For two years in a row now, Justin and Kim have gone to bed on Labor Day Friday with intentions of driving to Richmond on Labor Day Saturday. Each time, Saturday has become an opportunity to sleep in with a day trip to Bedford instead. This year, we took Don and Nita to the D-Day Memorial and to Liberty Station for lunch. Kim is not usually one on gardens, but the flowers--and the accompanying butterflies and bees--were beautiful at the memorial this year. At present, the controversial Stalin bust remains installed as well, providing an interesting stop for conversation. If you are in Bedford, Liberty Station is always an appropriate stop for lunch. Kim recommends the quiche of the day or the fried green tomato BLT. After lunch, do an antique shop or two in Centertown--Bob's is the best local stop for postcards, and Bella Books has some reasonably-priced books creatively displayed with some serious collectibles.
Following Bedford, Justin, Kim, and Elijah drove out to Downtown Moneta. Downtown is actually a new, upscale-looking mini-mall with the typical small businesses. The Mayberry Antique Mall there includes an outpost for one of our favorite dealers When Toys Were Fun and also has an area featuring Black Dog Salvage.
Keep driving a bit, and you'll find the Booker T. Washington National Monument. Elijah thoroughly enjoyed the grounds here, especially the very large pigs on the site's farm. The interpretation at the site is set for an upgrade, as the visitor's center is being improved at present. If you are interested in tourism history like Kim is, do some research on how this site came to be preserved, comparing and contrasting to Mount Vernon and Monticello.
If you are in the area for very long, Trinity Ecumenical Parish, one of Kim's favorite churches, is nearby, home to a Presbyterian-Episcopal-Lutheran congregation. We hear the Westlake Country Club Friday night buffet is back--and yummy--as well.
Related Links:
National D-Day Memorial
Booker T. Washington National Monument
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