From Pilot Mountain to Mabry Mill

On our recent excursion to Grassy Creek

Cabooses near Fancy Gap, Virginia, we

took in all kinds of sights along the way.

Here is the famed Pilot Mountain, on

Highway 52 between Winston-Salem and

Mount Airy.

Pilot Mountain stands as a lone sentinel of

the mountains, gazing out on the flatlands

to the south and east.

This massive stone monolith has attracted

people to it from ancient times, and it still

beckons to travelers, "Come on up; you'll

be glad you did!"

These travelers were certainly glad we stopped.

It's fun to see what folks along the rural 

roads and state highways do to draw looks

from passing motorists.  This giant spider

made me think of Halloween-- and

The Hobbit, of course.

Produce stands are abundant through the

mountains.  Here we got a steal on some

late-season tomatoes.  At an old farmhouse

near our caboose we bought some old-

fashioned Maggie Bowman apples, perfect for

 all kinds of baked recipes.  Or just for eating.

I can't deny that a highlight of our trip was

the fantastic food.  The Hungry Farmer had

such an irresistible country buffet, we ate

two dinners and one breakfast there.

The first night featured fried chicken and 

pork chops, an array of fresh vegetables, a

 great salad bar, and the best fatback I've ever

 tasted.  You can also order from the menu.

The buffet was only $7.75! Can you believe it?

The second night was a dollar more for the

seafood buffet, with catfish, white fish, shrimp,

hushpuppies, plus ALL the stuff they had the

previous night. I wish our places at home could

offer such quality at those prices.  You can

find the Hungry Farmer on Facebook.

These three crosses were in a cornfield across 

the road from the restaurant.  They are a 

familiar sight through this region for traveler.

It's no coincidence we visitors often refer to

the mountains as "God's Country."

One stop we had looked forward to was

Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We suspected it would be closed because

of the Federal shutdown (boo) and we were

right.  However, because there was no gate,

the outdoor exhibitions were on display as

usual.  The mill and gift shop were closed.

We leisurely toured the grounds and had a

refreshing visit.

Mabry Mill is the most photographed spot

on the entire parkway.

Jack particularly enjoyed the old tools

and structures which were placed all around.

The wooden sluice carries stream water to

the mill's huge water wheel.

These millstones are typical of those used

for grinding in early American mills.

Both Judy and I have mills associated with

our family histories.  Her grandfather, Jesse

McKenzie, operated a mill near Pinehurst, NC

until the 1930's.

My great-great grandfather, Jabez M. Loyd,

ran a mill from 1860 to his death in 1890.

The visit to the mountains was a breath

of fresh air, and just what we were looking for.

My next post will wrap up our visit to this 

area.  In stark contrast to the serenity of Mabry

Mill is the ominous foreboding of Devil's Den.

DON'T MISS IT!