Edible Blue Ridge Fall 2022

EDIBLE EXCURSIONS

Staunton

S School is back in session, summer vacations have come and gone and it feels as if we’re sprinting through fall straight on into the holidays. Whew! It’s important to incorporate small breaks into our daily lives, and what better way to do so than to explore the region we live in? Instead of a jam-packed weekend, we recommend a simple, relaxed getaway where you can linger and savor the rich his tory, delicious food and fun activities that Staunton has to offer. Celebrated as one of Virginia’s best vacation destinations, one thing that separates Staunton from other day trips in the area is its walk ability. You can park your car at your lodging and not have to think about it for the remainder of the weekend. LUNCH Gloria’s Pupuseria We opted to leave work early on Friday to enjoy a late lunch at Glo ria’s Pupersia, and thank goodness we did! The pupusas! They are little pockets of heaven with a dozen different fillings. Run by Glo ria and John Gerber, Gloria’s is well-known to locals, having served the community Salvadoran fare since 2013. The devastating flood WORDS Lisa Archer

Shenandoah Imagery

PHOTOS

of 2020 destroyed their original location, so Gloria’s operated out of their bright and cheery food truck for the last few years as they worked on the new brick-and-mortar (which has just opened!). Be sure to try their homemade beverages; the Ensalada with pineapple and mango is particularly refreshing! EXPLORE After lunch, we took a stroll down historic Beverly Street. Staunton is resplendent in facades that span back as far as the 1700s. After the Civil War, renowned architect and former Union officer T.J. Collins settled in Staunton and designed over 200 of its build ings. To learn more about the history of Staunton, you can take a walking tour, held every Saturday through the end of October. The tours start at 10 a.m. at 20th South New Street (a former hotel designed by Collins in the French Second Empire style) and last approximately 2 hours (be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes). If that doesn’t fit your schedule, you can stop by the visitor center to pick up a walking tour map and explore the 6 historical districts of Staunton on your own time.

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