Thursday, April 13, 2017

2017 CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP - MONDAY, APRIL 10TH, 2017 - PART 1

Monday, April 10th, 2017

We left Stuart (southwest Virginia), and were very happy with our short stay.  There was ample parking behind the hotel.  It also seemed a very nice little town, though we didn't explore it fully as we were eager to get on with our journey.

We headed to Mabry Mill and were there extra early.  There was no one else around, probably because the visitor center and restaurant were not opening until May 1st, and it was still a little early in the season. The mill is a wonderful old place to visit and has been on our bucket list for years.

This is the couple who owned the mill.  According to the nearby sign the mill was built in about 1910 by Edwin B. Mabry, a jack-of-all-trades who had been a chairmaker, a miner, a coal company blacksmith and a farmer. He and his wife Mintoria Lizzie Mabry, operated the mill until 1936, grinding corn and sawing lumber for their Meadows of Dan neighbors. In 1945 the National Park Service restored and landscaped the mill. Today it is the most photographed feature of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Here are a few other photos taken that morning.






There was a solitary duck enjoying its swim.  I am not familiar with this kind, and I had no luck finding any identification online.





He/she is a beauty!  



I would like to thank you all for visiting and looking, and leaving comments.  As our days are long and by the time we get to our hotel in the evening we are a wee bit tired, I am not able to read and get to publish your comments very quickly right now, but I will catch up with you as soon as I am able.  

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58 comments:

  1. Ginny HartzlerApril 13, 2017 at 12:40 AM

    Your photos are absolutely gorgeous, especially the first one! You should be the one they pay to make their pamphlets with photos and the mill story! It is close to me, but I have never been. There are many ducks that can't be identified. They are mixes that are just called domestic ducks.

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 14, 2017 at 12:29 AM

      Thank you Ginny :) and for those sweet comments of yours. I really appreciate them.

      Delete
  2. Elephant's ChildApril 13, 2017 at 2:11 AM

    Thank you so very much for taking us travelling with you.

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  3. GosiaApril 13, 2017 at 2:44 AM

    mill looks interesting

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 14, 2017 at 12:28 AM

      I agree Gosia and it was indeed very interesting.

      Delete
  4. ValerieApril 13, 2017 at 3:57 AM

    Don't worry about not publishing. You're on holiday. It is good that you share it but don't make it a chore. However, I must say I enjoy reading about your trip, with just a touch of jealousy thrown in. Have a great day

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 13, 2017 at 11:54 PM

      Thank you Valerie, that is so kind of you to say so. I shall be sharing when I have enough time for a good, long sit down. Right now not much computer time but I do love sharing and will get another post out as soon as I can.

      Delete
  5. Titus John WhiteApril 13, 2017 at 4:53 AM

    Hi Denise, what a delightful area, the Water Mill is exquisite. Not sure as to what your duck is, could be a hybrid, it has the curl upwards on the tail as a Mallard. All the best, John

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 13, 2017 at 11:55 PM

      Hi John, it is a lovely place. Thank you for looking at my duck, very much appreciated. All the best, Denise

      Delete
  6. eileeninmdApril 13, 2017 at 5:38 AM

    Hello Denise, the mill photos are beautiful. I have been along the Blue Ride Pkwy to see this place it is a gorgeous area. The duck is cute. Great photos. Enjoy your trip!

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 13, 2017 at 11:55 PM

      Hi Eileen and thank you. Glad you got to see this area.

      Delete
  7. William KendallApril 13, 2017 at 11:03 AM

    I can see why such a place attracts so much attention! Very peaceful.

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  8. LindaApril 13, 2017 at 11:18 AM

    What a gorgeous and enchanting place, Denise! Beautiful series. Thank you so much for sharing, and Happy Easter to you! :)

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 14, 2017 at 12:27 AM

      Thank you Linda and you are very welcome. A Very Happy Easter to you also :)

      Delete
  9. A Colorful WorldApril 13, 2017 at 11:36 AM

    One of my favorite places! Great photos of this wonderful mill!

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  10. Karen @ Beatrice EuphemieApril 13, 2017 at 11:43 AM

    Lovely photos of the mill and thanks for sharing the history, too. I scrolled down to see the rest of your photos. Beautiful rock formations and love the wildflowers :) Sounds like you are having a wonderful little road trip! x Karen

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 14, 2017 at 12:29 AM

      You are very welcome Beatrice and thank you so much for the kind comments. Yes we are still enjoying our road trip :)

      Delete
  11. MadSnapperApril 13, 2017 at 12:02 PM

    I can see why it is the most photographed, awesome photos and what a fantastic place to visit. that first one is just spectacular.. love that old mill

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  12. Beside a babbling brook...April 13, 2017 at 12:03 PM

    What a beautiful and serene mill and water area!!!!!!!

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  13. Marie April 13, 2017 at 12:12 PM

    the pretty duck is a mystery to me as well. you captured his/her beauty wonderfully!
    this looks like a beautiful area. I love the water wheel! I can just hear the peacefulness now form your photos.
    we've come along way with smiling in photos. lol
    so glad you two are enjoying yourselves. :)
    hugs,
    Marie

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 13, 2017 at 11:58 PM

      Hi Marie, she will remain a mystery for a while I think. I enjoyed hearing the water turning the wheel. Thank you for these sweet comments :) Hugs, Denise

      Delete
  14. RhodesiaApril 13, 2017 at 1:08 PM

    Loving this virtual holiday with you. Think this could be a cross bred duck, very unusual! Have a good Easter Diane

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 13, 2017 at 11:22 PM

      Thank you for the help with the duck Diane and so glad you are enjoying my traveling. Happy Easter to you :)

      Delete
  15. RhodesiaApril 13, 2017 at 1:10 PM

    Think I did not hit publish so this may well be a repeat.
    Loving this virtual tour. I think the duck may be a crossbreed, very unusual markings. Happy Easter Diane

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 13, 2017 at 11:22 PM

      Sorry Diane, I am slow publishing comments right now while I am traveling.

      Delete
  16. Francisco Manuel Carrajola OliveiraApril 13, 2017 at 2:03 PM

    UMA BOA PÁSCOA.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    Livros-Autografados

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    1. DeniseinVAMay 31, 2017 at 2:07 AM

      Thank you Manuel. A hug and a good week to you :)

      Delete
  17. RedApril 13, 2017 at 4:18 PM

    Your are very wise to make an effort to visit beautiful sights like this.

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 13, 2017 at 11:58 PM

      Thank you Red, we are trying really hard to visit as many as we can on this trip.

      Delete
  18. RoseApril 13, 2017 at 7:53 PM

    No wonder it is so popular...it is a beautiful place. I hope I remember come back and see if anyone identified the duck...or could it be a goose? I really do not know waterfowl at all.

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 14, 2017 at 12:27 AM

      Hi Rose, thanks so much. I don't know much about my waterfowl either :)

      Delete
  19. PamApril 13, 2017 at 10:25 PM

    Oh wow....what a totally beautiful place. I can see why it was on your bucket list. BEAUTIFUL!

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  20. Lux G.April 13, 2017 at 11:51 PM

    Wow, that's a really old mill. But it still looks good. I think it's that old vibe that adds to the appeal. Plus the surroundings. It's so relaxing to look at.

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 14, 2017 at 12:26 AM

      Thanks Lux G, I have always enjoyed these old rustic places, so much beauty to them and the surroundings are an added plus.

      Delete
  21. DeniseinVAApril 14, 2017 at 12:00 AM

    Thanks Linda, I hope you get to see it one of these days.

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  22. DeniseinVAApril 14, 2017 at 12:14 AM

    Sounds like you know it well Felicia. I would certainly love to see it in the Fall.

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  23. Cuco ramalheiroApril 14, 2017 at 5:26 AM


    Thank you Denise (and Mr. Greg) for sharing with us the stories and photographs of your wonderful journeys. What a pleasant place, what a sense of tranquility in the photos of the mill.
    The duck, it seems to be a cross of white domestic duck with mallard.
    Have a Holy Easter.

    Manuel

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 15, 2017 at 7:29 AM

      Thank you for your kind comments Manuel, and for your help with the identification of the duck. Wishing you a Holy Easter also. Denise

      Delete
  24. Roy NorrisApril 14, 2017 at 5:41 AM

    Super shot of the Water Mill Denise.

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  25. Beatrice P. BoydApril 14, 2017 at 7:29 AM

    Thanks, Denise, for taking us along on this road trip and it was nice to see a place we also visited. As I recall there is a well known pancake place somewhere nearby. I seem to recall that it has seasonal hours, but we did eat there, luckily. No worries about not getting to read blogs or post comments, just have fun and enjoy the sights as you are so obviously doing. Sorry, but the duck ID is a mystery to us as well. Happy 🐇 Easter to you and Gregg.

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 15, 2017 at 7:41 AM

      You are very welcome Beatrice. And thank you for your sweet comments. Happy Easter to you and Grenville also :)

      Delete
  26. bailiApril 14, 2017 at 7:40 AM

    southwest sounds very beautiful landscape .
    your capturing is so artistic and photos appeared marvelous painting like to eyes and senses!

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 15, 2017 at 7:54 AM

      Thank you Baili, I appreciate your kind comments:)

      Delete
  27. Yogi♪♪♪April 14, 2017 at 9:36 AM

    That mill is a beauty. What a great setting for it.

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  28. David M. Gascoigne,April 14, 2017 at 9:44 AM

    That old grist mill looks quite amazing. I would have derived a great deal of pleasure exploring it - and the surrounding area looks very inviting too.

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 15, 2017 at 8:20 AM

      It certainly is one of the most picturesque places I have been to :)

      Delete
  29. Lowcarb team memberApril 15, 2017 at 7:31 PM

    Such lovely photographs, I especially like the reflections in them.
    I'm enjoying my trip with you!

    All the best Jan

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    1. DeniseinVAApril 20, 2017 at 11:14 PM

      I'm happy you are enjoying the trip Jan, thank you :)

      Delete
  30. cedarmerefarmApril 23, 2017 at 10:54 PM

    Your photos are gorgeous Denise. That mill is very quaint.

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