There is something about driving down a Virginia country road that makes it like no other place. Corn fields hug the roads and I can see where the stalks are starting to stand proudly in the spring sun. The white blossom’s of Adam’s Needles are in bloom everywhere along the pavement, like it’s growing wild in the area. And as I approach this one-stoplight town, I’m curious what other small wonders I’ll find just waiting to be seen.
Victoria is a town in Lunenburg County, located almost an 1.5 hour south-west of Richmond. “Born as a railroad town”, its name was given by Henry Rogers, who had much respect for Queen Victoria during her reign. There are two official LOVE signs here, one in the main town and one at Lunenburg Lavender Farm (pic is at the top of this blog).
I had never been to a lavender field before, so I made sure my first stop was Lunenburg Lavender Farm. It is a sweet lavender field with a beautiful barn and porch looking over the purple flowers. As soon as I stepped out of my car, I could smell the lavender and they smelled divine. I briefly spoke to the owner (Katrina) who started growing the flowers while caring for her mother. One thing led to another and her then new-found passion for the flower became something truly special.
When you walk in the barn, there is a quaint store, filled with soaps, candles, oils and other items made from the lavender grown there. You know I couldn’t leave without a couple bunches of dried lavender (making my car smell wonderful the rest of the trip). The farm is only open during bloom season, so be sure to check their Facebook page on when to visit. It was the perfect place to start this adventure and I’m so glad that I had the privilege of meeting Katrina personally.
You always go where the locals tell you, and Simona’s was the place I was told I should go for Italian. It is an intimate restaurant where the smell of bread and sauce hits you before you walk in the door. When I grabbed a booth, I was surrounded by locals so I knew it was going to be good. I ordered the Mini Calzone (which was more like a jumbo) and a side salad. Both were delicious and I was happy I brought a cooler to bring the rest home (my youngest devoured the rest of the calzone 🙂
Next door to Simona’s is the town’s official LOVE sign and Victoria Railroad Park. Both the sign and park pay homage to how important the railroad was to the town. In addition to plenty of open space and playground, the park is easily accessible to the Tobacco Heritage Trail. This five mile trail is “a system of long-distance recreational, multi-use, non-motorized trails, and is a project of major importance to Southside Virginia.” I look forward to exploring this more the next time I’m in the area.
Did you all know I love antiques? (LOL) Well if you didn’t already, you’ll know now. Main Street Mercantile is one of those unassuming places that will surprise you… BIG time. It was like going on a well-organized treasure hunt – You may not be looking for anything specific, but you end up searching for something because the items are authentic and unique. I was specifically impressed with the antique crocks, pie safes and old wooden crates. I left with an antique walking stick that unfolds into a stool (for Brett), and a hand woven ottoman (for myself).
Before leaving the main town, I had to stop at BLISS of Lunenburg, Inc. While there is an unofficial LOVE sign on the side of the building, it was the place’s story that really brought me here. The founder was once a special education teacher, and she created a place for when those students graduated, to volunteer and contribute to the town. And better yet, all profits go to the community. What a wonderful gem in this town.
On my way home, I pulled off to catch a glimpse of the Nottoway Falls. Known as one of the county’s greatest secrets, “the area has many rock formations, natural waterfalls, and a man-made dam built by the Virginian Railway in the early 1920’s” I could see how someone would come here to get away from it all, and connect with the native birds and scenery.
Victoria is a place to love…
It is amazing to see these once busy railroad towns turn into something quiet and special – And Victoria is one of those towns. The residents here care about the area, and create little pockets of goodness for both locals and visitors to enjoy. If you have a soft spot for small towns with hidden surprises, Victoria may need to be your next day trip.
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| Official ♥️ Signs Visited = 52 | LOVEworks Official Signs = 336 |
| Unofficial ♥️ Signs Visited = 44 | LOVEworks Unofficial Signs = 400+ |
| TOTAL VISITED = 96 | TOTAL LOVEworks Signs = 700+ |
Is this your first Leah LOVES Virginia blog post read? Thank you for taking the time to visit. If you’re wondering how this adventure got started, check-out my first blog post and my about page. Want to stay connected? It’s super easy and you’ll only hear from me when a new blog gets posted. You can also follow along by friending me on my Leah LOVES Virginia Facebook page.
Important note: I always do my best to ensure everything I include in my blogs are factual and that I also give credit and use quotations when pulling information from sources. If you believe there is something included here that needs to be addressed, please email me directly as I want to be sure it is fixed. Thank you and happy LOVE sign hunting.
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