Smith Mountain Laker Sept-oct Piece On Floyd, Va

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008

AUTUMN ON SML LAKESIDE FIREPITS FABULOUS FALL HIKES

CHARITY HOME TOUR WINE FESTIVAL PREVIEW LANDSCAPE CONTEST WINNER

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A Step Back inTime Story

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lynda imirie • PHotograPHy

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Fred FirSt

One of the first things you notice about the townspeople of Floyd is their genuine, old-fashioned southern hospitality. It’s like a large family where everyone is always glad to see you. A word of advice: Don’t be in a rush or try to hurry folks along. Their pace has been set for generations, no doubt a reflection of the pastoral mountain top where they live. Slow down and enjoy it. S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R

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u From top, the Floyd Country Store is filled with barrels of candy and other goodies; every Friday evening the store becomes a hot spot for live bluegrass and other traditional music; the adjacent Floyd Barber Shop also attracts local bluegrass musicians.

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Mary Kuhn

ou might want to plan your vacation carefully if you’re thinking about visiting the town of Floyd. Only after you’ve been at Smith Mountain Lake for awhile, had a chance to unwind, enjoy the water and soak up a little sun is it safe to go to Floyd. Venturing to this tranquil, mountain town directly from your typically fast-paced life could result in a serious collision with long-lasting consequences. You may decide to stay forever. Floyd is a Brigadoon of sorts, a place lost in time where modern-day worries seem to melt like butter in the warm summer sun, and stress is easily soothed with a hefty scoop of ice cream. It’s charming, colorful, abundant with artistic talents, quaint and musically fun for all ages. The ride to Floyd along the Blue Ridge Parkway is itself peaceful and relaxing, a precursor of what’s to come. As you get closer, signs of authentic rural life beckon you to slow up, stop and maybe even sit a spell. Consider starting your visit with a tasty meal of homestyle food at the Blue Ridge Restaurant, proudly proclaiming to have "the best of country cooking." The barbecue plate alone is worth the trip, but the menu also boasts fresh, local produce and meats as well as hearty breakfast selections. For a lighter fare you might prefer coffee and conversation at Café del Sol, or venture over to Oddfella’s Cantina for an "Appalachian Latino cuisine, vegetarian dishes and allnatural grain-fed beef." With your taste buds temporarily satisfied, leave your car where it’s parked and enjoy a walk around the shops along Main Street and Locust, the only intersection in town. Stop in and savor the country-life flavor of the Farmer’s Supply General Hardware. There are fewer aisles to wander than in our familiar mega-hardware stores, but each one is brimming with most everything country folk need at home or on the farm. No doubt you’ll find something you need, too. Across the street is the New Mountain Mercantile," where art, craft and gifts come together." An eclectic shop with a mountain flare, it showcases handmade clothing, jewelry, home décor, pottery and more, created by more than 50 local artists and talented crafters. Nearby is the legendary Floyd Country Store, a true portal back in time. One step inside onto the hardwood floor and you fully expect to see John-Boy Walton dippin’ into the barrels of candy or Will Rogers relaxing in a booth by the window with a few tobacco-chewin’ friends. Like a typical early 1900s country store, it’s filled floor to ceiling with unusual household goods, clothes, hats, country

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q Buffalo Mountain looms in the distance of picturesque Floyd County. u Nancy's Candy Co. in downtown Floyd offers a wide selection of sweet treats.

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FAMILY FUN CENTER s HOLE#HAMPIONSHIP-INI'OLF#OURSEs s%LECTRIC"LASTER"UMPER"OATS!RCADEs s"IRTHDAY0ARTIES 'ROUP%VENTS&UNDRAISERSs s'REAT0LACEFOR'AME.IGHTs s$AILY,UNCH3PECIALSs(OMESTEAD#REAMERY)CE#REAMs s,OCAL$ELIVERY!VAILABLEs!"#/N0REMISEs

OPEN AT 11 A.M. DAILY

FAMILY FUN NIGHT SPECIAL F 16” one-topping pizza 2 liter soda 4 rounds of golf

$39

Located on Route 122 • Westlake 540-719-1547 • www.hotshot-sml.com S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R

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p Clockwise from left, colorful fall foliage makes the drive through Floyd County even more spectacular; North Carolina's Pilot Mountain is visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway; An old barn is typical of the scenery to be found while traveling through Floyd County.

A Step Back in Time, Continued music recordings, local crafts, toys and games and, of course, an old-fashioned ice cream counter where malted shakes and homemade baked goods are served up with a smile. Every Friday night of the year, the Floyd Country Store is the site of a live music jamboree that is known throughout the region. Traditional Appalachian music always is on the venue, but any bluegrass or old-time tune will be applauded enthusiastically by the crowd that spills out into the street where there’s more room to dance. An added bonus for music fans, the world’s largest selection of bluegrass and old-time recordings can be found nearby at County Sales. This distinctive music shop and its recordings of local artists, country favorites and out-of-print rarities is appropriately located in the center of town – "a key stop in the Virginia Heritage Music Trail," also known as "The Crooked Road." You can enjoy an abundance of music festivals in and around Floyd County, including the Black Dog Beach and Blues weekend celebrations at Chateau Morrisette, the Floyd Fest in July and Floyd’s Harvest Festival County Fair in late September. Floyd also is home to a diverse artistic community of potters, woodworkers, jewelers, textile and stained glass artists, photographers, glass blowers and painters. Their creative works are on display and for sale throughout the local shops, restaurants and in the artists’ working studios, many 7 6

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open to the public. Handcrafting workshops, exhibits and special events also are featured at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts, Virginia’s first residential craft school and passionate promoter of local artisan talents. Another well-known, must-visit site in downtown Floyd is School House Fabrics, lauded as a sewer’s paradise. Featuring three floors of fabrics, craft supplies, patterns and other sewing essentials, this converted old school building is a favorite of southwest Virginia residents who are known to travel a hundred miles or more to shop its unique selections. There are more opportunities to refresh your palate a short drive up the street at The Bread Basket, a bakery/bulk foods store, and at the Harvest Moon, a food shop with exotic gifts, gourmet foods, fine wines and cheeses, a small gallery and café. When getting ready to head back to SML, promise not to leave the downtown area without stopping at Nancy’s Candy Co. Watch and taste the creation of the heavenly scented, creamy fudge and/or indulge in their fine chocolates and other delights. You can try to take some home, but it will probably melt (in your mouth) on the way. But don’t despair. The sweet, warm country feeling will linger for a long time. For more information, contact the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce at 540.745.4407 or log on to visitfloyd.org.