The meet time for the ride: 10:45. The destination: Paint Bank, a small community in northern Craig County, Virginia.
The train depot dates back to 1909, when Paint Bank was the final stop of the Potts Valley Branch line of the Norfolk & Western Railway, which was expanded during the mining boom of the early 1900’s.
The lodge features a master suite, and 4 guest rooms each with private bath, and a gas fireplace.
The caboose has been renovated into a queen bedroom, complete with it’s own bath.
The Depot and the other buildings in Paint Bank have been beautifully renovated and visitors can shop in the General Store, eat in the Swinging Bridge Restaurant (which really does have a swinging bridge inside it), and explore the water powered Grist Mill.
I’ve ridden to Paint Bank several times through the years and it’s a great place for a stop along the way. Someday I’ll have to stay the night!
It was a misty ride back over the mountains towards home, but despite the dark storm clouds only a few of the 160 miles we rode were truly rainy. Another fun ride in the books.
And oh yes!
The best sign I saw along the road today was in front of a church: “Noah should have slapped those 2 mosquitos”
🙂
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
What a pretty place. I love that porch!
I wish I’d had time to photograph the other buildings, too … next time!
I LOVE watching the evolution of your photos. You inspire me to get out there and start using my camera like its supposed to be used. Gah. I also would love to stay overnight in that caboose. How cool is that?
And – AMEN – to that sign. Dang skeeters.
Thanks so much! and yes! Get that camera out 🙂
What a brilliant sign. I really like that about the mosquitoes.
You live in such a beautiful area Laurie. 🙂
I’m very fortunate to live amongst such natural beauty, for sure! There are drawbacks to living in a more rural area, but the benefits far outweigh the drawback.
I live in a semi-rural area so not as far to get to the cities but still a good 45minutes to an hour to do so.
I love your photos, but even more I love that you are out there on that shiny red bike, having fun! Fabulous!!
Pauline, it’s so funny that you mention my “shiny” bike … the guys that I rode with hassled me much of the day about how dirty it is. I really haven’t had time to clean it and they insist I should be ashamed (all in good fun!). Perhaps this weekend??
I’d come over and help with the buffing and polishing, but I’m on my last day of partying 😀
I hope you’ve enjoyed every moment of every part of your birthday party!
Ha – I agree! Noah should have squished those two mosquitos. It looks like a wonderful road trip.
Wasn’t that sign funny? I can see no good reason for mosquitos (although I’m sure my biologist friends would say there are some).
Wow that train depot looks incredibly beautiful, the porch is very inviting..I love those chairs you can swing on 🙂
That porch really drew my attention. So pretty!!
Love that sign!
It’s great that it didn’t really rain on your ride. What a lovely place. I would love to spend a night at the caboose too.
Such a funny sign! Next time I go I’ll try to get photos of the other buildings, too. It really is a cool little intersection of two state highways (small ones)
You find all the fun places my friend!
I mentioned on FB that I thought of you when I was there … thinking you would have enjoyed a little exploration of Paint Bank.
Looks so pretty! And I love the sign quote. Really wish Noah had slapped those two mosquitos!
Seriously! What was he thinking? 🙂
What a fun part of traveling … I once saw a sign in front of the church that said “There’s no stop, drop, and roll in hell”. Cracked me up!!
Another ‘Norman Rockwell’ town. I am just amazed at all the awesome things you can ride to from home. What a gorgeous place. Cute bicycles out front too and talk about spotless.
You’ve done a great job of photographing all the sparkling chrome without getting yourself in the reflections. I looked, biggy-fied and looked again thinking you’d be in there somewhere, nope, no luck. I would think that wasn’t too easy to do so Bravo 😀
You are so right … I did try to avoid it this time!
I wish you could see the swinging bridge in the restaurant. So cool! You would love this place!
That’s wild, a swinging bridge inside! Do the servers have to walk over it with trays of drinks? Is it way up high in the rafters?
Let me guess, they had a bar? 😀
Believe it or not, NO! Some of these small SWVA restaurants like to create a “family dining” experience (so patrons can go home and drink in the privacy of their homes … hoping you can pick up on the sarcasm there)
Sarcasm? I thought that was a brick flying past my head 😀
This looks like a place that I would really dig Laurie, I love the porch and the rocking chairs they are just perfect for having a couple of cold ones 🙂 Love the motorcycle shots too great job on this post .
It would indeed be a perfect place to rock and have a beer … the depot sits at the intersection of two rural state roads, and lots of bikes roll through.
I love that cute building, LB – and am desperately in love with the two red pushbikes outside (I’ve asked Santa for something along those lines this year, but I don’t like my chances!). You definitely live in a beautiful part of the world – and we are all so fortunate to be experiencing a lot of it with you. Thanks for taking us along for the ride! xoxoxoxox
Oh I hope you get your Christmas wish!! Dani, you always have a place to stay should you ever get to my part of the world, you have a place to stay!
BEAUTIFUL little spot you guys found! I love the box car! Sign me up!!!
Wouldn’t that be a blast!!
Looks like you had fun…. great photos …. you caught the mood !
It was really was a fun day, despite the misty mood. Thank you!
What a charming place. I love the window boxes and the dark green rocking chairs. It really feels like the past lingers in the corners, doesn’t it? I hope you’ve sent them copies of your stunning photos. They could sell your photo cards in the general store.
I haven’t sent the photos … but perhaps I should. What the heck, right?
Thanks Alys, for your encouragement!
I hope you will. Your work is stunning. It would be a nice way to gain exposure with others. Let me know if you do.
Great story, great photos–great bike!
Ah Daniel … thank you! and yes! the bike is great 🙂
The Paint Book store and restaurant are really cool. We stopped in on our way to the State Fair of West Virginia last month. Great drive.
It really is, Ralph! I love riding in that area.
Love the pic of the rocking chairs on the porch!
Wouldn’t you just love to sit there and relax? Thanks!