Damp Yankee

The Central Carolina Paddlers took their annual Fall campout (after hearing about my great experience this Spring) at Fairystone Park near Stuart, VA. Elizabeth, Pat, Shannon and I were joined by my son Ben and his friend, Sydney. Ben and Sydney tented with me in the campground. Pat, Shannon and Elizabeth took a charming waterfront cottage with this fabulous view.

The park was created in 1936. This cabin and several others are original park buildings. I had never seen his vertical log treatment used for cabin walls before. Heavy handwrought door hinges and latches added to the charm. Despite its age, it was comfortably appointed with a fireplace insert and cozy kitchen. Newer cabins are available as well along with round canvas yurts.

It took us all a while to gather Friday night so we put a pot of chili on and sat around a blazing fire until the last arrived. On Saturday, when the morning got warm, we put in on Fairystone Lake and took off exploring.

The weather was perfect, cool and bright with a light breeze. We explored Goblintown Creek and spotted the Civil War iron furnace. We paddled the length of the lake, checking out coves Caroline and I missed the first time. Shortly before nearing the dam we caught sight of the rental cabin. We were ready for lunch when we finally got back to the cabin.

The plan was to put in at the Bowen's Creek boat ramp on Philpott Reservoir and look for the waterfall we'd seen in the Spring. So we loaded up boats and headed up Rt 57 towards Bassett. When we arrived, the boat ramp was closed for the season but the campground host there directed us to the Goose Point ramp back towards the park.

Goose Point was a trek back in the woods. Philpott is a huge lake, fingering like a tree into numerous inlets that were previously mountain coves. When we finally arrived, a light rain was falling. Not to be deterred after the effort getting there, we donned rain jackets and put in.

We paddled over two hours between bouts of light rain and drizzle. The weather was pleasantly warm and we were all appropriately dressed so we were not uncomfortable. And it was evident from the deep drop in the shoreline that southern Virginia really needed the rain. The exposed lake bed revealed vertical rock formations that split into thin layers. Ben and Shannon paddled close enough to pick up some of the flat stones and entertained us by skipping them.

The mountains get dark quickly, especially with cloud cover, so we headed back around four. We loaded up in the dry but rain fell in earnest by the time we were back at the cabin. We set up a small grill under the eaves and grilled burgers, told stories and browned a few marshmallows in the last of the coals with rain dripping around us. At this point, we were all damp and tired and ready for bed.

Our last act on Sunday was hunting for Fairystones. The rain that left us cold and damp for bed the night before was revealing treasures for us to find the next morning. Caroline and I found only a few poor examples in the Spring. This visit, everyone went home with pockets full. Elizabeth had studied and worked as a geologist. Sydney is an avid arrowhead hound, so those two had particular fun, but none of us were disappointed.

Afterwards, we gathered at the campground for lunch and then headed home. The rain held off until we were on the road though I drove home in it most of the way. The blinding stuff had the good grace to wait until I was in the house--giving me the perfect excuse for a nap before unloading.