Fun Fact: Buffalo Mountain provides the only known home for a species of mealybug (Puto kosztarabi).

No, there aren’t any Buffalo on Buffalo Mountain. The mountain’s name derives from its shape, which resembles a Buffalo hump. However, the Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve (📍890 Moles Rd., SW, Willis) does feature 19 rare native plant species.

We hiked the preserve’s Oak Trail which provides an easy, one-mile hike to the summit, and an amazing view from the top.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: Virginia has 7 covered bridges and only 4 are accessible to the public.

Giles County is home to the Sinking Creek Bridge (Dunford Ln., Newport), one of Virginia’s few publicly accessible covered bridges. Built in 1916, the picturesque bridge is now a popular wedding venue.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: Patsy Cline had a dog named Pepe.

Born in Winchester, Virginia, during the Great Depression, Patsy Cline spent her early years in poverty. She dropped out of high school at 16 to help support her family. In 1957, Patsy’s trajectory changed after she won a televised talent competition with her song Walkin’ After Midnight. Over the next six years, Patsy Cline became a world famous country music star with hits such as I Fall to Pieces.

Tragically, Patsy Cline’s life ended in 1963 from a plane crash, but her legacy continues with her music including our favorite song, I’m Walking the Dog.

Patsy Cline lived at 608 S. Kent St., in Winchester. Dogs can leash up and walk by anytime to pay homage to Patsy.

Patsy Cline’s grave and memorial bell tower are located in Winchester (Shenandoah Memorial Park, 1270 Front Royal Pike). We brought our foster dog Liesl to place a penny on Patsy Cline’s gravestone. Maybe this tribute brought Liesl some good luck because she was adopted shortly thereafter.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

But thanks, Reddit, for all the warnings about obeying the speed limit in Emporia.

What do you think about our top 9 favorite dog friendly “Spots” in Emporia and the surrounding county of Greensville?

1. Nottoway River, *Public Boat Launches: 36.8475, -77.4932* */ Jarratt, 36.8468, -77.5607 / Purdy / Double Bridge*

Our dog Grendel is a big fan of the Nottoway River.
2. Agaves Family Mexican Restaurant, 118 Jarratt Ave., Jarratt
3. Greensville County Animal Shelter, 1001 Meherrin Park Rd.
4. Emporia Reservoir, Public Boat Ramp, Wiggins Rd., Emporia 36.698765,-77.560349
5. Meherrin River Trail Park, 255 Falling Run Rd., Emporia
6. Emporia Historic District where we had fun checking out the architectural details of Emporia’s historic buildings. Parking lot near 138 E. Atlantic St., Emporia
7. Good Earth Peanut Company, 5334 Skippers Rd., Skippers
8. Little Creekside Cottage AirBnb, Emporia
9. Tazza Grill & Wrap, 647 S. Main St., Emporia

Here’s our blogpost about Greensville County. Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit.

Fun Fact: The Cumberland State Forest features the only tombstone in the United States with an epitaph by Charles Dickens (37°29'37.0"N 78°18'52.0"W).

We found a lot to love about the Cumberland State Forest (751 Oak Hill Rd., Cumberland):
- The place is huge! Over 16,000 acres.
- It’s bordered by the Willis River.
- It has miles of dog friendly hiking trails.
- Then, of course, there’s the dog friendly kayaking at Bear Creek Lake State Park which is located within Cumberland State Forest.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: The Hanging Rock Overlook at Shawver’s Run Wilderness (Potts Mountain Rd., Paint Bank) gives trekkers a nearly 360 degree view.

https://youtube.com/shorts/gAwaxcF5A9o?is=iU7oLSE1Snds0HIW

We found the trail to the overlook to be easy and short, only about a mile and a half). After hiking uphill for most of the way, we were surprised that the trail goes downhill for a stretch to reach the overlook. We thought we must have passed it, but no - it was just up ahead.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: Author James Alexander Thom wrote about the story of Mary Draper Ingles in his book “Follow the River.”

We visited the Giles County portion of the Mary Draper Ingles Trail. (Glen Lyn Park, Campground Dr., Glen Lyn).

In 1755, during the French and Indian War, native Shawnee Tribesmen captured Mary Draper Ingles along with her two young sons and several others in the western Virginia frontier. The captives were taken to what is now Ohio and Mary’s sons were adopted by the Shawnee.

Mary was able to escape by walking hundreds of miles on a harrowing journey back to her home. During her escape, she crossed the New River and travelled through what is now Giles County.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: When its construction finished in 1738, Rosewell was one of the largest and finest homes in the British colonies.

The Rosewell Ruins (Rosewell Plantation Rd., Gloucester) are a must see for history buffs and also for anyone looking for something really cool.

A visit begins at its dog friendly visitor center. From there, the ruins are a quarter-mile walk (or drive) away.

The Pages, one of Virginia’s first families, lived in the Rosewell mansion until 1916 when a fire ravaged this elegant abode.

Today, the archaeological digs at the Rosewell Ruins provide a glimpse into the lives of the Page family and the hundreds of enslaved workers who lived on this former tobacco plantation.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: George Mason wrote the Constitution of Virginia and the Virginia Declaration of Rights which served as a model for the U.S. Bill of Rights.

As an alumnus of George Mason University, I am happy to highlight Gunston Hall (10709 Gunston Hall, Lorton) as a fabulous dog friendly place to visit. We at arrived on a beautiful Saturday and had the place to ourselves for a self-guided tour of the outbuildings and gardens.

We recommend packing a lunch and wearing hiking boots. A grounds pass provides access to picnic areas and hiking trails throughout 550 acres located along the Potomac River.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

1.	South River Falls, *Shenandoah National Park, Swift Run Gap Entrance, 22591 Spotswood Trail, Elkton*  
2.	Skyline Drive, *Swift Run Gap entrance to the park*  
3.	Appalachian Trail, *Swift Run Gap entrance to the park*  
4.	Bearrr Appetit, *362 Mountain Laurel Pass, Stanardsville*   
5.	Greene County Animal Shelter, *37 Geri Allen Way, Ruckersville*  
6.	[Off the Beaten Path](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/39208017), a dog friendly AirBnB in Stanardsville  
7.	Sip Shack, *8532 Seminole Trail, (Rte. 29) Ruckersville*  
8.	Blue Ridge Cafe, *8315 Seminole Trail, Ruckersville*   
9.	[Blue Ridge Barn Quilt Trail](https://exploregreene.com/barnquilttrail) 

Here’s our blog post for more info—https://virginiacounties.blog/greene-county-top-9-canine-spots/

Have you visited Greene County? Please post your photos and experiences.

Fun Fact: Bison are native to Virginia and lived here when the European colonists arrived.

Virginia’s bison were hunted out before the start of the 1800s. Today, bison have returned to Virginia, but unlike the wild herds of the past, these are confined by fences.

We toured Cibola Farms (10075 Stone Bridge Road, Culpeper) and after viewing the herd, we purchased bison steaks, eggs, and—no surprise here—dog treats.

The farm also offers dog friendly lodging through AirBnb. Visitors can wake up to the sounds of birds chirping and bison bellowing.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: The efforts of Joseph and Elizabeth Tinner in Falls Church led to the formation of the NAACP’s first rural branch in 1918.

In 1915, the town council of Falls Church voted to segregate Tinner Hill and restrict land ownership by African Americans. Residents Joseph and Elizabeth Tinner were among those who worked hard to ensure that this didn’t happen. The Zig Zag Sculpture at the Tinner Hill Historic Park (106 Tinner Hill Rd., Falls Church), on the site of the Tinner’s former home, shows the location of the proposed segregation line.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: The Mountain Lake Lodge in Giles County served as Kellerman’s Mountain House for the filming of the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing.”

I was so excited to visit the Mountain Lake Lodge (115 Hotel Circle, Pembroke). Dirty Dancing fans know this place as the resort where their favorite movie was filmed.

Visitors may take a self-guided Dirty Dancing walking tour of the grounds without booking a room. Maps are available at the front desk. (Dogs may accompany you inside the Lodge to get the map.)

Mountain Lake, one of only two natural lakes in Virginia, provided the stunning location for the movie’s iconic lift scene. The lake experiences cycles of draining and refilling and is currently dry. It was last full in 2005 and only the lake knows when it will refill.

When I found out that the lodge is dog friendly, well, say no more. I booked reservations. Mountain Lake Lodge charges a fee of $75 per dog per visit and allows a maximum of two dogs per room. Dogs are welcome in the Lodge’s Stony Creek Tavern which offers menu items from the Harvest Restaurant.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Fun Fact: Visitors to this district include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

(We parked near the Old Jail at 13 W. Main St, Fincastle)

Using a map, we took a self-guided, dog friendly tour through history. The town’s oldest structures date to shortly after its establishment in 1770.

Fellow taphophiles will appreciate my favorite Fincastle site—The Godwin Cemetery on Church Street. It features enormous trees and tombstones dating to the mid-1800s.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and we also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

Our pack sniffed out these dog friendly spots in Grayson County. Have you visited glorious Grayson County? Please post your photos and experiences.
1. Grayson Highlands State Park, 829 Grayson Highland Ln., Mouth of Wilson
2. Comers Creek Falls, State Rte. 741, Troutdale
3. Powerhouse Falls, 1506 Powerhouse Rd., Independence
4. Galax Carroll Grayson Animal Shelter, 200 Fair St., Galax
5. This delightfully dog friendly AirBnb, Independence
6. Appalachian Trail, Fox Creek Trailhead Parking, Fairwood Rd./Rte. 603, Mouth of Wilson
7. Live Outdoor Music @ the Blue Ridge Music Center, 700 Foothills Rd., Galax (Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 213)
8. New River Trail State Park, Trailheads located at 323 Firehouse Dr., Fries & 212 E. Stuart Dr., Galax
9. The Galax Smokehouse*, 101 N. Main St., Galax*

In the 139 steps of Monument Terrace (9th St. Lynchburg) we ventured through history, beginning with the Civil War.

Through bold sculptures, detailed engravings and informative plaques, Monument Terrace commemorates the citizens of Lynchburg who served in our nation’s wars, including those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Monument Terrace also includes an interpretive marker for Desmond Doss. This Lynchburg native and World War II hero received the Medal of Honor for saving 75 lives during the Battle of Okinawa, and inspired the film Hacksaw Ridge**.**

If you’re in town on a Friday, be sure to stop by at noon for the Support Our Troops Rally. A tradition since the 9/11 attacks, the rally occurs every Friday at noon, rain or shine, to show support for current military and veterans.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/

Named for its Paleozoic-era, 120-ft., limestone towers, the Natural Chimneys Park and Campground (94 Natural Chimneys Rd., Mt. Solon) is one of the dog friendly stops on Virginia’s Cave and Karst Trail. (https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/vacavetrail#about_the_trail)

I like to envision these formations underwater in their seabed home circa 500 million years ago.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. (https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/)

(I just realized that my heading says National Chimneys instead of Natural Chimneys but Reddit won’t let me make the correction.)

Musicians are a common sight and sound on Friday nights in the town of Floyd. Here’s what our dog Amos had to say about our Friday night stroll through downtown**.**

“The omnipresent musicians brought happiness to my floppy ears and made me want to sit and stay all night long.”

We also suggest heading to DogTown Roadhouse (302 S. Locust St., Floyd) for live music and pizza, and Outer Space (364 S. Locust St., Floyd) for live music, vegetarian fare, and out of this world quirkiness.

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit.

https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/

Are these your favorites too or are we barking up the wrong tree?

1.	Goochland Drive-in Theater, *4344 Old Fredericksburg Rd., Hadensville*  
2.	Tucker Park, *1300 Maidens Rd., Maidens*  
3.	Sunset Grill, *1601 Hockett Road, Manakin-Sabot*  
4.	Goochland County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, *1900 Hidden Rock Ln., Maidens*  
5.	Gray Haven Winery, *4675 E. Grey Fox Cir., Gum Spring*  
6.	Leakes Mill Park, *3951 River Rd., West, Goochland*   
7.	Sports Page Goochland, *36 Broad St. Rd., Manakin-Sabot*   
8.	Court Square, *2938 River Rd., Goochland*  
9.	Kindred Spirit Brewing, *12830 W. Creek Pkwy., Unit J, Richmond*

Please check out our blogpost for more details: https://virginiacounties.blog/goochland-county-top-9-list-for-canines/

(Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit.)

We have fond memories of visiting drive-in theaters back in our younger days so we were excited to learn about the dog friendly Goochland Drive-in Theater. (4344 Old Fredericksburg Rd., Hadensville) We bought a ticket online and arrived 90 minutes early. This gave us plenty of time to grab some grub and set up our truck bed for optimal comfort before the movie started. (Pets are allowed in the main screen section and in the Grove car viewing section, but not in the Grove lawn section.) Our suggestion: Bring folding chairs, umbrellas, hoodies, and more blankets than you think you will need.

We humans were highly impressed with the theater, from the customer service to the food and of course, the retro drive-in experience. The dogs? Well, they made themselves comfortable and slept through the entire movie.*

Our hobby is finding dog friendly activities in Virginia. We write about these in our blog and also highlight the needs of the local animal shelters in each county we visit. https://virginiacounties.blog/our-virginia-road-trips/

*See the info on adopting our foster dog Aretha. She is a sweetheart who is superb on road trips and who is also an expert snuggler.