Day 1 – The Arrival
Wednesday, 15 October 2025: We arrived at Endless Caverns RV Resort around 3 PM, after a necessary stop at Walmart. We are here for the next seven days and plan to take advantage of the on site cavern tours. Setup was smooth and easy—gravel sites, full hookups, and large spaces. Though backed slightly into the woods (which made Starlink a bit tricky to position), we appreciated the roomy and natural setting.
With setup out of the way, we drove into the nearby town of New Market. Our first stop was the Jon Henry General Store—a delightful spot full of local goodies. We picked up candy, fresh produce, more gourds, and a few snacks.
Dinner plans were spontaneous but perfect. We’d noticed a place earlier: The Italian Job, which offered hot and cold subs, pizza, pasta, and more. We ordered an Italian sub and shared fries—absolutely hit the spot.
After dinner, we returned to Endless Caverns and checked out the arcade and Great Hall. Old-school games for just 25 cents a play! Beth even won a single orange Tootsie Roll from the crane game. Fun, simple, and nostalgic.
Day 2 – Winchester, VA
Thursday, 16 October 2025: We headed to Winchester, VA. Our first stop was Abram’s Delight. Beautiful old house built by Quakers and an awesome guide!
We grabbed lunch at the Piccadilly Grill Diner—pancakes for one, a burger for the other. Simple food, done well. Windy weather shortened our walk a bit, but we still enjoyed the atmosphere.
We then took a stroll through Old Town Winchester. We were especially interested in this area. It reminded us of Savannah’s City Market—brick paths, boutique shops, cozy restaurants, and even a couple of banks still doing business.
We visited George Washington’s Office Museum next. Tucked just on the edge of downtown, it was a real gem. The exhibits were laid out like a historical journey through Washington’s early life. Very impressive to reflect on all he accomplished by age 16.
Then it was on to the Patsy Cline Historic House —well preserved and full of details about her life and music career. After the tour, we visited her gravesite, which felt like a fitting close to that part of the day.
Our next destination was the charming Marker-Miller Orchards, discovered via a Winchester travel vlog. We came for the famous apple cider doughnuts, and of course, left with baked goods, fresh produce, apple cider, and a few jars of jellies and sauces.
On the scenic drive home, we stumbled across a covered bridge—a peaceful surprise and perfect for a photo stop.
Dinner was at Southern Kitchen, a local favorite. We sat next to a friendly couple from Pennsylvania who offered great recommendations. Kevin’s dish of Western Baked Ham with mustard sauce, mashed potatoes, and buttered carrots was devoured. The vegetable beef soup also hit all the right notes.
Day 3 – A Day of Work
Friday, 17 October 2025: A workday for us, but we woke to crisp, cool weather and plenty of sunshine. The fall colors were really beginning to pop—reds, oranges, and golds creeping into the treeline around the resort. A perfect backdrop, even if we were working most of the day.
Day 4 – Campground Activities
Saturday, 18 October 2025: The day started off the right way — with toast. But not just any toast. We used a homemade loaf we picked up at Marker-Miller Orchards and topped it with strawberry freezer jam from Yoder’s Farm in Lynchburg. Seriously, both were so good. The bread was soft and flavorful, and the jam tasted like summer in a jar. It kind of made me wonder why we ever bother with store-bought bread. Might be time to make the switch.
After breakfast, we decided to hike up to the Endless Caverns sign at the campground. It was a nice little climb — not too long, but enough to get your legs working. The view at the top was totally worth it. You could see out over the valley, and the fall colors were really starting to show. Lots of reds, oranges, and golds popping through the trees. Cool air, crunchy leaves — you know fall has officially arrived when it feels like that.
All in all, a great start to a Saturday. Local food, good views, and a little bit of movement to balance out all that toast and jam. Would definitely do it all over again.
Saturday afternoon, we toured Endless Caverns. Huge open caverns where no one has officially ever found the end, thus the name. Jake was our tour guide, and being from the area, he had grown up in the caverns. His knowledge and the ability to inform the group was impressive. We would highly recommend the Caverns.
Day 5 – Luray, VA – Cooter’s and Fudge
Sunday, 19 October 2025: Sunday’s drive from New Market to Luray was stunning—the western side of the mountain was ablaze with fall color.
Our first stop: Luray Fudge Company, located in the Luray Caverns complex. Though we skipped the caverns this time (Endless Caverns had scratched that itch for the moment but we will be back), we browsed the shops, peeked into the car museum for a future visit, and of course, picked up some fudge.
Next: Massanutten Country Corner—a wonderful mix of farm market, landscaping ideas, and a small petting zoo. We left with herb & cheese bread and fresh field greens for dinner. Beth made a new goat friend (who tried to eat her), and we enjoyed watching the animals interact.
A little goat entertainment for you.
Lunch was at Cooter’s Garage, a must-stop for any Dukes of Hazzard fan. The memorabilia was extensive, and Daisy’s Café served up solid burgers. A fun blast from the past.
Back in New Market, we browsed a few antique shops before the fierce wind chased us indoors for the Chiefs vs. Raiders game (a shutout win for KC!). That night brought heavy rain—perfect weather to cozy up and turn in early.
Day 6 – Skyline Drive and Belle Grove Manor
Monday, 20 October 2025: Today was a day for a drive along Skyline Drive instead—and what a drive it was.
There was no entrance fee (thanks to the shutdown), and traffic was light. We stopped at most every overlook, soaking in views that stretched for miles under mostly clear skies. The leaves were near peak—reds, golds and oranges painting the hillsides.
We had hoped to hike to a set of waterfalls, but 40° weather and fierce winds convinced us to save that for another day. Still, we explored the visitor center and picked up a few souvenirs before enjoying a picnic lunch at one of the overlooks. Scenic and serene.
On the way back, we visited Belle Grove Manor, a historic plantation with deep roots and interesting stories. Then we made a second stop at Marker-Miller Orchards to stock up on cider, bread, and fresh apple cake.
We had hoped to try Kathy’s Country Cooking for dinner, but it was closed, so we returned to Southern Kitchen—because when a place is that good, you don’t mind a repeat.
From peaceful campgrounds and hearty meals to charming small towns and breathtaking fall foliage, so far this loop through Virginia checked all the boxes. It was the perfect mix of rest and exploration—exactly what we needed.
Day 7 – Time to Roll
Next stop: Chesapeake Bay.