North Carolina and Virginia

North Carolina

Raleigh Durham

Some Spreadsheet changes had taken place in North Carolina as we decided to meet Jenny and Mackie in the Raleigh Durham area as they had decided to investigate the territory as new potential places to live. 

The Loch Norman Highland games will have to wait, we needed to see the chillins since we were that close, and we hadn’t seen them for months.   

Broadslab Distillery, Benson NC

We drove right through South Carolina onto North Carolina where we Harvest Hosted at the Broadslab Distillery about 50 miles from Raleigh Durham Area.  A distillery out in the country with a huge parking lot that would be perfect for even the Mobile Linck Estates.   No food though on a Thursday Night but they did have DOTs pretzel sticks, and they’re really yummy.  It was in the process of getting turned into a wedding venue with an RV Park across the street under construction.  We had a really nice bartender, but there was distant drag race noise and a bunch of trucks rolling over the dirt roads next to the property.  

Walked around Durham a bit and found it to be very dog friendly, even small dog run downtown.  

William B Umstead State Park, Durham NC

Used this opportunity for a small hike before heading to our meetup at Raleigh Brewing Harvest Host.  There were many treacherous roots but we managed not to fall down, lots of progress this week.  

Raleigh Brewing 

We met up at Raleigh Brewery where had a lovely evening with Jenny and Mackie as we heard all the pros and cons about their moving to NC.  

Move over bananagram, spades is the game of choice after Hawaii.  

Closest game ever. 

A knock on the window came at 3am wanting to know why we were parked here.  We just told the security guard we had been given permission through the Harvest Host program to park here and he said OK.  

Duke Gardens, Durham NC

A lovely walk through the exquisite gardens was the exercise stop for the day.  No Snow or Canadian Geese for us, we got to see a Ruddy Shelducks.

Although it was a bit drizzly and the tea shop was closed, that’s usual for us when a nice cup of tea would be delightful,  but we enjoyed our walk through the green and flowers before Mackie and Jenny picked us up for yet another brewery. I can’t keep up you’ll have to get it from the 30 year old brains. 

Then onto Tandem Restaurant in Carrboro for the Beef Extravaganza for four.   Oh, we failed at food photos for this family style meal with a platter full of meat.  OMG yum, then John and I had another meal from the left-overs.  Walked around Carrboro and discovered the best ever hard seltzer by Untitled Art called Florida Seltzer, 

as we listened to the strangest, unfunny, stand-up comedy Open Mic Night.  Luckily Jenny had to call in for Jury duty so we made a quick getaway.   Said our good-byes to the chillins in this off spreadsheet visit.  Overnighted at a Boondockers “Spot on the Hill” in Chapel Hill, although we didn’t stay at the prescribed spot which was lovely and flat, but it was rainy most of the time so we stayed inside when we weren’t visiting.  The Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill Triangle is very nice, but the Nuggets would decide to remain in California for the time being!

Lake Junaluska, NC

We walked the lovely path around the Lake with a bit of hills to get the ticker pattering. This is a delightfully ungentrified area with a big Baptist retreat presence  with people and baby strollers and dogs getting in a bit of a lively outside. 

After harvesting hosting (no showering for several days)  decided a Burt’s Bees wipe down might be in order as we didn’t want to show up stanky for our friends

Frog Level Brewing, Waynesville, NC

Back on the Spreadsheet with our visit with the Delps.  

We had hardly arrived when John  was begging to go to Frog Level Brewing so off we went for another beautiful day on the creek with good friends, good beer and even a Jazz Ensemble for even more ambience. Debby and Denny who were visiting Asheville also joined us as they were in the area as well.  This is truly one of the most favorite Breweries of all time! 

And always so nice to stay with Bryan, D’Ann and their sweet dogs Jake and Maggie (the three legged sweetest lap dog ever.) 

Feeding the Coi is always an adventure as Bryan and D’Ann struggle to name their school which evidently has quite a bit of turn over given racoons and other animals that are around the beautiful view from their deck.  

We loved meeting Bob and Josette, their good friend from Florida who were building a house right across the street on this beautiful moonlit night around the firepit.  

Here is where we learned about Chinese sheetrock.  Evidently their house in Florida was built with it.  The real estate agent smelled it and evidently over the years the sulfur contaminate leaks out and not only produces an odor but also degrades the wiring. The builder is high and dry gone and there is a class action lawsuit which has produced no compensation.    So terrible for homeowners, mostly in the Southeastern states this happened.  I never heard of this problem, what a bummer. SO nice to see D’Ann and Bryan again and keep and eye on the project 

North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville NC

This was a perfect sunny day after the overcast/drizzle event of the previous day during our what is now annual visit to the D’Ann and Bryan’s home up on the mountain in Waynesville.  Lots of beautiful plants and arrangements and then a nice hike around the place with good friends.  Life is good.  Can’t wait til next year. 

MerleFest, Waynesboro, NC

This brings us to Merlefest time at Wilkes Community College in Waynesboro, NC.  We found our small stage experience after the first night because mainstage had us sitting a football field back, only able to see the performers from the on-screen projections.  One could pay extra to have a closer reserved green chair in the audience.  Not our gig, probably we will stick to the smaller fests. Luckily, there are several stages and we found the Americana stage sitting in the grass to be perfect. 

 I did find five  bands who resonated with my taste. (Ashes and Arrows, Them Coulee Boys, Nefesh Mountain, Evan Honer and Twisted Pine) so well worth the experience.  And it was beautiful weather, unlike the usual rains and last year, evidently, there were downpours.  It occurred to me that I am doing coast to coast music fests and that I need to figure out a way to keep track of all my favorite artists because my 60+ year-old brain won’t do it on its own. I will need to start a blog specifically for music fest.  MerleFest was excellently organized, with camping at a neighboring ball field area in the grass not dirt like usually in the west.  We were packed on school buses driven by boyscout troop volunteer grandpas for the 7 minute drive to the fest.  John was framed with our chairs for this short ride packed ride. 

Stone Mountain State Park, NC

We really needed a bit of exercise after sitting at the music fest for several days. I found this perfect park to conclude our time in North Carolina complete with wild Rhododendron and mountain laurel. 

Luckily we had read to go counterclockwise because there were going to be a lot of steps going down and we would rather slide down the rocks using the chains instead.  

Stone Mountain Loop, Trail was a 5 mile thousand foot elevation gain and we even saw a beautiful waterfall before we send it up the endless amount of steps and then we got to cool off on our ride to Virginia.

Virginia

New River RV Park in Fries

Fries was recommended to us by a couple we met last year, and the funny thing is they were camped right next to us this year.  It’s right along the New River multi-use trail.  This is one of the many Rail to Trail paths in the US that make use the outdated transportation mode and turned it into a 57 mile multi-use lovely fine gravel/dirt, perfect for riding, complete with hitching posts for horses as well as signs telling riders to dismount when bringing horse across the multiple bridges and trestles. 

Galax, Virginia

We rode the New River Trail section to Galax for 18 miles so we could have lunch and beer at the Creek Bottom Brewery.   The whole trail was easy and delightful as we rode along the New River, creeks and cow pastures, crossing roads and waterways.   Neither of us had any bike accidents this trip although my handle bars needed serious tightening and luckily there was an Autozone in sight as we exited the Trail in Galax.  Thankfully the brewery was close by as well because we were in serious need of some stand time to give our seat contact sites some relief in more ways than one.

Galax looked like a pretty depressed town.  The streets leading to the CVS and Brewery right from the bike trail didn’t have curb ramps.  There was music four days a week at the Creek Bottom Brewery.  The Galax Amphitheater (not sure where that is hosts some bigger names like Molly Tuttle who we missed since she was first night at Merlefest and we didn’t get there until the next day)  There is a Blue Ridge Music Center near Galax right off the Blue Ridge Parkway that hosts traditional music as well.  This year the music had not started yet. This is where we enjoyed some bluegrass and met the couple who recommended Fries last year.

Frumunda Fatigue is what we have coined this ailment  (Frumunda = Jersey speak for From Under.)  The 2 ½ hour Bike ride each way, more than doubled our miles on a bike for any given day.  We binged watched Young Sheldon from our bed upon making it back to Vinny before dusk.  Our only problem is that now we have no vegetables and we have been trying to eat better.  My friend, Mary, gave me the tip that Dollar Stores have frozen vegetables, perfect when there is no grocery store to be found, and mama says eat your veggies. 

The Fries River RV Park is really nice, but there is one Cafe and a Steakhouse and a Dollar General in the town.  Both of these were not bike rideable on bikes.  I looked up a Hipcamp Rivers Edge Trail Camp Allisonia VA,  $50 a night near the trail may be a better choice for next time. 

Chateau Morrisette Winery, Virginia

Their logo has a big black lab and there are dog paw on wine barrels and lots of dog water bowls all over the grounds.

We had an ambience extraordinaire lunch overlooking the hills of Virginia at a perfect temperature with no rain. It certainly is a beautiful Chateau in the countryside, and you could understand its namesake as the big black lab wandered the grounds; it was ChardonMay and they were on sale.

Floyd Country Store, Virginia

Floyd and the Country Store Vibe.  It’s got a little of everything and especially the bluegrass music on the weekends.  The Friday night Jamboree is famous and the MC  inquiry last night found people from all over the world that came.

Lots of older men and few women with taps on their shoes to really keep the beat as they stomped/tapped to the bluegrass beat.  The night started with a bluegrass gospel hour with a lot of Jesus Loves You and Going to Heaven Songs and ended with an energized bluegrass dance party.  There was music inside and bluegrass circles outside on the street that even included stompers who brought their own wooden boards to keep the beat.

A fun way to spend a Friday night, but after a couple hours, traditional bluegrass doesn’t have the variety to keep me on point.  We had purchased tickets that allowed one to sit in chairs up front, but when the dancing started, people were up and down to shake it on the dance floor.  We even found a little table in the back where we could enjoy some of the excellent Floyd Country Store Faire as the band played and we took a dance break.   We made our way inside and outside of the store that night where Bluegrass circles were everywhere.  

It was Country Store quitting time, and we knew we would have to bump our way up the ½ mile driveway of the Cowhill Boondockers Welcome where we hoped not to lose Vinny’s low hanging generator.  It was nice and dark out on this property, no having to put up shade for street lights at this place in the backcountry.  Although we are supposed to stay here another night, we decided not to push our bottoming-out luck as it continued to rain on the rutted ½ mile driveway. 

Very nice couple, who fish in Alaska and told us about the Thermacell Mosquito abatement device that we purchased at Walmart the next day.  We are ready for Canada and those birdsize mosquitos.. So far no cicadas – it’s supposed to be a huge year for them. There is a lot of backcountry land in Floyd and perhaps the Floyd Family Campground would be best for the next time.  We even went back to the store on the way out of town and I guess they have lots of music on weekends throughout the day. So another good band while we ate our lunch 

Parkway Brewing, Salem VA

Parkway Brewing was the next brewery destination for a Saturday night, and they had music starting at 1pm and another band in the evening.   This was not a Harvest Host but we found a good spot in the parking lot and our server didn’t think it would be a problem if we overnighted, just don’t block the driveways.  Met a bunch of nice young people there; John is getting better about not lecturing, and didn’t have any middle of the night knocks on our window.  Into the Fog, a Raleigh bluegrass band put a talk box on the bass and other special effects they turned into rockers during some songs.  I really liked their diversity,  and it didn’t rain, and we could charge our devices.  Life’s Good.

Now starts the Harvest Host tour through Virginia and weather is a bit variable so we decided to pursue indoor activities.  

AmRhein Winery, Bent Mountain VA

We would also enjoy a nice Sunday afternoon music session on the patio overlooking the rolling Virginia hills,  the only problem is that it was raining.  Dan Cannaday played outside under the covered patio on this drizzly day. 

We eventually brought out our instruments and sang a few with this local musician and heard his stories about meeting Molly Tuttle and her family when she was young and used to play at Floyd Country Store.  Spent the evening chatting it up with fellow Harvest Hosters who lived in Pennsylvania but were from England and conducted Sir Barcllay, the biggest roundest black dog ever, but who was so sweet. 

Brady’s Distillery, Roanoke VA

This is the next Harvest Host on the  route as we head towards Roanoke.  Better yet they had two 30 amp plugs for their Harvest Hosters, free with a spirit tasting, what are we to do?  The take away was their gin which was somehow so smooth and it is really not necessary to mix with tonic or make into a martini.  This was in an industrial area and the train was littlerily 10 feet from us, but luckily they did not even blast the horns anywhere near. 

The Virginiains must keep it all greased because never did we hear the high pitch squeal of metal to metal, and the half dozen times the train went by was rather relaxing really.  We were going to go to an Irish Session a few miles away that evening, but the downpour was scheduled and we even hung in Vinny for about an hour as quite the puddle was replicating in front of his slider.  Delightful tasting and cocktails,  talking to our server and having a facetime session with Bo and Julie, as we had the place all to ourselves.  Really nice outdoor area with a stage and patio that would be lovely when drops are not falling and Al Stewart, for example, would be on stage. The 30 amp circuit isn’t usually part of Harvest Host and it had been several days since a good and proper charge.   Our Airstream neighbors Lloyd and Sandra from a 500 acre ranch in Virginia were making their last stop before heading home.  They are Escapees members and really like the organization.  They raved about state parks in Texas so maybe we’ll do that one day. 

Buzzards Rock Trail, Front Royal VA

The rain has ceased, so time for the Buzzards Rock Trail, about 4 shady miles up and back to the Rock but we didn’t see any buzzards.  

This trail head was in a beautiful and hilly with wild mountain laurel. 

This neighborhood and would be so nice for a daily workout when not rainy, although it did start to get a bit muggy as we hiked, but way too much hilly grass for us to consider living here.  

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Multi-Use Trail

A 14 mile round-trip  bike ride was just the perfect limit for my frumunda even with my extra gel seat pad from Walmart after our 36 mile ride several days ago. This was a delightfully easy ride along our way to Shenandoah.  And another of those red cabooses that these Rail to Trails seem to have as their symbols. I think I am getting tired of taking pictures, imagine that. Here is the caboose from the Galax, New River Rail to Trail entry.  I guess all those cabbosses are not needed anymore either,  so many trail entries seem to have them as their mascot all painted pretty red.

Apocalypse Ale Works, Forest VA

This was the next stop  on our way up north near Lynchburg.  A Disc golf putting tournament was going on in the back and here we threw our first discs in the chained goals.  I actually got my second throw in, but it was downhill from there on.  We could accommodate two discs in Vinny, although I think that for true golf, people have different sizes and weights depending on the length to the goal, and that would be a bit too much.  But we could do a cornhole style competition which is exactly what a disc golf putting range is.  “Rage of the Lamb” with chocolate and habanero was the John’s rage of the night.  Nice quiet overnight, even though I heard a tranquil Virginia train somewhere. On the ride passed through the Devils Backbone Brewery which seemed pretty cool too. Not a single photo..getting lame 

Blue Mountain Barrel Brewery, Arrington VA

Great food, Service, quiet, location, and better yet Wi-Fi and ease of charging on this quiet Thursday. We got caught up on the computer stuff and thought how nice this venue would be for a beautiful music afternoon. I only got a single photo of the “love” sculpture that seems to be a thing in Virginia. After all, Virginia is for lovers.

Humpback Rocks Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway

Hike / Bike /Hike that means we are on hike and that it was so perfect  and tree covered and not nearly as humid as the Buzzards Rock. Wow the mountain humpbacks were something else. I would need photoshop John up here on the rocks, he wasn’t venturing up and looking over. It was quite incredible peering over the edge.  

This was another 4 mile 1000 ft along our way up north right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  

Shenandoah National Park, VA

We continued on the very empty Blue Ridge which turned into Skyline Drive as you entered Shenandoah National Park.   So many beautiful overlooks to admire the rolling green peaks and cloud filled skies of Virginia. 

For both the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive, it’s just too hard to get a photo of the expanse of these glorious green valleys and mountains. So many hikes,  so far they have been very tree covered with shade. And as desert rats we like that.  It was so nice to sit in Vinny with the AC and do some evaporative cooling as we drove to Ruckersville after our hike. We decided to drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway for free which then turned into Skyline Drive to go through Shenandoah NP (free because we have the Lifetime Seniors Pass)  and then veer east to Ruckersville instead of taking the highway.  It’s actually hard to keep on the Blue Ridge Parkway because Google wants you to go highways and byways. (Our Boondockers Welcome  Ruckersville nice flat beautiful neighborhood spot, with a 12 amp line so, we got totally charged up for our Shenandoah Boondocking. Bonus for the Ruckersville Boondockers Welcome Host where we stayed the night – The 14 year-old girl of the house is a baker and sets up periodically in her driveway with her wares.. Chocolate Yum all around.  

Big Meadows Campground, Shenandoah NP

Well, the Hike/Bike/Hike pattern must now be  broken as we are now heading up the Skyline Drive and there is no way we would be caught dead riding a bike on this narrow, no shoulder,  drop off, beautiful Parkway.  Rain foiled our plans to hike Bearfence Trail.  We just headed to Big Meadows Campground from our Boondockers Welcome.   We did a major food acquisition for our 6 day stay at Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah. We are thankful for the showers, a record 7 days has passed and the Burts Bee’s Wipes are waning.  $5 of quarters for 10 hot minutes, it was well worth it.  Also we did a record of no dumping for the week, although we tried to use facilities where we could. Breweries are a great source of fluid exchange !! Thankfully we are at Shenandoah for 6 days and can wait for some good hiking weather because I am really a baby when it comes to hiking in the rain and cold.    We are sitting in the lovely old Big Meadows Lodge with John eating his hot peanut soup between playing his computer game while all our devices are charging and  I drink a glass of Cabernet. 

We are thankful we have Vinny as we look around and there are lots of tents and the temperature is dropping to 42 degrees tonight.  They brought out pallets of firewood at the camp store which hopefully will keep everyone warm enough; But the sun is finally streaming in for a beautiful sunset.  

Tonight might be nippy.  But I doubt John will get out long pants.  I am glad I didn’t put my wooley pants away in the out of the way places in Vinny’s holds;  I will need them tonight!    Tomorrow, fingers crossed, will be the first campfire fire in a very long time !!    

Shenandoah NP and Skyline Drive, you can see where Roosevelt put those Civil Conservation Corps to work as part of the New Deal making the dozens and dozens of scenic overlooks that have a consistent stone wall and excellent parking areas.  Dedicated in 1939 after over 10 years of planning beginning with Herbert Hoover. Many scenic overlooks have really big parking areas and have access to great hikes and also the infamous Appalachian Trail which runs through Shenandoah.  There are so many that they become a bit monotonous because they all have exquisite views of the beautiful rolling mountains, and there are lots of hikes to craggy rocks that have cute names like Stony Man, Hawksbill or the Rag. 

My impression, could be wrong, but this Skyline Drive Road conditions are among the best of all tha National Parks I have visited.  I felt that way about the highways around the DC area when I would do work travel.  Can’t help to think are Capitol Area gets some extras from the National Park Budget to keep the National Image on the Up and Up.  In fact just saw the camp host going by in a nice white truck to put available signs on campsites  (No golf carts here) That being said, there are no electricity or water hookups at any of the Shenandoah National Park Campgrounds which certainly could be an improvement, but the skyline is relatively narrow with no shoulders so only well seasoned drivers with big rigs/RVs should be traversing in my opinion.  Vinny of course is doing a fabulous job, and we are amazed at the relatively small amount of traffic and empty parking areas.  Big Meadows has a really nice lodge with a view that includes rocking chairs, outlets and Wifi it is a 15 minute walk from our campground and there are also several trails including the Appalachian Tail that are right here  making it optimal for us.  

There are quite a few deer,  but absolutely no cell service in the Big Meadows Campground although there is a tiny bit in the Lodge and on top of Stony Man, the messages came beeping in.  It has been very relaxing driving the Skyline in April.  Like all our National Parks, I’m sure it gets crazy in the summer!

We have been plagued by rainy weather is the only problem, and we can’t help feeling sorry for all those tent campers in our dry and snug Vinny as they pack up in the rain, and we have hot coffee and home cooking like Potato Kale soup or Chicken Kimichi Stir Fry.  We love Vinny more every day! We had started out hopeful and set up our clam over the brand new, no tablecloth needed table. We deployed the extra  panels, but then took down and put up again trying to make sure they would get wet.

The canvas edges are starting to show some wear, but they still appear to give us the umpah we need without electricity.

There was a break in the clouds starting Sunday night and it was also very calm and peaceful and we had a lovely fire and played music.  Our banjo claw hammering neighbor came over to play a couple toons.  Then he was off to his high-powered microscope to catch the explosion of a star that is supposed to happen in the next three or four months as an event that can be seen once every 80 years.  We told him to wake us up if this is to be the night, but he was gone the next morning.  John also looked out for the Aroura Borrealus that was on display recently all across the country as far south as Florida.  Our niece Chrissy got some great photos from Michigan a few days ago. 

Stony Man Hike, Shenandoah NP

Our single absolutely gorgeous day was Monday and we met Ashleigh,  our Justine’s  wedding friend, for a hike to Stony Man and a catchup on life.  

Great short mile and half hike with another incredible view of the valley. This visit also included the quintessential van scenario of pulling up in a shaded place and setting some chairs down while I fried up some wursts and made a salad and we chatted away. And I didn’t even fall coming off the Stony Man !!

Dark Hallows Falls, Shenandoah NP

On our way back to Big Meadows we stopped and did  2 mile hike to these falls. We were gonna do the Rose river loop too, but had to start out by going down, down, down and decided there would not be enough daylight and was a bit worried about having to go up, up, up in an already did one-hike-today-already state. 

We were hoping that the rain would not start on Tuesday quite so early and this trail is within walking to our campsite and we could get this before the next days of many planned droplets.  No such luck!  This area is really nice for hikes and perhaps we will be able do some in November when we return to the area.  Seems like the hikes are nice and shaded, hopefully the colors will come to Virginia later because the plan is to chase them through New England in October. Maybe Virginia will have during the first days of November! We are running from the rain, we are off the spreadsheet heading north a bit early.  Caverns have very few droplets. 

Luray Caverns, Luray Virginia

Wow this was incredible.  Since we had already been to Carlsbad Caverns this past January we had thought one set of caverns a year is enough, but our camping neighbors, Betty and Andrew recommended them and they had also been to Carlsbad Caverns. 

Carlsbad had these gigantic rooms whereas Luray Caverns was a much narrower path and are much closer to the surface, no elevator 80 flights down we just traversed the well maintained 1 ¼ mile, brick path through the cavern with the deepest part at 260 feet. 

One of the coolest things was a reflecting pond that made mirror images of this absolutely still body of water, except when a single drop disturbed mirror

There was a stalacpipe organ wher various solenoid activated rubber mallets tap on the ancient stalactites to produce the notes which are activated by the organ.  

Although not allowed to touch, some of the structures went right in the middle of the path, and there were many different samples that you could look at only inches away.  Luray is privately and the entrance was $36 for senior.  It was perfect for a rainy day. 

Backroom Brewery, Middleton VA

I used the route feature on Harvest Host App to find Virginia’s  first Farm Brewery specializing in herb additives.  John’s favorite was the Red Chilli Pepper mixed with their BRB Porter.  I tried all kind of light beers with citrus and other herbs including a Cilantro Lime.  They were all delicious.  Then I had a cocktail of blueberry rosemary and then a cardomon old fashion.  The wife of the bar tender would make these flavored simple syrups for the cocktails.  The burgers were delicious.  Small world stuff again as the wife of  the other patron was a chemical engineer and worked for Gore at the same plant at which I had my internship I college.  They also were harvest host campers and shared some of their favorites in the area.  This brewery also is set up to do weddings and we passed along the info to Jazmine and Tony as it is 1.25hrs form Alexandria.  Had a really fun evening. not a single photo to show. 

Pennsylvania

Burnt Cabins,  Pennsylvania 

Rain continues  – no hiking today, We are headed north, planning to arrive at Mary’s  House in State College on Thursday.    We are here enjoying full hookup and pretty good Wifi at a pretty run down Ye Olde Grist Mill Campground right near the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  It was a ½ Price America Deal so only $25 it is perfect for us to catch on all our charging and communication. 

State College, PA

So nice to be seeing my oldest friend from middle school, Mary, and her husband, Bill, and Molly the sweetest dog ever. 

Her neighborhood is in midst of the incredible rhododendron land.  So green. Have never seen a rhododendron bush this big? 

The no mow May in this area must be doing the pollination trick on this bush!  By the way no mow May is help to the pollination cause during this season, and I guess you post a sign saying you are participating and you are good to get no dirty looks from the neighbors or association. Vinny didn’t have any problems here and he’s parked on the grass and a baby bunny liked to hide under him. 

St Mary’s, Pennsylvania 

Had a sweet visit with Pappy and Judy to celebrate Lizzie’s birthday !!

So nice to see them all again. til next time!!

North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania

North Carolina

Raleigh Durham

Broadslab Distillery, Benson NC

William B Umstead State Park, Durham NC

Raleigh Brewing

Duke Gardens, Durham NC

Lake Junaluska, NC

Frog Level Brewing, Waynesville, NC

North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville NC

MerleFest, Waynesboro, NC

Stone Mountain State Park, NC

Virginia

New River RV Park in Fries

Galax, Virginia

Chateau Morrisette Winery, Virginia

Floyd Country Store, Virginia

Parkway Brewing, Salem VA

Brady’s Distillery, Roanoke VA

Buzzards Rock Trail, Front Royal VA

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Multi-Use Trail

Apocalypse Ale Works, Forest VA

Humpback Rocks Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway

Shenandoah National Park, VA

Big Meadows Campground, Shenandoah NP

Stony Man Hike, Shenandoah NP

Dark Hallows Falls, Shenandoah NP

Luray Caverns, Luray Virginia

Backroom Brewery, Middleton VA

Pennsylvania

Burnt Cabins,  Pennsylvania

State College, PA

St Mary’s, Pennsylvania