I spent the night in  another  anonymous Motel 6  within earshot of the interstate – this time in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Ate a bad Mexican dinner at Dona Rosa’s Authentica Comida Mexicana (served by strangely blond Mexicans).  I managed to break my helmet visor but found a replacement in town and headed towards Charlottesville, Virginia.  The route 33 takes you through the Shenandoah National Park which looks quite nice – although the rain and fog were so heavy I couldn’t really take in much of it.

Alexander House Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville seems like a habitable place, I’ve seen people walking the streets and riding bikes for the first time on my trip – a dot of blue in a sea of red politically.  I found a nice place to stay called Alexander House, a house run by a collective of six owners with a distinctly hippy atmosphere.  There are only two others staying here and I have it too myself for the afternoon – it’s $40 for a dorm bed and recommendable.

Bank Windows Downtown

Indeed, after walking through the Bedford neighbourhood and through the center

Paramount Theatre - Pedestrian Street

Charlottesville seems like a charming place.  After Denny’s, McDonalds, Chili’s, Subway, Papa Johns, Long John Silvers, KFC, Burger King it’s been a surprise to see Tapas, Sushi and other signifiers of urban yuppiedom.  The Blue Moon Diner – was off the main pedestrian mall near the state run liquor store (the LCBO looks good in comparison) – and was a cool place to sit and watch the locals chat with each other.

Charlottesville Transit Station

Alexander House	Bedford Monticello Neighbourhood	Bedford Monticello Neighbourhood	Transit Station
Pedestrian Street	Theatre – Pedestrian Street	National Bank of Charlottesville – Pedestrian Street	Blue Moon Diner