Day 2, Peaks of Otter

 Note: Ward, Wally, Theo, and I are on a week long trip in the Blue Ridge of central Virginia.

Since we picked our destination for this trip on the fact that Ward had always heard about Peaks of Otter, but had never visited them, we thought they should be first up on our agenda. The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks (Flat Top, Sharp Top, and Harkening Hill) in the Blue Ridge along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We decided that Sharp Top was our first destination since you can get 360 degree views from the top. However, there was bad fog that morning around Sharp Top, so we decided to hike the Fallingwater Cascades Trail while we waited to see if the fog was going to clear. 

The trail was rocky, wet, and slippery, but full of interesting things to see. Below are a few photos of things that caught my eye along the way. 

  

The Cascades Trail was more strenuous than we thought it was going to be, so we opted to try Sharp Top another day. Instead we took a walk around Abbot Lake which lies in the valley among the peaks. That was a pleasant, easy walk with some good views.

Flat Top Peak

Sharp Top Peak in distance

Polly's Ordinary

Today they have something a little fancier that Polly's Ordinary. You can see the Peaks of Otter Lodge across the lake.

After stopping for Mexican food on the way home, we went back to relax at our home away from home. Ward started a 1000 piece puzzle, I read, and Wally and Theo were somewhere doing something.

Until next time...

Home Away from Home

Note: Ward, Wally, Theo, and I are on a week-long trip to the Blue Ridge in central Virginia. 

The morning is quiet. Ward is working a puzzle, and Wally and Theo have as of yet to emerge from their rooms. The sun is trying to peek through the clouds in one part of the sky while fog is shrouding the landscape in another part. It is so peaceful here where we're staying.  

The house is on 6 acres with farms all around. If Zillow has it right, the house was originally built in 1800, but it has been upgraded to the modern place we are staying today. There are 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and just enough space for this family of introverts to find places to unwind after spending the day together.

Here are some pictures of our home away from home.

The house is down a long driveway from the main road.

In front is a huge cactus interlaced with morning glory.

There are cattle in the adjoining fields as well as this friendly horse
that Ward is feeding carrots.

There are abundant black walnut trees, and squirrels are scurrying everywhere with the nuts getting ready for winter.

The property has a small lake (pond) on it. Yesterday I saw a great blue heron fly across it.

This is the dam between our lake and the neighbors larger one next to it.

Ward and I took advantage of this swing last night.

And speaking of Ward, he's in the kitchen frying up some eggs and sausage for breakfast. I better go see if he needs any help. Next time, I'll tell you about some of the hikes we've been taking.

Until then...