Sitting On the Porch, Watching the Trains Go By

Opting for the Henry Clay Inn for a relaxing couple of days in Virginia is a good choice. Elegant yet casual and comfortable, located in the heart of town which makes it great for folks who enjoy walking and seeing new things, and with a staff helpful and happy to see you, it’s simply a pleasure. There are other hotels in Ashland, but none is as convenient and close to everything as the Inn. Sitting On the Porch

Andrew and William, two of the staff members at the Inn, were both eager to explain what they like about the town, what is there for others to see and enjoy and where to eat. Of course their first choice is the Inn itself, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served every day but Tuesday and Wednesday. So, at least for me, for a Wednesday night dinner, they recommended the Iron Horse.

Of course the restaurant would be called Iron Horse. Situated half a block away from the Henry Clay Inn, it’s on the main street right across from those railroad tracks that split the main street. The term Iron Horse refers to steam locomotives and dates back to the 1800s when horses still powered most machinery.

As everything either William or Andrew suggested, it was a great choice. The decor of course, is railroad focused, and there’s a very large locomotive model right adjacent to the tables lining the windows looking out over the town and the railroad tracks. Here again, the staff went out of its way to ensure everything was perfect and the menu was not only enticing but unique in many ways.

From Truffle fries and fried oysters among the appetizers, to two homemade soup varieties every day, to simple fair like double hamburgers, quesadilla and pulled chicken BBQ, it’s a rather uncommon menu even before getting to the entrees.

The main course has daily specials, but on the menu are short ribs, steaks, salmon and a Chili Pecan Chicken served with a Makers Mark Whiskey gravy. A seafood lover of all varieties, I opted for a salmon steak special for that night, outstanding, perfectly cooked, and served with a maple syrup sauce. Incredible. Portions are so large, I couldn’t make it through dessert though the pecan pie sounded outstanding. The variety of wines offered at all prices and from all over the world also made this dinner a standout.

After a couple of days of walking, visiting shops, the library, Randolph Macon College, and meeting great friendly people, after nights of enjoying sleep in a second floor room overlooking the train station, it was time to think about catching the train back north the following late morning.

What if there’s a freight train passing through and Amtrak is on the opposite track, I asked Andrew? How can I be sure I’ll be able to get across to the other side, especially since you have no signals or anyway of knowing which track it’s coming on until you see the headlight in the distance? Not to worry, Anthony soothed, I’ll be sure you get on the train. But first, after breakfast in the morning, take in another tradition here in Ashland. Have one of our specialty drinks, sit on the porch and watch the trains go by.

An alcoholic drink in the morning I asked? Your choice, he teased, but a lot of people like it.

He showed me the menu of cocktails, which included Manhattans, and Old fashioneds, of course in the south both are made with Jim Beam. There were also Mojitos, Moscow Mules and even a Peach Mule, made with Peach Vodka, lime juice and ginger beer.

But I was more attracted to the names Andrew himself had designed for drinks he concocted. There was the Railside Relaxation, the Painkiller, and the Ashland Smash, a tall drink made with Bacardi Gold, St. Germaine, grapefruit juice and tonic. Secretariat was born here, so of course there was a Kentucky Derby, made with Woodfords, simple syrup and mint.

I liked the Train Station for its name, and though it was barely 11 o’clock in the morning, I sat on that spacious porch in a big comfortable chair, watched the activity on the street, and Andrew served a tall glass, complete with lots of ice and a straw, and I had my first Train Station: Belle Isle moonshine, iced tea, simple syrup, mint and honey. A distinct pleasure.

When it was time for Amtrak to arrive, true to his word, Andrew was out on the porch, walking across the street with me and spotting the train in the distance…on tracks on the opposite side. It was easy to cross, thank him for such service, greet the conductor when the train pulled in, and head back to Newark after a relaxing and unforgettable few days in Virginia.

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