Trip Day 27, May 20 2021 From Martinsville VA to Staunton VA (Walnut Hills Campground)

What a great day for vision and sights to behold! We went up on the Blue Ridge Parkway with the trailer in tow. Another sunny day!

But at the beginning of the day it was getting the campsite “broken down” and ready to roll. The hoses, the items on the kitchen  table, the sewer, electricity, the water, all dishes and loose bottles (water) ,kitchen items that were stored, (always leave a bucketful to ‘slosh around’ while on the road,) rinse the toilet,  raise the awnings,  check all windows, secure the slide out, up the stabilizers, and remove the blocks, and chocks, and hitch the vehicle and attach the electricity for the lights and brakes. There is more but you get the idea.

So we left the campground at about 9:07AM and headed for Roanoke , which is about 58 miles some of which is a very winding road as I indicated the other day. We decided to drive about 45 mph on that section of the road and that was a wise thing to do as it prevented any close calls or back ups should they have occurred quickly.  We stopped once to stretch in Boone’s Mill, and again after we were on the parkway.( I wish that we had remembered that cousin Glen Reimer lived in Boones Mill when we went to Roanoke as we could have visited him, then.)  

The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks and started construction in 1936. The CCC did get in on the construction as did the conscientious objectors during WW2. It is over 400 miles long starting in Northern Virginia  to North Carolina. It is the longest linear park in America. It took 52 years to complete finally in 1987. It is worth the drive and priceless. (literally and figuratively).

 

 

Views from "on top" of the Blue Ridge.

Nelson's Valley

 

Getting on the parkway (off I-81) at Buchanan was not well marked, but we found it easily and headed up the mountains. It rose from the valley floor  (850 feet)  to about 2000 feet, elevation. From there it was up and down and gradually turning with vistas at almost every turn. The highest point is “Apple Mountain” at 3,900 feet.


We stopped along the way at  the vista points and there were many. I think we averaged about 20 mph as in 2 hours we had only gone 45 miles.I looked at the map at 2:00 and said to Ruth that we will not go to I-64 (pull off for campground)  by the Parkway route and make it by supper.

 

The "AppleOrchard" (see next photo)

The views were spectacular and the valleys in the low places were beautiful to see from that high up. Ruth got some fine photos and some of the flora as well.  No deer, bear or turkeys!  The few birds we saw were distant as they do not need to be near the road with all that forest. Elevation has something to do with some birds I am sure.

So at  the exit at Buena Vista we exited DOWN only,  a very long 4 mile stretch to the town of Buena Vista. I could tell the brakes were “tired” . But we drove I-81 for a short stretch (25 miles) and exited at exit 213 for the campground.

PinkTrillium at 3,900 Feet elevation.

May 20 and the oaks are just starting to bud

High Cirrus on the road toad. Whispy!

 Our site at the campground is marvelous. (photo tomorrow). Again we have water  (a small creek) at the back door, and birds galore as soon as we pulled in. It is going to be fun here.  What is unique is that the campground is divided (physically spaced ) into three areas .  One around a small lake *”Kerplonken Lake”, another  near the club room for more seasonal residents. and where we are along the creek , a very long way from either of them or the main office. It is quiet.  There is also 6 “deluxe” Cabins, 2” Deluxe” lodges, and 4 “camping cabins” along with the other 126 other camping sites as well as some tenting sites.

One of the staff member stopped and as we chatted she indicated she had seen a Snipe this spring. Tonight I did hear it  early in the evening “squawk” its loud, raucous sound. So It think we will add to our bird numbers here. I also think we are near 80 bird species at this point.

The constant steering wheel turning on both 220 into Roanoke from Martinsville and the Blue Ridge turns (not as severe) has worn my arms out more today than before. I guess that makes the Virginia roads tougher to drive than Maryland’s. They were constant winding and hilly as well. I have 6 days to recover!

We will keep you posted on what happens tomorrow. No definite plans.