Welcome to Bloganuary. It’s this thing that WordPress is doing to encourage bloggers to post something every day by providing a regular prompt. I think that “Bloguary” would not only sound better but makes more sense. Maybe they’re saving that for next month. But if they go with Blogebruary I’m dropping out. Anyway, today’s prompt asks the question: Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.

Can you believe I still haven’t set foot inside Black Dog Salvage right here in my own backyard? As a born and raised Roanoker, driving past that funky shop with the big iron dog statue out front has become as normal as seeing a neon star up on Mill Mountain. But even though more tourists have likely taken selfies with that darn dog than there are pieces of reclaimed tin in the place, I still haven’t made the time to step inside and bask in all its rusty, salvaged glory.

I guess between working, catching up on Yellowstone, and finding every Lego set in town, stopping by to peruse old license plates, clawfoot tubs, and street signs just keeps slipping my mind. I’m sure I should wander through one weekend but so far all I’ve done is wave at the dog as we pass him by. I’m able to give directions to Black Dog by memory but still have to squint at the sign to see what they sell.

But one of these days I’m finally going to pull into that lot, haul myself out of the car, and take a gander inside Roanoke’s retro goldmine. Maybe I’ll finds some wheels for my bicycle made from an old whisky barrel or a ring forged from a railroad spike. And if they’ve got a Virginia is for Lovers sign patched together out of old license plates you bet I’ll be first in line with cash in hand!

So if you’re a local who hasn’t taken the Black Dog tour or you’re just passing through town, let’s make a pact to finally pay them a visit. We can take some silly pictures with Salvage Dawg Mike and see if we can’t dig up a little buried treasure of our own! Just don’t buy that Virginia license plate sign before I get there.

So what about the rest of you? Have you been inside our hometown hotspot or does Black Dog still howl lonely on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!