Riding, Camping & Motorcycle Parts (p2)

(Part 2) BY MARILYN ELMORE BRAGG

I was up and out of the campground by 7AM the next morning.  I wanted to get in the swap meet early, get my pictures and interview the vendors and attendees early so I could be out on the road discovering Virginia and her little towns.  I was done with the swap meet by noon, so it was time to get lost.

Heading southwest on Tinkling Springs Road, I’m off to explore the world. Tinkling Springs Road. will eventfully dump you off into Route 340, which I crossed and hop onto SR 608 through a town known as Stuart’s Draft. Over the railroad tracks and down the road just a tad, route 1530 becomes known to the traveler through road signs, it appears to be a great route, not mention it appears to into a southwesterly direction. That’s just the way I was hankerin’ to head off to.

Locally the road is known as Cold Springs Road: it has a few nice little curves in it, as well as a nice hilly countryside to look at when you’re not navigating the curves. After a few miles you’re deposited into US-11 south, which meant I’m still heading in a tent-wardly direction. For those of you who don’t know, US-11 is a bit like the East’s version of Route 66. Before I-81 came along, US-11 was the main drag through VA., because you’ll find some pretty cool and interesting sights along the way.

I passed one location known as Natural Bridge. I was getting pretty excited about seeing a natural bridge…in fact I was willing to stop and pay to get in and see it up close as well as soak in some history about the area. I didn’t do it though. The road will take you right past the natural bridge, but they have walled it off with a very tall wood structure, thus preventing the passer-by from getting any kind of a gander at it all. Sorry little town of Natural Bridge. You lost me with that trick. I see nothing clever about blocking off a natural landmark from casual view. It struck me as being so unethical, I lost all desire to leave the road and see this piece of natural workmanship. I’m not sure, but I may have shot myself in the foot with that feeling. All the same, it felt as if the nature was being ransomed and it rubbed me the wrong way. They didn’t see any of my money as I continued moving south but I did come across this weird sight. It’s called “Foamhenge”  along Hwy 11 south near Natural Bridge, Virginia. There are actually tours of Foamhenge, but you should call ahead if you’re planning for a guided tour of the grounds!

Finally around Buchanan, I’ve had enough of all this and decided to roll to the Blue Ridge Highway. Talk about a scary 4 miles from Route 11 to the on ramp at the Blue Ridge? Good Lord! I was thinking heavily about turning back. They used chipped shale to keep the road graveled during winter and it was as slippery as gorilla snot. My shoulders, hands and teeth hurt by the time I got onto the Parkway. I slipped onto the “Ridge” and headed south, breathing a huge stress relieving sigh. Soon I was enjoying the spine of the Blue Ridge Motorway and it was beautiful, so beautiful.

"Foamhenge" near Natural Bridge, VA

Blue Ridge Parkway and Little Gal