Week-Long Trip: Natural Bridge, Blacksburg, and Crabtree Falls, Virginia

While helping out a friend moving to Blackburg, Virginia, we decided to make it a scenic tour of Central and Lower Virginia. The 550-mile round trip did not disappoint. Here are photos and some highlights of our trip.

Day 1: Natural Bridge, Virginia

We arrived at the Natural Bridge Historic Hotel in Natural Bridge, Virginia on Monday, July 18. The hotel was rebuilt in 1964 after a fire devastated the original wooden structure. Reminded us of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining.

The interior of the hotel was quite impressive. Here is the lobby and the Washington Room.

The Natural Bridge can be accessed across the street via an under-road tunnel. This spectacular 215-foot limestone structure was carved millions of years ago via Cedar Creek. No picture can do this justice. It is mammoth in size. Notice the tiny people under it in the distance. We were so in awe of this natural wonder that we just wanted to sit on one of the many benches and enjoy it for hours.

About half an hour later we reached Lace Falls at the end of the trail.

Here's a time-lapse of mist rolling over the mountains as we finished our evening off in the hotel tavern and retreated to our room balcony.

Day 2: Blacksburg, Virginia

Blacksburg, Virginia is a college town, home to Virginia Tech. The central town area is bustling with eateries of every kind. The Cellar Restaurant has been around for over 40 years.

Colorful murals of every kind can be seen at almost every turn.

A mural honoring the 32 people who died in the April 16, 2007 shooting at Virginia Tech.

This bleach bottle looks like a face.

The college campus is just a stone's throw away. Talking traffic lights warn pedestrians when to go.

Day 3: Crabtree Falls, Virginia

On our return trip we were able to stop at Crabtree Falls and spend our last night at another hotel. With over 1,000 feet of cascades, Crabtree Falls is said to be the largest falls east of the Mississippi River. Enjoy this tranquil video of the lower portion of the falls. We were too exhausted to hike the whole thing. We'll save that for another time! The 11-mile road to the falls is quite curvy. Go slow.

In the evening, we stopped over for some food and drinks at Smiley's, a truck-stop restaurant with awesome prices. I ate a large plate of nachos with house-made Texas BBQ for only $3 on special.

Day 4: Antique Shops in Ruckersville, Virginia

Lastly, a trip isn't complete without checking out a few of the many antique shops along the rural highways. I purchased a 1947 postcard of Natural Bridge for $2.

More Photos:

Enjoy some of these other photos from our trip. I am so glad I was able to get out for a vacation this summer, and now I have the bug in me to do it more often.

Our neighbors, Karen and Marcia, join us on the balcony at the Natural Bridge Hotel.

Having food and beer in The Cellar Restaurant.

Writing out names on the wall of Gertie's Restaurant along the route to Crabtree Falls.

Our hotel tavern bartender, Sherry. This house wine was awesome.

Kelsey, our bartender and server at Smiley's. I told her she looked like a Stephanie. She said she hated Stephanie because of bad friends with that name. Lol.

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