New River Bike Trail #2, Fri 5/21/10

We were out early to get our ride in before approaching rain dampened the day - from Austinville at MM 28 (named after Stephen Austin of Austin, TX fame) to MM 40 ... 12 miles up a slight incline and 12 miles back down (opposite of yesterday). Today's ride was altogether different, with this section of the trail more open and bucolic. We crossed the river twice over long trestles, saw two dams, scurried thru a tunnel, and I got to step in the mud at my very own spring!

First bridge of the day.

Pastoral scene (moo cow drinking from the river).

Under the trestle!

Mile Marker 34. 2.

Byllesby Dam powerhouse (1913).

Ruth @ Ruth's Spring!!

Galax to the left, Fries to the right.

Wonderful ol' trestle across the water.

Sweethearts!

Here I'm approaching a tunnel.

Riding thru the durn thing on the New River Trail (chilly inside).

Above and below.

The area is so green.  Guess all the rain keeps it that way.  Well, we did beat today's rain, even managed two loads of wash, showers AND dinner before the first drop fell. Life is Good!

New River Bike Trail #1 - Thurs, 5/20/10

We've tried to ride the New River Rails-to-Trails' 51-mile bike path in years past, but were rained out twice. Today was THE day, cool and sunny and gorgeous. Smartie carried our bikes to Foster Falls from our campground, and we pedaled from that point north to Allisonia - 12 miles down an incline and 12 miles back up. We only quit there because we're going to ride again tomorrow. The water looks like chocolate milk and is peppered with rapids.

Smartie with bikes!

New River near Foster Falls.

  Jimmy on the stunning bike trail.

Isn't it beautiful?

What kind of (large) tree has blossoms like these?

 

Above and below, Jimmy examines the barred entrance to a cave.

Trestle bridge over Big Reed Island Creek.

Almost ran over the snake!

It made it across safely.

 Abandoned, old house off the trail.

Nice to see flowers -- Iris next to the trail. 

Long bridge over the bike trail.

One of the many interesting sights we saw today.

This section of rail-trail follows the river, and it's bordered with great mounds of lightly-scented wild climbing roses mixed with colorful perennials, shade trees and lush greenery. We marveled at the sheer rock face that loomed over our heads most of the way. In places we were reminded of the Virginia Creeper Trail & the Greenbrier WV River Trail ... all three trails are outstanding rides.

5/18/10 - Lake Loop Trail, Hungry Mother St Pk

Six miles around the lake -- great hike!

 

Dressed for the weather, Jimmy on a bridge at trail's beginning.

Look how green!

Lovely Rhododendron blossom.

Flowers or mushrooms? Don't know.

These Mountain laurel flowers are spectacular.

Above and below.

Wonderful hike with lots of lushness and flowers!

05/18 - Hungry Mother State Park, Marion VA

We left hot, humid Daphne Thursday, May 13th - for two days in Tallahassee, and then on to Tallulah Gorge St Park in northeast Georgia (near Clayton), and then to this lovely, cool park, arriving yesterday 5/17.

 

Jimmy at Hungry Mother Park Office.

Our campsite on the river (Smartie is NOT pulling the RV!).

Hi, Jimmy!

Lake loop trail, including the spillway.

We slept happily under a blanket last night - low temp in the mid-50's. Because of yesterday's rain, we opted for a walk rather than a bike ride around the lake this morning - the path was goopy in many spots (plus up and down). The lake loop trail was mostly shaded and soft with damp leaf litter, almost deserted and altogether very pretty. But, when we elect to do something, we go all out - our first hike of this trip was a 6-miler! We were ready for lunch and to be off our feet when we got back to our campsite!

We plan to be in Brewster on Cape Cod for the June 5th wedding of my nephew, Jon Nykvist and Lauren Filtzer. AND a family reunion - yay!

Week Nine, Tues/Wed, Oct 23/24

Weather iffy, showers, rain and/or thunderstorms... left Staunton for the Galax VA area so we could be close to New River bike trail and a ride if weather permitted. Drove some by interstate and more on the Blue Ridge Pkwy - but, we ended up driving in pea soup fog on the pkwy, with very poor visibility. Finally able to get off the pkwy at Fancy Gap and into a CG, still stuck in fog and rain. On Wed we left (in soupy fog) for Greenville SC as there's no break in the weather... and no bike ride on the trail. Oh well. On/off rain thru NC and into SC, and rain showers continue. Jimmy has friends in Greenville, and we hope to see them. And watch the first game of the World Series. Found a Whole Foods store in Greenville and spent a bushel basketful of time - and a bit of cash - there (every bit as good as Disneyland)!

How about the wasp nest near the water wheel of the old Mabry mill....

Shenandoah National Park Week Nine! Sun/Mon, Oct 21/22

On Sunday, we hit the Skyline Drive thru Shenandoah Nat'l Park. Lots of other Sunday drivers joined the autumn color procession with the 35 mph speed limit. It wasn't so bad and the scenery really was beautiful, but it took many hours to reach a CG in Staunton VA. We stayed up late to watch the Red Sox win the championship! Decided to stay another nite here, and on Monday we hiked up to Humpback Rocks - one mile up and one mile down - the trail was rated "strenuous," but it wasn't nearly as bad as the last one we were on, rated "moderate." (Kind of hoped this vigorous hike would eradicate the clotted cream and jam we consumed a couple of days ago!) The afternoon was sunny and 80ish, but very clear and the view from the summit was spectacular. Enjoyed visiting the pioneer village, too. Later we traipsed around Staunton with its lovely old bldgs and stopped in to see the glass blowing exhibition at a local business. Great to be here again! 

Week Eight - Fri/Sat, Oct 19/20

Winchester VA was our next destination, a relatively short drive from Lancaster PA, though we traveled in PA, WV, and MD, to get into VA (in occasional rain). We’re not far from Shenandoah Nat’l Park and Skyline Drive. We walked around downtown Winchester till raindrops chased us away. The most impressive sight was Handley Library, circa 1906, a beautiful bldg with a stained glass dome. On Saturday we opted for a bike ride to the Shenandoah Valley Museum, with accompanying tour of Glen Burnie home and gardens, all of which took many hours. Plus, we enjoyed a delicious lunch in their tea room, and for desert we split a scone served with clotted cream and jam (hoy!). T'was a sunny day with puffy white clouds propelled thru the sky by a big wind (making for a tough ride back -- into the wind!). Oh yeah, we managed to do another pile of laundry after dinner. Very nice day.

Virginia Creeper Trail, October 6/7, 2006

Friday, 10/6 – Oh boy, our first bike ride this trip! We were so looking forward to riding the length of the Virginia Creeper Trail, but a cold front blew across the state last night and we were met this morning by gray clouds, a chilly 54°, and a brisk north wind – topsy-turvy of yesterday's weather.  Never mind, we're game anyway.  We piled on layers, finishing with jackets, gloves, and long pants over our bike shorts.

A Rails-to-Trails gem, this trail stretches 34.5 miles from Abingdon, VA, thru the lovely town of Damascus (known as the heart of the Creeper), along the Laurel River and up to it's highest point of Whitetop Mountain near the NC state line.  Our shuttle van left Abingdon at 9 AM, aiming for Whitetop Mountain – where we'll begin our ride.  (A late start 'cause the mountain top is about 10° colder.)  Our van ride up to Whitetop on a winding, twisty road was gorgeous, with wild streams alongside amid the brilliant reds and golds of autumn!

Arriving at Whitetop around 10 AM, we stepped inside the Station for a look-see.  I bought a T-shirt and stuffed it in my bag, but it wasn’t long before I pulled it out and put it on (another – welcomed!– layer).  Not much pedaling was needed for almost the first half of the Creeper on the damp, leaf-strewn trail, as it was downhill with sharp curves and steep grades.  Meaning:  We didn’t generate any heat, and we got cold.  Our bodies were accustomed to months of brutal Florida summer heat, and not ready for this cool day!  A hot chocolate kiosk showed up at exactly the right time, and a cup warmed us nicely.

We ate our packed lunch beside a gushing stream, below one of the 47 trail trestles and bridges on this trail.  From Damascus to Abingdon, the trail flattened out – including a steady climb into Abingdon, which warmed us up.  Despite the all-day gray skies, our surroundings were beautiful.

Spectacular autumn scenery, in forest and field, farm and town. We paused frequently to take photos. We were in no hurry, either, and enjoyed every moment (esp. after warming up). We got back to the car around 5 PM, drove to a recommended pizza place and ordered. We wolfed down that yummy pizza in our room. After a nice hot shower, we fell into bed. With smiling faces, we drifted off to sleep. Great ride!

Saturday, 10/7 – We drove in drizzly rain (really pretty drive, though) a relatively short distance to the Brier Inn in Lewisburg, WVa, where we stayed last year.  Near Lewisburg, we stopped at a laundromat to wash clothes. Cool weather continues, so we walked Lewisburg's main street with jackets on, visiting various shops – neat town with artsy inclinations.  Rain let up.  Enjoyed a fine dinner at Food and Friends, then returned to our room to monitor tomorrow's weather report and make ready for our bike ride on the 77-mile Greenbrier River Trail (our second ride this trip).  Tracy from Outdoor Adventures will wait for us at Lewisburg's trail parking lot @ 7 AM, for the two-hour shuttle, ferrying us and our bikes to Cass Scenic Railroad St Pk and the beginning of a new two-day adventure.  We have reservations tomorrow night at Jerico BnB in Marlinton, WVa, approx 27 miles down the trail.  Jimmy set the alarm clock for 5 AM.