Blog Archives
Shenandoah Battlefields
The sun is shining, the weather is hot, and the Virginia scenery is green with that mid-summer verdancy. People are venturing outdoors for various summer adventures, and we have a suggestion if you’re looking for one of the these said adventures. If you enjoy an exploration of the outdoors along with a love (or at least mild interest) in history, then a tour of a historic Shenandoah Valley battlefield is perfect for your Virginia itinerary.
“Using military significance criteria, the National Park Service included 20 Shenandoah Valley battlefield sites in its 1993 Report on the Nation’s Civil War Battlefields…These sites were among the 384 conflicts identified nationwide that were ‘of special strategic, tactical, or thematic importance to local operations, campaigns, theaters, or to the war as a whole’” (Shenandoah at War)
You can see some of these historic battlefields on a Signature Tour in many of the Valleys breathtaking cities. Explore Winchester and Frederick County or the Signal Knob area which “bore witness to many serious engagements during the Civil War.” Check out the location of Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign with a tour of the Harrisonburg area, or take in the sights and sounds of the Clarke County area. Whatever your destination, you’ll be treated to a piece of the past. Click here for a full list of Signature Tours.
And of course you’ll need lodging, so how about enhancing your historic getaway with a stay at one of our BBHSV member inn: https://www.bbhsv.org/shenandoah-valley-virginia-inns.htm.
Rock Out with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
“I grew up in a world that told girls they couldn’t play rock ‘n’ roll.” –Joan Jett
Summertime seems to be synonymous with outdoor musical performances. Visitors from all over gather picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and cold drinks and join together to listen to their favorite musicians play in spite of the muggy heat of summer.
Roanoke, Virginia is a hub of musical talent, so it should come as no surprise that our city will be rocking out in a few weeks. August 20, 2015 will bring a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend who “helped build the groundwork for America’s punk-rock scene with her hard-changing guitar prowess, altitudinal vocals and a string of anthems so positively vibrant, they could’ve been recorded yesterday.” If you haven’t guessed by now (or seen the title of this blog), we’re talking about Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
As part of a tour to promote their new album “Unvarnished,” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will be performing in downtown Roanoke’s Summer Concert Series. Tickets for this concert are going quickly, so grab yours now, and don’t forget to book your room at a Shenandoah Valley Bed & Breakfast!
Fast Facts:
Where: Elmwood Park, 706 S Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA
When: August 20, 2015, 7:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $25 plus tax at the Berglund Center Box Office. $27 online.
Lodging: A BBHSV inn!
The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail
“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.” –Benjamin Franklin
Did you know that Virginia wine made Forbes’ Magazine’s list of “Six Exciting Wine Regions to Explore” in 2014? We’re pretty proud of the high quality (and tasty!) wines that our Commonwealth is producing and distributing, and whether you’re an experienced wine connoisseur or you’re a casual taster, we think you’ll love Virginia wine. Furthermore, not only can you sample the vino for yourself during a Shenandoah Valley visit, but you can also tour some of the nearby vineyards and wineries that are part of the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail.
Try Ox-Eye Vineyards’ Chardonnay with its “tropical notes of banana, pineapple and citrus” or CrossKeys Vineyards’ Meritage a “classic Bordeaux Blend comprised of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot.” Savor Rockbridge Vineyard’s 2013 Rockbridge Chardonnay, which won silver at the 2014 Virginia Governor’s Cup. Taste Valerie Hill Winery’s 2013 Cabernet Franc, which boasts “Hints of vanilla and tobacco” and “flavors of dark cherry, ripe dark berries, currants, and a touch of cinnamon.” Click here for a full list of the vineyards and wineries that comprise the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail.
Need lodging during your wine-themed getaway? Our member inns are at your service.
Member Feature: Stonewall Jackson Inn, Harrisonburg, VA
Harrisonburg, Virginia’s Stonewall Jackson Inn Bed & Breakfast certainly lives up to its motto of “a night’s delight & a breakfast to remember.” This restored 1885 establishment boasts a Virginia Green standing, a prime location, lavish rooms, hearty Southern breakfasts, and fantastically warm and welcoming innkeepers.
So, let’s start with the rooms: “Every room is unique in décor and ambiance with different combinations of shape, original fixtures, high ceilings, and hardwood floors.” But don’t think that the historic aspect of these rooms means that they lack any modern conveniences; each is outfitted with everything you could want or need on a B&B getaway, including private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, personal TVs, fireplaces, and more. Relax and refresh in any of these historically named rooms, and you won’t want to leave!
That’s one-half of a B&B, so now how about the other half—the breakfasts? At Stonewall Jackson Inn, you will be treated to mouthwatering dishes like Eggs Benedict, croissant French toast, and blueberry sausage breakfast cake, all served with fresh fruit, juice, and hot, rich coffee.
Whether you’re in need of a romantic getaway, a “just because” vacation, a local staycation, or a getaway with the girls, Stonewall Jackson Inn is there to accommodate you (and they provide packages and discounts as well). Book your room now, and explore the rich history and culture and Harrisonburg, VA has to offer.
“It was our first time in a B&B but this place set the bar high! Wayne, Candy, and the rest of the gang were incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. They gave us some great recommendations on vineyards around the area, and if you didn’t want to do those, the proximity to downtown was a huge plus! The breakfasts were absolutely phenomenal, and the rooms…were comfy and had nice views of the yard and mountains. Overall, an awesome trip!” –TripAdvisor Reviewer
Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread from Belle Hearth B&B
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups mashed ripe banana
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, and sugar. Stir in nuts and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, oil, mashed banana, vanilla, and pineapple. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and stir just until flour mixture in moistened.
Divide batter between 2 greased and floured 9×5-inch loaf pans. Bake for 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool bread in pans for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
Eat and enjoy!
Thanks for BBHSV member Belle Hearth Bed & Breakfast for this recipe. (Originally published in the Virginia Bed & Breakfast Cookbook.)
Photo by TwoPeasandTheirPod.com
Shenandoah Battlefields
The sun is shining, the weather is hot, and the Virginia scenery is green with that mid-summer verdancy. People are venturing outdoors for various summer adventures, and we have a suggestion if you’re looking for one of the these said adventures. If you enjoy an exploration of the outdoors along with a love (or at least mild interest) in history, then a tour of a historic Shenandoah Valley battlefield is perfect for your Virginia itinerary.
“Using military significance criteria, the National Park Service included 20 Shenandoah Valley battlefield sites in its 1993 Report on the Nation’s Civil War Battlefields…These sites were among the 384 conflicts identified nationwide that were ‘of special strategic, tactical, or thematic importance to local operations, campaigns, theaters, or to the war as a whole’” (Shenandoah at War)
You can see some of these historic battlefields on a Signature Tour in many of the Valleys breathtaking cities. Explore Winchester and Frederick County or the Signal Knob area which “bore witness to many serious engagements during the Civil War.” Check out the location of Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign with a tour of the Harrisonburg area, or take in the sights and sounds of the Clarke County area. Whatever your destination, you’ll be treated to a piece of the past. Click here for a full list of Signature Tours.
And of course you’ll need lodging, so how about enhancing your historic getaway with a stay at one of our BBHSV member inn: https://www.bbhsv.org/shenandoah-valley-virginia-inns.htm.
Rock Out with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
“I grew up in a world that told girls they couldn’t play rock ‘n’ roll.” –Joan Jett
Summertime seems to be synonymous with outdoor musical performances. Visitors from all over gather picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and cold drinks and join together to listen to their favorite musicians play in spite of the muggy heat of summer.
Roanoke, Virginia is a hub of musical talent, so it should come as no surprise that our city will be rocking out in a few weeks. August 20, 2015 will bring a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend who “helped build the groundwork for America’s punk-rock scene with her hard-changing guitar prowess, altitudinal vocals and a string of anthems so positively vibrant, they could’ve been recorded yesterday.” If you haven’t guessed by now (or seen the title of this blog), we’re talking about Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
As part of a tour to promote their new album “Unvarnished,” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will be performing in downtown Roanoke’s Summer Concert Series. Tickets for this concert are going quickly, so grab yours now, and don’t forget to book your room at a Shenandoah Valley Bed & Breakfast!
Fast Facts:
Where: Elmwood Park, 706 S Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA
When: August 20, 2015, 7:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $25 plus tax at the Berglund Center Box Office. $27 online.
Lodging: A BBHSV inn!
The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail
“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.” –Benjamin Franklin
Did you know that Virginia wine made Forbes’ Magazine’s list of “Six Exciting Wine Regions to Explore” in 2014? We’re pretty proud of the high quality (and tasty!) wines that our Commonwealth is producing and distributing, and whether you’re an experienced wine connoisseur or you’re a casual taster, we think you’ll love Virginia wine. Furthermore, not only can you sample the vino for yourself during a Shenandoah Valley visit, but you can also tour some of the nearby vineyards and wineries that are part of the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail.
Try Ox-Eye Vineyards’ Chardonnay with its “tropical notes of banana, pineapple and citrus” or CrossKeys Vineyards’ Meritage a “classic Bordeaux Blend comprised of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot.” Savor Rockbridge Vineyard’s 2013 Rockbridge Chardonnay, which won silver at the 2014 Virginia Governor’s Cup. Taste Valerie Hill Winery’s 2013 Cabernet Franc, which boasts “Hints of vanilla and tobacco” and “flavors of dark cherry, ripe dark berries, currants, and a touch of cinnamon.” Click here for a full list of the vineyards and wineries that comprise the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail.
Need lodging during your wine-themed getaway? Our member inns are at your service.
Member Feature: Stonewall Jackson Inn, Harrisonburg, VA
Harrisonburg, Virginia’s Stonewall Jackson Inn Bed & Breakfast certainly lives up to its motto of “a night’s delight & a breakfast to remember.” This restored 1885 establishment boasts a Virginia Green standing, a prime location, lavish rooms, hearty Southern breakfasts, and fantastically warm and welcoming innkeepers.
So, let’s start with the rooms: “Every room is unique in décor and ambiance with different combinations of shape, original fixtures, high ceilings, and hardwood floors.” But don’t think that the historic aspect of these rooms means that they lack any modern conveniences; each is outfitted with everything you could want or need on a B&B getaway, including private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, personal TVs, fireplaces, and more. Relax and refresh in any of these historically named rooms, and you won’t want to leave!
That’s one-half of a B&B, so now how about the other half—the breakfasts? At Stonewall Jackson Inn, you will be treated to mouthwatering dishes like Eggs Benedict, croissant French toast, and blueberry sausage breakfast cake, all served with fresh fruit, juice, and hot, rich coffee.
Whether you’re in need of a romantic getaway, a “just because” vacation, a local staycation, or a getaway with the girls, Stonewall Jackson Inn is there to accommodate you (and they provide packages and discounts as well). Book your room now, and explore the rich history and culture and Harrisonburg, VA has to offer.
“It was our first time in a B&B but this place set the bar high! Wayne, Candy, and the rest of the gang were incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. They gave us some great recommendations on vineyards around the area, and if you didn’t want to do those, the proximity to downtown was a huge plus! The breakfasts were absolutely phenomenal, and the rooms…were comfy and had nice views of the yard and mountains. Overall, an awesome trip!” –TripAdvisor Reviewer
Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread from Belle Hearth B&B
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups mashed ripe banana
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, and sugar. Stir in nuts and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, oil, mashed banana, vanilla, and pineapple. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and stir just until flour mixture in moistened.
Divide batter between 2 greased and floured 9×5-inch loaf pans. Bake for 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool bread in pans for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
Eat and enjoy!
Thanks for BBHSV member Belle Hearth Bed & Breakfast for this recipe. (Originally published in the Virginia Bed & Breakfast Cookbook.)
Photo by TwoPeasandTheirPod.com