Virginia Waterfall Tour

[Tomcatfixer]

Okay, I'll start the tale as I recall it, then the other participants can correct my errors or fill in my memory lapses as they see fit!

I was the first to arrive at the Cave Mountain Lake Family Campground in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest near Natural Bridge, Virginia, last Thursday, 15 September. I parked my truck and unloaded the bike from the trailer, then rode it to the front gate of the campground to find a cell 'phone signal, because the campsite has no cellular service. It was while I was attempting to post clarifying information about the campground here on the Steeds that I met ReCycled. Eventually, Lokiboy and his foreign exchange student Oscar, rougaroo, and Navy TM joined us.

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We set up camp, got some firewood...

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...and at some point went out to eat at Scotto's Italian Restaurant in Glasgow, VA. Bellies full of food, we headed back to the campground and sat around the fire pit enjoying conversation and Kentucky bourbon.

On Friday, we set out to see some waterfalls.

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If I remember right, first up was the Peaks of Otter cascades.

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After quite the downhill hike, we found the waterfall.

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After a looong hike back up to the parking area, we met a Ukrainian family, who initially thought we had Dneprs.

Our route next took us down a gravelly mountainside path full of switchbacks, which was arguably the most exciting (and possibly exhausting) part of the trip. I wish I had a video camera to capture our downhill antics! This road led to Apple Orchard Falls, which, in turn, led to a loooong hike through the woods. If there WERE any falls up the stream, we didn't make it to them. The hike was so "impressive" that I took no pictures. Leaving the "falls", we continued down the curvy gravel road, completely covering our bikes and ourselves in road dust.

We decided to take a stab at one more waterfall on Friday: Roaring Run Furnace Falls.

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This park was the best yet! By taking one path...

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...we discovered a pig iron furnace from the 1840's...

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And, by taking another path...

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...we discovered a real gem: the waterfall

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[Tomcatfixer]

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While we were out "waterfallin'", harryball and his wife visited our campsite while on their anniversary Ural tour AND Muzzleflash and HIS wife were making their way to the campsite.

On Saturday, we all met up at The Pink Cadillac Diner...

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...which was delicious.

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We rode with the Balls on the highly entertaining VA-501 to the Blue Ridge Parkway, where we filmed some short videos and parted ways.

The waterfall tourers decided that we had our fill of hiking to see waterfalls, so we decided to visit Robert E. Lee's gravesite in Lexington, VA.

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Following that, we went to Devils Backbone Brewing Company and made an interesting discovery:

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After sampling the Devils Backbone products, we had some delicious barbecue at Foothill Momma's BBQ Juke Joint, a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant with generous portions packed with flavor. I definitely would like to go back there and eat more of their incredible pulled pork.

A return to the campsite led to more campfire enjoyment and socializing, then off to bed.

On Sunday morning, after another visit to The Pink Cadillac Diner, we parted ways. It was quite an enjoyable weekend!

Here are the tracks from my Garmin:

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When I got back to Virginia Beach, I just HAD to "warsh" the dust and grime off of the cT!

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EDIT - Changed 'Coldboreshot' to 'Muzzleflash'. I couldn't remember Rudy's SS handle, but I knew it had SOMEthing to do with firearms!

[harryball]

It was fun. We are still out on our trip, but I will get that video footage online as soon as possible. It's quite impressive and thanks for missing my camera... barely. You couldn't have missed it by more than an inch!

Great riding with everyone.

[rougaroo]

The barbecue place is Foothill Mama's BBQ and Juke Joint in Lexington VA. We were all in a food-induced torpor after that meal.

One thing they didn't mention in the VA Highways original write up of the waterfall tour is that "some walking is required" to actually see the falls. The ones we saw had 1/2-3/4mile walks in, then the same back out. Not unreasonable, except some of them also included 300'-400' elevations and rocky trails.

The last falls we went to was a stocked trout stream. There were signs that said you could only use artificial lures, the limit was 2 fish per day, and the minimum length - get that, minimum - was 16"!

Rougaroo

[lorij7]

Looks and sounds like you guys & gals had fun!

Hope to see some of you at FART. We'll be there but I probably won't be able to ride. Will check w/Doc next week.

Lori

[ReCycled]

Pretty thorough description of the weekend so not a whole lot to add but thanks for letting me tag along.

I do have one suggestion for next time though... How about a bbq tour instead

[Tomcatfixer]

I do have one suggestion for next time though... How about a bbq tour instead

It somehow seems like a good idea... and a bad idea... at the same time. A delicious paradox.
Either way, I'm in!

[rougaroo]

http://www.ncbbqsociety.com/bbqmap/trail_map.html

Rougaroo

[Tomcatfixer]

You're an enabler, Bob...

[Navy TM]

http://www.ncbbqsociety.com/bbqmap/trail_map.html

Rougaroo

You're just too helpful

[Muzzleflash]

Pretty thorough description of the weekend so not a whole lot to add but thanks for letting me tag along.

I do have one suggestion for next time though... How about a bbq tour instead

What was the name of that BBQ joint we had dinner at? It was gut buster good...it should be on the tour.

[Tomcatfixer]

What was the name of that BBQ joint we had dinner at? It was gut buster good...it should be on the tour.

I edited it into my ride report and Bob mentioned it, too.
It's Foothill Momma's BBQ and Juke Joint in Lexington.

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[rougaroo]

Some years ago here in NC, the local public television station sent a guy out to review barbecue places across North Carolina. He took his job seriously, and almost every week gave a report on some new place, its history, and finally a big ol' plate of barbecue and hush puppies and him with a smile on his face. At the end of the year they did a half-hour special and showed snippets from his year-long trip. They arranged the clips and the problem was - you could literally *watch* him gaining weight.

Maybe it wasn't the barbecue, though. it could have been the pie.

Rougaroo

[Lokiboy]

It was a good time had by all,

Tomcatfixer you covered everything... nice write up. Only thing I'll add is that Muzzleflash and his wife Donna were the Indian riders.

As was said, the weather was great, the location was excellent and the company was outstanding. Since we only did three waterfalls we have plenty more to explore next year, not to mention all the historic towns in the area.

As a side note Galax, VA has a yearly BBQ Festival, "Smoke on the Mountain" with competition coming from as far away as Texas. Next year it's scheduled for 21-22 July. Here's their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/smokeonthemountaingalaxva/. Let's start planning

[Muzzleflash]

What was the name of that BBQ joint we had dinner at? It was gut buster good...it should be on the tour.

I edited it into my ride report and Bob mentioned it, too.
It's Foothill Momma's BBQ and Juke Joint in Lexington.

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Thanks...guess I need to learn to read