Big Walker Lookout 276-663-4016 8711 Stony Fork Road Wytheville, VA 24382 www.scenicbeauty-va.com Located on the Big Walker National Scenic Byway on U.S. 52 Summer Hours Memorial Day through Labor Day: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Open 7 days a week Spring, Winter and Fall Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Open 7 days a week Reviewed by: Ashlee VanMeter Visit the Scenic Overlook on the Big Walker Forest Scenic Byway and climb the observation tower for spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains. It is the oldest and highest private scenic attraction in Virginia. The 100 foot observation tower sits on top of the 3, 405 foot mountain and offers views of Virginia's farmlands and untouched wilderness. Visitors can see five states on a clear day. This is a great place to spend the afternoon. Stop by the Big Walker Country Store for local art and Amish wood crafts and furniture. The store sells ice cream, gourmet chocolates and old fashioned fudge. The old wood rockers on the porch are the perfect place to relax and enjoy an ice cream cone and there are also picnic tables with a great view of the valley below. For a private picnic in the woods, the entrance to the Big Bend Picnic Area is just across the street. While you're there, Monster Rock Trail is located by the store. It is only a ten minute hike to incredible north and south valley views and you'll see woodland flowers and diverse plant life along the way. There are guided floral and birding walks on many weekends in the summer. What really makes the Big Walker Country Store a place to visit is the old-fashioned friendliness and genuine hospitality- something that is becoming increasingly rare these days. When we visited, the owner Ron Kime walked us around the store told us about each of the featured local artists. Several of the artists stop by the store on weekends to give demonstrations and classes. Ron Kime's father opened up the original Big Walker Country Store in 1945 and Ron's son will be the third generation to work there. The original store burned down in February 2003, but Mr. Kime had the new store rebuilt and opened by July of that same year. He has a picture of his father's original store hung just above the display of local jams and jellies. We sat out on the store's front porch with Mr. Kime and he told us about his favorite local festivals, nearby sights to see, and invited us to stop back by on Saturday for bluegrass music by Jim Lloyd the bluegrass barber. Mr. Kime is a wonderful source of local information and you can tell he truly loves talking to people about the area. There are special events such as live bluegrass music and blacksmithing demonstrations every weekend in the summer and fall. Learn about Pioneer skills and see talented local artists at work. Some recent demonstrations include homemade herbal soaps and salves, Old Time Tall Tales and Storytelling, jam and jelly making, and quilting. There is something going on every weekend throughout the summer. Directions: Take Hwy 100 North (Wysor Hwy.) to I-81 South Merge onto I-81 South towards Wytheville, travel 19 miles Get off exit 70 and turn right onto 52 North Travel 11.4 miles, Big Walker Lookout is on the left Estimated drive time: 45 minutes Big Bend Picnic Area The entrance to Big Bend Picnic area is located across the road from Big Walker Lookout. Follow the gravel road to the picnic area. It is a long, winding road so go slowly and enjoy the scenic drive.