Priscilla Richardson

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Have you ever explored Botetourt County? This long weekend would be a great time to do just that. So Kevin Costello, the head and only employee of the Botetourt County Office of Tourism, and I put our heads together. We came up with a great day's trip for you, a close-by trip with all the pleasures of a weekend away. Why should we let visitors have all the fun?

Costello has been working to get grants so that now you can find attractive brochures on Botetourt tourism at all the tourism places. Soon you will be able to go online to www.visitbotetourt.us for information.

The best place to start your trip would be in Fincastle. You can take a walking tour led by a guide or go around by yourself. You must make advance arrangements for a tour guide. (Call Sally Eads at 473-2943.) If you've never been to Fincastle before, don't miss the county courthouse, a stately building that some folks believe Thomas Jefferson designed.

Next door you'll see the Botetourt Historical Society Museum. Its hours are the reason to start your tour in Fincastle, because it's open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. every day except Sunday, when it is open from 2 to 4 p.m. -- all at no charge. You don't want to miss the way it brings olden days alive. And even if you've been once, you have to see the recent improvements and buy some of the Botetourt and Fincastle materials they carry.

After this, hop into your car and head north on U.S. 220 for just a brief distance, and then make a left turn onto Old Fincastle Road. This is the same road that goes past Brian Center. Virginia Mountain Vineyard is along this way, too. You get a pleasant alternative to the truck traffic on 220 for a few miles, although it soon ends and brings you back to 220.

Then when you see the bridge to your right off 220, cross the James River and take a right into Eagle Rock. If by now you're hungry, and didn't bring a picnic with you, you can stop at Maw and Paw's Diner, 14683 Church St. It's closed on Mondays, but open until 3 p.m. on Sundays for the lunch crowd. Take a while to wander around this tiny town and marvel when you ask how high the water from the flood of '85 went. Then head for Virginia 43.

This route meanders with its two lanes alongside the James River, so don't be in a hurry. Frequently you'll see deer and other wildlife, maybe even a fox. Another possible stop along the way is the Blue Ridge Vineyards, just a bit out of Eagle Rock on Shiloh Drive, off Virginia 43. Again, look for the signs. But if you stay on Virginia 43 for about 14 miles from Fincastle, you will reach U.S. 11 and the northern end of Buchanan.

Turn right onto U.S. 11 and cross the bridge over the James. Then park and head for the swinging bridge, a walking bridge. It feels scary but is safe if you hold on. Then walk into the town of Buchanan for some more fun: antiquing, shopping, or eating at one of several restaurants. On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can catch a movie at the Buchanan Theatre, where popcorn is always only $1.

If none of the eating places in town suits you, there are several more toward Roanoke via U.S. 11. If it's before 6 p.m. you can always take Nace Road off U.S. 11 to get over to the Fincastle Vineyard and Winery. (It closes at 6.)

Costello, who created our tourism effort from scratch, in November will move his office into the Old Jail building, next to the courthouse and museum. "My dad always said I'd end up in jail," he quipped. But for now, go to the Old Jail's Chamber of Commerce office to get copies of the brochures.

"Tourism in Virginia is a $16.5 billion industry, supporting more than 207,000 jobs for Virginians," Costello said. So start this weekend and see why.