A few weeks into Meet Virginia and we have finally made our first venture to the great capital. Richmond in the first part of the year is a different ballgame than in later months, as January and February (and into early March) are when our legislators travel from near or far to continue in the longstanding business of making our great state better (…or worse, depending on your political point of view).

We are lucky enough to have a few pals who work “Session” during this season and were honored to get a backstage tour of our state government. We went in on a Monday and first noticed the grand buildings and architecture. We even saw some protestors out front with signs and fliers. We unfortunately missed the biggest protest Virginia has seen in modern times by a few days, but were thrilled to remember the scenery when reading about it in the news. Sadly, once inside things get a little more…well, dated.

We went into the General Assembly building first, which has the normal, courthouse-ey, sterile feeling one gets when welcomed with security guards and metal detectors. Once past the whiff of airport formality, though the unmistakable buzz of the impassioned and the ambitious takes hold. The southern hospitality Virginia may or may not be known for is certainly alive and well in the building. Everyone seems to know everyone. Everyone looks determined and clean-cut. One guy has an adorable bow tie.

The politicians and their assistants work out of this building, which is about as generic as any office you could imagine.

Virginia art dots most of the General Assembly Building's walls.

Art from Virginians of all skill levels is on all the walls, which lead you twisting through hallways and stairwells begging for an interior designer and welcoming the regular citizen to stop in and have a chat. Virginia art produced by everyone from children with intellectual disabilities to lobbyists or aides themselves have pictures up for us to enjoy (or just look at, depending…)

They were also having the 20th Annual Expressions Art Show while we were there–an arts and crafts exhibit sponsored in part by the Department of Juvenile Justice. It features works of juveniles in detention centers and raises money for the department.

Some of the student art was quite good. But once in the Capitol Building next door, one’s ideas of “art” can be more solidified between amateur and professional. The Capitol Building houses the Governor’s Gallery– professional portraits of previous Virginia Governors in chronological order (Tim Kaine’s looked particularly cheesy). The building itself is art, having been designed by Thomas Jefferson and opened in 1788 (with additions in 1904). From the intricacies of the moldings to the statues and ornate frames, this place is worthy of seeing even if you’re not into politics at all.

Being a good citizen with our Senator Yvonne Miller

But (soapbox time), our biggest lesson from this visit was how important it is to be involved in politics. We don’t mean in a red vs. blue kind of way, but in an “engaged citizen” kind of way. We met our Senator, Yvonne B. Miller, who is currently the longest serving woman in the General Assembly (since 1984). She is also the first African-American woman elected to both the House of Delegates and the Senate and is Virginia’s first female to chair a committee in the Senate.

She was welcoming to us even though we were somewhat unannounced and seemed to strike a great balance between her obligations to colleagues and to constituents. She listened to those who stopped by her office with an open ear and mind, but was quick to interrupt a plea with her take on things and clear on the difference between making promises and mere open-minded interest on a topic. I liked that honesty. In a meeting as brief as ours was, we left confident that “government” is not all networking and old boys clubs, no matter what media (and friends) can sometimes make it out to be. More importantly, though, we left feeling the knowledge that being actively engaged in what goes on around you is actually quite easy.

For those of you registered to vote, there is a Republican Primary tomorrow, March 6, as part of Super Tuesday. Find out where to vote in your district here.

Where the magic happens.

-The Virginia General Assembly is oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, beginning way back on July 30, 1619. This counts its beginnings as  the House of Burgesses, making it the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World.

-There are two houses of Virginia government: the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members, and the Senate of Virginia, with 40 members. Combined together, the General Assembly consists of 140 elected representatives from an equal number of districts across the state.

-During the American Civil War, the Capitol Building was used as the capitol of the Confederate States of America, housing the Congress of the CSA.

For more photos from our story, click over to our Facebook album here.

In honor and celebration of Black History Month, we thought we’d throw in a little mid-week tribute to some of our favorite African American Virginians.

Annonymous There are many, many more than listed here–some who’ve done remarkable things without media attention or remembrance in history books. Our respect goes first and foremost to these unsung heros

Arthur Ashe (Richmond): Tennis player who was only black man to win Wimbledon and the US Open. Civil Rights Leader. AIDS Activist.

Booker T. Washington (Franklin County & Hampton): Born into slavery, to later become a teacher and founder of the Tuskegee Institute. Civil Rights pioneer. Author.

Ella Fitzgerald (Newport News): Singer and Dancer. Winner of 13 Grammy Awards.

L. Douglas Wilder (Richmond): Governor of Virginia. First African American to be a Governor in the United States.

Missy Elliott (Portsmouth): Rapper and Record Producer. Winner of 5 Grammy Awards. Record holder of most Platinum Albums by a Female Rapper (6).

Pharrell Williams (Virginia Beach): Rapper, Singer and Record Producer. Fashion Designer. Winner of 3 Grammy Awards.

For even more amazing stories on Virginia’s most prominent African-Americans, check out the state’s list here.

Norfolk, VA

NPR theme maestro BJ Leiderman kicked things off with a “Ladies and Gentlemen, please stay seated for the National Anthem…of Love” before launching into The Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” and thus kicking off Veer Magazine’s Local Music Awards at the Naro Theater in Norfolk.

It was a fitting way to begin the show, as Leiderman is a Tidewater native who’s risen to great musical success writing the theme songs to hit radio shows like “Morning Edition” and “Marketplace.” But moreso in that the date was February 15 (Valentine’s Hangover) and the theme was Love Your Local Music. From the sold out theater and the lines outside hoping for admittance, we witnessed there are a great many who do just that.

The performance segued into a video montage of Tidewater bands and their fans talking about why this love persists and what makes people flock to bars and clubs to see acts not many have heard of to the tune of Joan Jett’s classic “I Love Rock-n-Roll.”

BJ Leiderman

The ceremony sped through its first three categories, with Newport News’ Ferguson Center for the Arts upsetting Virginia Beach’s Sandler Center for Best Performing Arts Center. As an employee of Ferguson all the way through its transformation from old high school to outstanding concert hall, we felt a little proud at this victory (and a little old when Director of Marketing Neil Burns reminded us the venue is now seven years old in his acceptance speech).

Best R&B came next, introduced by frequent Veer contributor Jerome Langston. He had lovely words about the genre and challenged the audience to take a chance on old school Norfolk and the sounds it created and continues to influence to this day. WHRO deejay and musician Jae Sennett (with his act House & Sennett) won.

After a quick acceptance by Alpha Music as Best Music Retailer (the closest category by a 0.1% margin), Annie Johnson and co. took to the stage in a nice-n-easy bluesy beginning to the night’s performances.

Jae Sennett Accepts Best R&B for House & Sennett

A few more awards and we heard from Lynne Seagle, Executive Director of acclaimed charity Hope House Foundation to present the inaugural Best Busker Awards. This one held special significance for us, as we were so involved in Norfolk’s passing the 2011 ordinance to allow busking on its streets and are so proud of the nominees as well as the handful of buskers performing outside the venue as the show began.

The incomparable Philip Roebuck won, but was not on hand to accept the award. Seagle’s parting words compared the spirit of busking with the spirit of many who receive support from her charity, defining both as “someone who stands up and has courage to be different.”

A few more awards and Kara McGehee, President of Tidewater Arts Outreach (and daughter of musician Lewis McGehee) spoke on the importance of TAO’s mission and how music and art impact us all positively.

The Crushes played next with The Supreme’s classic “Where Did Our Love Go?” Their ambition is catchy and so are their outfits. When I heard they’d really only been playing a few months, I was much more impressed with their gusto (and the amount of fans they’ve amassed in that time frame).

The Crushes

The NorVa won for Best Music Venue and The Jewish Mother Hilltop for the smaller version of the same.

Best Country was awarded to Gina Dalmas and Her Cowtipping Playboys. Drummer Gabe Baesden accepted with a nice sentiment about how rock and country are all cut from the same cloth and in that moment, no one could argue his point.

Quintessential rockers The Unabombers took the podium to accept Best Garage/Punk Band and thanked everyone in the audience not in a band, saying “if you’re in a band, it’s like cops supporting law enforcement.” And he’s right. The awards ceremony itself wouldn’t have happened without Veer publisher Jeff Maisey’s high level of support for local musicians, and many of the assistants, judges, and presenters were not actual musicians but rather those who spend equal amount of time blogging, managing, photographing, or moshing to ensure the music scene grows.

The packed house at Norfolk's The Naro.

Weirdpop band DJ P & Mr. T played next, covering “Lovefool” by The Cardigan’s. Though they lost out to The Aragona Project for Best Indie Pop, their cover story on the February issue of Veer and their tight, yet silly, performance at the show secured them a plethora of new fans, nonetheless.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to musician Bruce Gray, who’s been playing in bands since the early 1960s and has seen it all. His speech was long in the best way possible, as he listed all the bands he’s been in over the years, the venues he’s seen, the genres he’s experimented with, and finally, the woman he met and married twenty years ago.

Lifetime Achievement winner Bruce Gray

A few more categories and we finally got to the meat of the awesome with soul singer Jackie Scott (covering the immortal Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”). Good God! She was so great we couldn’t stop moving. She was on fire and she knew how to work the stage like a diva superstar supreme. By far, this was the best performance of the night thus far and received its first standing ovation. She later went on to receive the Best Blues award and was impressive once again in her humor and grace.

Next came the ceremony’s second inaugural award of the night: the Industry Award, which went to Out of the Box deejay Paul Shugrue. His concept of only playing new music and often local to boot was recognized by his peers and the man surely deserved the accolades.

Best Americana went to The Muckrakes and best Hiphop to J Pharoah (who also gave a stellar thank you to the crowd), and we were ready for part two of the double whammy of awesome stage performance: indie favorites Bison.

Paul Shugrue

With their single “Switzerland” in heavy rotation on two Hampton Roads’ radio stations, and the heavy rumors of their impending deal with Universal Records, the band took to the stage covering U2’s “Love Is Blindness” in an ethereal, surrealist manner so unlike the original that it became an original again. They kept everyone glued to the stage throughout and rightfully deserved the night’s second standing ovation.

Bison and Virginia music blog Hardcore Norfolk (which actually covers events from Tidewater through Charlottesville and up to DC) dominated the rest of the night, trading back and forth in their acceptance speeches until the end of the show.

Hardcore Norfolk’s win for Best Music Video/Film was especially funny as its director Paul Unger was simultaneously directing the video backdrop to the awards ceremony itself and found himself running from the second floor control booth down to the stage over and over as the prizes began racking up. Hardcore Co-Founder Andrea Rizzo described the film as their love letter to us–Norfolk, Virginia, the fans…whatever she meant, I’ll take it to mean all three.

Jackie Scott brought down the house.

We ended the night back where we began, with BJ Leiderman calling himself a member of the old guard, and praising us all as capable of having the torch be passed. He said if we ever wondered if there wasn’t a music scene in Tidewater, this night proves otherwise. As he launched into John Lennon’s classic “Imagine,” I first thought how the song strayed from the rule that all song’s had to have “love” in the title, until I realized that sentiment had transformed itself from mere theme into a shared communion by all in attendance.

BJ Leiderman

For our complete photo gallery, check out our Facebook album here…..Then “like” us….Then Share!

For all our videos of the night, go to our Youtube channel here.

Our adventure began several miles to the east on Route 460 as billboards began notifying us we were approaching the world famous Virginia Diner and its home, the Peanut Capital of the World–Wakefield, Virginia.

About seven miles prior, the billboards actually start counting down the miles (5..4,…3…..2……1!!!), which was even exciting for us non-elementary schoolkids. Amplification comes in many forms, and we find one of the best to be vintage hand-painted roadside signage.

The town is actually not that at all, but rather a cluster of amazing antique and thriftshops dotting a couple miles along the four-lane road. We started at Antiques @ Americana, a log cabin with curiosity shops tucked into the rooms and corners on the top floor, with a staircase beckoning us down to the cache below. There were several rooms to choose from and no specific order to the layout. While idly perusing in search of an oddball office chair, we met freaky dolls, ancient beer cans, obligatory (yet good) vinyl and well-conditioned radios, typewriters, and cameras.

Antiques abound in Wakefield

Not finding any chairs (as they turned out to be dangling from the ceiling), we ended up discussing Wakefield’s history with shopkeeper Elliotte Williams instead. He led us through a description of the town’s past and brought the stories back to an object or picture conveniently within arm’s reach (and conveniently for sale as well). He pointed us to a hand-carved wooden spear, explaining Wakefield used to have Community Day, in which men carved their own weapons to participate in a friendly jousting tourney. Williams jovially explained to me how one year a man was “rickey-poohed” by his opponent’s spear much to the concern of the revelers, but all ended up right in the end.

Finding a chair for us, he then explained the origins of ice cream parlor decor and how to spot a fake antique. Truthful even in his bargaining, we found great originality and honesty in our experience here. Williams so enjoyed discussing Wakefield’s history and the trinkets and treasures still here bearing witness to its events, he sat us down at his computer to pick out historic photos so he could email them our way.

Wakefield Oddfellows over 100 years ago. Williams can identify most of these men.

We’d heard there was a downtown and were  told to take a left and a right by the tracks. Trying to figure this out, we asked a saleslady at one of the antique shops, “It’s a right at that stoplight?” while pointing eastward. “Honey,” she responded. “That’s our only stoplight.”

Once there, we realized the strip along 460 was more lively than the “town” , which was comprised of a drugstore, barber, and abandoned station house. The tracks themselves were the highlight. Bring a blanket and buy yourself a picnic from the Wakefield Pharmacy and watch them blow by! This was one of the closest train-watching spots we’ve come across in our Virginia travels and while it was thrilling to be so close, it’s not a safe-for-kids activity.

Dinner brought us to Wakefield’s only restaurant (save a few cafe’s-inside-gas-stations and a pizza shop), the famed Virginia Diner. It was founded in 1929 as a railcar cafe and has always focused on country cooking for travelers and locals alike. We arrived early and watched the red and white checkerboard tables fill up with a variety of types all in agreement that soul food rules the stomach. Church ladies and collard greens and trucker caps with burgers and Buds mingled among the antique toys and peanut paraphernalia. The ambience wasn’t something we’d normally be attracted to–the only beer was domestic, the music was Lite FM, and when we asked if they had wi-fi, the server didn’t know what we were referring to.

Inside the Diner

The menu is full of local options, with nearby ham and barbecue prominent on the menu. Vegetarians are good to go, though, with the great veggie plate: ”Your choice of 3 or 4 of our vegetables seasoned country style with our fluffy buttermilk biscuits or spoonbread.” And every single diner gets free Virginia peanuts!

We ate alone and noticed other did as well–a welcome acknowledgement that we weren’t at Applebee’s even though we were at a tourist attraction. Ending our evening with a stroll through the Wakefield Peanut Company store, where we learn there’s more than one way to flavor a nut–and more than one way to package it into a gift basket to boot! Gifts for relatives in far off locations abounded and we departed with a good (salty) taste in our mouths.

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Occasionally, Meet Virginia takes a step away from the road and onto the path of others doing their unique parts to introduce this great state to the masses.

This week, we are focusing on Wytheville-born Norfolk-based Virginia photographer Sam Shinault. We chose Sam because he’s got a nice mishmash of the state’s variety–with frequent travels and time spent everywhere from the Eastern Shore to Appalachia. He’s lived in Richmond and Radford, too, and gives his pictures a stamp that clearly resonates “local”, though they’re taken all over the place.

Please enjoy some of our favorites (and buy some prints here if you fancy):

Yacht Club: Norfolk, Virginia

We obviously love the triad of colors here and the simple truth that the two things people most universally and positively associate with Norfolk: boats and sunsets.

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Bavon, Virginia

Another great Coastal picture–this one further northwest into the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s Middle Neck. We like the sign and how it really reflects the “edge of the world” feeling the picture captures.

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Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia

Taken this past winter, this time lapsed photo exposes our rotation on our axis.

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Main Street, Wytheville, Virginia

Main Street in Wytheville could stand in for countless Main Streets across the state during the unpredictable winter months.

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Wythe County, Virginia

Shot near the Wythe Co. and Grayson Co. border, this rural barn shows graffiti isn’t just for urban environments and spray paint can make a statement from anywhere.

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Virginia Beach, Virginia

A photo gallery of Virginia isn’t complete without at least one Atlantic surfer dude.

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Norfolk, Virginia

 Another great time lapse, and another great coastal sky. This picture is our personal favorite as it shows the innerconnectivity and mishmash of some of Virginia’s urban backyards. Every time we’re there, we think of Hitchcock’s Rear Window.

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Richmond, Virginia

Richmond is the state capital and definitely one of the more modern and artsy pockets in Virginia. They do First Fridays Art Walk once per month, pulling together over 40 venues for art and culture, and take to the streets. I love the gritty, street element of this picture’s background coupled with the free-spiritedness of the dancer and her fire.

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Reflection on a Rock, Virginia

While this final picture was actually taken across our Southern border in the mountains of Rutherfordton, NC, Sam still managed to find Virginia on this trip! Coincidence?

Norfolk, VA is the urban hub of the Tidewater region, and this week’s Virginia adventure comes from its oldest (and probably smallest) neighborhood: The Freemason District. The area is all walkable, bordering downtown, the Elizabeth River, and historic Ghent, and the area around its Botetourt Street is still cobblestone with some historic mansions mixed with fun and funky shops.We spent a late afternoon sitting at Cure Coffeehouse and Brasserie for a bit, enjoying the free wifi and wishing we could order one of each from the extensive coffee, beer, and wine list. Alas, we haven’t mastered the art of the latte & lager spritzer just yet, so instead selected a Virginia brewed St. George IPA (which was great) from their large bottled beer cooler. We promptly realized after sitting down with a charming mason jar full of brew that they also had the unbeatable Virginia IPA from O’Connor’s: El Guapo on tap. Oh well, guess that just means a repeat visit is in order!We sat at a little table facing the cobblestone street and worked while listening to the sounds of Bright Eyes and Decemberists as hip young things and suited up not so young things walked in and out for their brews. We also noticed a small menu and some books and games in the back. This is the kind of place you could spend a day working, or a night socializing just as easily.Sunsets from the Freemason.

After work, we crossed the street to the historic Botetourt Building, home of Norfolk’s #1 ranked Airbnb listing “Downtown Norfolk: Fantastic View.” And judging from the above sunset picture we took from the 8th floor fire escape, there is no lie in that title. It is a-ma-zing. In fact, the sky just about anywhere in Hampton Roads around sunrise and sunset is fantastic, as you are never more than a few yards from a body of water, allowing for reflections to make all sorts of oranges, purples, and reds light up the sky.

Botetourt Street also houses Norfolk’s newest yoga studio, Satya, whom our super yogi pal “love love loves.”

Walking around the corner, to Freemason’s border with downtown, we now find ourselves at one of the coolest restaurants in Norfolk: Freemason Abbey. This building dates back to 1873 and has an imposing and iconic presence on the cityscape. As it’s currently Restaurant Week in Norfolk, we can get a three-course meal for a mere $20 (or upgrade to the insane-looking $30), which includes choices like Elk Medallion with a chocolate spice rub or flash fried Osso Bucco with gouda mashed potatoes. Dessert’s also included.

Fun fact about Freemason Abbey: if it’s your birthday or anniversary, they give you a rose and a choice of a coffee mug or wine glass (and often a free drink in said glass to boot!)

We wanted to visit the Hunter House Victorian Museum, but alas they are only open April through December (though this is good to know for that next time I’m ordering El Guapo at Cure). The Freemason also boasts a 200 year old B&B, a gourmet bodega, antique shops and a few more restaurants–all within a couple block radius. All these amenities forego our personal favorite part of the area: proximity to do things sans car. It’ smackdab in the middle of a great walk from across the Hague (waterway) to downtown’s bigger atmostphere and park. You can also catch Norfolk’s Tide (lightrail) from The Freemason, which gets you all over downtown as well.

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Meet Virginia has taken her first trip! Last weekend we went to Stanley, VA in the Shenandoah Valley for two days. Located just a few minutes from Luray (known for Luray Caverns) and also a popular haunt for those seeking the skiing at Massanutten Ski Resort, we picked Stanley for our maiden voyage out of one of a traveler’s top factors: convenience. It was an easy drive for all parties involved (coming from respectively: Norfolk, Staunton, and Northeastern PA).

Hawksbill Diner: Cheap and Delicious

First order of business was (obviously) food. This brings me to Meet Virginia’s first guarantee: You Will Never-Never-Never read about a chain restaurant. We ended up at the Hawksbill Diner, which looks like it’s been there forever.  We ordered burgers for…$1.85! And no joke, it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. I also ordered the vegetable soup, which is made from scratch and is amazing–but is also full of beef (so vegetarians beware!)

There’s knotty pine on the walls and a real Southern feel to the place–much moreso than I expected so close to the DC area. The juke box is still a quarter a song and mixes outlaw country with 80s. We all agree we must return for breakfast (which we did–and it was as perfect as our lunch the previous day.)

Outside, the mountains can be seen from every direction, blue and brown and teal and seafoam meeting the clear, cloudless sky. We head about five miles away to the Page Valley Flea Market, one of the largest indoor flea markets in the region (two full buildings). These places can be hit or miss–especially for seasoned thrifters like myself. But walking in, you know you’re in a hipster’s (or granny’s) paradise. I could have bought so many things there that cost 75% more right now at Urban Outfitters. The Owl Renaissance of 2011 continues on here at Page Valley with over 10 stands selling owl awesomeness. There are also tons of vinyl sellers, as well as totally weird homemade masks, ashtrays, and “art.” My favorite quote of the excursion is courtesy of my friend Heather, who remarked “That’s a lot of unicorn for a quarter.”

Owl the Rage at Page Valley Flea Market

Alas, I left with no owls, but did find a nice porcelain bird in the free bin, as well as several records and some awesome shades.

After the flea market, it was time to indulge in one of the gems of the region: wineries! Virginia is quickly becoming a force in wine production. Wine Enthusiast just named the state one of its Top Ten Wine Destinations In the World for 2012. Staying in Stanley, we moseyed up the road to its Wisteria Farm & Vineyard. There’s an old farmhouse out front and free roaming sheep, chickens, and dogs greet you as you meander through the landscape. Inside, a cozy fireplace greets visitors who can pay $5 for a partial tasting experience or a mere $3 more for the full monty. We (obviously) chose the $8 and were treated to 14 wines. We spoke with co-owner Sue Ishak, who informed us she and her husband opened the place in 2000 and compliment the grape growing with a no-kill farm. They sell scarves and dog toys in the tasting room that appear to be made from the fleece of said animals. We enjoyed our time there, and especially liked the homey feeling it exuded–like being in an old friend’s living room. I’m not a wine snob and found most of the glasses to be good. One of our party works at a fancy-schmancy wine bar and informed us the place was good but needed to “mature,” and felt it would in time, being less than a decade old. We were told Wisteria is the only vineyard in Virginia serving a Carmine wine, which we all liked very much; and we finished the outing with a faux-ice wine called Sweet Daisy, which was indeed sweet (and lovely).

Sweet finds at the flea market.

Heading back to our cabin, we drove the countryside noticing some more country stores, thrift shops, and signs placed at the edges of tiny roads indicating “eggs for sale” and the like. We also took note of the large amount of Angus cows roaming the countryside free from corn or cage. I’m sure this had something to do with why my $1 burger was the best I’d ever had (all killer/no filler, as they say). In for the night, staying in a cabin seems the best way to stay in these parts (though camping in warmer weather does sound appealing). We stayed here via Airbnb at a luxury cabin at the top of a dirt road surrounded by 10 acres of serene privacy (which the dogs cheerfully set out to destroy as best they could). We took advantage of having a nice kitchen to cook a big Southern meal of fresh cod and collard greens, soup beans, fried taters, and hush puppies. Some more wine (courtesy of our host Brad–who was staying elsewhere on the property while on a weekend ski trip) and a giant hot tub under the stars rounded out our evening. Finishing up with some guitar playing round the fireplace, we slept warmly in our beds and woke refreshed and happy to have made a new friend in the little town of Stanley.

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I’m jESiO and I’ll be your tour guide on this travel adventure through the most diverse state in the US. This is a travel blog–but it isn’t your average hyperlinked and tourist trapped guide to the obvious. Rather, the goal is to post a weekly article on some little known or wildly unique or just plain awesome fact about good ol’ Virginny.

A little about me and Meet Virginia:

Born and raised in Grundy, Buchanan County, VA in the Appalachian Mountains. This was before there were many paved roads, no street names, no 911 to call, no cable television, and on and on. Things it did have: bluegrass music, baptisms in creeks, white water rafting, free range organic food, and an accent so thick many outsiders need a translator to decipher. It’s come a long way since the 80s in terms of infrastructure, but the core of what makes it hauntingly unique remains secure.

My family is spread out all over the place and I have spent (and still do spend) significant time in the Blacksburg/Roanoke area (Hokies! Hiking!), the Charlottesville/Waynesboro area (Wineries! Shenandoah! Thomas Jefferson!), the Richmond area (Hipsters! Hollywood Cemetary! History Galore!), and the DC/NOVA area (Politics! Punk Rock! Traffic!).

I currently live in the Tidewater/Hampton Roads/Norfolk/Va Beach/We Can’t Decide on a Name for Our Region Region. We have much awesomeness right here at home including the touristy gems like Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia Beach Boardwalk, and Busch Gardens. However, we also have things many a visitor here may never find themselves privy to including our very own MOCA branch, nationally recognized tattoo artists, the best vegan food in the East (PETA’s national headquarters are here), the world’s largest game of tag (Zombie Tag, in fact), the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (a member of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World), and First Landing State Park–where America began.

I work for Airbnb (tagline: Travel Like A Human), an online marketplace for peer-to-peer accommodations, and plan on using some of my stipends and discounts to travel to unknown little towns and big cities all across this large state and report back on cool things people should do or see when they want to avoid chains or other generic facades that can trick many people into feeling they’ve had a cultural experience.

I am also a freelance writer and photographer. I have written and/or shot for Virginia publications including AltDaily, Veer, The Virginia Mountaineer, The Captain’s Log, Bizarre Bites, and Cannonball City. I also write a music and art blog called jesiowastaken. Last year, my work with SPIN (Street Performing in Norfolk), which I founded in 2010, led to Norfolk, VA’s passing of a busking-friendly ordinance. I have been featured in The Virginian-Pilot, The Daily Press, WVEC-TV, and The Virginia Mountaineer for my involvement in making my home a more cultural and all around cool place to be.

My travel experiences include 15 countries on 4 continents and most of the continental US, and I can honestly say I still really love travelling around Virginia. I’ve stayed in Ritz Carlton NYC, but also under the stars alone in the middle of a national forest. There is no “one way” to travel, so everything from backpacking with tents to luxury vacation homes or hotels will be covered here. Topics of interest are food and beverage, thrift shops, locally owned businesses, music and art, and overall community vibe.

So again, welcome! I hope you come back to visit in the coming weeks, months and (fingers crossed) years to seek out your own adventures.