That little idiot light came on in my car yesterday. “Maint Req’d.” I know what it means; the first time it happened I called the dealership because the nowhere in the manual could I find an explanation of the meaning of the light. Turns out that it simply means it’s time to change the oil. I was traveling long distance at the time (on my way back to Florida) and the woman I spoke to said I could wait until I got home to bring it in for an oil change, since I was only 300 miles or so away. This time I’m in Virginia and I think waiting would be pressing my luck. Besides, that little orange light was driving me crazy. I swear it was screaming at me.
Since it was lunchtime, I decided to look for a town with a Toyota dealership or a quick lube place and get the oil changed while I ate. Luck was with me. I pulled off I-81 into Staunton, Virginia since I have long wanted to see this town anyway, and quickly found a Toyota dealership that could fit me in. After lunch I took a quick driving tour of the town and was extremely impressed by what I saw.
Staunton is tucked into a pocket valley at the head of the Shenandoah Valley. The city is built on rolling hills and its picturesque downtown features scores of historic red-brick buildings that house art galleries, shops, and restaurants. Staunton is home to the Blackfriars Playhouse, the only re-creation in the world of Shakespeare’s legendary indoor theatre; the Frontier Culture Museum, a living history museum illustrating the daily lives of Shenandoah Valley’s early settlers; and the Woodrow Wilson Museum and Research Library, which is the only presidential library in Virginia.
Although the town exhibited a mighty pull on me, I had to get back on the road. I have obligations in Atlanta and I must be there tonight. I have camped in Shenandoah National Park and know how beautiful it is; now I know there is a great town to explore the next time I am in the area. Besides, the weather is just getting too cold for my bones. It’s time to get back to Florida for the winter. Shenandoah and Staunton can wait until summer.
Oct 2011 ~ Our evenings have started getting cooler this fall quicker than in the recent past and the leaves have started to change. Lots of Bed & Breakfast Inns located in and around the downtown area plus the Stonewall Jackson Hotel is located to the left of the Blackfriar’s Playhouse.
So, I live in this lovely little city of Staunton, Virginia, and you must visit it again someday. It is truly a mystical place. 🙂
And plus, we’re a quiet, fun community.
Thank you for the good comments.
always,
Tiffany