Reynolds lives in Roanoke

I met a woman in Lynchburg recently who told me of how her nephew from Virginia Beach often comes to visit her. When he does, he always drives to Roanoke so they can eat at the K&W at Tanglewood. After their meal, the next thing he wants to do is visit Mill Mountain because it is so beautiful and peaceful.

Imagine a man who has a wonderful ocean all year wanting to come to our beautiful Mill Mountain, not to eat, but to enjoy a peaceful spot.

When my husband brought me here from middle Tennessee almost 53 years ago, one of the first places he took me was to Mill Mountain.

We still like to go there, even if it’s cold or hot or whether it’s a sunny day or raining. Our great-grandson took his first ride on the train sitting with his great-granddaddy. We took our great-grandson and great-granddaughter there for a picnic and trips to the zoo.

It is a safe place for the kids to play, to see the animals and to enjoy the flowers. The cost is minimal for all the enjoyment. We go also when there is just the two of us.

Over the years, when my parents, cousins, aunts and uncles would visit Roanoke, we always took them up on the mountain. They all loved it.
My point: Mill Mountain is a beautiful place just as it is: quiet and peaceful. You can read, pray, play, picnic, sing, walk, visit the zoo, go to the overlook. All are affordable.

It would be just as cool to build the restaurant some other place — maybe on the mountain off Franklin Road at 220. The view would still be nice and our Mill Mountain would be left as undisturbed as it was left for the city to keep.