Green Cove Station,

This is Sunday, May 31, 9:05 a.m. as Pat and I were on our way to work, needless to say, we were delayed.

The ground was saturated with all the rain we've had and lots of trees were falling over when the wind picked up. May is supposed to be one of the wettest months here and I believe it.

Cars had already started to back up when we arrived and people were getting out of their cars to watch the progress being made by the forest dept's one man crew, Evan who just happened upon it. The weight of the tree had hung up the only chainsaw and everyone that stopped was asked if they happened to have one.


Someone had an ax and the crowd started taking turns whacking away at it. To my surprise, even the man wearing a suit took his turn. An ax on a tree this size would take all day so someone turned around to go get more chainsaws. Meanwhile, Evan freed the chainsaw and quickly did a number on the tree.

Some of the onlookers, like Pat and myself stayed in our trucks and cars, others stood around and watched, while the he-men did the work. Even the one wearing shorts with cowboy boots. It didn't take long after Evan got it sawed up, thanks to his helpers. We made it to work just 15 minutes late.

This is Green Cove Station where I work 3 or 4 days a week. We open at 10 am and close at 4
pm. seven days a week. Saturday is the busiest day with Sunday next. Green Cove station was built in 1914 by the Norfolk and Western RR. This branch of the RR line ran from Abingdon, VA to W. Jefferson, NC. It was called the Virginia Creeper because it took so long to go up and over the mountains. The little building was bought by Wm, Buchanan, the station manager, telegraph operator, general store operator and Postmaster in 1934. The last train came through on March 31, 1977 and the station and store closed shortly thereafter. Finally it was donated to the Forest service, lock stock and barrel so it would be maintained and used for visitors. The original items for sale at that time are still on the shelves and are facinating to look at. It's definitely a step back in time and I'm amazed at how many young people enjoy looking and appreciate the old items on display.

This is the view looking out the front door and it's just beautiful. It's one of many Christmas tree farms in the area covering the many rolling hillsides. The little trail on the right leading up to the stop signs is part of the Virginia Creeper Trail, where the RR tracks once were. It's leading up to Whitetop Mountain, about 3.1 miles away and goes to Abingdon in the other direction, a total of 34 miles. We have a lot of regular bikers going up and down the mountain weekly and one man, Lawrence Dye, 77 years old, who does it 5 times a week taking 7 hours to do it. The bike shops in Abingdon and Damascus take shuttles of bikers with their bikes up to Whitetop where they then ride down the trail to the destination of their choice. I brought my bike and plan to do it myself while here. I'll take photos on the way down.
We have two bikers, Tim and Ryan who patrol the trail ready to repair bikes, offer first aid or give any help or information needed.

These are some of the shelves with the old merchandise still remaining on them.

These are some of the very old display cases used back many decades ago that we use to display our goods for sale. Our big sellers in this season are candy, sodas, water, gatorade and trail mix. We also sell t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, postcards, cameras, chapstick, etc.

We are very close to the Appalachian Trail and sell those shirts as well.

This is just one of the old stoves here, the other is in the what was a waiting room for the train station. By the way, it usually snows here in April.

This is another view from the station, it really is beautiful here. We drive a 48 mile round trip to work here and the drive hasn't gotten old yet. I've seen one deer one the way here but a couple of days ago there were three just below the Christmas trees across from the station.

On the other side of the building is a fenced in hill where a Great Pyrenees named Fred watches over six sheep. He sleeps most of the day in the shaded corner, photos coming soon.

This was the night of Pat's going away party. In this picture are Jay, the campground host at Raccoon Branch, Pat, and Les, the campground host at Fox Creek Horse Camp. He's going to take me riding after his wife brings another horse from NC.

Back row from left are Tim, the guitarman and singer of mountain bluegrass and also a bike patrol member, Mary Ann, wife of Jay, Jay, Pat, and Les. Front row from left is me, boss Sue, main boss Sara, friend Nell another campground host at Hurricane, Carol and J.D., the other couple of workers at Green Cove and David, another host at Hurricane.

Boyd loved to take photos of bugs, etc. So for him I am including this wormmy creature that was at our campsite

and this catepillar with the pretty markings which was walking? across our picnic table.