Even during leaf-peeper season, the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce is rarely inundated with calls from people seeking lodging.
However, last Thursday and Friday, at least a dozen people called seeking refuge from the wrath of Hurricane Mathew.
Primland quickly reached full capacity, prompting Chamber director Tim Collins to compile a list of available lodging at area establishments. There are approximately 30 different places to stay in and nearby Patrick; ranging from bed and breakfasts to single-family cabins to hotels.
Shirley Edwards, manager of the Virginia Tourism and Welcome Center in Lambsburg, related to Collins that her door count tripled on Friday with people seeking lodging.
“October is a busy time anyway—it’s the start of our tourism season,” Collins said. “This is the place to come during the month of October. The leaves are starting to show some color with all the recent rain, so everybody’s looking to get away to the mountains,” he continued.
“So if you’re doing to disrupt your daily life (because of Hurricane Matthew), why not make it a vacation and go to the most beautiful spot on Earth?”
– Angela H. Hill
