DAY 13: Making Our Way South

Observation of the day

The roads less traveled can be scary at times but generally reveal beautiful surprises.

 

Quote of the day

“It’s not for everyone, but does who get it, love it.” – said by the Town’s Inn innkeeper as we checked out this morning when we told her how much we enjoyed staying. She is right, we loved the quirkiness of the spot and the fact it’s run by mountain people but you can almost hear the banjoes in the background!

 

Our breakfast companion. 

VM: This morning we got an early start as we knew we had a long travel day ahead. EM and I enjoyed a delicious coffee and sandwich at the bakery across the street from our inn. We loved sitting in the outside patio where we had a little bird join us the minute we sat down as if he had been waiting for us to arrive. We also met Chief, a rat terrier/chihuahua mix with a ton of personality who was vacationing with his owners from D.C.

 

After checking out from our inn, we schlepped our bags back down the stairs to the train station. Better said, EM schlepped as she volunteered to carry my overnight bag with her backpack saying it helped her train. I was more than happy to sacrifice for her training 😁.

Chief had "puppy eyes" mastered.

 

Better on the way down!

Enjoyed learning that all Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) were
"branded" by their distinctive style & color.

Before leaving Harpers Ferry, we went to check out the vintage train station which is still in use today. It is really neat. In fact, Washington D.C. is on the same train line just about an hour away. EM & I agreed we hope to return someday to do more hiking in the area. 

We enjoyed watching a SUPER
long train rush by into the tunnel.

 

One last view of Harpers Ferry and
the river!

We hope to be back!

Afterwards, we hit the road, traveling from West Virginia to Virginia to a short

stint in Tennessee and finally, North Carolina. We reached the McDonoughs’ beautiful home away from home at 4pm. Luckily, the drive was uneventful but a bit stressful as 81 South, which was our primary route, was congested with travelers from ALL over. Seems everyone is on road trips this summer! 

  

Who cares about rain when you're
with friends in this wonderful spot?

It is unseasonably cool in North Carolina with on and off rain, but we enjoyed catching up indoors in Jeannine & Tom’s cozy cabin on the Beech Mountain golf course. And we were even more delighted when they arranged for their neighborhood deer to come have their supper at their cabin. It was better than Disney’s Fort Wilderness! A pair of twin fawns were particularly sweet to watch as they stayed near their mom, even trying to nurse a few times, while she shunned them off, encouraging them to graze instead. Wonderful start to our visit.

The deer are right at home on Beech Mountain's golf course!