - because every gnome needs a home Frankel Fitzpatrick Claiborne.

Frankel Fitzpatrick was also featured in this article "This is Nothing Pink in our Inn!"

This week and next at Kirk Avenue Music Hall

An awesome selection of music for you this week and next - something for everyone. Kirk Ave is downtown Roanoke y'all!

Shawn Mullins - Photo Credit Michael Wilson

Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail

DISCOVER OUR WILD SIDE!

The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail is a driving trail with loops off the main trail, linking some of Virginia's best wildlife-watching areas with walking and biking trails.

Los Tres Amigos Restaurant Review

We have a handful of restaurants within walking distance of The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast.

This was our lunch at Los Tres Amigos

Kirk Ave Music Hall this week!

We're spreading our music around town this week. On Friday we need more room to seat folks and on Saturday we need more room to dance! 

Chatham County Line at The Sanctuary

Chatham County Line

Pronunciation Guide to Virginia Place Names

For those wondering how to pronounce Staunton, Galax, Occoquan and more.

This map shows our proximity, I didn't have a local map handy

Claiborne House Painted Roof is Complete!

For our guests who innjoy hearing updates on The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast, allow me to share with you a new photo (taken by me less than 5 minutes ago) of our painted tin roof!

Claiborne House from Claiborne Avenue out front (small building on left is "the Love Shack"

Natural Ways to Enjoy Fall Foliage in Virginia

~ Relax and reconnect with loved ones in the beauty of nature this fall in Virginia ~

Blue Ridge Parkway from The Claiborne House, just 15 miles! Shellie took this photo

RICHMOND, Va. – From the Blue Ridge Mountains to dense piedmont forests to the tranquil coastal waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia is the ideal place for people looking to step away from the stress of everyday life and relax and reconnect with loved ones and nature this fall. Virginia’s topography welcomes all types of outdoor recreation - from camping to hiking to water sports to mountain climbing. To help nature lovers truly connect with Virginia’s great outdoors this fall, here are a few active ways to enjoy fall foliage.

Celebrate 75 Years of Virginia Outdoor Treasures – Camp at Shenandoah National Park or Virginia State Parks

Fall is a great time to camp in Virginia as mild temperatures make for great quality time making s’mores and telling stories by the camp fire. Two of Virginia’s outdoor treasures are celebrating their 75thanniversaries this year, and both offer ideal setups for camping.

Virginia State Parks offer perfect places to pitch a tent or “rough it” indoors at a cabin. Voted “America’s Best,” Virginia parks offer comfortable cabins, campsites and primitive backcountry spots for the rugged adventurer.  Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation, including hiking and biking trails, lakes and waterways as well as a full menu of programs and classes. To celebrate their 75th anniversary this year Virginia State Parks have special events scheduled across the state.

Hi Y'all from ol' Virginia!

I just couldn't leaf this one alone
What can we say, Virginia is a show off!

Come out and see what you are missing this Fall...
VIRGINIA IS FOR LEAF PEEPERS


End of October and into the first week of November is prime leaf peeping season traditionally in the Blue Ridge Foothills and Blue Ridge Parkway (MP121 and southward!) Yes, Shellie your Innkeeper took this photo out front.

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

Black Dog Wine & Rock Festival Weekend

CHATEAU MORRISETTE in The Blue Ridge Mountains near Floyd VA event this weekend!

Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd VA

October 8 - Black Dog Wine & Rock Festival Weekend
Ponderosa: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
JJ Grey & Mofro: 2:30 pm - 5 pm
Pull out your lawn chair, pack your dancing shoes and sunglasses and prepare for a relaxing fun-filled afternoon. We’ll have all your favorite artists, craftspeople and vendors on site for shopping and plenty of great food. Stage heats up at 11:30 am with two consecutive bands keeping you dancing until 5 pm. For the best seats in the field book one of our gazebo rentals. Call 540.593.2865 to rent or Email: info@thedogs.com for pricing.
Please note: Picnics, coolers or outside food & beverages are not allowed. Tickets: Advance $20, Gate $25, Designated Driver $20. Children and young adults accompanied by an adult admission are admitted at no charge! Please note that advance ticket sales end at midnight 10/07/2011

Mabry Mill Fall Events

Every weekend this October, the Blue Ridge Parkway invites the public to join the celebration at Mabry Mill where free special programs will highlight the area. 

Mabry Mill is the most photographed spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Shellie your Innkeeper took this one!)

Information from Virtual Blue Ridge Online - click here for this website!
Fall Gathering Days 

Saturdays, October 8, 15, and 22
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Wood smoke and the smell of apple butter boiling signal fall. Come help with chores associated with the fall season, like making apple butter and making and drying fruits and vegetables. See other chores common to the area in the early 1900s such as wheel-making, chair-making, basket-making, and fiber arts demonstrations.

Helicopter view of your driving directions on Google Maps

Awrighty then! For those who want to see the terrain in Franklin County Virginia for real, from above - I want to share this new feature on Google Maps with y'all!

I have selected a route going from our place, The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast which is in the heart of Rocky Mount to the Floyd Country Store. To go to Floyd you go out Route 40 West through Ferrum and up the infamous Shooting Creek Road! You then cross over the Blue Ridge Parkway and into downtown Floyd with it's one stop light to the country store. Famous for it's Friday Night Jamborees and latest Saturday Americana afternoons.

One more important note, you will be taking The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail! Yes that's right, it starts right here in Rocky Mount, first stop, then second stop is The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum in Ferrum and then up that moonshine road I mentioned, Shooting Creek Road.
Click VIEW LARGER MAP and then Driving directions to Floyd Country Store 3D<<

View Larger Map

Below is a video on YouTube someone took riding Shooting Creek Road back toward us, I think you hit Franklin County at about the 3 minute mark onward on the video, and the more winding section. There is a creek (ie Shooting Creek) off to the right. Look out for moonshiners (of if you are a moonshiner, look out for revenuers!)  Imagine this ride in the Fall!

Roanoke Outside shares a new hike!

POOR MOUNTAIN NATURAL AREA PRESERVE     

We recently learned about a hidden nature preserve that we wanted to share.


Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve protects the world's largest population of the globally rare shrubpiratebush, which is restricted to only a handful of sites in the mountains of Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.


Late this winter the final section of a 4.2-mile hiking trail system was completed thanks to a DCR Recreational Trail Program grant.


The "Wednesday Trail Crew", a group of volunteers led by Bill Gordge (and part of the Roanoke Valley Pathfinders), constructed over 1.5 miles of the trail system at Poor Mountain.  While the 0.75-mile Piratebush Loop interpretive trail affords a relatively level and easy hiking opportunity, the main loop trail affords a strenuous 3.8-mile hike with over 500 feet of vertical drop and return climb.  Stone stairs, scenic vistas, fire ecology and outstanding looks at Table Mountain pine woodlands make the Poor Mountain Trail a great new recreational resource now available to the general public in the Roanoke area.

Click here for more information (note that the map does not show the 3.8-mile trail).


Directions:

•  Exit 137 off of I81 onto Rt. 112E (toward Salem)
•  Turn left onto Main Street (Rt. 460E) and go 0.8 miles
•  Turn right onto Mill Lane and travel 0.4 miles
•  Turn left onto West Riverside Drive and go 0.8 miles
•  Turn right onto 12 O'clock Knob Road (Rt. 694) and travel 4.8 miles to preserve entrance on right

Click here to visit the RoanokeOutside.com website for a ton of outdoor recreation ideas!

VIRGINIA IS FOR ROANOKE OUTSIDE LOVERS

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway. We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.