And Roanoke Becomes Irish...

In recent years, St. Patrick's Day has become a big day to celebrate in Roanoke. Events include an extensive community parade and a vendor area. Kim and Justin had been once before to the vendor area and again, largely on accident, when driving through downtown, but such a beautiful day and an invitation from good friends made this year's festival irresistible. Downtown Roanoke was positively vibrant!

The parade event included entries from community groups like the Parrotheads, many a Girl Scout Troop and animal rescue league, various vehicles, businesses, groups with political positions, pipes and drums bands, the local roller derby league...you name it! Elijah was thrilled with the entire show for its approximate 90 minute duration.

The vendor area was more general than Celtic, but we did visit the Celtic Tides stand where Kim and Justin were introduced to two new sodas: Red Lemonade and Irn Bru. We also made it to the Taubman's community day and to Horizons, a new restaurant on the market. Market businesses were reaping the benefit of the crowds, something we love to see.

If you go, be prepared for crowds and barriers that make traversing the area a bit more difficult. Otherwise, enjoy the community feel of the event, expecting to bump into friends and neighbors. It makes a great day to eat and shop locally as well. Local businesses to visit in the market area include On the Rise bakery, La De Da women's boutique, Beads Indeed jewelry crafting store, and Chocolate Paper gifts.

Relevant Links:
Roanoke St. Patrick's Day Celebration

A Little Bit of Lexington

Lexington is a great place for a quick daytrip from Roanoke, especially when the weather is nice. On a spring-like February day, we snuck off for a nice walk through town and some history research time for Justin.

It's always a simple pleasure to walk from shop to shop in the town, especially when you take in the Victorian Parlor and Shenandoah Attic. In those stores, spend time with the personable, warm owners as you browse. These days, there are a number of restaurants, too--most of which are non-chain.

We typically walk up to Lee Chapel and the Virginia Military Institute Museum, both which feature some interesting collections and are both housed in buildings with churches. Lee Chapel's museum has been retooled recently to focus on Wasington and Lee University history and includes classroom artifacts, and the VMI Museum is in the process of updates as well. At the VMI, don't miss Jackson's horse: yep, Stonewall's actual horse hide, mounted, is there. On a more serious note, Kim is always moved by the display of military medals for those cadets who "died on the field of honor," one of which is her classmate Josh Hurley, Alleghany High School '97, VMI '01. If you visit in a museum mood, also see the Stonewall Jackson House (closed part of the winter season) and VMI's Marshall Museum.

If you go, we think the best place to park is in the visitor's center free lot and that a walk from the center through town helps you feel oriented. The town is pleasantly walkable.

Relevant Links:
Shenandoah Attic and Victorian Parlor
VMI Museum
Lee Chapel and Museum

Relevant Twitter Handles:
LexingtonVA