Hungry Mother Kildeer

Camp life

 Ruthie had not been to Hungry Mother park in Virginia. I had not been with the new trailer. Virginia parks are lovely but full of rocks marking campsite boundaries. I damaged the Scamp on one and requested a pull through site this time. The pull through was cramped and narrow. I love this park and made a point of putting a list of more easily navigable sites on my phone for a return trip. That said, camp life here is sweet and we had a great time.

First things first, we hit the town for lunch and a new battery for my failing cell phone. I saw these interesting lights made from "found objects" and sent a picture to Ben and Sydney who are currently creating "found object" art and craft for an upcoming shop.

Our next stop was the friendly folks at the local Verizon store in Marion, Virginia. I was informed by their friendly staff that I could reduce my bill AND get a free phone. So I did (I think). $200 in accessories and fees later...It is a nice phone. And the fellow helping us was great. 

Having taken care of business, we were free to explore. There are lots of lovely places to walk, in the park and also along the nearby Virginia Creeper Trail. We've done it on bikes from Damascus, Virginia but decided to trek a bit on foot this time. GPS directed us to the trail and left us at an access point behind a local shopping center. There were picnic tables, where we enjoyed a snack, that overlooked both the trail and a lovely river beside it. The Virginia Creeper refers to a local train from days gone by as this is a rails to trails project. Our walk took us through some abandoned industrial sites but mostly through woods and along the river as far as we walked. 

We took narrow back roads home through quaint, old Virginia farming communities replete with the interesting abandoned buildings that suggest their history. 

There are, of course, lovely places to walk in the park. Our favorite is the loop around the lake. An island in the lake is home to a small outdoor amphitheater. In addition to campsites and cabins, there are interesting picnic shelters to rent. Tent sites are on platforms extending out from the hillsides. There is a restaurant with a lovely setting for reunions are receptions. There is even a small conference center. 

If you are into motorcycles or sports cars, The Back of the Dragon begins just past the park entrance on Rt 16 towards Tazwell. Eleven miles of impressive curves and more impressive views, if you dare look. This aerial view is from The Back of the Dragon website. As there was no alternative way back, we did it twice. There is a lovely pull out on top. The views really are spectacular, my picture does not do it justice.

But the highlight of the trip was to be found at the lake beach. A mother Kildeer had laid 4 speckled and well hidden eggs (see if you can find them). She did an elaborate injured bird dance for some time trying to lure us away. We were so charmed by her maneuvers we did not leave as quickly as we might have. I hope she got a nap afterwards. She certainly earned it.

Ruthie had also not seen The Churches of the Frescoes in West Jefferson, NC and Glendale Springs, NC. Ben Long trained as a fresco artist in Italy after his military service in Viet Nam. He came home looking for a place to begin a new career. A motorcycle riding Episcopal priest was trying to revive two failing mountain congregations. He offered Long a place in his sanctuaries to exhibit his talents. Long has become a celebrated artist and the two congregations and the communities around them now thrive.

Church at Glendale Springs

Very glad to be safely home and contemplating our next adventure! And I wiggled out of our narrow site without any damage.