Detours and surprises along the way north
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Clear – Temp 65°
Fresh coffee and doughnut in the morning, what a better way to start the day in Boone, North Carolina as I awoke to the sounds of a stream running by the campsite. The heater kicked on a couple times during the night but it was not cold going outside to prepare to leave the campsite.
Drove back through Boone towards Blowing Rock and picked up the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) once again and headed north with the goal a driving to the Meadows of Dan or Rocky Knob just past Mabry Mill.
Driving you could see the damage of fallen trees from the recent snow storm moving through the area as trees were down everywhere. Many had fallen across the roadway and were cut off to make access to travel but some areas were not as fortunate as about fifty miles on the road today hit another barricade closing the BRP once again. Turned off and headed up US 221 which semi-parallels the Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia. About twenty miles or so and were able to turn back once again on the Parkway to continue north.
It was a shame to see the downed trees on both sides of the highway and it did not seem to matter whether it was a pine or big oak tree that took the brunt of the storm. We stopped for lunch on top of Deep Gap Mountain at an overlook that gave unobstructed views of the Piedmont looking back toward Charlotte and Mt. Airy, North Carolina.
It was peaceful in the sun with just a light breeze coming up the mountainside I wished I had a hang glider as it was a perfect launch point. I was able to write for a bit as we ate lunch then another couple stopped and started talking with us. They were on their way to northern Virginia to see his brother. They had a truck cab over camper and were preparing to take a road trip to the Pacific Northwest so he could join a buddy and fish in British Columbia. We visited for about 45 minutes before both heading north on the Parkway. It was funny they were in front then pulled into an overlook and were behind then we continued to leap frog our way into Virginia where they turned to get on I-77.
More trees down and a few miles hit another detour so it was off again then back on the Parkway as sections were opened once the roadway was cleared as we crossed into Virginia and drove to where I had planned to stop and camp for the night. Could not find the turnoff for the campground and decided to go a little further to Mabry Mill, stop and see the mill and continue north to Rocky Knob campground about twenty miles further north.
Mabry Mill is a watermill located at milepost 176.2 of Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, Virginia. It is a tourist attraction mainly for the picturesque views of the mill itself. A short trail around the mill connects historical exhibits about life in rural Virginia and the Appalachia. The trail allows visitors to view the gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. They were all closed today but should start opening for the season any time.
There were no signs of anything open along the Parkway but campgrounds were listed as opening on April first, but so far haven’t seen anything open and all have barricades going across the approach roads. We stopped on top of the ridge line on one of the overlooks looking east across the Piedmont. I checked to see if there was cell service and did my daily check in with mama on the day’s activities, her health, and what was next on the trip. I know this area and there is not a lot of love for AT&T here so cell service is almost non-existent in these parts.
Rocky Knob was no exception as that campground was also closed so it was time to get off the Parkway once again and go into a little town I knew, Floyd, Virginia. It was time to search an app called Allstays for RV’s which lists camping sites close to you. Some are free (camping on someone’s farm or property) and others are commercial camp or RV sites. There was two minutes of AT&T cell service at the one traffic light in town and by the time we turned north and drove down a block to the gas station there was no cell service. No one likes AT&T in this part of the country and providers do not share services or cell towers with them.
There was one listed a few miles away called Chantilly Farms so the drive through the countryside to see if it was open since the phone could not provide any information since it died. I remembered the name as the last trip here there was a big music festival the week after I was here and thought it might be the same place. We checked in with Landon and I found out it was the music venue and we could pretty much have the place since it was early in the season and the one area that had full time RV’ers living on the property.
Sitting here in this huge field tonight under a cloudless sky with few lights to obscure the view of the stars is something to see. A slight cool breeze makes it nice to sit here and write today’s travels and the people met along the way. This afternoon it felt like being on Max Yasgur’s farm at Woodstock so many years ago. The rolling hills, the large stage sitting at the bottom of a natural amphitheater with camping sites scattered along the property. They are far enough away from each other to not hinder or bother others nearby.
The white color RV is sitting all alone in the field of lush green grass. My American flag blowing in the breeze next to my outside kitchen table and camp stove/grill. Contrasts between the blue sky and the grass are stark with the tiny RV sitting in the field of green from the hilltop vantage point. The sun just setting over the hill leaving its orange glow through the trees adds to the feeling that a concert is about to start on the stage just over there.
Today’s interesting people were: Jodi who worked at the Flint Rock campground. She and her husband travel the roads of America transporting RV’s to different parts of the country. Some are new ones being delivered and others are left by their owners for transport back to their homes. Interesting jobs they had.
Jill & Brett Raymond who were in the site next to us this morning that have a little teardrop camper they travel in. They were on their way to a music festival in Brevard, North Carolina a town in Western Carolina.
During the stop at Deep Gap mountain overlook the couple was Donna & Tim Kearns. We had a lovely visit on a secluded mountain top with breath taking views, a light breeze, and great conversations. He and I had a love of fishing and he was saying he was getting ready to also start a cross country trip with Donna to Seattle where she would stay while he met his friend and they would travel on up to British Columbia to fish on Victoria Island off the coast from Vancouver. It was fun leap frogging back and forth on the Blue Ridge Parkway those miles as we each stopped at different overlooks and one would pass the other. It was great meeting you and on this journey of mine exactly what I am looking for. The true America without the crime and dirtiness of business or politics to get in the way, just strangers meeting other strangers sharing their stories Traveling Life’s Highways.
From a beautiful farm in Virginia with stars overhead, goodnight.