A Saturday Jan 28th Drive to Virginia

1-28-2012
Sometimes, my Wife and I just like to get in the car and drive. So on Saturday Jan 28th we did just that!
We intended to drive and look for thrifft stores (goodwill and the like) and see what other places might have (Its fun to pick up a hardback book that you want to read for 25 cents ;). )
So we headed North. It was a nice trip with our daughter in tow (quietly in the back seat with her iTouch)

Although we found a few places, I dont think we actually bought anything, it was more like, thrift browsing.

But what I thought was real cool, was the wall of mountains we ran into (and up into)

What I didnt realize at the time of taking these pictures was that we were already standing in Virginia and looking back south into North Carolina. Below is Pilot Mountian in the distance.

and of course as soon as I started taking alot of pictures, dark clouds started moving in. Oh Well!

We ended up hopping on the Blue Ridge Parkway and driving over to Hwy 52 and South back into NC. As we hit the state line we stopped at a wonderful fruit and vegi stop on the Virginia side. Appearently this area has over 60 years of history selling fruits and such. It has taken on the name Cana's Produce Alley.

"Visitors traveling along Route 52 from the North Carolina State Line into Virginia can witness a unique cultural experience. This six mile stretch of road features a vast array of businesses primarily agricultural which typically showcase produce stand after produce stand of the freshest items items available in season. Peaches, apples, cantalope, watermellon, beans, tomatoes,...- it can be found (individual or bulk). Other items include jams, jellies, hams, and fresh plants. The tradition for this interesting cluster of businesses dates back to at least the 1950s before the modern day interstates. Aside from the businesses, this is a scenic alternative to Interstate 77. The route then winds its way along route of historic road bed up the slopes of the Blue Ridge Escarpment to Fancy Gap - major access point to the Blue Ridge Parkway."

http://www.virginia.org/Listings/Shopping/CanasProduceAlley/

We picked up some apples, local honey (blueberry honey to be exact), some cheese, butter and some other vegis.

All in all it was a relaxing trip.

Until next time....

Cheers!