Everybody knows about the “blind spot” in their car – the view from the back left rear where a car may be between the side rearview mirror and the actual view outside the car window to the left. Always look back and check is the rule of thumb. But there is another blind spot that may be even more dangerous and because of it, I came within inches of typing my last article. I was in Ruckersville … [Read more...]

  Last week I wrote about the corn maze at Liberty Mills Farm, the largest in the nation at 32 acres. Last weekend, on a beautiful September day, Nancy and I decided to take a Sunday afternoon drive out to the sprawling farm near Somerset, but we decided in advance that we would let others do the corn-maze thing. Liberty has three mazes, the big one takes two hours (if you’re lucky), the middle … [Read more...]

Last Sunday, Nancy and I decided to celebrate Father’s Day with a Sunday Drive to the Shenandoah Valley. Nancy deviled some eggs and we stopped by the Colonel’s and picked up a bucket of Fried Chicken and we were off to Bridgewater. Why Bridgewater? Because not far from this small college town is one of the most bucolic places I’ve ever seen. We discovered it on a random trip we made last year … [Read more...]

By Sherman Shifflett Looking for a place in the mountains to get away for a few days?  A place to kick back and enjoy good food and scenic views? Well, there's a quaint place right here in Central Virginia and apparently, it is not a secret. On Friday, February 14, 2020, Ava and I decided to celebrate Valentine's Day at Lydia Mountain Lodge in Greene County, a few miles west of Stanardsville, … [Read more...]

  A few weeks back I did a piece on Planning a Trip to Hawaii and in it, I highly endorsed Robin Norell, an Accredited Cruise Counselor and Certified Travel Associate. She is extremely professional and thorough.  When you travel on a Robin-designed tour, it’s like having her in the suitcase. She handles every detail. But I think I put the wrong contact information in the article. She is … [Read more...]

  Nancy wanted to go to the State Fair and I had run out of excuses. The last time we went, it was at the old fairgrounds. We had to wait an hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic to negotiate the last mile. By the time we parked, I was ready to go home. Now, the State Fair is held at its new location at Doswell, but I feared the worst. As it turns out, I was pleasantly surprised. Whoever is … [Read more...]

  Every spring, thousands of golfers from Virginia emerge from hibernation and head for Myrtle Beach, which boasts much warmer weather and wall-to-wall golf courses. But there is one problem. You can’t get there from here, at least by normal means of transportation. If you go to Virginia Beach, it’s Interstate all the way. If you go to Nags Head, you go on four-lane highways. If you … [Read more...]

  All the votes have been counted and it’s official. Scoot’s BBQ in Gloucester Point has been named the best BBQ Restaurant in Virginia in a contest sponsored by Virginia Living Magazine. Andy Reams, a fellow BBQ Aficionado, said that Scoot’s must be pretty darned good to edge out King’s BBQ in Petersburg, Andy’s choice as “the best.” I have to confess that as much as I like BBQ, I … [Read more...]

  In my travels to Atlanta last week, I counted 6 vineyards and wineries before I got to Amherst, and I may have missed one or two. Seemingly, no matter which road you get on in Virginia, there will be a vineyard every 20 miles. At last count, there were over 250 registered vineyards and wineries in our Commonwealth. “They” say that Virginia produces good wines, “They” being the ones … [Read more...]

  Anytime I pass through McGaheysville on Rt. 33 heading to Harrisonburg, I stop by Gayle’s Market. Last week after we played Heritage Oaks Golf Course and were heading back to Charlottesville, I convinced my golf buddies to pull over and check out the country ham sandwiches at Gayle’s. The small rural store keeps them stacked high in a small refrigerator beside the counter, and we quickly … [Read more...]