Llewellyn Lodge in Lexington, VA

[CBar]

Here is my second recommended B&B, Llewellyn Lodge in Lexington, VA (http://llodge.com). I first visited it in July 2003. Lexington lies at the head of the Shenandoah Valley and has well known connections with both Stonewall Jackson and Robt. E. Lee. The graves of both men are there, as are Jackson’s house, and both Washington and Lee University and VMI. Llewellyn Lodge is located on Main Street, three blocks above the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. It’s a lovely walk past the cemetery and into the center of Lexington. The hosts of the Lodge are John and Ellen Roberts, and they can provide a wealth of information on local history and sights, as well as on the best spots for flyfishing or where to golf. By the way, Ellen recommends leaving a lemon at Jackson’s grave; I was determined to leave an apple, so we had a good-natured argument about Jackson’s taste for fruit. John is truly Virginian, having been born in the Jackson House when it was still a hospital. He even has a framed certificate to that effect hanging on the stairway wall. The rooms at the Lodge are comfortable, and most have cable TV and even VCRs. Ellen very obligingly supplies an internet hookup (update: it's now ********, I believe), which I for one greatly appreciated. One of the best aspects of this B&B is the breakfast table. It seats 10, and while you savor morning coffee and enjoy eggs or waffles, you invariably meet several other guests who are fellow CW enthusiasts. I made the acquaintance of a history librarian from Winchester, a couple of Gettysburg fans from Indiana, and, my favorite new friends, a couple of avid Jackson admirers from New Zealand (who hadn’t even yet seen Gods & Generals). Breakfast conversation at the Lodge is always lively, and it was comfortable to be able to talk CW with interested people.