Biking in Lynchburg

Last week we stopped in downtown, waterfront Lynchburg to eat lunch while passing through. There were bicycles passing by on a trail just outside the restaurant. Upon further investigation, it turns out Lynchburg has a first class trail system, through town, along the James River and beyond. About 10 miles are paved. An old RR tunnel is lighted. Two trestles connect Lynchburg to Percival Island and the far side of James River. I watched canoes and kayaks negociate some easy rapids from one trestle.

The downtown area is going through some renovation, especially riverfront. Lynchburg is an active railroad town. I saw several trains run along the river during my short visit.

Tinker Cliffs, McAfee Knob and a snake

What a gorgeous day to hike. Normally, a mid July hike would be a hot and humid death march but not today. Dry, breezy and moderate temperatures made this wonderful afternoon with the Piedmont Hikers. Just north of Roanoke we accessed the AT via an approach trail passing through overgrown horse and cow pasture gradually working our way up. About noon we reached the Tinker Cliffs, a series of rock outcropping affording expansive views of the valley below and nearby tectonic disruptions neatly forming many small ridges and valleys.

From here it was a nice walk along the AT to McAfee Knob where we disturbed this slumbering serpent. Eventually the snake slithered into a crack below a rock and disappeared. More great views here, south and Roanoke.

Along the way we saw numerous Indian Pipes. One of which I examined and noticed a pink tint. After a bit of google research, I don't think this was Pine Sap as it just didn't have enough pink. There were also 2 great examples of the orange/yellow polypore known as "chicken of the woods".

Again, it was a great afternoon and hike.

Thornburg Farm in the Uwharries

About 15 years ago, the National Forest Service acquired the Thornburg farm and property, adding a piece to the Birkhead Wilderness. Today is the farm is slightly overgrown but still maintained. The front field contains sunflowers, an unusual sight for this area.

I met several hikers from the Bear Creek Hiking club for a short 4 mile out and back on the Thornburg Trail. As we passed through the last field into the wood, the trail turns right off the timber road for a short loop passing an outcropping and back to the timber road. One of the fellows inquired as to why the trail went here. Our hike leader replied it was probably routed up to these rocks. That was just what I intended 15 years ago.

Biking on the Montour Trail

The Montour Trail is a multi-use trail, eventually connecting the Pittsburgh airport to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. On this ride, with my cycling buddy, Jim, we started at the Ohio River in Coraopolis and rode 22 miles to the small town of Venice. The start was packed with all sorts of folks out enjoying the trail but as we moved on, the crowd thinned and we were alone for much of the ride. The highlights of this section is the McDonald Trestle and the Enlow Tunnel. I look forward to continueing on this trail someday.

Fallingwater

After our bicycle ride on the GAP, we took an extended tour of Frank Lloyd Wright designed Fallingwater.

The tour took over 2 1/2 hours and covered the entire house and guest house. Wright designed this house right over a waterfall, making it the focal point of the home. He focused on common living spaces in the home. Other areas like bedrooms and the kitchen are very nice but are built more for function. Another Wright trademark is the obscure main entrance, designed to draw no attention.

More Fallingwater photos

A short ride on the Great Allegheny Passage

A couple years I bicycled on the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) from Cumberland to Confluence and back. So, this ride was a short continuation from Confluence to Ohiopyle and back. The rain held off for the most part and it was a great ride. The trail follows the Youghiogheny River the entire way. It was a heavily used section of the river. We saw many rafts and kayaks in the river. One large group of kayakers looked to be quite young.

The ride was primarily through Ohiopyle State Park and thus, no development. Once in the town of Ohiopyle, there is a restored railroad station, a number of snack shacks and small restaurants. Sounds and looks wonderful but I had one of the worst and overpriced meals at the Ohiopyle House Cafe. The trail continues over the Youghiogheny River twice in about a 1/4 mile yet the river actually travels several miles in hugh loop here. We stopped on the second trestle and watched rafts negociate a tricky rapid one by one.

More Photos of this ride

Slow Food

This fellow is enjoying a nice meal.

Moore's Knob Lookout Tower renovated

One of the best views in this area is on Moore's Knob in Hanging Rock State Park. A stone observation tower gets one up above the few trees on the rock outcropping. The view is spectacular in all directions. Pilot Mountain rises in the west about 40 miles away.

The stone tower has just gone through a renovation. The deck on top has been re-floored and stairs sport a new paint job. Poison ivy still climbs the side - be careful not brush against it on the staircase.

From forest floor to frying pan

One of the most common and most easily identifiable mushroom is the chanterelle. Dried out, damaged ones sell for $25-$28 at high end grocery stores like Whole Foods and Wegman's. However, here in the woods behind our house they are considerably better looking and cheaper. Pick them a few days after a big summer rain and they will be succulent and bright. Eventually they will dry out and crack and fall apart. That's they way they look in the store.

Little River Trail in GSMNP

Nanci and I walked this popular trail almost to its dead end at campsite 30. It is named Little River Trail for obvious reasons, it follows alongside the river for its entire distance. The path itself was once the railbed for the Little River Lumber Co when they cut this section of the park just prior to it becoming a park. On the return, we walked Cucumber Gap Trail to make a little loop at the end.

Three wise men visit Wiseman's View

I traveled with my buddies, Allen and Dan along the bumpy gravel road bordering the west side of Linville Gorge Wilderness. It takes about 30 minutes to travel the several miles to Wiseman's View. The spot has been an attraction for many years and over the years many folks have camped and picnicked here. Today there is a paved access trail to the view. Long ago, someone built 2 stone stairways leading down to two stone fence enclosures to view the gorge below. It is a spectacular sight. The Linville River is far below with Shortoff, Table Rock and Hawksbill mountains on the other side of the gorge.

A second visit to the Tanawha Trail

Within a few days of my last Tanawha hike, I got to visit again. This time it was just a short walk from the Linn Cove Viaduct visitors center. The walk was to a long footbridge constructed over a rocky ravine within sight of part of the viaduct. This area was the last part of the Blue Ridge Parkway to be built and is adjacent to Grandfather Mountain.

A visit to Rafaldini

Rafaldini is my wife's favorite winery. I can't ever even hint at one being better. Anyway, we think they have done an outstanding job recreating a Tuscanesque setting to this part of North Carolina. The view from the villa is outstanding. The villa itself is gorgeous. They have constructed a winding walkway through their garden. Every visitor must enter and exit along this path. The one dinner we attended here was innovative, wonderfully orchastrated and just a delight to participate in.