Using a condo in Yaletown in Vancouver as our hub, we explored the surrounding areas enjoying a harbor cruise, Theatre under the Stars in Stanley Park, the teacup ferry rides to Granville Island,  and a trip to Grouse Mountain with a gondola ride to the top for incredible views.

A highlight of our trip was my first fly fishing adventure on the Pitt River, a glacier fed river. With water temperatures in the 50′s , waders felt great as I landed my first sock-eye salmon within minutes of casting a line.

So, where did you travel this summer?  Have you planned a fall getaway to southwest Virginia? The Appalachian mountains and the beauty of the fall colors are just around the corner.  Let us help you enjoy the wonders of nature in the next few months. Call now so we can help you relax and create a memorable getaway on the New River!  I certainly did!

Cascades Waterfall is a beautiful backdrop for newlyweds!

Planning to elope or want to renew your vows? Looking for that special place to create  memories of your wedding day? 

Inn at Riverbend and Magnifico Photography will create that special package with our “Just the Two of Us” wedding/elopement package. 

Repeat your vows at Inn at Riverbend, a special bed and breakfast in Southwest Virginia,  and then continue the experience with offsite photo sessions just for you.

The beauty of the Jefferson National Forest and the New River in Giles County in will be your backdrop as you create new memories.

From a bouquet created just for you, two tier mini wedding cake, to a candlelight dinner; small intimate weddings are created just for the two of you.

Call for more details and let us make your dreams come true!

So here’s the offer—7 years of 52 weeks being open is 364 so that’s the first goal-Help us double the number of Facebook fans visiting the Inn at Riverbend Fan page!  Then we’ll celebrate the next goal when we hit 7 years of 365 days-2555!  Book now, mention the Quest for Fansand we’ll have a bottle of Virginia Wine and a Riverbend glass waiting for you!

From time to time we entice Chef Gio away from his post at The Bank Food and Drink so that he may teach a few of our guests how to prepare specific dishes. We always learn something when we do, and we have fun to boot.

Chef Gio cooks at our Virginia B&B

Has your bread ever fallen flat? Do you gaze at light and airy loaves with wonder and envy? Are you tired of the same old pizzas from the same old places? Ready to roll up your sleeves and fling pizza dough skyward? If so, you are ready for cooking class with Chef Gio at our Virginia Bed and Breakfast.

After a couple of hours in the kitchen, stirring, kneading and rolling, you’ll be ready for lunch. You’ll break into hot crusty loaves with Chef Gio, and sample the results of your hard work: pizzas and calzones.

A cooking class is a delightful addition to a Virginia bed and breakfast getaway. It spices up your travel, and provides useful information that you will use again and again at home. Plus, it’s great fun. You just can’t go wrong.

Weaving on my new loom

After a few months of assembling, reading, putting on heddles, tying up treadles, warping, and putting the warp on, I’m weaving!  Of course I picked an ambitious project as my first effort on my 8 shaft Baby Wolf-a 8 shaft star twill in black and cream. My mentor, Lynn Cosell, exclaimned “black and cream, what were you thinking?” when she first saw my choices.

I’ve learned a lot and it’s been frustrating but fun. I learned to weave in the 80′s and have only used a rigid heddle loom since then. My recent classes have included pre-warped looms and lots of sample weaving but no warping.

So next project-I’ll use colors, maybe only 4 shafts, something not 7 feet long, and a thicker fiber just to gain some miles on my new loom.

Back to the loom….

Snow at Inn at Riverbend

In 2003, Lynn and I  moved from Florida to Southwest Virginia to enjoy the seasons and winter is certainly one of them, especially this year.

I’ve lost track of how many snowfalls we’ve had this season at Inn at Riverbend but this is certainly one of the big ones.  Just measured 7 inches at 10am but it’s still coming down.

So while you’re indoors, wishing for a warmer getaway, call and plan your next vacation when you can fish or float the New River, visit Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and hike to the Cascades waterfall!

We’re ready to help you plan your next vacation to Giles County to our bed and breakfast located between Blacksburg and Princeton, WV.

.

Jackson with new friends

Jackson at naptime

Jackson in action

With Lynn in Florida for a week, Jackson needed to play so off we went to Doe Creek Kennels for a bit of doggy fun.  Located on Doe Creek Farm, a  400 acre apple orchard in Giles County,  just a few miles from Inn at Riverbend, Allison’s facility is a great compliment to what we offer our human guests. From meal times, to lots of play and nap time with a snack, the ability for dogs to run and play in a supervised, loving setting is appealing for larger, active dogs. Day care and overnight boarding are offered with flexible drop off and pick up times.

Jackson rested in his “roomy private suite with twin bed, fleece bedding and large windows” plus painted walls and framed artwork too!  He was a very happy dog when I picked him up. So when Lynn goes to play golf, Jackson may just get to return for a another fun day.