July and August Trips

In July and again in August we went back to Virginia to ride the New River Trail, a 57 mile rail-to-trail in the southwestern Virginia mountains. http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/newriver.htm

We stayed a week each time in Allisonia, VA. In July we stayed in a cabin where we could take our bikes down the driveway right to the trail. In August we stayed in a cottage where we had stayed before. From it we could go about a half-mile to a trail-head. Both the cabin and cottage were booked through http://www.southwestvirginiacabin.com

This trip was the fourth time we had stayed at one of their cottages/cabins. The facilities are always clean, with everything you would need for a comfortable stay. We are going back in March and will stay at the cottage again.

This is the cottage. We have stayed here three times. I think it is our favorite place to stay when traveling. All of the cottages are non-smoking.

These trips were two-fold. The main reason for going was the New River Trail and biking. The second reason for going was to look for property to build our house in the future. We plan on spending as much time as we can biking and hiking in Virginia, and this part of the state has it all.

The first day there we arrived at about 4 in the afternoon, unloaded the car, went to the grocery store in Pulaski, VA. When we returned we went on an evening bike ride on the trail. We went about 10-12 mile round trip. It was fabulous. The next day we drove to Fries, VA (mile 45.0) and rode from there to Buck Dam (mile 34) and back, about 22 miles round trip. Near Billesby dam (mile 37.4) Angel got a flat tire. This is one time I forgot to bring a tire pump. We borrowed one from a man that worked at the dam. We would ride a mile, pump-up the tire, ride a mile, and so on for the eight miles we had left to ride. The next day we got the tube replaced. The pictures below are from that ride.

These are two barns we saw from the trail near Fries (pronounced Freeze).

This guy was sunning himself on the trail. He slithered off after we stopped to get a photograph of him. He is a little blurry but he has his 15 minutes of fame.

This is the bridge at Fries Junction. From here you can go to Galax or Fries or continue on to Pulaski

Here is Angel on the bridge. You can tell she is having a blast. The weather was perfect and the scenery was beautiful. If you ever get a chance to go to this part of the country, and you like outdoor recreation, you are in for a treat. Also the fishing and canoeing/rafting are supposed to be good.

Buck dam at mile 37.3.

In the mornings we would go on little trips in the area to different small towns, in the afternoons we would be on the trail. We averaged between 20 and 25 miles a day biking on the NRT. The trail has mile markers and is well maintained. Allisonia is about the 12-13 mile point on the trail. It depends on where you start in Allisonia.

This is Angel on the Hiwassee River Bridge, at mile 10.2

There are two tunnels on the New River Trail, three major bridges and 30 other bridges and trestles. Every day we were on the trail we saw deer, and old structures associated with the railroad.

This is another trestle on the trail, between Allisonia and Pulaski. Pulaski is the starting point of the trail, although the trail starts about two miles from the old railroad station. The state plans to complete this section soon.

The caboose is located at Foster Falls, mile 24, where the park maintains a visitor's center. Here you can get trail snacks, water and other drinks, and shirts, hats, and information on the trail.

This is the tunnel at mile 40.3, and the McAdam Trestle at mile 3.8

This is another picture of the Hiwassee River Bridge. The building is part of a plant, the Hiwassee Color Factory. The plant has since burned, but is being rebuilt. I will have new pictures this July when we go back. This was taken from the Hiwassee River Bridge. An interesting note, Crayola has a color called Hiwassee Gold in reference to the pigment factory.

We plan on making many return trips to the New River Trail and Southwestern Virginia.