Virginia - Day 4

W: Today was a good day despite the threat of rain. Although cloudy, temperatures were mild and the rain held off until afternoon when we were snuggled down in the RV.

We tried to visit several Virginia wineries but were frustrated at every opportunity. The first didn’t open until 11:00 – we were there at 10:30. The second and third ones were only open by appointment. The last was only open on Sat and Sun. So we quit trying and enjoyed the drive.

Our first stop was in Aldie, VA. Almost everything was closed (antique stores, museum, and county stores); only open on Sat. & Sun. Guess it must be a seasonal thing. But we walked around the Aldie Mill (see photos). According to the info signs, the road (US 50) was a link between had been macadamized (paved) at the time of the civil war and the site of one of the earliest battles between Union and Confederate forces occurred on that road in Aldie – June 17-21, 1863. Although it’s usually difficult to imagine what it was like because there are so many changes, the fact that the road was paved at the time, the mills was operating, and the many stone farm houses and stores were as we saw them today, made it was easy to visualize cavalry and troops fighting along this throughway.

The mill itself was built in 1807 by Charles Mercer and is the last standing gristmill in Virginia with tandem overshot waterwheels. It uses water from the Little River. Located on the Little River Turnpike (US 50), the road connected Aldie with the port of Alexandria, VA, to transport flour from the wheat fields of the area to the east coast of the USA and overseas.

As an aside, Margaret and I were discussing how the USA has changed. We are in the middle of what was the heart of the industrial revolution (albeit in the early 1800’s). Harpers Ferry was manufacturing guns with machinery, railroads and canals were revolutionizing transportation, Aldie mill was transporting flour overseas, etc. Today, industrial giants and centers of capitalism are in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, etc., while the once bustling central and northern Virginia hills are home to gentlemen farmers and horse ranches. We wonder if the Civil War had not occurred, how different our geography and history be.

Leaving Aldie we headed west along US 50 to the town of Middleburg, VA. Boy, did we feel out of place! Almost every shop was oriented to horses, hounds, and fox hunting. Margaret ventured into a high-end antique shop she didn’t feel welcome. Across the street was a “liquor” store. Since we had been unsuccessful at visiting wineries, I thought I’d check out the wines. This “liquor” store didn’t have many; mostly “hard” liquors. When I asked where to buy wine, I was sent to Safeway or, if I wanted “gourmet” wine, to a wine cellar around the corner. Then the three guys continued talking horses and hounds.

There were several photo ops. One of the fun stores was a dog treats store. The owner, a retired carpenter, had a great sense of humor. Check out the store front with its BOWSER BEER, the BEAGLES (rock group), and HAIRY’S BARK AND GRILL: PAWS DOWN, THE BEST WHINE IN TOWN.

After the time on the parking meter and our interest in Middleburg had expired, we headed north into the back country. By this time we were both hungry. Miss Priss, our faithful GPS companion, had nothing to report in the way of food stuff within 20 miles. As we rounded a corner (lots of them on back roads), we found the community Philomont – and the local general store. When I say, General store, it really was. They had a General Delivery window for mail, all manner of sundries, and fresh sandwiches. They were also quite cordial.

So we ordered Texas pulled pork BBQ, topped with coleslaw; a side of potato chips, drinks, a Belgian “sweet” beer (she promised me it was great even though I couldn’t drink it on their premises), and a Chardonnay from her vineyard / winery. We sat on the front porch and enjoyed our lunch and talking to the local residents who came and went. We enjoyed the sandwiches immensely; Margaret said the BBQ was as good as any she’d had.

While we were sitting on the front porch, a gentleman arrived (for his mail?), and was leaving when he spotted the Univ of Florida license plate on the Saturn. He did a double take, came back and we were engaged in a friendly conversation. He had lived in Florida and had a son at the U of F (another at Auburn – which made for spirited family reunions). He and his wife are headed to Amelia Island for Thanksgiving this year. He said it was easier to get the family together in Florida than in Virginia. And perhaps we’ll see him on Centre Street for the morning after Thanksgiving sale – where one must be wearing pajamas to get the discount.

As we were leaving, the local volunteer Fire Department siren went off. Since we were sitting right beside the station, the siren was quite loud. We thought it was a test, but then one of the fire engines roared out with its siren and horn blaring. The blasts from the siren alert the community volunteer firemen that there is a fire and they are needed immediately -- lot of excitement at an American cross-road. The firemen in Wagon 8 waved as they went by.