Detour - through the fog

Sept 23

A morning of sleeping in, relaxing then deciding to pack up and continue on. Rocky Knob mile marker 168 campground, loop C spot 19, shout-out! A pleasant sleep filled night in the woods, with a bit of room for Loki to run around. A bit of rain here and there, but nothing limiting. Overall, a great spot, especially without a bear sighting, as bear storage lockers peppered the campground.

We left the grounds at 10ish am and we're immediately perplexed as we were trying to figure out why a dozen painters were lined up at the overlook. Their easels out, ready with rain gear attire, and a brush. The heavily fog induced overlook, at that. We drove along and continued on seeing one after another of painters sprinkled throughout the parkway. 

Firstly stopping at Mabrys Mill. A known spot for it's picturesque mill with surrounding foilage, which the wheel still spinning. All of this caught by more painters. We found out that this was an event those from all over the state attend. Where they all paint parts of the Parkway. We took the trail around the mill and couldn't help myself to get a tourist shirt of the spot.

After Loki once again being complimented by numerous others, unbeknownst to him of course, we parted ways with the mill and continued on through the heavily dense fog. Shortly after, checked out the Mayberry-trading post. We scored homemade delicious banana bread and some candies to treat the dreary fog woes.

Leaving the post and pushing on, the overlooks caked in cloud. Every so often some sun shone in allowing to up the pace and see the beautiful heavy green, mixed yellow, and red blanketing the landscape. Virginia is for 'mountain' lovers. 

The Blue Ridge Music Center at mile marker 213, gave insight via exhibit and volunteers playing sounds of the past along the BRP. String instruments mainly fiddle and banjo, vocals, blasted on with various artists were displayed. A US Bark Ranger tag was acquired, to celebrate pets and their discovery/adventure of national parks with their owners.

Liz inquired the real Park Ranger about the upcoming detour, which navigated us around the Parkway starting at mile marker 217.

We left the parkway and shortly after onto a scenic byway with 55mph roads winding through hills. We stopped back in the park and backtracked to check out the camping arrangements near Doughton Park at the aforementioned named campground. The heavy fog ever present without a soul in sight. Not one of the spots were taken, as we followed suit and continued on. Backtracking off the Parkway, onto the detour.

We took the opportunity for the daily restock, eat up, gas up in the local town of SPARTA. No roman fighters here, but a local with the gnarliest mullet I've ever laid eyes upon riding by on a bmx bike. Meanwhile a toothless local took their chance on getting to know Liz a bit better.

The detoured roads, gorgeous and still engaging, led us back to the Parkway. Focused corners, deer in the road, and a rough pothole and we arrived at our home for the night. Located at mile marker 297, is Julian Price Memorial Park campground, which was an owner of land 4200 acres purchased to be used as retreat for his employees. Prices heirs stating the natural beauty, in his rememberance, gifting the land to the Parkway.

We drove around, found a first come/first serve sight. Slid the cash into an envelope with our camping details and placed into a locked box. We ventured to our spotted out site, to be dumped on, by a passing thunderstorm. Once the rain slowed, we strategically exited the car and upon investigating our site...the tent pad was flooded out. We moved to another site, also with a flooded pad, and set up in the leaves instead. As time was of the essence, to maintain the comfort of being dry.

We quickly put up the tent, played in the rain (Loki rolled in mud), cooked and headed in as darkness took over the campground. Shortly after, rain pelting the area. Warm and dry, finding appreciation,as the rainflys protecting us. The sound too good not to drift off....