October 15, 2019 —Written by Jo McMurtry, Resident
As an active resident, I would find plenty to do if I never left the Kendal campus. But it’s good to have a choice! Here are some things I love about this whole area.
1. No traffic. Lexington (population 7,170, excluding Washington and Lee University students and Virginia Military Institute cadets) is Rockbridge County’s closest thing to a metropolis. My friends and I drive wherever and whenever we like — no sitting in gridlock breathing fumes. And our temperate climate (USDA planting zone 6b) means the outdoors is comfortable as well as beautiful.
2. Great people. Kendal residents are welcome wherever we go. In the seven years I’ve lived here, I’ve enjoyed singing in my church choir, playing duplicate bridge with the Lexington Bridge Club, and exhibiting artwork in various venues. Other Kendalites belong to the country club (golf, tennis), volunteer as docents at historic sites, work with Rotary and other civic clubs, audit classes at W&L, support projects sponsored by W&L or VMI . . . the list goes on.
3. Great medical care. I’ve had both hips replaced since I moved to Kendal, done by a top-notch surgical team at a hospital 45 minutes away, and I couldn’t be happier with the results or with my rehab at Kendal. Our Lexington hospital is small but provides good care and can take patients to Roanoke via helicopter. (When this happens, everybody in town looks up and wonders who’s aboard. Word soon spreads. It’s that kind of town.)
4. Easy hospitality. Lexington is 190 miles from Washington, D.C., 410 miles from New York City, 475 miles from Atlanta. Friends and family pop in any time, swim in Kendal’s pool, and dream up excursions. How about the Appalachian Trail (ten miles away)? Natural Bridge (thirteen miles)? Zebras at the Virginia Safari Park (twelve miles)? Or maybe the George C. Marshall Museum, across town at VMI? There’s always more to do, and visitors keep coming back.
Originally published in the Spring/Summer 2015 Marketing Newsletter
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