Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground, Fancy Gap, Virginia
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’ – and you forgave the guilt of my sin. ~ Psalm 32:3-5
Did you ever notice that cows have the best views?
They get to look at wide open spaces, or hillsides, or mountains, rocks, birds, wildflowers, old run-down farm buildings and often they have unobstructed views for miles and miles and miles! Still, if I could be a cow, I’d have to be a purple one and they’re very rare. Plus, if I was purple, someone would probably lock me up and try to make money off me. No more views. So I think I’ll just stick to the way God made me. 😊
Yes. I took my silly pills this morning – just in case you’re wondering.
It was a spectacular day today and we left home, heading North on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with no agenda other than a scenic drive and “maybe a short trail or two” (or so said my wonderful, trustworthy husband).
We spent about 5 ½ hours traveling thirty miles. 😊
Our only plan was just to stop and visit or look at whatever the road brought our way. And we did just that. The National Park is marked very well to indicate coming attractions (so you know when to expect to pull off the road) and then again at the actual attraction. There were several overlooks that weren’t worth taking pictures of because the trees and brush have grown up to obstruct the view. ☹
I actually took this picture on the way home.
And I put it here because it fit the blog post better here. : )
The first stop was at Puckett Cabin, which after reading the information board, proved to be more interesting than we originally expected.
Well, if you read the board information, you saw that yes indeed,
this was her last delivery, but the baby wasn’t hers.
And she looks awfully old because at 102, she is! : )
Next up was Groundhog Mountain. The sign said it was still closed. We know they close a lot of things around here for the season because of potential icy road conditions and clean up that needs done after the winter storms, but it was a beautiful day, and we wanted to see the place, so Blaine parked off-road and we walked around the gate. Typical Blaine & Terri!
We were expecting to see a vast expanse of mountain views, but there was only a glimpse. Instead, we learned about different types of fences and saw lots of un-mowed grass.
We were able to go up inside it,
but the views weren’t any different than they were on the ground.
A little further up the road and we came to Mabry Mill. We’d been told by our campground owners that the Mill was now open (guess they close for the season as well), but there were no interpreters yet. But you can walk around and the restaurant and gift shop were open. Well, that’s no surprise since they get several hundred thousand visitors a year (and it’s a short year here in the mountains). It’s also one of the most photographed sites on the Parkway.
As soon as we saw it, we could see why!
Plus, there were quite a few flowering plants around that were done,
or not quite ready yet.
It was a beautiful and interesting stop! Even without any costumed interpreters, which we really didn’t need to see anyway. Been there. Done that. Several times. 😊
The one’s that blocked our view.
Guess that means they’re gone now. : )
All you need is an iron pot, a hollow log, ashes, water and old fat!
Pretty, but no smell.
We’d not seen one of those before.
Although I may be taller now.
I do a lot of stretching. . . . : )
And as we wandered around, I manage to convince Blaine that we should try the pancakes at the restaurant. 😊
Blaine’s traditional ones were more sweet and fluffy.
Now we need to do some serious hiking! Our bellies look and feel like we’re about 8 months pregnant! (sorry, no pictures of that unsightly vision) Ugh!!
The cure was just up the road at Rocky Knob on the three-mile Black Ridge Trail. It was a very nice, very diverse trail, with woods, views and even a walk through a cow pasture.
because as you know, we sometimes wander off-trail. . . .
We did at least walk part of it when we returned that way, rather than the Black Ridge.
After our return, it was still perfect weather, so we took the top off the Jeep for the drive home.
What a blessed day! And as indicated in the heading, we’ll be back in Mogadore one week from today! We’re soooo excited to re-connect with family and friends!