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Hardly trivial, this distinction embodies The Plains, a crossroads community with one stoplight nestled between Warrenton and Middle­burg. We picked up the truffee and wine in the rustic Farm Store, which is best described as a gourmet general store. Yes, this is the life and, judging by those who’ve bought second homes here, it’s a good one. Robert Duvall has a farm here and he once owned the Rail Stop restaurant, but recently sold it. Willard Scott, who lives in nearby DelaPlain, comes into The Plains Pharmacy quite often, riling up the girls behind the counter, no doubt.

Getting to The Plains is a short, scenic drive on Route 626 from Middleburg. The road by itself is an attraction – rolling and winding through farmlands and past estates, with glimpses of the Blue Ridge to the west. Today a cutesy little hamlet with a handful of trendy artists’ studios and shops, The Plains was once the outpost of civilization, hence the name. In 1726 the first settlers came through Thoroughfare Gap to the north and began farming the land.

Around Town

A post office came in 1831 to join the one store and one house in town. In 1862 Lee’s entire army camped here. Considered part of Mosby’s Confederacy, the Union Army twice sent search and destroy missions, burning much of the buildings. The Manassas Gap railroad had reached The Plains in 1852, and after the freight depot was built in 1892 to pick up the produce grown in nearby farms, the town started to thrive.

In the early 1990s, the train depot was narrowly saved from destruction by a citizens’ group called “Save the RR Station.” Enid Adams (tel. 540-253-5678, a fabric and garden designer, was the first artist to move her studio into the station’s waiting room and encouraged other artists to join her. Large windows look into the various studios at RR Arts Depot, where you might be able to catch artists at work during the week, or by appointment.

TRAVEL TIP: Several shops and restaurants are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and artists are generally not in their studios on weekends, so the best days to visit The Plains are Wednesday through Friday.

Attraction

The Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County preserves and shares the history of the county’s black population through photographs, genealogical records and educational programs. (4249 Loudoun Avenue, tel. 540-253-7488, www.afro-american­of­va.org)

Great Meadow hosts a variety of equestrian events, from Friday night polo to the Middleburg Classic Horse Show. (5089 Old Tavern Road, tel. 540-253-5001, www.greatmeadow.org)

Dining

The Rail Stop on Main Street serves specials incorporating local Black Angus beef and smoked trout. Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. (tel. 540-253-5644, www.railstoprestaurant.com)

Just Breakfast & Lunch serves just that. (4244 Loudoun Avenue, tel. 540-253-5501)

Lodging

Pet-friendly: The Grey Horse Inn is an 1880s mansion on four acres with six guest rooms, one of which is designated for guests with pets and has its own entrance. There’s no extra charge for four-legged critters. (4350 Fau­quier Avenue, tel. 540-253-7000, www.greyhorse­inn.com, $$$)

Information

The Plains Business & Professional Association, www.the­plainsvirginia.org, provides information about dining, lodging, shopping and events.

Information is also available from the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce, Warrenton, tel. 800-820-1021, www.fauq­uier­cham­ber.org.

Event

Each October is your chance to catch most of The Plains’ artisans at work at one time during the Open Studio and Walking Tour. In addition to the artists in the RR Arts depot (tel. 540-253-5470 or 253-5678), there’s also a potter, a sculptor and two harpsichord builders in town.

Coastal Virginia

From the Northern Neck down to Hampton Roads, the waters of the numerous rivers emptying into the Chesapeake Bay define life and recreation in Coastal Virginia. The great native tribes of Powhatan lived and fished along the banks of “river country.” Our nation’s Colonial history is acted