Almost Heaven

This week we've been visiting friends in southwest Virginia, not far from Roanoke. This range of ancient mountains is part of the chain that extends northeast from here, through Pennsylvania and farther north as the Adirondacks. This part is the Alleghenies, humped and ridged and clothed in deep green. We're staying on a small clear-flowing river with old friends. 

Lewisburg, watercolor on paper, 9x5

We spent one afternoon in a town forty miles or so away, Lewisburg, West Virginia. It's an old old town in Greenbrier County, founded in the late 18th century as people began moving in from farther east. As you would expect, much of the town dates from the 19th century, and the main street has been beautifully maintained and restored. 

I spent some time ambling along, exploring a book shop, two or three galleries and antique shops, and an Irish pub. The sketch above is of that main shopping street in hilly Lewisburg.