Alleghany County Gets a Ghost Tour: Haunted Clifton Forge, VA

K grew up doing a little acting in what was then the Stonewall Theatre--and hearing tons of ghost stories from the cast and crew.  Folks talked about entering the theatre for the evening and seemingly interrupting a crowd, hearing the sounds and smelling the perfume of theatre-goers. There were reports of people watching shows in the balcony--people who weren't people.  And one can't forget the reports of a death in the theatre's apartment.  K has told J the stories and has wondered if anyone else remembered them, true or not.  So, when on a recent trip to Clifton Forge, this sign meant we were headed out for a Halterman Evening ghost tour.

Haunted Heritage Tours is a new venture from a new resident of the Alleghany Highlands named Audrey.  She's grown to appreciate the area and has a desire to both tell its history and attract folks to pay attention to the stories and places nestled in the beautiful hills.  Her 90-minute walking tour is well-priced, not gimmicky, and worth your time.  A gracious storyteller, she is receptive to input from locals and incorporates information about her primary-source local history research.  Expect an outdoor tour from Town Hall to C & O/Jack Mason's and back again with outdoor stops for stories and sightseeing.  We were particularly pleased to hear stories of Mary, the former proprietor of what was the Stonewall Theatre and what is now the Historic Masonic Theatre, and of the apartment above what was Zimmerman's menswear store.  This tour is strong on history and safe for kids who enjoy stories of ghosts and odd happenings.

The tour goes on, for now, weekends through October, although you should watch the website for future offerings at other times of the year and for different events.  In our humble opinion, the Highlands have not yet reached peak colors, so this is a great excuse to get Roanokers to drive over this month and take it in, routing through Craig Creek-Richpatch-Roaring Run encouraged to see the great fall colors in Botetourt.  While you are there, visit a great outdoor site like Humpback Bridge, take in a good meal, and, of course, enjoy the ghost tour.  Couples on an adventure, consider Cat and Owl for steak and seafood or Cafe Michel for French food--both can be destination restaurants. Families, try Vic's Family Restaurant.

More Trains and Local History: The C & O Railway Heritage Center

If there are trains, we will come.  On our way back from Nana's house recently, we made a quick stop at Clifton Forge's C and O Railway Heritage Center, a truly focused site for corporate and local history that is also very kid friendly.  An indoor-outdoor museum situated around a restored depot, the center celebrates the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad and many related ventures, including Clifton Forge's former C and O Hospital.  For us, there are nifty family connections: Granny Helen was a C and O secretary, working as the first female employee in her department; Kim's Great Grandfather Painter once worked at the depot, too. 

Anchored by a model train display of the C and O's main line, the depot building features an extensive exhibit of C and O history, professionally presented.  Significantly, there's a small but beautiful selection of "rolling stock" (trains for the uninitiated) on display.  You can enter two cabooses, a passenger car, a baggage car, and a dining car--all of which have been lovingly restored.  In our humble opinion, they are the best restored cars we've seen in Virginia.  On good weather days, you'll also find a working miniature train outside, big enough for riding in a loop with the kids, and there's a well-stocked gift shop with local history books and nifty local logo T-shirts.  You can also climb up a replica of JD Cabin, a signal tower.

If you go, know that the staffing is thin--if someone else is there, you may have to wait for a tour to conclude before you can pay admission.  A visit like ours will take an hour or so unless there is a special event.  We've been by on some of their special events days in the past--they tend to be well-organized and generally "worth it," if more crowded, if you are interested.  For a nearby meal, we recommend Vic's for something simple and tasty.  Clifton Forge is a nice place to visit, as is Alleghany County.  Please click the links to see some of our other trips.

A Lucky Break: The Homestead

As the fortunate recipients of a gift certificate, we recently enjoyed a marvelously relaxing weekend at the Homestead Resort in Bath County, Virginia.  Halterman weekends aren't usually about calm, but it was lovely to spend a few days in such a grand yet welcoming setting.  It's true what friends have told me:  the Homestead is a unique combination of upscale and low key, luxurious and laid back.  Best of all, we had a true vacation feeling while we were there; just like going on "island time," we went on "mountain time."  Justin and Kim were very happy, and four-month-old Gwen was very welcome.  Four-year-old Elijah enjoyed a weekend at Nana's.

Located on a mountainside in a very rural area, the Homestead is a place to "get away" that's still within driving distance of several East Coast metro areas.  The resort offers a large variety of adventurous and outdoor activities in a gorgeous setting:  guided hikes, off-road driving courses, segway riding, year-round outdoor swimming, falconry, skeet shooting, you name it.  Feeling more laid back, we walked the grounds frequently, and even this simple activity was a delight.  We enjoyed the resort history tour in particular, and Kim "took the waters" in the Jefferson Pools--a fabulously relaxing, inexpensive, and one-of-a-kind type of spa treatment.  The resort is a Canyon Ranch Spa Club site now as well, and there are numerous splurges available. 

If you go, make activity and dinner reservations in advance, even if you are not visiting on a holiday or convention weekend.  We recommend having at least one of the famous buffet breakfasts--they are more expensive than the typical breakfast, but they include just about everything one could ever want for a morning meal.  On the days we attended, there were traditional breakfast bar staples as well as an omlet station, sauteed veggies, fish, and a full complement of bagel toppings including Nutella, honey, and other goodies.   Dinner at Sam Snead's Tavern is casual and cozy, and there's a small coffee shop on grounds, too.  Don't miss afternoon tea in the lobby--a great opportunity to eat dainty chocolates and get to know your fellow guests.  We also recommend visiting during the holiday lights, and note it is possible to stay in nearby Covington and visit the resort for a special meal or activity. 

A Little Alleghany Adventure: Gathright Dam and Lake Moomaw

Sometimes, Kim gets nostalgic for childhood picnics with her Mom and Dad.  Back in the early 1990s, we'd take Sunday afternoons and head to outdoorsy places near Alleghany County with snack food and a little Hercules film as a tablecloth.  Kim distinctly remembers Gathright Dam and Lake Moomaw as a favorite spot, having been pretty fascinated by a dam we could drive across.  It wasn't the Hoover Dam, but it was impressive and close to home.  A childhood friend's father worked there, and it was just plain interesting to think about the dam's construction and its role in controlling local flooding.  On our last trip "over home," Kim decided it was time Justin, Elijah, and Gwen enjoyed an afternoon there.

On the day of our visit, the recreation areas were hardly crowded, giving the whole place a nice "lost in the woods" feel.  We simply "hiked" a very short, kid-friendly trail to the dam overlook and drove across the dam to show Elijah.  You can also boat, camp, and play--there's a beach on the lake.  A small visitors' center is placed near the dam, but they are serious about closing it at 3 PM.  The best part of our trip?  We learned Elijah enjoys going for a walk in the forest.

If you go, know you won't find many directions on the web, so don't be overly reliant on your GPS or smart phone for navigation and other information.  While that fact was initially frustrating, it's kind of novel these days to go somewhere without a strong digital presence.  Be ready to drive on roads that are paved but unlined and mountainous.  The closest place for a meal out is Covington, VA, where Kim recommends Cucci's for Italian and James Burke House Eatery for "upscale" sandwiches. 

Alleghany's Best Bridge

Looking for something laid back and slightly outdoorsy, we headed to Humpback Bridge, Alleghany County's covered bridge. The bridge wayside was a great place for Elijah to get out and run around--an in less fickle weather, it makes an excellent picnic spot, too. Even on a blustery day, there were folks fishing, and in the summer, you'll find folks swimming, too. It's also an interesting place to read local graffiti. While we opted for a quick trip and were then on to visit family, it would be easy to combine a trip to the bridge with a trip to Falling Springs Falls or Gathright/Lake Moomaw's recreational areas.

If you go, you'll be driving just beyond Covington past the Rosedale area. If you need to GPS it, use an easier address such as the nearby Covington Episcopal Boys' Home. While you are in the area, eat at our favorite restaurant in that neck of the woods: Cucci's. You must have some of the turnover sauce!