Virginia Mountain Dreams

Pocahontas, Virginia – Between Two Hills

Gary Boyd — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:48:29 +0000

I really like what Dan Traveling puts out on video. His travel shorts are just enough to whet your appetite for a visit on your own while his documentaries give you in depth looks at parts of the country you would probably miss.

Here is a video from last year he did about the history of Pocahontas, Virginia.

Pocahontas is a town in Tazewell County, Virginia, named for the Algonquian Native American princess Pocahontas. The population was 441 at the 2000 census… Pocahontas was the location of the start of this region’s coal boom with a spur line that launched the Norfolk and Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern) into national prominence during the 1880s. The large two-state coal region bears the town’s name. Pocahontas was also the birthplace of jazz pianist Teddy Weatherford.

via Pocahontas, Virginia – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

This post Pocahontas, Virginia – Between Two Hills appeared first at Virginia Mountain Dreams

Top 5 places to see fall foliage – WDBJ 7

Gary Boyd — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:18:31 +0000

There’s nothing quite like autumn in southwest and central Virginia. As the colors unfold across the region, we wanted to know where you like to go and catch the fall foliage. Here are the top answers along with a few more extras you suggested.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

You can tell the leaf-peepers from the rest of those traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. They are the ones going 10 miles below the speed limit and stopping off at every overlook to catch a better glimpse. Why not? That’s what the stretch of highway is for.

No two trips are the same. Whether you’re going to the Peaks of Otter or Mabry Mill, the most photographed landmark along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll always find colorful foliage and perhaps even bear or deer along the way.

via Top 5 places to see fall foliage – wdbj7.com.

The rest of the list:

ROUTE 311 (Catawba to Paint Bank)
ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS (Route 39)
ROUTE 221 (Bent Mountain to Floyd)
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE

More of the states favorites are:

Mill Mountain and the former Explore Park
Interstate 77 between the two tunnels heading towards Bluefield
Lock Haven Lake Club
Alleghany Springs Road, from Check to Shawsville
Carvins Cove
Burkes Garden, Virginia
New River Trail State Park
Route 51 from Wytheville to Big Walker Mountain
Skyline Drive
Route 220 north from Fincastle to Iron Gate

This post Top 5 places to see fall foliage – WDBJ 7 appeared first at Virginia Mountain Dreams

Floyd Farmers Market Thank You

Gary Boyd — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:44:07 +0000

I had this in my email this morning and thought I would pass it along.

Anyone out and about this Saturday around Floyd might want to take the opportunity to stop by the Floyd Farmers Market to enjoy a little fall fun and stock up on winter veggies…

The Floyd Farmers Market is held each Saturday from 9am – 1pm, May thru December. The Community Market Pavillion in downtown Floyd is the home of the market.

It hasn’t been my pleasure yet to be in Floyd during a a Market day…But it is on my list of must -dos.

The market is a project of Sustain Floyd.

Created in 2009, SustainFloyd is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that assists the community of Floyd County, Virginia in sustainable, local growth. Our vision is a mix of the past and the future – meaning we work to develop new ideas that will support the next generation of our rural community, while preserving our local traditions and history.

But we can’t support the growth of our community’s next generation alone, which is why we work closely with local and state governments and agencies, local businesses, like-minded non-profits and local citizens. Together we can find ways to develop the financial and ecological health of our community for the well-being of all citizens of Floyd County. But we also join with other communities throughout the region and around the globe to model new ways of living on, working in, and caring for the world around us.

SustainFloyd.org

This post Floyd Farmers Market Thank You appeared first at Virginia Mountain Dreams

Peaks of Otter lodges fate uncertain | JournalNow.com

Gary Boyd — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:12:29 +0000

I doesn’t seem like it was two years ago that this story first started breaking. The two year extension that has kept the Lodge open is about to run out and a new concessionaire has yet to be found.

BEDFORD, Va. –There are many words Shirley Barlow could use to describe her affection for the Peaks of Otter Lodge in Bedford County, a getaway spot off the Blue Ridge Parkway she calls a “little touch of heaven.”

But theres only one she can think of when pondering the possibility of its doors closing for good: “heartbroken.”

“We feel like so many others who have frequented the Peaks, breathed in its fresh mountain air, felt rejuvenated and invigorated, observed its natural beauty. There would be a great loss and a shame to let it sit there and deteriorate,” said Barlow, who often visits from Fredericksburg. “Its a part of Virginia that would be greatly missed.”

The National Park Services 63-room lodge, restaurant, gift shop and country store at Milepost 86 of the parkway is set to close in late November. Laura Nelson, a concession specialist for the park service, said a contract with the Virginia Peaks of Otter Company ends on Nov. 30 and will not be renewed.

via Peaks of Otter lodges fate uncertain | JournalNow.com.

This post Peaks of Otter lodges fate uncertain | JournalNow.com appeared first at Virginia Mountain Dreams

Another Floyd County Video

Gary Boyd — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:52:32 +0000

From Doug Thompson, a fall tribute…

Go check out his blog for more videos…

This post Another Floyd County Video appeared first at Virginia Mountain Dreams