APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 4

Appalachia Trip Day 4

 

246 miles

 

Left Galax at 0630--it was 56 degrees and sunny, call it crisp and refreshing!

The Virginia countryside on the way to the Parkway was beautiful, but I took a wrong turn and ended up on a road to nowhere, but not for long, then onto the parkway.

 



 

Jumped off the parkway, went down the mountain to Mt Airy, NC, where they were supposed to have the Mayberry squad car.  Barney must have had it out on patrol, so I got a picture of the tow truck at Wally's garage instead.  Was worth a 30 mile diversion to see.

 

 

 

They had lot's of interesting stuff there including the Mayberry Inn, Aunt Bee's BBQ, etc.

 

 

 

Back on the parkway, it was a very nice morning.  Alternated between wooded sections and fields.

Was chilly in the shade of the woods, and warm in the sun of the fields.  I have seen a lot of wild turkeys over the last two days.  And I saw a black bear run across the road ahead of me this morning, I think.  It was a ways ahead and hey, it could have been a black panther!

 

 

Next stop was Mabry Mill.  Not just a mill, but a whole collection of frontier day cabins, blacksmiths, stills, sawmills, and stuff.  Very interesting!

 

Had to detour off the parkway just before Roanoak.  It seems that the storms the night before blew down a lot of trees forcing a closure.  The ride down to Roanoak was more challenging than the parkway, as were the ride down to Mt Airy and the ride down to Montebello later.

 

 

 



Back on the parkway, the lowest elevation there at James River, I took off my jacket, but soon I was back to higher elevation and put it on again for good.

 

 

 I rode through a valley with Otter Creek keeping me company.

 

 

Now, I'm staying here, the Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast, near the Appalachian Trail.  They serve guest like myself, and also feed and shelter hikers.  It is so peaceful and restful out here in the county in Virginia.  Yep, I've been sitting on the porch.  And, they said a black bear comes and knocks over the trash cans at night, so I have to make sure no food is in my saddlebags.