From Cumberland Gap, where three states join, to the Atlantic Ocean there is The Commonwealth of Virginia. Looking for a place of varied interests to explore? Don’t overlook Virginia. From its mountains in the west to bays and beaches in the east many sights and attractions await the traveler.

Traveling from the Gap up rural Powell Valley you follow alongside scenic Cumberland Mountain where the scene changes with the seasons from winter gray, to many shades of spring green, to the rich green of summer, to a wild array of autumn colors. The road leads to the land where the dreaded air polluter, coal, is mined.

A turn to the east continues through a mountainous region where a century ago families scratched out a living on the slopes of the hillsides; and some still do. Farther eastward you encounter the Shenandoah Valley, breadbasket of the Confederacy, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. With its many and varied tourist attractions, this might be your favorite part of the Commonwealth.

The Skyline Drive, a part of the National Park system, follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway into North Carolina. A drive along these roads offers not only spectacular views of the surrounding countryside but many roadside scenes of flora and fauna. Hiking trails along the drive lead to waterfalls, seen only after a walk down these trails. The walk back to the road is usually the hardest part.

Towns along its length dot the broad valley, with many picturesque functioning farms in between. It looks like prime farmland. One of the towns is Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia, originally designed by Thomas Jefferson. Many of the original structures are still in use and interesting to see.

There are lots of caves and grottos in the mountainside some of which offer tours along lighted paths inside their blackness. When the lights are turned on beautiful scenes of subtle color appear. One cave is famous not for its natural beauty but because it has been transformed into a tourist attraction. Luray Caverns has many formations that, when tapped, vibrate with particular tones. Someone found musical scales among them and devised electric hammers to activate tonal vibrations. He connected them to a keyboard, and lo and behold, a musical instrument was created. During tours a musician plays a short concert on the stalactite “organ”. Rock music?

Of course Virginia is noted for its colonial and national history. Jamestown and Williamsburg are two examples of early settlements. Both have been restored to resemble their historic forms. They are on display, complete with actors depicting colonial life. Williamsburg the colonial capital is nearly complete with Governor’s Mansion, military provisions, residences, taverns and business establishments to fit the needs of the community.

Thomas Jefferson built Monticello as his home. A tour of the house and grounds is truly amazing. The house is full of novel conveniences of his invention. The James Madison home is nearby and evidence of many other of the Founding Fathers. George Washington, remember him? Some wanted to make him King. His Mount Vernon home can be found a few miles downriver from the city that bears his name.

These are just examples of the interesting things found across the land from the mountains to Virginia Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Many more can be found by the venturous traveler without really trying very hard.