glorious Blue Ridge Mountains and is where I spent a road trip
last spring, zigzagging through the hollows to Winchester, Luray,
Harrisonburg, Waynesboro and Staunton. You can drive the
entire length of the Shenandoah Valley in only two hours, but
with so many fascinating small towns and cities along the way
you could spend days exploring. I did.
GARDENS AND COUNTRY MUSIC
IN WINCHESTER
Begin at ground zero in the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.
Housed inside a prominent stately Old Virginia heritage home
known as the Glen Burnie House (portions are pre–Civil War),
you'll hear stories of Winchester's founder James Wood and his
descendant Julian Wood Glass Jr. who with partner R. Lee Taylor
in the '50s not only restored the house but created garden art best
enjoyed as a series of rooms.
I wandered the 2.8-hectare gardens, taking in the ornate
statues, fountains and the pretty Pink Pavilion, which was used
for entertaining. My favourite spot was the Asian Garden, which
featured a towering bamboo grove, a moon gate and guardian
lion dogs.
I left behind this museum of local antiquities to drive only 10
minutes to visit the home of a local country singer who achieved
national stardom. Country music legend Patsy Cline, who paved
the way for future icons, lived in an unassuming small white
home on South Kent Street in her teen years until the age of 21.
The Patsy Cline Historic House is furnished in '50s decor and
features memorabilia from handwritten letters she penned to her
mother to a replica of her blue cowgirl dress worn in Winchester
for the 1956 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Parade.
PHOTOS:
SAM
DEAN/VIRGINIA
TOURISM
CORPORATION
|
KYLE
LAFERRIERE/VIRGINIA
TOURISM
CORPORATION
|
ROBERT
HARRIS
|
GREY
WALTERS/VIRGINIA
TOURISM
CORPORATION
DINE-OUT
In Staunton, at Zynodoa, named after the
Indigenous Chief who gave his name to the river
and valley (Shenandoah), order the bruléed cast-
iron cornbread, which comes with whipped
butter and melts in your mouth. zynodoa.com
Mashita in Harrisonburg serves homemade
Korean-inspired dishes in a fun space
showcasing local art. The fried mandu dumplings
are delicious! eatmashita.com
Southern Kitchen in New Market is the
quintessential American roadside diner. Try the
homemade peanut soup and Lloyd's famous
fried chicken for an authentic taste of the South.
southernkitchenva.com
