The Inn at Riverbend just finished having the ____ family here for their family reunion. Everyone seemed to have a great time! One day found some doing the covered bridges of Giles County, Mountain Lake and a hike up to Cascade Falls while the rest hung out at the Inn and caught up on the last years activities. Dinner was supplied at the Inn by Chef Janet with many comments on what a wonderful way to spend and evening (on the deck over looking the great outdoors and the New River).

Friday brought a group kayaking on the New (Thanks to the folk at Tangent Outfitters) while others toured Virginia Tech and Blacksburg. The Friday night dinner brought the group to dinner at the New River Grille for a very wide selection from the menu.

Apparently the kayakers spoke highly about the fun to be had on the New River as almost everyone went tubing down the river from Radford. Tubing is a quieter way to go (well sort of).  After the kayaking, a change of clothes and dinner for everyone at The Palisades Restaurant. Shaena created a short menu for the group so that they could pre-order and did the vegetables family style so that all could get a taste of the great dishes that The Palisades serves. Everyone raved. Thanks Shaena!!

It seems as if this was the weekend for the REAL New River sports to begin. While there have been many a kayak or raft seen from the Inn at Riverbend before this weekend, many guests hit the river on kayaks this weekend. We couldn’t blame them for wanting to enjoy the beautiful weather and the river. Janet and I enjoyed it in a slightly different manner as we road our bikes from Goldbond, VA to Glen Alton, VA. We didn’t realize that the Glen Alton Days were in progress. One of the many problems with living in an area where there are just too many activities happening on any one weekend. Later in the day, we took the dogs down for a walk in Whitt Riverbend Park and ran into our friends from the New River Outdoor Company who were picking up a group that just completed a canoe trip. Check out the many river activities that they have to offer or others from Tangent Outfitters or New Rivers Edge!

Memorial weekend brings plenty of biking activities to the New River Valley for the weekend. The Mountains of Misery ride on Sunday and the Wilderness Trail ride on Saturday. Both are just rides and not races, though the Mountains of Misery are just that. The ride totals 104 miles and climbs over 10,000 feet. The course snakes through Giles, Roanoke & Craig counties.

The Wilderness Road Ride follows part of the historic Wilderness Road, Daniel Boone’s route through the Appalachians to the Cumberland Gap. Five courses offer something for everyone, with 14, 29, 38, 58, and 78 mile options. All routes start and finish in Radford, at the Dedmon Center and Bisset Park. Non-riders can enjoy Bisset Park, the New River, and downtown Radford, while their family and friends are out riding.

Come and hear the roar of the cannons and sound of the musket

at the Beautiful and historic Rockwood Manor on:

April 30th – May 1st 2011

Parking and shuttle service at New River Community College
Battles and living history both days! Saturdays Battle at 1:30 Sundays at 1:00
Food and other vendors onsite.
Adults $5.00 Kids 12 & Under $1.00
Be sure to bring your portable chairs and blankets for a fun and educational event for the whole family!

The town of Pearisburg has recently received a designation as an Appalachian Trail Community.

The Appalachian Trail Community™ program recognizes communities who are taking extra steps to promote and protect the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Designation as an Appalachian Trail Community™ and participation in the program is aimed to:

• Engage community citizens, Trail visitors and stewards
• Thank communities for their decades of service to hikers
• Act as a catalyst for enhancing sustainable economic development
• Aid local municipalities and regional areas with conservation planning
• Help local community members see the Trail as a resource and asset

There will be a designation ceremony during the Pearisburg Festival in the Park on June 18 @ 2:45 PM.  Please join the Inn at Riverbend in congratulations to the Town of Pearisburg. Pearisburg has long helped thru and day hikers of the Appalachian Trail.

Winemaking has been a thriving industry in Virginia since 1607 when Jamestown was established with wine in mind! Thomas Jefferson believed that Virginia could be a great state for growing grapes and attempted to bring European grapes to Monticello.

Fortunately, in the past 40 years, six wine grape growing regions have developed and exist today, with over 141 wineries producing a range of wines including Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon to name a few.

To let you enjoy a few of these Virginia wines, we’ve created a guided tour from Inn at Riverbend to two wineries located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. On the way, your guide will share stories of the past and present of this beautiful land.

Your itinerary for the tour:
10:00 – Depart Inn at Riverbend
11:15 – Arrive at Villa Appalaccia Winery-Enjoy touring, tasting
12:00 – Depart for Chateau Morrisette
12:15 – Enjoy lunch outdoors
1:00 – Wine Tour in the Winery Building
1:30 – Wine Tasting
2:30 – Depart Chateau Morrisette
Begin return trip with optional stops:
Blue Ridge Parkway scenic overlook
Downtown Floyd
Harvest Moon/Over the Moon Gallery and Cafe
4:30 – Arrive Inn at Riverbend

See it, taste it and enjoy it like a native! Your guided tour includes a Virginia winery map, all transportation to and from Inn at Riverbend, fuel charges, wine tasting fees, lunch and chilled beverages.

Tours are available Friday-Sunday with 72 hour notice. To book a tour, please contact Inn at Riverbend at 540-921-5211 or book online when you make your reservation.

$130 per person, minimum 4 people
$180 per person for 2 only
Cancellation Policy: Deposit will be refunded if cancellations are received in writing 10 days prior to tour day

As an innkeeper, we help our guests create memorable vacations and many times don’t allow ourselves the luxury of an escape.  Lynn and I just returned from an 11 day getaway to Seattle and Vancouver, BC.

Using a condo in Yaletown in Vancouver as our hub, we explored the surrounding areas enjoying a harbor cruise, Theatre under the Stars in Stanley Park, the teacup ferry rides to Granville Island,  and a trip to Grouse Mountain with a gondola ride to the top for incredible views.

A highlight of our trip was my first fly fishing adventure on the Pitt River, a glacier fed river. With water temperatures in the 50′s , waders felt great as I landed my first sock-eye salmon within minutes of casting a line.

So, where did you travel this summer?  Have you planned a fall getaway to southwest Virginia? The Appalachian mountains and the beauty of the fall colors are just around the corner.  Let the Inn at Riverbend help you enjoy the wonders of nature in the next few months. Call now so we can help you relax and create a memorable getaway on the New River!  I certainly did!

Another year of exciting football with the Virginia Tech Hokies is around the corner and we hope that you’re planning a visit.  From great tailgating to beautiful fall weather, Inn at Riverbend still has rooms available for a few of the games.  So check your calendars and ours and plan your visit to Southwest Virginia to see the Hokies play ball.

Cascades Waterfall is a beautiful backdrop for newlyweds!

Planning to elope or want to renew your vows? Looking for that special place to create  memories of your wedding day?

Inn at Riverbend and Magnifico Photography will create that special package with our “Just the Two of Us” wedding/elopement package.

Repeat your vows at Inn at Riverbend, a special bed and breakfast in Southwest Virginia,  and then continue the experience with offsite photo sessions just for you.

The beauty of the Jefferson National Forest and the New River in Giles County in will be your backdrop as you create new memories.

From a bouquet created just for you, two tier mini wedding cake, to a candlelight dinner; small intimate weddings are created just for the two of you.

Call for more details and let us make your dreams come true!