Monday April 29, 2013

My plan for the morning was to drive to Natural Bridge, Virginia and take in "Foamhenge". A styrofoam replica of Stonehenge. Foamhenge wasn't open yet when I arrived, so I went to Natural Bridge Caverns.
I purchased the full tour ticket of the Caverns, Wax Museum, Butterfly Gardens, Natural Bridge, and all the sites along the path. As there were several tours of smaller school kids waiting to tour the caverns, I headed to the wax museum. It was interesting, but nothing exceptional, although I was mistaken for a wax figure by a middle aged lady and later by a small boy. (That has to make a person feel old... LOL)
  After the museum I visited the Butterfly Gardens. Very nice, but I didn't get any pictures. Next of to the Natural Bridge. You could take a shuttle to the path or walk from the main building. 137 steps down the path to the spot the shuttle would have dropped you.

The above picture does it n justice. If you were brave enough, you could fly a small plane through the opening.

From the back side

This was one of the sights along the path I found interesting. 

The hole the miners blasted.

Some shots of the falls. I think they would have been nicer a bit earlier in the year or later in the fall after the leaves had dropped.

Flowers along the path.

After reaching the falls and making it back to the starting point, I decided to wait for the shuttle bus rather than attempt the 137 steps back up.

Now.... off to the Caverns.

This is the only picture I took during the tour. Once again I had a private tour, with only my tour guide and BethAnn who was in training.

My next journey was to be Mayberry Motor Inn, in North Carolina. Calling ahead is always a good idea, and when I did, I found that the only rooms available were out of my budget for a simple nights sleep, so I headed to the next stop.

My plan was to camp here for the night and fish the next day. Upon arriving at 4:50 pm I found the entrance gate locked and the sign said 8:00 - 4:30 daily. 

I found a cheap motel spent the night, and now I am on my way to Gatlinburg, Tennessee to visit the Ole Smokey Moonshine Distillery. More when I have the time, and the internet connection.

Days 6 and 7 of Trip

It was a busy two days, but very enjoyable. I got to see my daughters and their families once more before the long haul of my trip, and we made the most of it. Friday evening Jennifer and Isabelle showed up and we just visited until around 10:00 pm. We got up early and had pancakes, then headed out to meet Kristy, Rob, Ella and Aubrey at Luray Caverns. We arrived there around 10:30 and took in the tour right away, and it was lucky we did. Exiting the Caverns there were long lines waiting to enter.

This was a reflecting pool that was only 3" deep. At first glance it looked like stalagtites and stalagmites.

The pool itself looked much deeper, but when you were up close you could see it was very shallow.

Ella and Isabelle enjoying the Caverns

After touring the Caverns, the girls all tried their luck at the Hedge Maze, then Jennifer and Isabelle went on what was called the Rope Tower (or something similar) For anyone who visits Luray Caverns, steer clear of this section. Isabelle was furious that she was only allowed to walk around the bottom due to her height, and Jennifer was disappointed that her section was only walking also. The pictures led us to believe there were sections to zip line and at $9 per adult and $7 per child it was no where near worth the cost.

We then took in the Car and Carriage Museum which was quite interesting in my opinion. 

This last car, a 1935 Hispano-Suiza cost $20,000 and up nearly 80 years ago. The trim running along the edge of the hood and at the top of the doors was gold plated and all the rest of the trim was German silver!!

After taking in all the sights here we headed back to the cabin. We grilled burgers and hotdogs, played outside and just before dark built a nice fire and roasted Giant Marshmallows and the girls made s'amores.

We turned in early got up Early this morning and I made blueberry pancakes and sausage for everyone. 

Rob and I took Ella and Isabelle up to the pond where they got to try out the fishing poles Grand daddy got them for Easter. They each did well and were excited by the fish they caught. Picture will follow when they are sent to me. Jenn showed up shortly after we started in time to capture the happy faces of the girls with their catches. Kristy and Rob packed up to leave by noon as they had a 4 hour drive back home that turned in to a much longer one. I feel bad they had to be on the road so long, but really enjoyed their company. 

Jenn and I packed up to be out by 1:00, and headed to Grand Caverns. 

The above rock formation was called the "hitching post" because according to the story they used to hold dances in the caverns shortly after they were discovered, and any single ladies could rest their hand on top of it to let the eligible men know they were available to be asked to dance, and several proposals came from this.

The "Rainbow Room"

Jennifer and Isabelle

Signature of William W Miles that discovered the Caverns along with many other "soldiers" who passed through during the Civil War. 

That's it for tonight, more to follow!!

Day 5 update

It was brought to my attention that my problem of not feeling the greatest could be allergies. Giving it some thought, it made a lot of sense, as my car is covered with a layer of pollen. The prescribed medication wasn't available at the Dollar General here, so I got Zyrtec. I took a pill a little over an hour ago and am feeling much better. I still have an annoying little sore spot in my throat when I swallow, but other than that, not too bad. It says drowsiness may occur, and it's either the pill or my age, (allergies just made an appearance in to my life about a year ago)  but I think a nap before my daughter and grand daughter arrive is in order.

Day Four (posted Day 5)

OK, so I missed my post yesterday. I felt kinda tired and crappy all day. Last night I got in to a small flask of emergency medicine (cinnamon schnapps) and crawled in bed right after the Penguins loss to the N.J. Devils.

That was right around 10:00 and I just woke up forty minutes ago.  So, within 12 hours, I did two things I haven't done in about a year. Drank alcohol and slept more than 8 hours. I feel like I have a touch of a sore throat, but will see how that feels after my coffee. 

This was lunch yesterday..... "trout over coleman stove" 

Was it good you ask??

OK, I need to get a few things done today, as Jennifer and Isabelle will be joining me around 4:30 - 5:00, and then Kristy, Rob, Ella and Aubrey will meet us at Luray Caverns Saturday morning. Big weekend and hopefully lots of fun.

Day Three

Woke up early this morning, had my coffee and eggs and headed out for some fishing. It was a great day of fishing, but the catching wasn't that good. I didn't get skunked, but didn't miss it by much. I think tomorrow I need to look for a new place.

 I got back to the cabin about 2:00, cleaned this 13" Brook Trout, had some soup and took a nap. Gathered up kindling for a fire so we can roast hot dogs and marshmallows when the girls and everyone comes down, (Rob, if you have access to free firewood, you could bring some along) and then got out the metal detector. Passed over a bunch of junk, and found one quarter from 1966. Nothing exciting today, but I'm guessing there will be a couple of these before I get back :)

  Could be a very early night..... bedtime seems to come earlier each day. LOL

OK, so I woke up at 7:30 this morning, (apparently I was real tired last night)
I was kind of lazy after making my first cup of coffee and Cream of Wheat, so
I moved my stuff from the bunk to the big bed, (Kristy and Rob, I'll give it up
when you get here Saturday. LOL ) then went to the pond on the campgrounds
and fished for an hour or so. (I'm thinking Gary the owner may have lied when
he said there were fish in it. haha) then came back to the cabin and made eggs
for brunch along with a second cup of coffee. Noticed that I was about out of
sugar for my coffee, so decided to search out a store.

 Have you ever noticed how fate or God has things laid out? I spied the gas
station and figured I may as well fill up with gas so I pulled in, saw the grocery
store, and decided to go there first. Located the sugar right off and headed to
the counter, but had to pick up a liter of A&W Root beer since it was on sale,
and then a box of Krispy Kreme Donut holes, just because they looked good.
Left the store and went to fill up with gas. Just as I was finishing, a guy around
my age, called from he next pump and asked if I was from the area. (He saw
my Steeler and Penguins stickers) We started to talk and it turns out he moved
here "about 20 years ago" from Pittsburgh. He then introduced himself, and saw
the look of surprise when he said his name was Alan Webb. This made our
conversation at the pumps even longer. Finally I asked if he fished, as I was
looking for some streams to try out. He said he didn't, but he just went back to
school recently and did an environmental survey on the South River, and there
were some nice pools there. He led me to the road and we talked a bit more,
and I headed up to give it a try. I caught two. The first one was about seven inches
and I returned it to the stream. Two casts later I hooked another that broke my line
just as I got out of the water.

Looks like supper tonight will be trout. 14 inches. Not bad considering I hadn't even planned on fishing when I left camp.

Skyline Caverns. This was the first time I was ever in a cavern and it was amazing!!

. 

I was honored with a private tour. Just me and Leslie (on he left) a tour guide in training

and Arianna, the tour guide on the right.

It's too bad I don't have the photography skills to do the caverns or tour guides justice.

And here is the entrance to Skyline Drive.

My plan was to drive to the first campground, pitch my tent,

get up in the morning and fish for some native Brook Trout.

That was the plan..... the first campground doesn't open until

Friday, and the other two the weekend after.

After some nice conversation with the Rangers, (one of which is from Altoona)

I headed back out and drove to Heavenly Acres Campground where I will meet

my daughters and their families this weekend. After finding out the temp was to 

drop to 42 degrees tonight, I was given the cabin I had reserved for a fraction of

the going rate. Gary, the owner, said it was the least he could do for a fellow "Gary".

All in all, a fun first day, even if it didn't go as planned. My bed is made, my breakfast

and coffee are waiting for morning to come, so I'm off to bed.

Left home on Friday evening, 19th of April, sunny and warm. Looking forward to this trip.

Arrived in Mechanicsburg about 2 hours later. Windy, raining, and hurricane warnings. Went to Bass Pro the next day to pick up a kayak. Chilly and windy when I left Saturday afternoon.

Arrived in Jefferson Maryland around 5:00 PM .... still cold, where is the warmer weather of Spring?

Sunday morning, on my way to Virginia! Surely it will be warmer there. 

As you can see, still wearing my jacket and getting ready to head out Monday morning for Front Royal, VA. and Skyline Drive. I'm just a little concerned about how chilly it's going to be in the mountains, but still pumped about the trip! I'm hoping to get some trout fishing in Tue., Wed. and Thursday before heading to Heavenly Acres Campground where I'll meet my daughters and their families for a weekend of  cave exploring and other fun!

On my way!!! Monday morning 10:40 AM