In the Neighborhood

ElderSpirit Community is within the Blue Ridge Highlands region of Virginia. We are adjacent to the famous Virginia Creeper Trail which starts right behind us, and travels thirty-three miles through Damascus, Virginia to the North Carolina State Line near Whitetop. Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages enjoy walking, hiking, mountain biking, jogging, and horseback riding on the Trail and on Virginia's two highest mountains which are nearby. 

We are close to scenic Holston Lake, and many sports are enjoyable in the area, among them golf, tennis, kayaking, boating, and fishing. 

• Abingdon is an interesting place to live. ElderSpirit is situated within a 15-minute walk of the Town Center of Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia. Abingdon is an historically designated town, established in 1778, with all the charm that this implies. There are many amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy. Restaurants abound to satisfy many food preferences and pocketbooks.
  
  
• There are art studios, museums and shops, along with first class live theater at the famous Barter Theatre, the State theater of Virginia, and numerous other cultural and recreational facilities. Heartwood, Southwest Virginia's brand-new artisanal gateway, is a recent addition, with music, art, good food and spirited events, featuring the many attractions of our region.
  
  
• The William King Regional Arts Center hosts a variety of exhibits of national importance as well as offering classes. We also have the Depot Arts Center, a community-based center with regional impact. All this is within close proximity to the Town Center. Even though we live here, we check with the Visitors Bureau to make sure we don't miss any special events!
  
  
• Within the county there are also opportunities for indoor swimming and exercise programs on all levels of fitness at the Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center, that seniors may access at a very reasonable cost. The wider neighborhood surrounding ElderSpirit Community offers quality educational opprtunities, some of which are quite inexpensive and especially attractive to seniors. This includes the College for Older Adults as well as those at Virginia Highlands Community College, Emory and Henry College and Virginia Intermont College. South of Abingdon, the urban Tri-Cities area of Virginia and Tennessee features a number of musical venues and other facilities.
  
  
• The country immediately to the north, east and west of Abingdon is largely agricultural, with picturesque small towns. In the past, tobacco was the predominant crop, but in recent years most farmers have diversified into vegetables or cattle, sheep, and horses. The Town of Abingdon enjoys a thriving Farmers Market offering fresh, local produce from April through November.
  
  
• Southwest Virginia's soil and climate are friendly to grapes, apples and other fruits, and we have many artisinal wineries which are generally family-operated. They include Abingdon Vineyard Winery, Blacksnake Meadery, Brooks Mill Winery, Coltsfoot Winery, Davis Valley Winery, Foggy Ridge Cider, Mountain Rose Vineyard, Rural Retreat Winery and Vineyards, Vincents Vineyard and the West Wind Farm Vineyard Winery.
  
  For an overview of this region's ecological and geographical diversity, please sit back and view the 13-minute video called "Southwest Virginia - One of the Last Great Places on Earth" produced and directed by our neighbor Richard Kretz. These wonderful images and Richard's thoughtful commentary illustrate why so many of us love southern Appalachia and this far southwest corner of Virginia.