Rediscovering America_ Exploring the Small Towns of Virginia & Maryland - Bill Burnham [61]
Watch pottery being made and painted at the Emerson Creek Pottery factory outlet, located in an 1825 log blacksmith’s cabin. (tel. 540-297-7884, www.emersoncreek-pottery.com)
The Sedalia Center promotes the arts, from pottery making to bluegrass music, through festivals, exhibits and programs. (tel. 434-299-5080, www.sedaliacenter.org)
Call ahead for an appointment to see handmade furniture being made at The New Henderson’s Country Furniture (tel. 800-755-8546, www.hendersonsfurniture.com), or Maxwell Furniture Co. (tel. 800-686-1844, www.maxwellfurniture.com)
Booker T. Washington National Monument is a tobacco farm and the birthplace of the African-American leader who overcame slavery to become an educator, writer, founder of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and advisor to three presidents. Located on Route 122 in Hardy, near Smith Mountain Lake. Open daily 9 am-5 pm. (tel. 540-721-2094, www.nps.gov/bowa)
Thomas Jefferson built the octagonal brick house at Poplar Forest in Bedford County in 1806 as a summer retreat. The restored home is open for tours April through November, 10 am-4 pm daily; admission is $7 for adults and $1 for children ages six-16. Located east of Bedford on Route 221. (tel. 434-525-1806, www.poplarforest.org)
Poplar Park on Smith Street is home to the world’s largest yellow poplar tree and is the largest tree of any kind in the state. (tel. 540-587-6061)
Holy Land USA and Nature Sanctuary depicts Bible scenes of Israel on 250 acres. Open year-round; admission is free, though there is a nominal fee for primitive lodging, wagon tours and hiking tours. (1060 Jericho Road, tel. 540-586-2823, www.holyland.pleasevisit.com)
Peaks of Otter Winery is open for tours and tastings at Johnson’s Orchards, where you can pick your own fruit, purchase bushels, or products like apple wine, cider and butter. Open daily August through mid-fall. Call ahead the rest of the year. Six miles northwest of Bedford on Route 680. (tel. 800-742-6877, www.peaksofotterwinery.com)
Outdoors
Ten miles to the north of Bedford, the famed Peaks of Otter – Flat Top and Sharp Top – are clearly visible. From the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center it’s a short (1.6 miles) but strenuous and steep climb to the Sharp Top summit’s 360° view. Flat Top is a longer hike (4.4 miles), rewarded by scattered rock outcrops at 4,000 feet. Peaks of Otter Lodge has lakeside dining and accommodations with terrific views of both peaks. (tel. 800-542-5927, www.peaksofotter.com)
Twelve miles south of Bedford is Smith Mountain Lake, an engineering marvel created in the 1960s. Recreation abounds at the state park, with boating, camping, fishing, hiking and swimming. (tel. 540-297-6066, www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/smithmtn.htm)
Dining
The Duchess of Bedford Bakery and Olde Shoppe is a take-off on the fact that Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is credited with starting the tradition of afternoon tea in England. The duchess apparently couldn’t wait until dinner and started having a small meal of dainty sandwiches, tiny pastries and tea with her friends in the afternoon. The shop doesn’t actually serve afternoon tea, but sells the items to have your own. (1842 Forest Road, tel. 540-587-8777)
Forks Country Restaurant serves home-style cooking and breakfast all day. (1619 Forest Road, tel. 540-586-9041)
For exceptional food and wine in an unusual setting, there’s the Millstone Tea Room, 10 miles north of Bedford on Route 122. The renovated general store serves specialties like roasted quail and rack of lamb. The wine list carries more than 50 vintages from Virginia, California and France, and more than 20 beers. Sorry, they don’t serve afternoon tea here either – the name comes from the restaurant, grocery and gas station opened here in 1939. There’s a heated patio for outdoor dining. Open for dinner Wednesday-Saturday and Sunday Brunch. (9058 Big Island Highway, Sedalia, tel. 540-587-7100)
Olde Liberty Station takes its name from Bedford’s original name of Liberty and is located in an historic 1905 train depot. The menu is cleverly titled