Again this weekend, we sought a "quick trip" from Roanoke following Elijah's swimming lesson at Green Ridge. We headed off to Buchanan, realizing there was a Civil War re-enactment and a small festival going on today. We drive through Buchanan often when returning from other places on the I-81 corridor--but it had been several years since we'd bummed around there.
We began with lunch at the Greenwood, Troutville's landmark home cookin' restaurant. It's a great place for things like country fried steak and chocolate malts, the Botetourt County version of Road Food. It's another place Elijah enjoys the mashed potatoes.
Next, it was off to Buchanan's simple downtown, a good place for casual antiquing. Several shops are within easy walking distance of each other, and the proprietors and the people you pass on the street are relaxed and friendly. There was a fabulous selection of postcards at James River Antiques, and Eagles Wings Antiques and Uniques is a beautiful-yet-unpretentious store. My description would not be complete without giving credit to Justin's favorite, Fireside Books. Fireside is a crowded used bookstore with good deals--and lots of old magazines to comb if you are interested. On the way out of town, we also stopped at Kelly's Real Deals (Troutville), an antique and curiosity shop with an exterior to behold.
No trip to Buchanan would be complete without a walk across the swinging bridge. Water plays a lively role in this town's history--ask any native about the Flood of '85.
There's a new German restaurant in Buchanan--in an old funeral home, I think. We're going to have to go back and eat there! If you go, also consider visiting the restored drug store (complete with a soda fountain) and the inexpensive movies at the Buchanan Theater. If driving via Troutville, stop at the Apple Barn II, one of the nation's most popular Cat's Meow dealers, and browse an extensive collection of local sites in wooden shelf sitters.
No comments:
Post a Comment