"Every Picture Tells a Story ... Don't It:" On the Road - The Colorful Shenandoah, Chapter IV | Eastern North Carolina Now

This imposing Greek Revival masonry structure sits vacant, but not long past, this building, and others on this 80 acre campus, just southeast of downtown Staunton, was the home of the mental and emotionally challenged in this serene location that was once the sanatorium / asylum known as the Western State Hospital: Above and below.     photos by Stan Deatherage
These masonry buildings of the former Western State Hospital are being slowly renovated to mixed usage structures, which are presently marketed as The Villages at Staunton, and touted as "A Transformation from Grim to Grand": Above. I like this shot of the vintage automobile just behind the reflective glass on Mill Street. Look closely, and you will see the reflection of the Mill Street Grill: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage
The Mill Street Grill     photo by Stan Deatherage
   On two separate occasions, during my 5 Autumn days in the Shenandoah Valley, I ate at a restaurant named the Mill Street Grill. Staunton, Virginia is about 37 miles away from where we were staying at Massanutten Mountain, so I needed to give my wife a good reason to sojourn south to the city known as the "Queen of the Shenandoah."

   I had no idea where to enjoy a superior meal in Staunton, so I consulted the world wide web. My intent was to find a delicious meal, suitable for human consumption, and at a reasonable price, which I discovered could possibly be Staunton's Mill Street Grill - a local bistro serving Sunday brunch.

   Would my Sunday morning drive discovering the Fall colors of the Shenandoah Valley turn into a sumptuous concoction of victuals? It did, and that brunch was so impressive in both value and as a superlative gastronomic delight that when we found ourselves back in Staunton later that week on Tuesday, and most peckish, we found our way back to the Mill Street Grill for dinner.

   I had an 8oz. piece of Cajun Catfish smothered in a white wine relish and 4 large shrimp, with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. My wife had an elaborate sampler platter, featuring Oysters Rockefeller, and batter-dipped artichoke hearts.

   My meal came with a colorful salad, and a fresh baked tin of dark and light colored bread, with banana butter. I had a dark beer, Magic Hat, and my wife had another kind of beer - I can't remember the brand, but it was definitely dark.

   It was a meal to remember, probably the best meal out in a few years. A good value (about 19.00 for the meal, and about 5.00 for the beer). When I dine away from home, I always seek value - but alas, I don't always get it. This night I did. My Cajun Catfish under some big ole shrimp and a white wine relish: Above. My wife's sampler platter featuring Oysters Rockefeller: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage
Late in the afternoon, with sun just about right to make an image, we bring you this shot of the Augusta County Court House: Above. At the corner of Beverly Street and Augusta Street, and I know antiques are currently sold in the Victorian masonry structure, however, I just do not know the name of the building. If anyone knows this building's origin, please send: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage