July 4th Weekend

Finally got a couple of good shots with Fred and his flock, only now, since I took these photos, his flock has grown so I guess I'll have to try again.

He looks happy doesn't he?

With Magic and Snoopy loaded in the car, we took a 4 hour ride to take more pictures on Independence Day since we had nothing else to do.

The wild flowers that grow up here are just gorgeous and I wanted to share them with you.

These first one are wild roses growing in large clumps around the countryside. Some are almost fuchsia.

I don't know what these are called but they line the highways in abundance.

These are rhododendrons, blooming in pink and white. They line the creeks with profuse blooms, grow along the horse trails and literally cover the mountainsides. I've never been in the mountains while they were blooming before but what a glorious sight they are. They've been opening up for at least a month and are starting to shed their petals now I'm sorry to say.

No idea what these are and have found them in only one place.

This creek flows along part of the Virginia Creeper Trail. By the way, I'm finally going down the mountain this Wednesday with my boss and some coworkers. Lots of scraped bodies and broken bones come off the trail so keep your fingers crossed. We're constantly handing out band aids to the injured and several ambulances have been called in as well. Ryan, one of the mountain patrolmen is going to give my bike a good checking out this Sunday before the ride.

Another view taken from top of the ridge. I haven't mentioned the orange day lilies that have popped up everywhere along most roads.

This is Fox Creek Horse Camp, packed to the hilt with horse trailers over the holiday weekend. There are many horse trails around here along with bike trails and hiker trails, people come from all over to hike, bike, and ride horses.

This is the parking lot at White Top Station where the ride down the mountain starts. These people brought their own bikes and will get a shuttle at the bottom in the town of Damascus or Abingdon, depending on how far they want to ride. It's about 18 to Damascus and 34 to Abingdon.

This is one of the bike shuttles, they are pulled by vans which carry the people to the top. Many times the bikes get flat tires or other boo boos and when they reach our station, Green Cove, they have to call whichever shuttle company they used and have them come and switch bikes or repair the tires. It's only 3.4 miles to us. Seven miles down from us is Taylor Valley, where the Creeper Cafe waits for the hungry. It's famous for their chocolate cake.