Monday May 8th, 2017
After getting a refreshing night’s sleep at Fancy Gap
KOA, we hit the road heading north on Route 52. We took this route, because the
Blue Ridge Parkway goes a ways south and west. We will get back on the parkway
later.
In Hillsville Virginia, we picked up 221 N. We say a
sign for “The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.” The Crooked Road
winds through almost 300 miles of scenic terrain in southwest Virginia,
including 19 counties, 4 cities, and 54 towns. The sounds of country music beat
strong and pure in Virginia, especially in the Blue Ridge Highlands and Heart
of Appalachia regions, connected by The Crooked Road — Virginia's Heritage
Music Trail. Day and night, the melancholy strains of the mountain ballads and
toe-tapping, old-time dance music echo across this region's sharp ridges and
deep valleys. Watch for the signs along the Trail as you explore the musical
soul of Virginia's country connections and experience a unique and
unforgettable experience! Charlie and I will have to follow all 300 miles of
this trail one summer!
When you see a sign for a Yoga Jam, you have to learn
more! Floyd Yoga Jam is an annual event, where the love for art, community,
music, nature and yoga is the basis of the event. It began in 2012, grown from
an idea. Presently it has grown from a 3 day festival to a 4 day event, and is
scheduled every Labor Day Weekend. The festival site is in the Blue Ridge
Mountains of Floyd County Virginia. The flowing water and gentle mountains
create a harmonious climate which saturates throughout the Festival. The
spontaneous and genuine smiles of the participants, the beginning of each new
day awaken by the first sun rays filtering to the camping tents, the daily
rhythms marked by Yoga classes, music, hikes, fun and meditation. The evenings are
spent singing and dancing to the vibrant pulse of the various positive artist
of Kirtan, Jazz, Hip Hop, Reggae, World Electronic, Country, Blue Grass, Indie,
Rock and more, is an experience more to be lived than to be described. It might
be a bit too much for Charlie, but my Sista Karen and I would enjoy it!
The Pine Tavern Lodge is nestled in the Blue Ridge
Mountains of Floyd County, Virginia. Built in 1927, the lodge has a unique
architecture that once housed guests and their automobile. The lodge is proudly
known for its historic charm and southern hospitality. Originally, the Pine
Lodge served meals in their lobby. The fare was similar to what you can find in
today’s Pine Tavern. Most of the recipes are from Mama Nell, the current owner’s
Grandmother.
At Cooper Hill, we got back onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The first thing we ran across was Turkeys crossing the road and moving into the
wood line. We could hear them gobbling as they moved.
The view from Lost Mountain Overlook is astounding.
There is a panoramic view that shows the true beauty of the Parkway and why it
is a National Park. It is not known how Lost Mountain got its name. Hopefully
the natural landscape and mountains will never be lost to development.
We saw many bicycles on the Parkway. I cannot imagine
biking these hills, but many people do!
Along the Parkway, we crossed over the Roanoke River.
There is a viewing overlook, but you get a better view from the bridge as you
pass over it.
We understand how the Quarry Overlook, got its name.
There is a quarry in view! The quarry began excavating a dolomite deposit in
1916. The quarry has maintained an annual output of 6 to 7 million tons.
Dolomite is similar to limestone but has a large percentage of magnesium.
Dolomite is used in the process of making concrete and building blocks.
Seeing these bridges construction is truly amazing architecture.
I wanted to capture a picture of our rig coming thru one of these bridges. I
think it is a pretty neat picture!
Most the trees look like late fall, instead of
late spring.
Except this lonely Jacaranda Tree. My sista Karen will appreciate it.
From this overlook, the Taylor’s Mountain stands at the
end of a mountain wall that forms one side of Goose Creek Valley.
Porter’s Mountain overlook presents a view down Goose
Creek Valley onto the profile of Porter’s Mountain.
From Apple Orchard Mountain, the view from the highest
Parkway elevation in Virginia, 3,950 feet, is breathtaking. Looking down, from
this highest peak, you can see the damage that wind, ice and snow of raging
winter storms have done. They have pruned this mountaintop giving it an “old
apple orchard” appearance. This “orchard” consists of primarily of gnarled
lichen, covered red oak trees.
Otter Creek is an extraordinary place to relax and get
away from the confusion of a fast-paced world. Watch the water as it rushes and
slows at the pace that nature sets.
I wanted to dip my toes in the water, but I thought
better of it … I am sure it is cold this time of year.
There are 26 tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The
Bluff Mountain tunnel is the only tunnel in Virginia, the other 25 are all in
North Carolina.
Today, we had a great deal of up and downs in elevation. We
went from almost 4,000 feet down to 800 feet in elevation and started back up
again. Today, it seemed like there was much more up and down than there was
yesterday. Because of this … Charlie is ready to get off the Blue Ridge
Parkway!
We exited parkway onto 60 W. Just onto Route 60, there
was a large area of tagged rocks. I know that is graffiti, but it was awesome …
the picture does not do it justice!
In Lexington Virginia, we picked up Route 11 and headed
north. We traveled through Mint Springs. I snapped this photo, because I love
to see small towns with big hearts for patriotism. Nothing says I Love America
more than a US flag flying!
In Harrisonburg, Virginia we met a strange encounter on a city street. We have always heard the joke ... "why did the chicken cross the road" ... well I wanted to ask this duck the same question!
He or she, did make it across safely!
We traveled over familiar terrain, as we made our way north
on Route 11. We stopped for our overnight at Shenandoah Valley Campground in
Mount Jackson. We have never stayed here before, but we will stay again! Built
in 2012 and opened in 2013, it is an amazing family owned campground.
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