One Old Rooster and The Cackling Hens


Oh for a shower!  After 2 nights camping without services, last evening’s campground with services was welcome as anyone within 15 feet of us would probably have attested to.  (I am sure that kind of information is a highlight of the blog!)

After getting a little bit turned around this morning and having trouble finding our way onto the Parkway (we actually ended up on a bloody expressway…it seems Sue’s map reading skills abandoned her this morning), we stopped and wandered around the Mabry Mill.  This grist mill was built over a hundred years ago and during the summer grinds corn meal for demonstration purposes.  The Mabry’s also ran a sawmill, a wheelwright shop and a blacksmith shop.  It was nice to see a little bit of agricultural history, though we have to admit, where corn or anything else was grown in the hills around there is beyond our comprehension.

Or next stop was the Blue Ridge Music Center.  This area of Virginia has a rich history of mountain folk music and dance.  The fiddle, banjo, and guitar welcomed us to the center and yes, I actually stayed and listened to a few songs played by a band that called themselves the Old Rooster and the Cackling Hens.  The facility houses a museum but most impressive was the outdoor amphitheatre which is massive.  Summerfolk would kill for this facility.

We are camping just outside of Boone North Carolina…yes we have left Virginia behind… in a KOA Kampground (no that is not a spelling mistake).  Tomorrow we are going to take a ‘down’ day.  Besides, we really need to do some laundry!

Distance Traveled = 243 km.  Wildlife Sightings = Deer, Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Phoebe, Red Tailed Hawk, Goldfinches, Eastern Bluebird, Chipping Sparrow.


Mabry Mill


Sorghum Molasses Evaporator



Blue Ridge Music Centre Amphitheatre


The Old Rooster and the Cackling Hens




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