December 2006 - January 2007

We took a winter trip to Southwestern Virginia, leaving December 27th and returning January 2nd. We went back to the cottage in Allisonia, VA, where we stay when we ride the New River Trail. This was our fifth stay at the cottage. It is always clean and neat. All of Tom and Paige's cottages and cabins are good places to stay. Their website is http://www.southwestvirginiacabin.com

This time we left the bikes at home and walked the trail, going to different sections each time. Here is Angel at mile marker 13, just down from Allisonia Station.

 

 

 

 

The purpose of the trip was to look at different places in the New River Valley area where we would like to move after retirement. We also wanted to do a lot of hiking and some photography. We tried some late afternoon and after sunset shots. One evening we walked out on the Hiwassee Bridge, a bridge on the New River bike trail. This was about 30 minutes after sunset.

The Hiwassee bridge at dusk.

 

These are some photos taken from the bridge after sunset.  
Angel took the shot on the left, mine was the one on the right. It is a little blurry due to the wind which tended to vibrate the tripod. However, it was fun just being out there. In this instance the pictures were secondary. I think hers turned out well. I like the mood she has in the photo. The water had some ripples on it due to the wind, but the long exposure blurred them and gave the water that ethereal look. She had a 15 second exposure at f20.0, 70mm focal length using a 70-300mm Nikon lens.

One of the days we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at various overlooks, and historic sites. One was the Orlean Hawks Puckett cabin. the description of her significance in the region is given below. Here is Angel taking a photo of the cabin.

Region: Blue Ridge Highlands
Locality: Carroll County

Milepost 189.9, Blue Ridge Parkway
Laurel Fork, VA 24352

Visitors traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway must visit the Puckett Cabin at Milepost 189.9 in Carroll County. The site is a preserved log home, with rail fencing, that was the last home of Orlean Hawks Puckett (1844-1939). Puckett was a mid-wife who helped assist with the delivery of over 1,000 babies from 1890-1939. The site helps to interpret and preserve the folk life and folklore of the region. The site is located 9.6 miles from the parkway access point at Fancy Gap (near Interstate 77).

 

We also went to Mabry Mill, the most photographed site on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Most people photograph it during the spring and summer. We have photographed it in the winter, this trip, and a dusk on a previous trip. Here are a few photos of the mill.  

We also visited several towns in the New River Valley, Pulaski, VA. being the one closest to our cottage. This is the Episcopal Church in Pulaski.  

We think the church has a nice look. One shot is Angel's, one is mine. I won't say which is which.

 

 

We will be going back to Virginia in May, July, and August of this year. It is a great state to visit.