Cave exploring at Cumberland Gap

Cumberland Gap National Park has several caves for exploring. This one is called skylight cave. It has a natural skylight in it once you've climbed well into it. Most of our time at Cumberland Gap was spent hiking some of their 70 miles of hiking trails and learning about Daniel Boone and Cumberland Gap's historical features. The Gap was used by Daniel Boone and his pioneers to settle the meadows of Kentucky. It was called "America's Gibraltar" because so much commerce passed through the area.

Western Virginia to the Cumberland Gap

We left Dad's house and headed West on US 58. This highway is called the Crooked Road and that is for good reason. It is up down up down left right left right the entire way. Its probably more beautiful scenery than the Blue Ridge Parkway but I think it might even be slower traveling. We went about 20 mph up the mountain to Grayson Highlands and then about 20 mph back down in first gear to save our brakes. But the views were breathtaking. Pictured above is a Natural Tunnel at "Natural Tunnel State Park" where we spent a night. We had to hike two miles to get this view.

The coolest town on the "Crooked Road" and probably the coolest town in Appalachia is Damascus, Virginia. As you can see from the photo above, people around there kind of march to a different drum and don't necessarily conform. The SailingMariah crowd fit in pretty good there. We wanted to spend more time there but decided to move on since the town is just a day trip from PawPaw's cabin and we can go back anytime. the town is on the Appalachain Trail and the Virginia Creeper Bike and Horse Trail. So the little town has an abundance of healthy people and an absence of motor vehicles. We know we'll be back to this town and we'll bring our bikes and fishing rods.

Virgina: Where the Buffalo Roam? We knew we'd see some Buffalo but didn't expect to see then so soon. Anyway, were now in the Cumberland Gap at the corner of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Keeping up with our historical/educational theme of Westward Expansion, the Cumberland Gap is where Daniel Boone took the pioneers across the Appalachain Mountains to settle the west side into Kentucky. Lewis and Clark also both passed through the Cumberland Gap on their return trip from their trip to the Pacific.

Total miles: 840

Total Fuel Cost: $217

Paw Paws Cabin in the Big Woods

This was our first time seeing PawPaw's mountain house since it has been completed. The last time we were there we all camped out in the unfinished cabin while several inches of snow fell outside. The house is built on a large tract of land near the Blue Ridge Parkway that was subdivided. Local people previously used the land for hunting and just called it the "Big Woods". It is in a pretty remote location and is difficult to find. I've been there several times but still got lost again on our way up there this time.

One of the great things about the house is its close proximity to recreational areas. In addition to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the cabin is close to the Crooked Creek which is stocked each year with trout. The New River and the New River Trail run from Galax to Pulaski.

You might have noticed from our departure picture that we have a canoe on top of the Suburban. Even though this is sort of a Continental voyage, we are undeniably a maritime family. And it just wouldn't be a SailingMariah vacation without some risk of drowning. Dad and I took the canoe on her maiden voyage down the New River on Friday with the most beautiful weather of the year so far. We paddled from Austinville (birthplace of Stephen Austin, father of Texas) to Foster's Falls. About halfway down the route is the old Shot Tower State Park. This tower, pictured above with the backside of Dad's head, was used to make ammunition in the old days. The canoe I purchased is marketed as a fishing canoe indicative of the fact that it should be used on still water. The New River is not exactly whitewater but it certainly isn't still water either. We paddled through 3 sets of rapids before taking out just above Foster's Falls. We did get good and wet and both of our blood pressures were on the rise going through the rapids.

A chance meeting with Cousins!

When we departed Asheboro we knew we would be heading northwest toward the Blue Ridge Mountains to see my Dad's newly finished cabin near Galax, Virginia. Luckily we got a call from Aunt Lisa Middleton and found out that she and her children were already up that direction visiting her parents in Pulaski, Virginia. So we got directions and swung by there for a mini family reunion. Pictured above are Lisa, her parents, Cindy, Hayley, Jack Virginia and John. They are posed in front of the very large stone fireplace that is the centerpiece of the Belcher's beautiful home on top of a ridge. We had a pizza party and then took off for Galax and PawPaw's mountain house.

Full of Pancakes!

Well we made it to the Pancake Supper and only had to stand in line for about 20 minutes for our Pancakes. The local paper said that over 5000 people attended the event during the day.

Above you can see that we won lots of great items at the raffle. We got a free bucket, lots of free batteries from the local battery mill, some lightbulbs, a nerf football, two toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste. Unfortunately we did not win the premier doorprize....a reclining chair from the local furniture plant.

The county I grew up in (Randolph) is known for its covered bridges. Pictured above is the Pisgah Covered bridge. It is very close to Mom's farm so we took the kids over there and let them see it. There aren't a lot of covered bridges left in America.

Farm living is the life for me!

On Monday, March 19, we travelled from Greensboro down to Asheboro to enjoy some life on the farm. Dogs, Cats, Horses, Geese and anything that walks up off the road all live in harmony (controlled chaos) at Mom's farm in Happy Hollow.

Here you can see Hayley and Jack with the oldest horse on the farm. This horse that the kids all seem to love once bucked me off his back when I was in high school. I still don't get near him if I can avoid it.

Below you can see that Hayley and Jack really get into the swing of things quickly at the farm. They mix all the grains with Grandy to make sure the horses get all their proper nutrition while the fields don't have grass in them.

There are 8 horses on the farm right now and they eat a tremendous amount of food. The picture above is of the barn loft. At the beginning of the winter, the loft is full of hay. Looks like they'll have just enough hay to last until the spring breaks and the horses can graze in the fields.

The weather has warmed up again and last night was the first night that Jack and I spent in the camper. We had a good time just camping out on Mom's farm. Hayley is still a little congested from all the pollen so she and Cindy camped out in Tata's house.

Serendipity has chased us down once again. I opened the Asheboro newspaper yesterday to find that the annual Kiwanis Club pancake supper will be held today. The pancake supper is a little Asheboro piece of Americana and is not to be missed. They serve pancakes all day long and then raffle off prizes donated from local businesses while you eat. We'll be saving our appetite all day in preparation for the big event.

Tar Heels!

Total miles: 328

Total Gas Bill: $59.10

Look, we already met some great Americans on our first stop!

Well we made it safely to PawPaw and Mozelle's house near Greensboro, North Carolina. Above you can see that we're celebrating St. Patricks Day with traditional Irish fare; beer and potato chips. We threw our own St. Paddy's Day party inside the camperand it was a blast. And nothing says welcome to North Carolina more than March Madness basketball. We'll watch UNC beat up on Michigan State tonight.

Paw Paw's neighborhood has a nice walking trail going all around it. It's pretty in North Carolina even though the trees haven't quite started budding yet like they had in Charleston. We arrived in the midst of what is probably the last cold snap to blow through. Lows in the twenties tonight. Its a reminder that we'll be chasing the cold weather as we move North and West across the country.

The Great American Adventure!

The Griswolds are ready to depart for their All-American Adventure. It appears that the Sailboat Mariah has mutated into a land animal! Must have been the water on the St. John's river. We're headed out west and glad you're along for the ride. We departed our driveway at 1:00PM on March 16th. We left ahead of schedule and under budget so things are really looking good for us so far!

Our intention is to generally follow the route of Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery to the Pacific Ocean. We hope to meet lots of great Americans along the way. We'll also be stopping at many important historical and contemporary American iconic locations (that means Graceland). But the first leg of our voyage is from home up to central North Carolina to visit family. See ya when we get there!