smith mountain laker sept-oct piece on floyd, va

8/14/2019 Smith Mountain Laker Sept-Oct Piece on Floyd, VA

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008

AUTUMN ON SMLLAKESIDE FIREPIT

FABULOUS FALL HIKE

CHARITY HOME TOUWINE FESTIVAL PREVIE

LANDSCAPE CONTEST WINNE


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Story by lynda imirie PHotograPHy by Fred FirS

pi

imeOne of the first things you notice about th

townspeople of Floyd is their genuine, old-fashione

southern hospitality. Its like a large family wher

everyone is always glad to see you. A word o

advice: Dont be in a rush or try to hurry folks along

Their pace has been set for generations, no doub

a reflection of the pastoral mountain top where the

live. Slow down and enjoy it.



ou might want to plan your vacation carefullyif youre thinking about visiting the town ofFloyd.

Only after youve been at Smith Mountain

Lake for awhile, had a chance to unwind,enjoy the water and soak up a little sun is itsafe to go to Floyd.

Venturing to this tranquil, mountain towndirectly from your typically fast-paced life could result in aserious 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 warmsummer sun, and stress is easily soothed with a hefty scoopof ice cream. Its charming, colorful, abundant with artistictalents, quaint and musically fun for all ages.

The ride to Floyd along the Blue Ridge Parkway is itself

peaceful and relaxing, a precursor of whats to come. As youget closer, signs of authentic rural life beckon you to slowup, stop and maybe even sit a spell.

Consider starting your visit with a tasty meal of home-style food at the Blue Ridge Restaurant, proudly proclaimingto have "the best of country cooking." The barbecue platealone is worth the trip, but the menu also boasts fresh, localproduce and meats as well as hearty breakfast selections.For a lighter fare you might prefer coffee and conversationat Caf del Sol, or venture over to Oddfellas Cantina foran "Appalachian Latino cuisine, vegetarian dishes and all-natural grain-fed beef."

With your taste buds temporarily satised, leave your car

where its parked and enjoy a walk around the shops alongMain Street and Locust, the only intersection in town.Stop in and savor the country-life avor of the Farmers

Supply General Hardware. There are fewer aisles to wanderthan in our familiar mega-hardware stores, but each one isbrimming with most everything country folk need at homeor on the farm. No doubt youll nd something you need,too.

Across the street is the New Mountain Mercantile,"where art, craft and gifts come together." An eclectic shopwith a mountain are, it showcases handmade clothing,

jewelry, home dcor, pottery and more, created by morethan 50 local artists and talented crafters.

Nearby is the legendary Floyd Country Store, a trueportal back in time.

One step inside onto the hardwood oor and you fullyexpect to see John-Boy Walton dippin into the barrels ofcandy or Will Rogers relaxing in a booth by the windowwith a few tobacco-chewin friends.

Like a typical early 1900s country store, its lled oor toceiling with unusual household goods, clothes, hats, country

u From top, the Floyd Country Store is flled with barrels ocandy and other goodies; every Friday evening the storebecomes a hot spot or live bluegrass and other traditionalmusic; the adjacent Floyd Barber Shop also attracts localbluegrass musicians.

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Shorelines traVeLq Bualo Mountain looms in the distanceo picturesque Floyd County.

u Nancy's Candy Co. in downtown Floydoers a wide selection o sweet treats.


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FAMILY FUN CENTER

Located on Route 122 Westlake

540-719-1547 www.hotshot-sml.com

OPEN AT 11 A.M. DAILY

FAMILY FUN NIGHT SPECIAL16 one-topping pizza2 liter soda4 rounds of golf$39

NEW

FORF

ALL2008

WideS

creen

TVs

Multiple

PoolTable

s



Shorelines Travel

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

music recordings, local crafts, toys and games and, of course,an old-fashioned ice cream counter where malted shakes andhomemade baked goods are served up with a smile.

Every Friday night of the year, the Floyd Country Storeis the site of a live music jamboree that is known throughoutthe region. Traditional Appalachian music always is on thevenue, but any bluegrass or old-time tune will be applaudedenthusiastically by the crowd that spills out into the streetwhere theres more room to dance.

An added bonus for music fans, the worlds largestselection of bluegrass and old-time recordings can be foundnearby at County Sales. This distinctive music shop and itsrecordings of local artists, country favorites and out-of-printrarities is appropriately located in the center of town "a keystop in the Virginia Heritage Music Trail," also known as "TheCrooked Road."

You can enjoy an abundance of music festivals in andaround Floyd County, including the Black Dog Beach andBlues weekend celebrations at Chateau Morrisette, the FloydFest in July and Floyds Harvest Festival County Fair in lateSeptember.

Floyd also is home to a diverse artistic community ofpotters, woodworkers, jewelers, textile and stained glassartists, photographers, glass blowers and painters. Theircreative works are on display and for sale throughout the localshops, restaurants and in the artists working studios, many

open to the public. Handcrafting workshops, exhibits anspecial events also are featured at the Jacksonville Center fthe Arts, Virginias rst residential craft school and passionapromoter of local artisan talents.

Another well-known, must-visit site in downtown FloydSchool House Fabrics, lauded as a sewers paradise. Featurinthree oors of fabrics, craft supplies, patterns and other sewinessentials, this converted old school building is a favoriof southwest Virginia residents who are known to travelhundred miles or more to shop its unique selections.

There are more opportunities to refresh your palate a shodrive up the street at The Bread Basket, a bakery/bulk foodstore, and at the Harvest Moon, a food shop with exotic giftgourmet foods, ne wines and cheeses, a small gallery ancaf.

When getting ready to head back to SML, promise not leave the downtown area without stopping at Nancys CandCo. Watch and taste the creation of the heavenly scentecreamy fudge and/or indulge in their ne chocolates and othdelights. You can try to take some home, but it will probabmelt (in your mouth) on the way.

But dont despair. The sweet, warm country feeling wlinger for a long time.

For more information, contact the Floyd County Chamber Commerce at 540.745.4407 or log on to visitfoyd.org.

A Step Back in Time, Continued

smith mountain laker sept-oct piece on floyd, va

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