We got our day started with a very delicious breakfast served by our host at Claiborne Bed & Breakfast. First up was a combination of Pecans, Blueberries, Bananas, Yogurt, and Granola. I normally do not eat yogurt, but combined with the right stuff, I will eat it and I did. Then to the main course we had French toast with Strawberries and Sausage. There was also two slices of Pineapple. To drink you had your choice of tea, coffee, orange juice, and water. It was a good way to energies our engines for the days ride.
After breakfast, we loaded up and headed to the lake. The countryside around the lake, as with most lakes that we have visited, reaches all extremes of beauty, ugly, poor, and ridiculous expensive. The outskirts of the lake was surrounded by many farms, new and old homes, and various businesses new and old. Mostly what I noticed was how laid back everything seem to be. Everything was blooming, green, and honeysuckle could be smelt in almost every corner. Our conclusion was reached once again, we would both much rather have a nice home, 10-20 acres for about a 1/3 the price of a postage stamp lot and small home on the lake. I can always drag a boat to the lake if I decide that I ever want one. That part of me is still undecided. Been there and done that and I still love traveling on the motorcycle.
We also visited the Smith Mountain Lake Dam and since I toured the Hoover Dam, it makes it unremarkable. Ok, it was neat to see how they built it and how it functions, but it is smallish in comparison.
Leaving the dam area, we accidently found a very nice road that had no cars, no cops, and no animals to speak of, that was a twisty delight. Not sure if Lori enjoyed it, but I had fun.
The very last part of our ride included 3 homes that I wanted to drive by and one was very nice. I would really like to come back to Rocky Mount and actually see the inside of this house. You can click HOUSE to see the Trulia listing.
Tomorrow, after our breakfast of course, we will be leaving Rocky Mount, Va and heading to Bristol, TN. We will be traveling another Road Runner route that is called the Crooked Road Tour. It roots are Blue Grass music and Moonshine. I will post below part of the article if you would like to read it. Weather for tomorrow looks very nice as well.
Rocky Mount to Hillsville
Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge, Rocky Mount is a fitting start point for the Crooked Road, a loose confederation of venues and historic sites. The different regions are tied together by waypoints that feature attractive signs detailing that particular area’s contribution to the overall music scene. We find our first marker next to an old Norfolk and Western Railway caboose at the city’s Depot Welcome Center. Normally, a bright red car like this signifies the end of the line. But like the bluegrass we’ve come to love, the Crooked Road isn’t exactly heavy on rules.
We slowly wind through town, following the signs for Highway 40. The crisp morning air and bright sunlight add an almost electric glow to the stacks of heirloom tomatoes at the downtown farmer’s market. I’ll bet that corn over there is pretty good stuff—especially when it comes in a Mason jar. After all, we are in Franklin County, the self-proclaimed Moonshine Capital of the World.
The two-lane escapes the city’s grasp and flows over the rolling hills of the Piedmont plateau. Old houses and weathered barns accent the rural feel as we roll into the village of Ferrum, home to the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum. This constantly evolving monument to the area’s early settlers features livestock, crops, and rebuilt farm buildings dating from the 1800s. Across the street, the institute showcases rotating exhibits of regional folkways.
West of Ferrum, the fun truly begins. Highway 40 trades easy arcs for serious curves. The map calls for a right on Route 860, Shooting Creek Road. This narrow, rugged bit of scarred and bumpy asphalt is not for the faint of heart. Locals claim its name has something to do with the aforementioned illegal liquor production. The supersteep ravine carved by a cold, lonely stream hints at a fine starting point for such illicit activities.
At the top of the mountain, the road’s wicked grade gives way to gentle bends as we cross the Blue Ridge Parkway and make our way into Floyd. This one-stoplight town definitely qualifies as a mountain music mecca. Visitors from far and wide flock to nationally renowned events like FloydFest, a multiday world music festival, or to take in some live old-time and bluegrass favorites at the Floyd Country Store’s rollicking Friday Night Jamboree. This is one of our regular stops as music is nearly always happening on the stage, and their mocha malt milk shake is always worth the trip.
South of Floyd, Route 8 ebbs and flows with the green, gentle mounds of the Blue Ridge summit. At Tuggles Gap, the asphalt takes a serpentine nosedive back toward the Piedmont. The pavement is smooth, well engineered, and perfect for beveling off those pesky peg feelers. This is apple country, and the roadside is decorated with gnarled trees sporting orbs of red, green, and gold. Local vendors sell ’em by the bushel, bag, or fried in a pie.
After a java jolt at Honduras Coffee Company in downtown Stuart, we backtrack on Highway 58 and again climb the mountain. Upon reaching the summit, it’s impossible not to stop and take in the view at Lovers Leap, especially on a beautiful day like today. This spot is arguably the finest view along the entire Crooked Road. As 58 nears the tiny hamlet of Meadows of Dan, it modernizes into a four-lane. Don’t take it. Bear left on Business 58. Meadows of Dan is right on the Blue Ridge Parkway and tempts curious travelers with craft shops and country stores.
A bit of a late start this morning has us heading into the setting sun, so we opt for a lackadaisical pace. We know we aren’t going to make it much farther, and the easy sways of Highway 58 seem perfect for this lazy, late afternoon. Hillsville is dead ahead and the perfect place to call it an evening.
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