A Weekend West

 

Crossing the New River

Thanks to very unpleasant weather and the Delta Variant, there hasn't been much out of the house activity around here and certainly not camping. When it's too muggy and hot to be outdoors, camp motivation is really low. We do have a couple of long trips booked across the next couple of months now that it's getting cooler and kids are back in school. So we decided it had been long enough we really needed another practice run. And we wanted to experiment with rethinking how we pack and what we take with us on a long haul. We agreed to meet up with a friend of Ruthie's in Boone (named after who else but explorer Daniel) and enjoy the Boone Greenway and the Moses Cone Memorial Park. 

According to traillink.com, "Boone Greenway is a hidden gem in the town of Boone, and each step traveled takes one across different settings, with nature, history and culture all on display. The trail traverses the town, winding, curving and looping as it follows the course of the New River." We saw leaves turning, fall wild flowers, deer very accustomed to people, and the first

Boone's first power plant

hydroelectric facility in the area operated by a rope-driven generator and operating until 1924. 

The morning was wonderfully mild--we'd slept with the heater on--a blissful change from most of the summer--and started out with jackets on. We saw a mother deer with her two young'uns walking along the path not scared of all the walkers, dogs and bicycles. We ended up traveling about 3 miles before deciding it was time for lunch. 

Ambling as we did

Ruthie's friend, Sarah, caught this picture of a deer enjoying the morning as much as we were.

After lunch, we were ready for more exploring. Ruthie had never visited the original Mast General Store in Valle Crusis. Versions of it are now located all across North Carolina but the original, built in 1883, is worth the incredibly winding roads to visit. It is still the local post office and coffee is available for 5cents on the honor system. In addition to clothing, shoes, toys, country decorations, cast iron cookware and other country treats, they offer over 500 varieties of old-fashioned candy.

1883 Mast General Store

Get your mail here

Nails and screws

Cozy up in the winter

From here, we headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Moses Cone Memorial Park. Moses Cone was a wealthy textile magnate, owner of Cone Mills, the world's largest denim manufacturer in it's day, and located in Greensboro. He was also an invalid and for his health, spent time in a lovely mountain top home which is now part of the National Parkway. His hobby was designing carriage trails on this estate which are still enjoyed by hikers and horseback riders. Thirty years ago, (it seems hard to say this!) Greg and I brought our horses to a stable at the park's edge. We rented a cute ski cottage on Beach Mountain nearby and spent two days riding the carriage trails. Unbeknownst at the time, we apparently brought home a daughter. I don't think I've been back in 30 years and the memories were sweet. The house is currently under renovation. It is also one of the outlets for the Southern Highlands Handcraft Guild and it was fun to see the current work of area craftsmen. 

Cone Summer Home

Cone's view of the Blue Ridge

Craft Gallery

Sarah had helped us with a lovely bonfire the night before but had obligations that carried her home. We enjoyed her company and missed her the second evening. That said, we'd walked enough we were ready for an early bedtime. We were pretty amazed at how much we'd forgotten in three months and how much more effectively we could pack when we got thoughtful and creative. We have some real miles ahead starting next week. Stay tuned. We are headed to Amish Country then down to Tybee Island, GA and a wandering loop back north before heading home. And maybe, Rte 66 after that. Fingers crossed!

Fire expert, Sarah!