Laying Back In Blacksburg

Misty Mountain Campground--With the Rain, We Were Glad to Be On a Mountain

On Friday, we left our campground near Charlottesville, VA and headed up the mountain towards interstate 81 south.  The road up Mount Acton was very steep, and as we headed up it turned to dense fog and we slowed down because of the hill.  We had our lights on and as we slowed down, put on our flashers.  You never know if the people behind you can see you well enough.  Anyway, we got over the summit and it turned clear and sunny on the other side as we drove towards I-81.

Once Again, A Very Short Drive--Neil Is Getting Spoiled

The route south on I-81 was rolling hills and good driving.  It turned warm again, with temperatures in the mid eighties (at least that is warm to us).  

We rolled into Blacksburg in the early afternoon to Andy and Connie's home outside Blacksburg.  Andy is a professor at Virginia Tech University and Connie is a nurse.  They have a very nice, custom home, that is built on a hillside with a very steep driveway.  We unhooked the Toad at the cul de sac and backed the RV down the steep, gravel driveway to a parking area that they have about half way down.  We got it parked just fine, but it was too steep to level, but we are staying in the house in a spare bedroom, so we did not need to be level.  It turns out that this weekend is the first time in 53 days that we haven't slept in the RV.  That is nice when the heavy rains come through as they have been doing. 

During the RV and Toad shuffle, Neil lost his key ring with his key fob, house key, key ring cards like BiMart and Good Sam Roadside Assistance.  The next day, we searched the cul de sac, driveway, house and Toad to try to find the keys, but no luck.  Then today (Sunday), Neil got a call from Good Sam in Colorado.  They were called by someone who said that they had our keys.  He was a neighbor of Andy and Connie's and found them while walking his dog early Saturday morning.  We connected, and have our keys back!  What a blessing.  The lesson is that you should have a name or phone number on the key ring somewhere.  He had called Good Sam with the number off the keys and they called us.  

On Saturday, Andy took us to the Farmers Market in downtown Blacksburg, where we had crepes and bough some other things.  Andy then took us to the Virginia Tech University campus.  He is a professor of fisheries there and a Forest Service employee in charge of the Coldwater Fish Lab on campus.  He has students in the field (and streams) from Puerto Rico to Alaska and throughout the Appalachians.  

He then took us on campus to show us the April 15th memorial to the thirty two students and faculty who died due to a gunman on campus.  It was a very nice memorial and campus.

April 15 Memorial on Virginia Tech Campus

Later that day, we all went to Giles County to the Palisades Restaurant in Eggleston, VA. It is near the New River Gorge and is a newer restaurant in what was the old general store.  The meal and company was outstanding.

Pamela's Mahi Mahi Dinner

Neil's Rib Eye Dinner

It was a wonder full dinner, with two bottles of wine and dessert.  So it was a very fulfilling night with great company.  It is good to be able to visit friends and pick up where you left off at your previous visit.

Connie, Andy, Neil and Pamela at Palisades in Eggleston, VA

We have had a wonderful visit in Blacksburg and with Andy and Connie.  We did see a few strange sites that you will get extra credit for if you can send us an email and identify it.

What the Heck Is This Thing?

We are looking forward to Asheville, NC and the US Forest Service Retiree Reunion.  We always see old friends and colleague at these events, which are held every three years.  We are also looking forward to staying in a hotel with all of the amenities, before we then move on to Nashville and points west.  Thanks for tuning in,

Neil and Pamela