Author: Easin' Along

We left our campsite at Stone Mountain State Park near Roaring Gap, NC and soon crossed into Virginia. We were still on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the overlooks continued to amaze and astound. The picture of the Shenandoah Valley (above)is a good illustration. Our destinations for the next eight nights included Horseshoe Point Recreation Area, near Henry, VA, and Bolar Mountain Recreation Area in Warm Springs, VA and close to the West Virginia border. We were about to enter the “quiet period” of our journey.

Unlike many of our RV stops which include sightseeing, flea market browsing, and sampling the local food and beverage offerings, these two visits would contain none of that…because none of that existed there. We were going into the deep woods. It was time for some solitude and, we would eat our own cooking for a few days.

Horseshoe Point is several miles off of the Parkway and adjacent to Philpott Lake. The campground is nice and offers both water and electric. The shower facility is clean and seems almost new. As it often happens, we arrived during a rainstorm which makes un-hooking setting up a real challenge, especially on a site with a few large pine trees adding to the difficulty of backing into a campsite. Nevertheless, we got it done despite the rain.

Over the next day or so, we relaxed. Helen (adorable wife) took the time to do some deep cleaning inside Gracey as well as spending time on her puzzle that is more of a challenge than she realized. I spent my time finishing up a book containing short biographies of all 425 Generals of the Confederacy. Some of those men led amazing lives, and I wanted to complete the book before we made it to Gettysburg.

In addition to those vigorous activities, we ventured to nearby Fairystone State Park where I picked up one of the Fairystones found in the area. I had visited the park with my family at around age 12 and felt obligated to return. On the way back, Helen and I drove to Ferrum, VA to do our laundry and briefly browse a flea market. On our last day there, we drove to the overlook at Philpott Lake. By now, I’m confident that I have put every Easin’ Along reader to sleep but, if not, read on. By the time I take you through Bolar Mountain, you may be in a coma.

Bolar Mountain Recreation is an almost two-hour drive west of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We did not realize that at the time we made the reservation. It is not that far as the crow flies, but crossing the mountains along some twists and turns at 35 mph takes time. The campground is very isolated and primarily used by folks who come to fish the scenic waters of Lake Moomaw. The gentleman camped next to us comes every year for six weeks along with several of his buddies.

This campground is quieter than quiet. For activity, Helen and I swam in the lake, which we had to ourselves on a misty, but lovely, day. Beyond that, the most action I had was chasing a Pileated Woodpecker around the campground to take his picture. We read a lot here also. By the end of our second day, Helen said that she was ready to end our “Wilderness Experience” and that it was time to move on. It was more than boredom that prompted the decision, however. On paper, it appeared that Gettysburg was about a four-hour drive away, but with the mountains and curving roads in front of us, that trip extended to more than six hours, and we don’t do six unless we have to. We made a reservation for one night in Front Royal, VA which is at the end of a charming drive along the Virginia Skyline. The campground we booked in Gettysburg allowed us to come a day early.

We can’t say much for the campground, but the town of Front Royal is charming. Trip Advisor told us that we had to eat breakfast at L Dees Pancake House and, for that, we’re genuinely grateful. The small diner was filled with locals (always a good sign) and the staff was polite, efficient, and seemed to be having a great time greeting and serving all their friends who came for breakfast. Helen’s omelet was excellent, and my pancakes were the best. Outside of the restaurant and all along the street, flower baskets hung from poles, adding a touch of charm to this small town.

If you’re still with me after all of this frenzied activity, I have to let you know that, in spite of the low key nature of these past two stops, we enjoyed our time in both of them. We needed a pause and time to breathe some mountain air. What’s the hurry, we say. We’re supposed to be Easin’ Along anyway.

Next week – Gettysburg National Military Park.

We are back in full contact with the world and delighted about that. Traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway has been an excellent adventure blessed with some of the most impressive scenery in our country. Helen (adorable wife) and I have been unable to drive by the majority of the overlooks without stopping to stare at the peaks as well as the valleys below. It is probably a good thing that cell and internet service is almost nonexistent up here; otherwise, too many of us might be tempted to stare at our devices instead of the beauty God gave us. Nevertheless, the lack of service does put a hold on blogging, although I’m not complaining.

After leaving our beautiful campsite in Newland, NC, Helen and I eased Gracey along the Parkway to Stone Mountain State Park near Roaring Gap, NC. Google Maps said this was a two-hour drive, but at the posted speed limit of 35 mph and a lot of stops at overlooks, we were on the road for nearly five hours. By then we were ready to get settled in our new home for the next four nights. The park attendant allowed us to drive through the campground to inspect our site, or to choose another one that we liked better. Helen always does the picking because she is pick-yyy! Helen chose a cozy campsite along a small creek. We couldn’t have done better. We still had great weather, so our windows remained open and, after a hot dog dinner, we crashed for the night.

The next morning we decided that it was time to try out Helen’s new knees and my new hip on one of the many hiking trails in the park. My hip was now seven weeks old and, while still a bit stiff, I felt comfortable enough to walk a short trail accompanied by a hiking pole for added safety. We took a path to the top of Stone Mountain Falls, a 1.2-mile hike roundtrip. According to the Park map, this is a moderate trail. Game on!

The trail had an abundant amount of wildflowers and ferns which made it very enjoyable.  We rose a bit in elevation, but otherwise, there was no difficulty reaching the waterfall. Helen made one stop at the remains of an old stone chimney before continuing. At the end of the trail, we met a couple who had hiked from the far end of the park and up the 255 steps from the base of the falls.  They looked worn out and suggested we not make the same hike. We agreed to take their advice.

We derived three benefits from this activity. First, the falls were beautiful although a better view was probably available from the base. Second, both of us felt fine after the hike and were ready to take a long walk the next day.  Third, we found that we had excellent cell service at the top of the falls, so we took the time to catch up on email and phone calls. I have to admit that I was a bit embarrassed in my delight at being connected, but that’s the world we live in now.

The day following, we were feeling a tad bit cocky about our hiking prowess. We decided to take a three-mile round trip hike, on a trail listed as moderate, to the base of the same waterfall from the trailhead near the campground.  One feature of this trail was a view of the massive stone cliff which gives the park its name, as well as a gentle creek that flowed from the waterfall along most of the trail. We were in the shade for almost the entire time, and the moist forest floor provided excellent conditions for ferns and shade-loving wildflowers. I confess that I have never been much of a hiker, but this trip was truly joyful, and I was more grateful than ever for the skill of my hip surgeon. After spending time taking a few pictures of the enhanced view at the base of the waterfall, we returned along the same trail.

Our time at Stone Mountain was restful and fun.  We were able to spend some time completing a few projects in Gracey like mounting some pictures and installing a new screen door handle, as well as reorganizing our storage compartments. We took one side trip that I have to share, however.  We visited Mayberry. Well, not Mayberry, but close enough to think so.

 

Mt. Airy, NC is the home of Andy Griffith and a forty-five-minute drive from our campground.  Everyone we met told us we had to go and, while there, eat at the Snappy Lunch, a small diner mentioned by Andy in his television show. Since food is one of the foundations of Easin’ Along, we were obligated to fulfill this mission. We were so excited; we didn’t eat breakfast that morning.

The town of Mt Airy is charming, and one does not have to look long to see its relationship to The Andy Griffith Show. You would think that the town was named Mayberry because almost every shop had some mention of a character from the show or the word Mayberry in its sign on the street. We found the Snappy Lunch next to Floyd’s Barber Shop (a real barbershop).

Helen and I sat at the lunch counter alongside a regular customer with a thick Carolina accent and an outgoing personality.  This gentleman let us know that we had to order the fried pork chop sandwich, the house specialty often mentioned by Andy Griffith on television. We were all in, and our cute young waitress had it out to us in a split second. The sandwich was as good as advertised. During lunch, we enjoyed looking at all of the Andy Griffith memorabilia on the walls. Some of it is visible in this picture of Helen chatting with her new best friend. After lunch, we walked Main Street and finished our visit by stopping in an excellent antique and consignment store where I found three souvenir thimbles to add to my growing collection. What a great way to cap off a fun day and a great stop on our Blue Ridge journey.

Next stop – Horseshoe Point Recreation Area, Henry, VA. Thanks for Easin’ Along!

For the past eight days we have been Easin’ Along the Blue Ridge Parkway and have enjoyed some of the most scenic views in America. We have greatly enjoyed being up high and away from the crowded interstate highways.  Our campgrounds have been in some very remote areas with creeks to listen to and trails to hike.  We’re blessed.

Nevertheless, we have had almost no access to cell service, Wi-Fi, or the internet.  Today (Thursday) we drove from Bassett, VA and the Bolar Mountain Recreation Area to Front Royal, VA and arrived around 7:00 pm.  We finally have some (slow) internet access, but it is too late and we’re too brain dead to give a thorough accounting of the beauty we have enjoyed so far. Trust me, we want to share this and will do so when we arrive in Gettysburg, PA to begin a five day stay in that area.  Please come back and join us.  I have posted a few pictures…there will be more.

We’re back on the grid and we’re still Easin’ Along.