Peaks of Otter, VA (8/5/19) -Part II

Looking up to SHARP TOP peak;  We didn't have time to go to the top of Sharp Top this trip--but we will stay an extra day next year so that we can get back up there!!!

Dear Friends,   Since last week,  George and I have taken another short trip.   We enjoyed staying at the Pisgah Inn along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville,  North Carolina,  for a few days.....  We had terrific  weather there with some cooler temperatures up on that mountain.  Loved it!!!!

BUT--today I am going to share Part II of my pictures from the Peaks of Otter on my birthday (8/5/19)....  IF you missed Part I,  click HERE to see those pictures first....

Hope you enjoy Part II from this amazing place!!!!

This is a close up of the top of Sharp Top Mountain.   They provide a bus which takes us part of the way up that mountain --and then we hike the remainder in order to get to the top.  (OR --you can hike up the entire mountain!!!!)

This is us taken from the peak of Sharp Top ---taken on a previous trip to the Peaks of Otter...  We opted to take the bus up and then hike the rest of the way....

Our view from the top of Sharp Top---looking down at Lake Abbott.  You can see the lodge housing down there... Isn't it gorgeous from up there???   That's why we want to do it AGAIN next year.

A view from our balcony of  Lake Abbott

One of our TWO walks around Lake Abbott on the day we were there... We were coming out of our lodge building and heading down to the walking path... 

As we walked around the lake,   I took this picture of the main lodge building  (check-ins and restaurant there).

Love the reflections in the water in this picture;   The Peaks of Otter is a great place to just RELAX... People here were enjoying the big campfire!!!

The Birthday Girl on our walk across the lake.

Lodging at Peaks of Otter;  Our room was on 2nd floor in Building 1 (on the left)

I took this picture of George on our walk around the lake.

Walking around the lake gives us so many pretty views from all directions.

A big dinner for the Birthday Girl;  That Pork Chop was INCREDIBLE --but too big for one meal.  We took a bunch home with us for more dinners!!!!!! 

After that big meal,  we just HAD to take another walk around the lake (1 mile)!!!!    AND---this time we stopped and enjoyed the FirePit for a little while.... NO---I'm not on fire ---even though it looks that way!!!!! ha ha 

A beautiful sunset across Lake Abbott --after a beautiful day...

Good Night from the Peaks Of Otter!!!!!  Hope you enjoyed all of my photos...

Have an awesome week!!!!!

Hugs,

 

Emoticons

Peaks of Otter, Virginia (8/5/19) -- Part I

Beautiful Peaks of Otter (from the other side of the lake), 8/5/19

Dear Friends,   We spent the day of my birthday (8/5/19) at the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  During that special day,  we walked around the lake twice  --and we ate a wonderful dinner in their lodge.  IF you ever want/need a fantastic place to go just to RELAX and enjoy the views,   I highly recommend the Peaks of Otter.   For more information,  click HERE.

Since I took so many pictures,  I will divide them into TWO posts...  Today is Part I... Hope you enjoy my wonderful birthday this year!!!!!

Come and take a walk with me around Lake Abbott,  8/5/19

It's a great trail ---and is quite 'woodsy'!!!

I love seeing the REEDS growing along the lake's edge. Can you see them?

A closer view of the lodging at Peaks of Otter;  There are 3 buildings total with rooms with a view of the lake on either 1st or 2nd floor.   One can relax on their balconies ---or enjoy walking on the beautiful grounds.

Looking toward Abbott Lake from the lodge rooms

"Come on,  Sweetheart... Let's WALK"....

No matter which side of the lake we were on,   there were gorgeous views.

We didn't see any otters or herons in the water this time,  but we did see this little deer (paying no attention to us).

I always love seeing reflections in the water.

George captured this Red-winged Blackbird  (with a baby behind him),  and I'm glad he got it (since my picture of them was blurry)... Thanks, Honey

I loved the reflections --as we looked back at the people relaxing and walking on the lakeside.

See the little cabin on the right?   This was the first lodging for travelers in the 1830's. The cabin was called Polly Wood's Ordinary and was a small boarding house until the late 1850's.  Wouldn't it be neat to stay in a cabin like this??????

We had a beautiful day to walk around the lake,  enjoying the views and reflections.  Our room this time was on second floor in Building 1 (to your far left)...

Each time we walked around the lake,   we enjoyed seeing the clouds/sky/reflections.  What a gorgeous place to walk! (The building to your far left is the actual lodge where we had dinner.)

Well---that's enough pictures for one post today.... I have that many more to show you in another post in a week or two--including a picture of my fantastic Birthday Dinner at their lodge....

My son, Mark,  is walking in the fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Oct. 5 in Knoxville, TN, in memory of his wife, Debbie.   As most of you know,  Mark lost his beloved wife, Debbie,  to suicide caused by her Mental Illness in August of 2017.   Please remember Mark in your prayers --and if anyone would like to donate to this worthy cause,   please contact me  and I'll send you information...Thank You so very much.

Have an awesome week.

Hugs,

Emoticons

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Come to the Limberlost with Me

Put on your walking shoes and go with me into the Limberlost Forest!!

Dear Friends,   I invite you to go with me on an interesting hike in the woods on the LIMBERLOST TRAIL,   off of  Skyline Drive in Virginia  (8/7/19).   Even if you aren't much of a 'hiker' --you would enjoy this trail.  It is only 1.3 miles total,  in a mostly flat area --and the trail is in GREAT shape with benches all along the area for resting and/or reflection.

This trail is a little different from many of the trails along Skyline Drive --since it is just a short walk through the woods  (with no overlooks or views).   BUT--depending upon when you are there,  there are LOTS of things to see and experience--including wildlife (deer, bears, rabbits, etc.).

Years ago,  this area was known for its HUGE Hemlock Trees.  I grew up with Hemlocks in our yard,  so I've always had a special affection toward them.   Most of you know that many of the Hemlocks throughout our country have been killed over the past ten+ years by an accidentally imported insect (the Hemlock wooly adelgid).   Seeing the dead Hemlock trees is just SO sad for me.  

When we hike,  I enjoy doing some research in order to find out more about an area.  Here's some history about this trail/area.  Addie Pollack bought 100 of the large Hemlock trees in the area for $1000 to help preserve this land in 1920 from logging.  Her husband named it the Limberlost Forest after the novel,  "A Girl of the Limberlost".   The Pollocks were responsible for establishing Skyland as a resort destination nearby (which is where George and I stayed recently).

Today,   I'll share some of the things I observed while hiking this trail....  Hope you enjoy 'our' hike  today!!!!!

George waits patiently for me --while I stop and check out my surroundings.

There are beautiful (and large) ferns everywhere...

Deep into the forest we go... What can I see?

How 'bout a Centipede (OR some kind of insect)???

OR --this strange tree!!!!  I named him Mr. Knotty!!!!

George is waiting on me again!!!!!!! ha ha

Oh My---see the pretty little Wildflowers?

We did see a few larger Hemlocks along our way.

Here's a close-up of a Hemlock --in case you don't recognize them.

Something is enjoying this dead tree!!!!  (It's not a beaver though since there's no water nearby.)

Called the "Rock of Ages" --Such an interesting rock formation!!!

I did some research on this interesting group of rocks...They are called  Columnar Joints which formed many years ago as volcanic rock cooled and contracted,  and is thus a geological structure where sets of intersecting closely spaced fractures,  referred to as joints,  resulted in the formation of an array of columns... Column diameters can measure anywhere up to about 10 feet, and the length can be as much as 100 feet.  They are typically parallel and straight--but can be curved.  The number of sides of the individual columns can vary from 3-8,  with 6 sides being the most common.   If you want more information,   click HERE.

Here is a better picture of the "Rock of Ages";  Interesting, huh?

I love seeing all of the different mushrooms.

Maybe I'll just sit in the ferns for awhile!!!!

Or maybe I'll just enjoy seeing the deer showing no fear of our presence nearby..

HOPE:  A Baby Hemlock!!!

I'll end our little hike showing you that there is HOPE when it comes to nature..... Things do come back--even though it takes awhile.  I loved seeing the 'baby' Hemlocks!!!!!!!   Do you enjoy checking out all of the glories of nature when you are out walking or hiking????   I certainly do!

Hope you enjoyed our hike on the LIMBERLOST TRAIL today....

Happy Labor Day to ALL.

Hugs,

Emoticons