Lynchburg Area - OC reports

[jmelvin]

As usual there's not much to report in Lynchburg, but over the past two weeks there are couple things worth mentioning. After the OC lunch earlier this month the wifester and I decided to go check out Lynchburg's old city cemetery. The first plots there were around 1805 or so, and it is a known historical attraction with various buildings done up nicely to give people the history of the city and the surrounding area. Some of the buildings can be entered, but others are closed but have displays and audio recordings to play at the push of a button to provide a short presentation of whatever info is relevant. We parked and started our tour at the back of the cemetery and made our way from the old train station to various buildings and we came across the visitors center where we were met by two pleasant ladies, one a volunteer and the other a paid staffer. As we were about to leave the center we stopped to sign the visitor's book and the paid staffer asked our occupation. I told her that I was an engineer and the wife said she's a phlebotomist. The woman paused and said "Oh, I thought those were pistols you had there." I responded "They are. They're simply there for use in our personal protection in case we need them." She indicated she thought we were detectives or something, but we assured her we're just regular folks who carry sidearms with no intent to harm a soul that doesn't offer to harm us. It was a little humorous to hear a confessed northerner (not sure where) dance around addressing citizens with sidearms. She didn't seem much bothered, and certainly wasn't unpleasant, but didn't quite seem sure of what to make of us.

After the cemetery tour the wifester and I did a little exploring by car and then headed to Devil's Backbone Brewery (restaurant) up in Nelson County on Rt. 151. We'd never been before and weren't quite sure what would be made of our OCed sidearms, but nobody seemed to either notice or care much despite the restaurant primarily catering to a "yuppy" crowd. This was a relief and since the food was pretty good, we intend to go back occasionally.

* Last night we were leaving Texas Roadhouse where we regularly eat and never have any issues OCing when we noticed a tall bald guy who didn't appear to be visibly armed. He didn't look to be a threat or anything so we proceeded on to our cars that were parked by the door and as we neared the car I hear "Hey bro, cover that thing up!" Before I could say a word my wife turns and looks at the guy and states flatly "He doesn't have to." He retorts with the usual "Well you'll be the first one shot!" I haven't heard this line of thinking spoken in a long time so I was a little lost for words, but managed a quick "Welp, it hasn't happened to me yet!" with a smile (knowing if ever this happens it's an exceptional rarity). Of course he proceeded to tell me how he skulks around with his gun concealed so he can surprise a bad guy who has already decided to attack. Knowing that some simply prefer this I simply said "I'd prefer not to have the surprise. Have a good night!" and sat in the car and drove away. I can't think of the last time I've heard anyone say something like this to me (maybe 2008) in this manner, but I can tell you I get "Hey thanks for open carrying" fairly regularly. I'm not quite sure where this guy and his pals are from, but if they are offended by open carry, they're not going to like Lynchburg much.

 

[JamesCanby]

[snip]
* Last night we were leaving Texas Roadhouse where we regularly eat and never have any issues OCing when we noticed a tall bald guy who didn't appear to be visibly armed. He didn't look to be a threat or anything so we proceeded on to our cars that were parked by the door and as we neared the car I hear "Hey bro, cover that thing up!"

I think my response would have been, "Hey, Bro ... mind your own business."

 

[half_life1052]

I might have been tempted to say "thanks" and make a big show of checking the zipper on my . . . since this is a rated G site I won't finish that but you get the picture.

 

[nuc65]

I might have been tempted to say "thanks" and make a big show of checking the zipper on my . . . since this is a rated G site I won't finish that but you get the picture.

Humor, the best offense... I like that.

 

[Citizen]

I think my response would have been, "Hey, Bro ... mind your own business."

Mr. Arro Gant: "Cover that up."

OCer: "My grandmother lived to be 93."

Mr. Arro Gant: "OCing?"

OCer: "Minding her own damn business."



Of course, you wanta be a little careful about making antagonistic replies. Never know when the schmuck might call the police with an embellished report.

 

[jmelvin]

I might have been tempted to say "thanks" and make a big show of checking the zipper on my . . . since this is a rated G site I won't finish that but you get the picture.

Sometimes I come up with witty replies, but I had nothing. Since I was with the wife I guess I could've said "I would dude, but she left her burkha at home!" or something equally ornery.

 

[HPmatt]

Going t/b staying at a B&B in Roanoke and visining Lynchburg this week. Plan to visit Thos Jefferson's Poplar Forest and the Appomattox courthouse - since the latter is a National Park, don't know if OC is permitted. From prior visits I know both of these places attract tourists from all over the world, so it'll be interesting.

 

[jmelvin]

Howdy HPmatt, I hope you enjoy your time here in the Lynchburg area while you're here. I personally have not been to Poplar Forest (well not other than to drive up) so I'm not sure of their take on OC on that location. I've heard the owner's of the place are lefties who aren't pro-gun folks, but that doesn't always mean that they'll drive away folks OCing. I'll see what I can find out from some of my co-workers and report back.

Regarding Appomattox Court House National Park, you should be okay OCing on the grounds, but note that there is a visitor's center where you'll have to pay so no carry is permitted inside there, but someone else can go inside and pay for you if you have multiple members of the party. There are various buildings on site that you can enter, but I have no idea if they are posted "No Guns" or not, since they're not exactly office buildings, but they may be considered as places where US government employees regularly work. I've only been to the park once, and that was before carrying in National Parks was allowed so I can't speak on what is and isn't posted.

I have OCed at the Museum of the Confederacy location just up the road from the park ( http://www.moc.org/visit-us?mode=appomattox ) and didn't have the first issue. It's quite a pleasant new museum and is a good place to catch some shelter if the weather isn't pleasant by the park. Patrick Henry's Red Hill Plantation ( http://www.redhill.org/index.html ) is somewhat south of Appomattox as well if you're interested in more historical places to visit while you're here. I haven't been there yet myself, but it's on my list.

Feel free to send a private message, or just reply here if you'd like to meet up for dinner while you're in town.

 

[occva]

HPmatt

I worked at Poplar Forest a few years ago. The management is not quite the fan of Liberty and Freedom that Jefferson was. Last I knew, carry was not permitted.

 

[occva]

I saw someone oc'ing into Yellow Submarine Saturday afternoon with their baby. My Daughter thought it was cool that someone else was carrying.

 

[Grapeshot]

HPmatt

I worked at Poplar Forest a few years ago. The management is not quite the fan of Liberty and Freedom that Jefferson was. Last I knew, carry was not permitted.

What is "Poplar Forest? Shopping Center or an apartment community perhaps?

I saw someone oc'ing into Yellow Submarine Saturday afternoon with their baby. My Daughter thought it was cool that someone else was carrying.

Kids are knowledge sponges - they learn quickly if offered the opportunity. Keep up the good work

 

[nuc65]

What is "Poplar Forest? Shopping Center or an apartment community perhaps?


Kids are knowledge sponges - they learn quickly if offered the opportunity. Keep up the good work

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poplar_Forest"



To the grammar nazis I always like to hug and softly say "there, they're, their."

 

[Grapeshot]

What is "Poplar Forest? Shopping Center or an apartment community perhaps?


Kids are knowledge sponges - they learn quickly if offered the opportunity. Keep up the good work

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poplar_Forest"

Well yes and that too.

Maybe I should have said, "Which Poplar Forest?"....or read more slowly.

 

[HPmatt]

I worked at Poplar Forest a few years ago. The management is not quite the fan of Liberty and Freedom that Jefferson was. Last I knew, carry was not permitted.

Jmelvin, his wife and I had a lovely dinner at R-A bistro in Lynchburg on Main Street. Excellent crab cakes, steaks, conversation and the visible reminder of our 2nd Amendment. Growing up in Texas I wouldn't really have thought I would have to leave the state to freely exercise my 2A rights.

I did followup on your post and called Poplar Forest - the docent answering the phone didn't have a clue, so she directed me to Executive Director Jeff Nichols, who nicely asked to leave weapons in the car - neither OC nor CC, noting they have had issues in the past with hunters on their property and thought it w/b best to not address the issue. I told him I understood it might be hard during hunting season to restrain folks touring the house from bagging a few deer off of Jefferson's back portico.

I also had no problem OC in Middlesboro KY when visiting there to hike Cumberland Gap and Chained Rock federal/state parks. I did note the CG Visitor center posted no weapons inside.

 

[GoldDot]

Unicorn sighting in Lychburg today

Kroger on Linkhorne drive. I was probably the only one who noticed.

 

[nuc65]

Kroger on Linkhorne drive. I was probably the only one who noticed.

It was probably me, picked up a roast chicken.

 

[jmelvin]

The wifester told me yesterday that she saw someone walking into a store the other day with a sidearm, but I can't recall where. She OCs too occasionally so she keeps her peepers open for others.

This weekend the wifester and I headed up to Tyro for the apple butter festival at the Silver Creek & Seaman's Orchard store. I OCed and nobody seemed the least bit bothered by my sidearm. We headed on up to Charlottesville where we met some friends at Taste of China at Albermarle Square and then to the ice cream place a couple stores down. OCed both places and a nearby gas station where a guy told me he was glad to see someone OCing, but otherwise I had no issues at all. Inside the Chinese place was a table full of Albermarle County Sheriffs and they didn't give me more than a passing glance like anyone else. Just as it should be.

Been OCing like usual around the 'burg. I've been in the new Fresh Market and nobody seemed the least bit concerned about my sidearm even though the crowd is different than what I usually run across. Otherwise nothing to report other than the avoidance of Starbucks at their request which was a semi-regular stop for coffee and coffee-like products. That's fine since we have Joe Beans and various other coffee joints around here that will happily relieve me of my money.

 

[jmelvin]

Folks don't forget we're finally having another VCDL meeting in Lynchburg tonight!

LYNCHBURG - JANUARY 7 VCDL will have a membership meeting in Lynchburg on Tuesday, January 7, at 7 PM. The meeting will be held at: Lynchburg Public Library at 2315 Memorial Avenue Lynchburg, VA 24501. Like all VCDL membership meetings, this one is open to the public, so bring friends, family, and co-workers. We will be discussing Lobby Day and the legislation that is going to be considered in the General Assembly in 2014. Thanks to member Kevin Novak for making the arrangements!

 

[nuc65]

Folks don't forget we're finally having another VCDL meeting in Lynchburg tonight!

LYNCHBURG - JANUARY 7 VCDL will have a membership meeting in Lynchburg on Tuesday, January 7, at 7 PM. The meeting will be held at: Lynchburg Public Library at 2315 Memorial Avenue Lynchburg, VA 24501. Like all VCDL membership meetings, this one is open to the public, so bring friends, family, and co-workers. We will be discussing Lobby Day and the legislation that is going to be considered in the General Assembly in 2014. Thanks to member Kevin Novak for making the arrangements!

Thanks for that JMelvin I will note that the meeting is probably in the back room. There is a separate entrance on the bus stop side of the library, or if you want to walk through the library front doors and turn left and proceed through the children's section and through the doors marked as meeting room (or some such).

 

[jmelvin]

It was nice to see some folks I hadn't seen in a while at the VCDL meeting on Tuesday night. I don't think I speak for just myself in saying thanks to Phil Van Cleave for taking time to come to Lynchburg and a hearty thanks for the gentleman who set up the meeting. I missed the last meeting here in 2010, but I hope Lynchburg won't be passed over for another 4 years. If the only reason we don't have these meetings in Lynchburg is because we don't have a coordinator to set them up, I can happily take on the task.

The wifester and I have been OCing around town like usual with no issues as usual. Since the last report we've had some new places to visit including Panera and Fresh Market at Old Forest Rd & Lakeside Dr. We had no problem with either. Just up the road on Lakeside Dr we've also been dining at Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant and Bar near Apple Ford on the opposite side of the road. The food is tasty and the lunchtime deals are hard to beat with portions closer to what I might expect for dinner plus the soup and dessert that comes with it at lunch.

Additionally, the wifester discovered a tasty new deli called O'Kelly's Deli & Pastries beside Taco Bell and Arby's by the intersection of Wards Rd and Candlers Mountain Rd and I've been there once while OCing. I'm not a big sandwich fan, but the breads and pastries that they make in house are delicious and the size and taste of the sandwiches are hard to beat.

We've also been hitting up some old favorites like Neighbor's Place, Vinny's, Robin-Alexander (RA) Bistro, and Wasabi where we're greeted with a smile. I've seen a few other OCers out and about and have had the chance to chat with some who don't currently carry, but the interactions have all been positive. Lynchburg seems a friendly place for nice folks.