An Impromptu Independence Day Adventure

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At the last  minute,  my husband and I decided to drive his grandmother up to see family in Virginia for July 4th weekend. I packed thinking, okay virginia... That's wilderness, right? I packed hiking clothes, a swimsuit, a sundress, my Nike's, and comfy lounge clothes for around the house.

Well, my first impressions of the Virginia mountains were, to say the least, impressed. The hills were so fully covered with greenery, it appeared to be a fluffy down blanket covering the sharp cragginess of rocks. 

Once we got to my husband's family home, we made a decision to explore and have a blast while in Lynchburg, VA! That being that, we turned to trusted pal, UrbanSpoon (if you do not currently use this App, download it to your phone/device!) and found a restaurant called Market at Main. 

An interesting and old-timey setting (think 20's sandwich shop meets 21st century taste) that has everything from mouth watering battered okra and seared green tomatoes, to shredded beef stew and mouth-watering chicken salad sandwich. 

All of this, at a very reasonable price! 

(Above: Market At Main's menu)

(Above: Seared Green Tomatoes with beer batter peppercorn mustard)

(Above: Country Chicken Salad Sandwich)

After eating this savory and satisfying lunch, I immediately asked our waitress if she knew of any good local dessert shops. Conveniently, 2 doors down, was Cao Artisan Chocolate shop (https://www.facebook.com/CaoChocolate). 

One word: Fan-tas-tic! 

Everything in this chocolate shop is fair trade, organic, local, raw, and homemade. (Literally right in front of you. 

(Above: raw cocoa beans about to be mashed to be put into gelato)

(Above: the most delicious 4 oz. of pistachio gelato ever!)

(Above: Midnight Rasberry Truffle) 

The Cau Chocolate shop is hands down a perfect little place to admire great recipes design from the old days, with kind service, and a modern twist in decor. Prices were reasonable for organic, homemade, and fair trade ingredients.

Don't forget to walk or drive a couple blocks up the hill to Church street to see St. Paul's cathedral. It's gothic and eerie exterior make you want to take Europe by storm! Here are some photos below of the surrounding few blocks from the lunch spot and dessert shop! 

I hope you enjoyed the post! 

Xo- Steph