On Tuesday May 19th, we took some time to explore the area. We have never been to this part of North Carolina before. I read a bit about Eaton's Ferry. In the early 1900’s, Mr. Charles Eaton saw a need for a ferry crossing along the North Carolina and Virginia border. He built a ferry that would connect the two. The ferry was a small barge that crossed the Roanoke River powered early on by a pack of mules with rope pulleys. Later the ferry was motorized, and could carry up to 2 vehicles. The crossing was retired due to the creation of Lake Gaston, which flooded the river valley and necessitated the construction of the bridge. The Roanoke River ferry operated up until the Eaton's Ferry Bridge replaced the historic ferry in 1962.
The dam created Lake Gaston with over 20,000 acres, 34 miles long, and approximately one and one half miles wide. It has over 350 miles of shoreline. The lake was formed when the Virginia Electric Power Company built the dam to generate electricity for Dominion Resources, which owns the lake.
On the way back from the lake, we passed this sign. you know me, I just had to find out more! Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival is an annual event. The festival includes live music, great food, vendors, and of course, their world-famous cantaloupes and a cantaloupe 5k Run! 2026 is the 12th running of this summer-time classic. It offers a rural and flat 5k route. It's a USAT&F certified course, too! Today, Richard Holtzmann still grows cantaloupes in Ridgeway, just like his ancestors did. After a six- to eight-week growing season, the fruit is ripe. Then, an old metal sign appears at the end of the family’s driveway: “Richard Holtzmann & Son. Ridgeway Cantaloupes.” For 45 years, their cantaloupe cart has stood by the same produce stand, beneath the shade of pecan trees along US Highway 1.
I also wanted to check out Medoc Mountain State Park. I love the views from these high places! It is located in North Carolina's eastern Piedmont region. What I learned upon our arrival, that Medoc Mountain is not really a mountain at all! The ridge of Medoc Mountain stands at 325 feet tall and offers no view! It is, rather, the core of what was once a mighty range of mountains - Medoc Mountain is what remains after millions of years of erosion. The eroded peaks were formed by volcanic action during the Paleozoic Age, about 350 million years ago.
The mountain and surrounding land have long been used for agriculture. The high ridge and the slopes of Little Fishing and Bear Swamp creeks are the only places in the area that have not been extensively cultivated. A grist mill operated in the area until the late 19th Century. In the 1920s, a Boy Scout camp was built on the summit of the mountain and, a few years later, lumbermen cut the mountain forest for timber. In the early 1930s, a deposit of molybdenum was discovered near the summit. Exploration of the site occurred then and again in the late 1960s, scarring the land though no significant mining operations took place.
For many years, local residents used the area for hunting, horseback riding and hiking. Numerous old roads and trails passing through the woods are evidence that these forests have long been enjoyed. In 1970, citizens proposed the creation of a state park in the area. In 1972, the Division of Parks and Recreation surveyed a five-county area for a suitable site and recommended Medoc Mountain and the surrounding land. The first parcel was purchased in October of 1973 for the establishment of the park, and by March of 1975, over 2,200 acres had been purchased. Medoc Mountain State Park has now expanded to 3,700-acre pine and hardwood forest interlaced with more than 10 miles of hiking trails.
To mix the old with the new... There is an old tobacco barn near the main picnic shelter and newly renovated camping spots with FHU (water, electric, and sewer.)
On our way back from Medoc Mountain, we spotted Halifax County Motor Speedway sign in Brinkleyville NC. This track used to be called Clary’s Speedway. The Halifax County Motor Speedway is a quarter-mile in length. The track configuration is an oval in shape and has a red clay, famous in North Carolina, dirt surface. It was listed for sale in late 2023. Former owner Michael Wells listed the facility to shift focus entirely to his other businesses. Following its final active racing season in 2024, the 3/10-mile track on 28-plus acres of real estate was sold for $500,000.
We truly love driving on the two-lane roads of America and I love to see a farmer hard at work, moving equipment from one field to another on the roadway.
Can you guess where we stopped on the way back to the campground from our travels? If you guessed a brewery, you were right! We stopped at the best brewery in Littleton, Timber Waters. Timber Water Brewery is the perfect spot to unwind and raise a glass to life's adventures.
What can I say, besides being an awesome brewery, it is a pillar in this community. How are they a pillar, you ask? Nestled in the heart of Downtown Littleton, they are more than just a brewery – they are a gateway to adventure and a force for positive change in our community.
Their passion lies in crafting exceptional beers that capture the spirit of our community. We proudly source ingredients from North Carolina farms. We also recycle all our spent grain to farmers in the area for feed. This commitment to local sourcing ensures every sip is a true taste of home.
They are a Brewery with purpose. At Timber Waters, they believe in giving back. All net proceeds from their operations directly support education in our community through Littleton Academy.
They are joined in this venture with other purpose-driven local businesses like Blue Jay Bistro, The Acorn Center, and Main Street Mercantile in working towards a common goal: helping Littleton Academy thrive and uplifting our community through education. Their motto, "Stand Tall, Make Waves," embodies their commitment to creating outstanding brews, unforgettable experiences, and positive change.
Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures
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