The cold front came through last night and brought us a crystal morning, sparkling with dew. The sun reflected off Abbott Lake. Concentric rings marked spots on the surface where tiny fish jumped for invisible bugs. We walked the mile path around the lake after breakfast, breathing deeply the fresh, crisp air. It was still warm, almost hot for 7:30 a.m.
Much to our surprise, a massive bank of clouds blanketed the valley. From the Blue Ridge Parkway the mountain stood up crystal clear against a blue sky, but to our right the Shenandoah Valley looked like a gigantic snow-covered lake of white, a stark contrast to the surrounding hills--green tinged everywhere with touches of fall yellow, red and brown.
Stewart's Knob Trail gave us a view of Roanoke from 1,132 feet, and NW Railroad Overlook at 1,151 feet looked down on a peaceful community of red brick homes and expansive lawns.
This part of Virginia includes well-to-do mansions interspersed with poor mountain cabins.
Stewart's Knob Trail gave us a view of Roanoke from 1,132 feet, and NW Railroad Overlook at 1,151 feet looked down on a peaceful community of red brick homes and expansive lawns.
This part of Virginia includes well-to-do mansions interspersed with poor mountain cabins.
There wasn't much to see in the woods on the half-mile Roanoke River Trail, but we took the extra 500-foot pedestrian path for an underneath look at the bridge that crossed the river. Amazingly, the modern concrete and steel structure dated from WPA times in the 1930's. It's still highly functional today.
The half-mile Buck Mountain Trail climbed straight up to a summit view of the Roanoke outskirts. A hiker and a jogger finished faster than we did, but even our old legs carried us up and down in less than the 30-minute estimated walk time.
Round Meadow Creek Trail, the 20-minute loop labeled as moderate to strenuous in the trail guide, actually took us 11 minutes down to the stream bottom and back up. We wondered how time estimates for trail hikes had been determined. At least this one seemed much easier than the trail guide suggested. Lined on both sides of the trail with rhododendron bushes over our heads, the area must be gorgeous in the spring.
Roanoke Mountain Loop Trail, a ten-minute walk to the summit at 2,161 feet, had no real expansive views of the valley, but the granite boulders provided some good, quick exercise.
The half-mile Buck Mountain Trail climbed straight up to a summit view of the Roanoke outskirts. A hiker and a jogger finished faster than we did, but even our old legs carried us up and down in less than the 30-minute estimated walk time.
At Rocky Knob, 3,572 feet, the one-mile nature trail scaled the mountain near Tuggle Gap for spectacular views of the valley below.
Mabry Mill and the Mountain Industry Trail attracted more visitors than we had seen anywhere in three days of travel. The gift shop was pricey, but the Country Store at Meadows of Dan had homemade cherry jam and hand crafted owls for sale.
Round Meadow Creek Trail, the 20-minute loop labeled as moderate to strenuous in the trail guide, actually took us 11 minutes down to the stream bottom and back up. We wondered how time estimates for trail hikes had been determined. At least this one seemed much easier than the trail guide suggested. Lined on both sides of the trail with rhododendron bushes over our heads, the area must be gorgeous in the spring.
We missed Chateau Morrisette. That necessitated a trip back the 15 miles to the best winery in the state. And was it ever worth the trip back north! The $5.00 per person tasting fee included ten (we had 12) generous samples and the glass for each.
"You can't go wrong with wines from Morrisette," said host Jim. "They make the best wines in Virginia."
The 70-year old retired businessman from Ohio knew what he was talking about. Every one of the 12 samples he poured for us was delicious. Two were even marked as Virginia Tech wines and labeled as such for an extra $2.00 per bottle. Jim was an excellent host, knowledgeable about the wines and personable. We were so glad we didn't miss the stop.
The 70-year old retired businessman from Ohio knew what he was talking about. Every one of the 12 samples he poured for us was delicious. Two were even marked as Virginia Tech wines and labeled as such for an extra $2.00 per bottle. Jim was an excellent host, knowledgeable about the wines and personable. We were so glad we didn't miss the stop.
Groundhog Mountain demonstrated types of fencing with a display surrounding the two-story lookout building.
Not far away stood the cabin of Olenena Puckett, a local midwife who lived to age 102. She delivered more than 1,000 children, but her own 24 children never lived beyond infancy.
The cabin, at 3,050 feet in the hills, was her home later in life, and the sign explained that she died as a highly respected member of the community.
"I wonder whether she ever imagined she would be so honored and remembered," I said to Andy. "Isn't it odd how certain people become so significant." I guess I'd call it selective history.
The cabin, at 3,050 feet in the hills, was her home later in life, and the sign explained that she died as a highly respected member of the community."I wonder whether she ever imagined she would be so honored and remembered," I said to Andy. "Isn't it odd how certain people become so significant." I guess I'd call it selective history.
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