I've stayed at the Afton Inn many times. I live in Carrboro, NC, but I grew up in Middlebrook, VA, and have a lot of family in Stuarts Draft, two towns that are very close to the routes. That's why this thread caught my eye.

When I go home to visit family, I usually stay at the Afton Inn so I can enjoy the views. But that sounds like a great setup, with the start/stop at the motel.