autumn on the creeper trail

When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing. Sometimes you just need to relax, breathe, let go and live in the moment. 
--Unknown.

Above: The rain didn't stop people from enjoying autumn on the Virginia Creeper Trail. :) Leaves are near peak in the Mount Rogers/Grayson Highlands area. I'll be posting more pics of my trip this week.

Here's a somewhat grainy and shaky 'hyperlapse' I took of driving through the Mt. Rogers Recreation Area. What a fun app! Hard to believe, but I was driving slowly (and yes, mom, safely) -- the app speeds everything up and stabilizes the final video as well. You can see that fall is progressing very nicely in southwest Virginia!

The Tavern

The Tavern in historic Abingdon, VA , constructed in 1779, is the town's oldest building and among the oldest west of the Blue Ridge. It began as a stagecoach stop, inn, and tavern. Over the years it served a number of other uses, including post office, barber shop, bank and bakery. It even served as a hospital for wounded Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War. Today it continues to welcome visitors as a restaurant. Click here to visit the website.

There is nothing yet which has been contrived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern.
--Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English author

reviving its echoes

White's Mill, near Abingdon, VA, was built in the 1790s and continued its water-powered milling operations until 1989. With community support, it's currently undergoing renovations. Here is the web site with more information, directions and hours listed.

History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days.
--Winston Churchill

From Rails to Trails

Here is one of the forty-seven trestles found along the Virginia Creeper Trail. This particular structure is found in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area outside of Damascus, Virginia. The Creeper Trail, created from a section of an old railroad line, stretches thirty-four miles from the VA/NC border to Abingdon, VA. Click here to read an interesting account of the difficult transition from "rails to trails." Because of it's gentle grade, the trail is very popular with hikers and bicyclists, and boasts over 100,000 visitors per year. Click here for more info from the VA Creeper Trail Club.

Looking back: new favorites

Wow. There've been lots of discoveries in 2007 and thousands of miles logged in search of the best this region has to offer with my friend Lee of "From these Hills" fame. In this post, I've tried to pick my favorite 2007 discoveries from Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. Like I said yesterday, picking favorites is always tough -- but there is one fairly objective way to decide -- that is, which places do you find yourself going back to again and again. [click the links below for additional photos, information, and directions]

1. Northeast TN: Sill Branch Falls. Once we get some more rain, you can bet I'll be heading back to Sill Branch in the Clark's Creek area of Unicoi County. It's convenient to Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville -- and a fairly short and easy hike. Above is a shot from last spring. (BTW, the final tally on the rain deficit for 2007: 18.94 inches)

2. Western NC: Bass Lake. For those from the Blowing Rock area of NC, you're probably rolling your eyes at me. Bass Lake doesn't seem like a tough one to discover -- but you'd be surprised. I had been to Blowing Rock dozens and dozens of times and driven right past all the horse trailers along the road, and never thought to venture in. I've asked some friends who are always going to Blowing Rock and Boone for shopping, if they'd ever been or heard of Bass Lake... nope. So, I'm glad I'm not the only one! Bass Lake has become a regular stop on our tours of western North Carolina -- it's always a beautiful walk at the end of the day. Here's a shot from October.

3. Southwest Virginia: Virginia Creeper Trail. Again, this is one of the best known destinations in our region of Appalachia. But for all the talk of the Creeper Trail, I'm embarrassed to say that in over 12 years of living here, I never checked it out until this fall. It's an amazing treasure -- and needs to be at the top of everyone's list for '08.

I appreciate all the kind comments and the supportive emails I've received this past year -- they really mean a lot. I have to say my favorite ones are from those who say, 'I read your blog and followed your directions and ventured out!' That's really what this is all about for me -- pointing the way and encouraging everyone who lives or visits this region to get out and explore. This has been a great year of discovery for me -- I feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country -- and I can't wait to see what's around the bend in 2008!

Happy New Year!

Martha Washington Inn

Built in 1832 as a private residence, this elegant building, located in Abingdon, Virginia, has seen much history and many uses. "The Martha" has been home to a finishing school for young ladies, a hospital for wounded Civil War soldiers, a woman's college, and finally it was turned into the stately hotel it is today. Through all the changes, the history, the architectural detail, the antique furnishings and its charm have all been well-preserved. If you look closely, you'll see the horse drawn carriage to the left in the photo. Click here for more history and hotel information.

Barter Theatre

Since its founding in 1933, Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA has entertained and enriched Appalachia. The theatre building you see above was built in 1831 as a Presbyterian Church. Later, it was used as a town hall, a fire station, and as a jail. But for the last 75 years, the building has been home to the premier theatre of our region. The name comes from its origin during the Great Depression when theatre patrons could barter their way in by bringing 40 cents worth of produce. Even today, the Barter holds true to this heritage by offering one performance a year in return for donations to an area food bank. Click the link above to read about their current and upcoming shows, performance schedules and to find directions.

Where history and community meet

White's Mill, located 4.2 miles north of Abingdon, VA, has a history dating back to the 1790s. A local group has purchased the property, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and is restoring the mill to operational condition. The group also holds community events, offers guided tours, and operates a general store across the road filled with all things Appalachia. Click here for directions.

Virginia Creeper Trail

This is one of the best and most popular outdoor recreation destinations in our area. The 34 mile Creeper Trail runs along an old railroad bed from Abingdon through Damascus ending near the North Carolina line at Whitetop, VA. While it is popular with hikers and horseback riders, it is as a biking destination that it is best known. There are bike rental shops in both Damascus and Abingdon -- and even shuttle outfits that will bus you to the top of the trail at Whitetop so you can ride downhill for 17 miles (2.5 to 3 hours) to your car in Damascus. Click here for more information and maps. [Above is a view from the Abingdon trail head -- click to enlarge.]

Crossing the Line

My thanks to those who have written to me wondering, will you ever cross the line and trek into the Old Dominion State? In the coming week I'll show some scenes from my trip today to beautiful Abingdon, Virginia. And I hope to venture back soon to explore more of southwest Virginia. If you have some favorite places you'd like to recommend, I'd appreciate it if you'd please leave a comment below or send me an email!

The above photo is from the unique city (or cities) of Bristol, TN/VA. I'd be surprised if there is another city in America where the state line runs right through the center of main street (known as "State Street" in Bristol). To recognize this unique arrangement, brass plates, like the one above, are embedded in the middle of the road. Besides this straddling of the state line, Bristol is also known for the "World's Fastest Half-Mile" at the Bristol Motor Speedway and as "The Birthplace of Country Music."