Memories of a Visit to Waltons MT.

[tropicjeff]

My wife & I just returned from our vacation visit to Schulyer "Waltons Mt" Virginia and surrounding areas. Here are a few impressions... As we left the Charlottesville airport in our rental car, we were amazed at the huge mansions in the area. Looked like no "normal folks" anywhere. Later we found out this is one of the richest counties in Virginia.

We visited Jefferson's Monticello which was one of the highlights of the non Walton portions of the trip. Also in the area is President Monroe's home and President Madison's newly opened and remodeled "Montpelier". Lots of history.

We used Earl Hamner's blog entry on his hometime Schulyer as our travel guide and it provided a lot of historical reference to the town. After reading the gushing review of the Waltons Museum in Hamner's book "Good Night John Boy", I could hardly wait to get there! The museum as most of you know is in an old Schulyer school. Chocked full of Waltons memorabilia, we enjoyed all of the rare pictures and reproductions of the actual sets. The guy that runs the museum (who looks like he could play Art Carney if they would reprise "The Honeymooners") was very kind and answered most any question we threw at him. We enjoyed the museum's movie about the cast, although it is a bit outdated. Of course we dropped a bundle in the gift shop (great Waltons Mountain caps, bags, pictures, etc -- and I supported "Art Carney"'s venture into writing by buying his bio...he's no Earl Hamner, but a fun read...)

We then ventured across the street to another Waltons giftshop (next to a bed and breakfast). We bought a great Virginia Public TV dvd on the history of Schuyler and the Waltons series. They had a lot of rare Waltons memorabilia but a bit $$$$.

I found this out now that I'm home and researched it a bit, but I didn't realize there has been some conflict in recent years with the Hamners and the museum....therefore the museum doesn't have any of the original scripts by Earl Hamner anymore and apparently doesn't have his support anymore either (the gift shop across the street is the only place you can buy autographed copies of his books!). Kind of sad, but the museum seems to be functioning ok and the average Walton tourist probably wouldn't know the difference.

Earl Hamner's home is being refurbished and we took a quick pic there despite the no trespassing sign. I imagine they will turn that into a very inviting tourist attraction some day soon.

We snapped a pic of the Schuyler church, drove past the dam, and then proceeded to Ike Godsey's store, which is nothing more than a convenience store/gas station! The woman running the store was fun to talk to. We bought a bottle of very tasty red Virginia Monticello wine there. We had fun asking where Ike was and she said he was "off today!" We had a good laugh when she said tourists expect to see the store and the whole town exactly as it was depicted on tv! In fact in the museum there are notices all over the place to try to dispel these thoughts....."this is NOT the Baldwin sisters recipe machine, but a replica...." "Yes, we know John Boy's bedroom didn't have an air conditioner!" etc. Hilarious......

We tried to find some of the old Hamner homes mentioned on the blog, but they aren't referenced too specifically....probably so the people that live there can have some privacy. We drove down a few roads anyhow.

On our way back to reality we stopped in Rockfish, which is now only a closed old post office with a sign.....Of course we took a quick picture there, too before winding our way back to civilization.

It's kind of a strange phenomenon visiting a place like Schuyler. The writing of Earl Hamner has been so enjoyable to us and his tv program so endearing. Even though he and the cast were not there, it was almost like visiting an old friend. Very comforting (despite the behind the scenes feuding we didn't know anything about at that time).

I could gush on and on about the beautiful countryside and adventures in Colonial Williamsburg, but that's enough rambling for now.

Oh, there are lots of antique shops in the Charlottesville areas and I found a first edition copy of Earl Hamner's book "You Can't Get There From Here". I was one happy tourist!

[Tracey]

Looks like you had a great time on your vacation..


Tracey

[ncwaltonsfan]

I've been through that area a few times and it is a beautiful place. I am glad you enjoyed your vacation. My sister lives in Charlottesville. I love the drive on US 29 between Lynchburg and Charlottesville. It is gorgeous.

[Honeybee]

Thanks for sharing your vacation time with us. Someday, I'll go there, for my vacation.