Vintage Virginia: the Old Dominion practically wrote the book on American history, and it's a place of rare beauty as well - State Of The Month

Travel America, March-April, 2002 by Randy Mink

With 1,100 miles of shoreline, the region is a nature lover's dream. Don't miss Caledon Natural Area in King George County on the Potomac River, home to one of the largest summering concentrations of bald eagles on the East Coast. Also popular is Hughlett Point Nature Preserve on the Chesapeake Bay with its beaches, hiking trails, and wildlife observation areas.

Other attractions in the region include Reedville Fishermen's Museum, Point Kinsale Maritime Museum, and Ingleside Plantation Vineyards.

CENTRAL VIRGINIA. The heart of Virginia mixes the urban bustle of Richmond with quieter times in rolling countryside alive with echoes of America's past. Landmarks in the capital city include white-steepled St. John's Church, where Patrick Henry made his famous "Liberty or Death" speech; Museum and White House of the Confederacy; the Jefferson-designed Capitol; home of Chief Justice John Marshall; and Edgar Allan Poe Museum. Families flock to Paramount's Kings Dominion, a world of thrill rides near Doswell, north of Richmond.

Ensconced in the Blue Ridge foothills is Monticello, Jefferson's Charlottesville plantation home. Enjoy hearty Southern fare and 18th century atmosphere at Historic Michie Tavern. Wineries in Albermarle County offer tours and tastings. In neighboring Orange County, drop by Montpelier, the estate of James and Dolley Madison.

Appomattox Court House is where Lee surrendered to General Grant to end the Civil War. Petersburg also has many Civil War attractions.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY. A pioneer spirit and sense of elbow room mark the less populated western reaches of Virginia, a mountainous land brimming with natural attractions and homespun charm. Interstate 81, a north-south highway, efficiently ties together the 200-mile-long valley, while back roads beckon nostalgia-minded visitors who want to dilly-dally in hidden hamlets off the beaten track, away from the crowds.

The region's prime lure is Shenandoah National Park, a stretch of wilderness perched atop the crests of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At numerous overlooks along the park's 105-mile Skyline Drive, motorists feast on panoramic views.

In a gorge at the southern end of the valley stands Natural Bridge, a magnificent arch of stone. A sound-and-light show at the bridge, along with Natural Bridge Caverns, a wax museum, zoo, Monacan Indian Village, and lodging, comprise the Natural Bridge tourist complex. Roanoke, an easy drive to the south, is rich in cultural fare and other urban amenities.

Vestiges of the Old South and its military heroes await travelers in Lexington, a quiet college town 15 miles north of Natural Bridge. Ideal for self-guided walking tours and craft-shop browsing, the compact town abounds with 19th century landmarks, many of them associated with Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, the most revered Confederate generals. Lexington's Washington & Lee University, site of the chapel where Lee is buried, boasts one of America's most idyllic and classic college campuses. Next door, at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), cadets give tours of the post, a National Historic District noted for its austere Gothic architecture and the George C. Marshall Museum.