Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 11, 1994 TAG: 9411160047
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sure, if you live in Southwest Virginia, you probably know it's east of Tazewell, it's officially named Burke's Garden, and you can't get there by taking Interstates 81, 77 or 64. You have to get off the beaten track and onto Virginia's byways to discover this picturesque bowl in a mountain that has long fascinated sociologists, geologists and biologists.
But ask someone outside of Southwest Virginia about it, and you'll likely get a blank stare. In fact, ask outsiders about dozens of this region's vast attractions and you might as well be asking about craters on the moon.
Despite increased efforts by Southwest Virginia leaders and the state's Division of Tourism to draw attention to such places as the magnificent Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, many of the region's tourism resources remain largely unexposed and unexplored.
Of course, media-shy Amish farm families and other Burke's Gardeners may not be hankering to be discovered. But others in this land rich with natural wonders, cultural heritage, recreational opportunities and spectacular scenery wouldn't mind sharing their treasures in exchange for increased tourism revenue and a higher profile in competing for economic development.
So the state's first scenic road map - introduced last month, appropriately, at Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia's Far Southwest corner - is a welcome new tool for encouraging tourists, and roaming Virginians as well, to take roads less traveled to places less publicized than, say, Williamsburg and Virginia Beach.
What may be even more promising is the spur for it. In recent months, the Division of Tourism has gotten increased requests by travel writers, travel agents and others for more information about visitor-worthy spots less familiar than the beach, the theme parks and well-known historic attractions such as Mount Vernon, Monticello and famous Civil War battlefields.
There appears to be an upbeat tick of interest in offbeat getaways - to mountainous and rural areas, to awesome natural vistas and to charming, freeway-free small towns. All of which Southwest Virginia has in abundance. Many of which are easily spotted on this tourist-friendly map highlighting 2,000-plus miles of byways and backways.
Though a statewide map, it's a clear invitation to increased tourism for this region: Y'all come.
Unlike the Virginia Department of Transportation's regular road guides for the fast-track oriented, this scenic map is for the adventurous, for day-trippers out of cities, for those who measure travel by see-and-do experiences rather than by miles and who think getting there is half the fun. If that's your pleasure, it gives direction and shows the way.
As for refolding it, well, you're on your own as usual.
by CNB