Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway and Poplar Forest

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Another beautiful day. Susan wanted to at least get on the AT for a short walk (I have hiked portions of it in my past), so Carol and Bill drove us to a trailhead for about a two and a half mile round trip hike.

 

The bridge that crosses James River is named Foot Bridge not simply because it is a foot bridge, but as a memorial of William Foot. He and his wife Laurie were known as "The Happy Feet".

 

 

 

Although short, our hike was delightful, and gave Susan the experience of "hiking" on the AT.

 

 

It had to be short because we had places to go and things to see! We were now swept off for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and our picnic lunch. Beautiful drive with several stops for views at overlooks, as well as a stop to see the James River and Kanawha Canal. Pre-Civil War days, this was the primary commercial route in Virginia?

Next stop was the Hard Cider makers for some tasting and purchase to bring to the family gathering this weekend (well, and for some to drink of it beforehand).

Then on Poplar Forest -- Thomas Jefferson's country retreat. We would see his home at Monticello on another day. Jefferson chose the building site in the heart of his Poplar Forest property, and in 1805 workers began creating his pleasure grounds in the midst of agricultural fields, meadows and pastures.

Jefferson believed in octagons -- even in the privy...

 

Jefferson made big changes to is 4,000 acre plantation during his retirement, using slave labor to clear land and create fields.

Home for rest and to watch the closing ceremonies of the Olympics!

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Virginia and North Carolina - August 2012

Friday, August 10. Buses, trains, planes and automobiles...

Susan and I figured out the bus schedule that, with one transfer, would get us to downtown. From there we found our way to the bus tunnel to get the Link train to SeaTac Airport. It all went without a hitch and we were quite proud of ourselves. I was actually more proud of Susan because she packed lighter than I!! That in itself is quite a feat for her!

Plane to Charlotte, NC was on time and the flight was ok until the BUMPS that tossed us about up and down and side to side! We were very near to Charlotte and happy to be getting off. Once in Charlotte we learned that due to stormy weather conditions, our (one hour) flight to Lynchburg (on a very tiny plane) was delayed by more than an hour. That gave us more than two hours in the airport and meant and Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill would be having a very late night picking us up at midnight!

Saturday, August 11. In Lynchburg

Right off the bat we had a full and interesting day with Carol and Bill. They had a bike ride planned for us after a breakfast at the Saturday Market. But first we would go to pick up bikes their friend was lending to them. Jane is away for a few weeks, and also said we could use her car to transport the bikes and ourselves. Plus she said to please use her "other home" in the mountains if we would like! There are absolutely no words that describe her exquisite home, and I could not take photos good enough to show it. But it is the most beautiful, large, exquisite house I have ever been in.

This sculpture is in the front yard.

 

This is the main entryway.

 

After a tour of the house we "stole off" with the car and bikes and headed for breakfast. And a bike ride on the James River Trail. We connected with the Blackwater Creek Trail.

 

 

 

Bill does a lot of cycling with his siblings and extended family and every year they take a cycling vacation. One of his brothers, Jim, died recently and his ashes are spread along the Blackwater Trail that he loved so much. In addition there are a couple of memorial plaques dedicated to him.

 

We rode through a tunnel on the trail, which unlike some at home, was well lighted for our passage through it.

What a great day -- so far!

Home to shower and think about dinner! We didn't have to think for long -- got Thai take-out from a delightful little Thai place that Carol and Bill frequent, and headed for Jane's little cabin in the woods...

 

 

We sat on the deck overlooking the golf course and wondered what all the working people were doing, and feeling so decadent -- as well as grateful for the generosity of Carol and Bill's friend Jane. Thank you Jane.

 

That ended our first full day and we loved it all.

 

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Update of "breakdown"

First let me correct our location. We are in Gresham -- not Gershwin -- Oregon (I don't know what I typed that had auto correct guessing at Gershwin, but I do not think there is a Gershwin, OR). That's what I get for not proof reading.

Just got the news that the van will be ready at about 1:00 today. Not sure exactly, but seems that all the dusty roads took a toll on the fuel line and clogged up something. They are cleaning out, and resetting some computer stuff, etc. etc., so $500 will now be added to our trip expense! Could have been worse as they always say, but my thought is -- could have been better!

I guess it wasn't such a bad thing to be towed here (AAA Plus) to a very nice room at the Guesthouse Motel. One (if pricey) way to extend our vacation by a day. When Susan gets back from her run we will pack up our few items and bike to the Ford dealer and head home. So unless some other unforeseen thing happens, that closes out my posts for this adventure.

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There was also a car show

In addition to the music for this weekend, there was a car show that brought in 135 cars. We hear that the number is down from 165 from last year, but 135 sure filled up a couple of streets in this small town.

A few dressed on their hippy era attire. On his pocket is printed "love, peace, joy". Oh for the hippy days.

This one is for Diane,

and this one is for Billie.

 

This may be the oldest one there.

We had been staying in the Fossil Motel but had to move out on Friday because guests were due in for our room. We loved that room! Nice and big, a kitchen and big fridge, comfortable beds. Ann, the new owner gave us a great little spot for our sleeping tent and our screen tent, so we set up our own little compound for the remainder of our stay.

 

When on our adventure vacations, I think I have mentioned that we do errands by bike, and basically use our bike for most all local transportation. That would include hauling our lawn recliners to the court house lawn to hear some music...

 

 

Ann was becoming convinced that we would become residents of Fossil as we kept extending our stay (originally booking a room for one night, and staying five), but the time did come for our departure.

If ever you are in Fossil, or when you decide to go for the very fun Bluegrass Festival, look up The Fossil Motel, and sleep in a Fossil bed. It will not be hard to find in this small town, and you will love the owners.

 

 

 

 

Now back to the car breakdown. The car salesman brought us and our bikes to the motel in a pick up truck, Susan went to the store for some food and drink items, we are showered and feeling a little better than when we first got here. We will bike back to the Ford dealer tomorrow - with hopes that it is an easy and inexpensive fix. We can dream can't we ;'-) Will post reality tomorrow.

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Frontier Women at the Bluegrass Festival

We learned that Wheeler County has a population of 1500 -- the whole county! It is not urban, suburban nor rural. It is classified as frontier. Who even knew there was such a classification? We are then, frontier women!

Every fourth of July weekend (since twelve yearS ago) Fossil hosts a Bluegrass festival. We attended most of the performances and had a great time.

 

Vickie, this one is for you -- "Misty Mamas". Misty River retired last June and this group has Carol (banjo) as the only original player. They were pretty good, but not as good as Misty River.

 

 

 

There were workshops going on for anyone who had an instrument and wanted to play.

There was a dinner break from performances and local Vendors had booths with different food choices.

This festival is a huge economic boost for the relatively poor town of Fossil, and some of the booths, meals, runs, and fun are provided by 4H, school, or other local organizations. Susan and I, being the frontier women we are, ran (Susan) and walked (me) the 5K race on Saturday morning and she was first in our age group (she ran) and I came in second (I walked). I don't know how many were in our age group (not many), but the age was 56 and over which put us in the same age group, otherwise I could have been first in my age group! We had fun, then went to the all you can eat breakfast!!! So much for the morning calorie burn.

 

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Another Small town fourth of July

 

This was possibly the shortest and the quietest Fourth of July parade I have ever seen.

 

The "ukeladies" played and sang "Tiny Bubbles".

 

That was it.

I did yet another ride around town (I told Susan that I was doing so many rides on the same streets that people would begin to think I was casing the place), and had more things to see...

 

 

The Fairgrounds provided camping for Bluegrass campers. The town filled up for the festivities.

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