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.