Where in the heck is Barboursville, Grandpa?
PUBLICITY PHOTO FOR THE WALTONS

In today’s Travel section of the New York Times, Charlottesville is featured for its culture, history, cuisine, and entertainment.  It comes through that writer Joshua Kurlantzick found exactly what I hope any visitor would in our city: there is something for everyone.

Of course, this is hardly the first time we’ve caught the eye of papers with national markets.  In May, the Washington Post said, quite boldly, “If It Tastes Good, It’s in Charlottesville.”  Jane Black paid her dues to Rev Soup, the businesses of the Main Street Market, Mas, Ten, Hamilton’s, Bang, the Tea Bazaar, Timberlake’s, Aroma’s, Hot Cakes–forgive me for my colloquial names–there were just so many worthy recipients yet still just a sampling of all we have to offer.  I reveled in visits from Travel+Leisure and Wine Spectator, too.  My reaction to their coverage was simply an exhilarated, “Yes, I know!”  (Unfortunately, I was given the news about the WP coverage while driving outside Louisville and nearly off-roaded.)

So did the NYT use its 36 hours in Charlottesville wisely?  I’ll say this: Kurlantzick’s got stamina.  He pays visits to Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, the University of Virginia Grounds, and Barboursville. He recognizes Virginia wine, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, and the views from Skyline Drive.  Miller’s, our symbolic cornerstone of local music, gets a nod.  And I have to agree with Kurlantzick that the Clifton Inn feels as Kentucky as an old-fashioned (but try their lavender martini!), and I can’t help but smile as I wonder how he’d characterize the spring Foxfield Races.

However, Kurlantzick appears less wise when he identifies Route 20 North and the Barboursville area as the “the fictional locale for “The Waltons” on TV.” Actually, the fictional locale for the popular TV show is in Nelson County, on the opposite side of Charlottesville–in Schuyler, Virginia to be exact–where the actual house that Waltons creator Earl Hamner Jr. and his family lived in is located. In fact, the real Jim “Jim Bob” Hamner, Earl’s brother, was still living in the house when it was auctioned off in 2003.

Still, you are welcome back any time.  And that goes for, well, everyone.