Last year I fulfilled a longtime dream. I bought an old sports car. Now that I have sunk enough money into my 1978 Fiat Spider so that it starts all of the time and runs extremely well (thanks to Doc at Old Town Car Care). I have decided that it is time to hit the road for day trips around our region. Since I have antique tags on my car, I can drive it no farther than 250 miles in one day (DMV rule). Therefore, all day trips will be limited to no more than 125 miles in one direction.
I know. You are already complaining about the high cost of fuel. My Fiat gets 27 miles to the gallon. In some of the outlying areas fuels cost are between 25 and 30 cents cheaper a gallon than here. If my calculations are correct or at least close, I can drive those 125 miles for about $16.00, or the cost of two adult beverages. Since you are not supposed to drink and drive, it is a wash!
Although we already have everything we need right here in Alexandria, Virginia; restaurants, arts, galleries, shopping, water taxi rides, it is still nice to just get away.
My first day trip will be to beautiful historic Culpeper, Virginia. Getting there is easy, and high speed. The two quickest ways to get to Culpeper is either Interstate 95 south to Route 3 in Fredericksburg, head west for about 25 miles and you are there. The other route would be Interstate 66 to Route 29 past Warrenton to Culpeper. Both ways are high speed and subject to traffic jams at rush hour. You can always get a map and plan a back road route, however that can take more time. Culpeper is one of those towns where gas is 30 cents cheaper than in Alexandria or Washington, D.C.
Culpeper is an up and coming town. Over the last three or four years the shops and restaurants in the town have blossomed. It is no longer an experiment to see if the town would work, it is a certainty. The business community is dedicated to the success of historic downtown Culpeper.
Founded in 1759, Culpeper was surveyed by George Washington, his first public commission. The town was incorporated in 1834. In 1853 the coming of the Orange and Alexander Railroad transformed the rural county seat into a major trading and shipping point of the Virginia Piedmont. Today the trains still rumble through town and the “Depot” houses the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce, Culpeper Department of Tourism and the Windmore Foundation for the Arts.
The simplicity of the town is what I find most remarkable. Even though the box stores that are taking over every town are here in Culpeper, they are removed from the historic downtown area. Here you will find the storeowners tending to customers in their shops. Although the dining is top notch, it is done at a more leisurely pace. On my trip to Culpeper I enjoyed a great country ham breakfast (with grits) at the Frost Café. I met the mayor as he chatted with two locals (one was from Alexandria) at the Ravens Nest coffee house. Across the street I took the time to walk through Clarke’s Hardware. I always know that I will find something there that I need. Farther on up the street I stopped in Designers Choice to talk with Shirley. This is something that I always do for she always seems to brighten the day. A few doors down is LuLa Blu, a bright women’s apparel shop where owner, Kristina, makes one-design purses. Across the street is Janal Leather. Here you can find some of the most beautiful leather products available. I have a pair of cowboy boots from this store. Across Main Street from Janal Leather is Pepperberries where you can buy all kinds of cool stuff for the women that you know.
If by now you are a little tired, stop in for tea at Tea, Lace and Roses, a Victorian teahouse. Heading back down East Davis Street stop in at the Purple Parrot. This store is a gardener’s delight and also appeals to the whimsical in all of us. By this time it is either lunch or dinnertime and there is no better place in Culpeper than Foti’s Restaurant. The food is rated as some of the best in the region and the service is incomparable. Before you begin your drive back, stop in at Chateaux de Reaux and let owner Monroe select a perfect bottle of wine for you. That way, the next day you can uncork the wine, sit back, and reflect on your recent day trip to Culpeper. Or you could give Kathy a call and reserve a room for the night at Fountain Hall B & B.
For a short drive out of Culpeper you can find Old House Vineyards off of Route 3 as well as Prince Michel Vineyards right on Route 29 south. Also outside of Culpeper is Belmont Distilleries. Here you can purchase authentic Virginia moonshine and Copper Fox, a fantastic adult beverage. There go the gas costs. The countryside of Culpeper is beautiful. The Virginia piedmont meets the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. With the relaxed atmosphere and the business infrastructure, Culpeper is a great place to start or relocate a business or association. Think Culpeper!
Even though fuel costs are outrageous, they are still only about a dollar higher than they were a year ago. I think the huge impact will be on the cost of airfare and long distance driving. The area in which we live is beautiful and has much to offer. Come along with me on my next day trip… but for now, it is back home to Alexandria.
