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Cara Ellen Modisett
Potts Mountain
An overlook on Potts Mountain.
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Cara Ellen Modisett
Tunnel
I turned around and drove back through these tunnels at Alleghany, Va., partly to take the picture for my three-year-old nephew, who's fascinated by tunnels.
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Cara Ellen Modisett
Chickens, Craig County, Va.
Chickens, Craig County, Va.
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Cara Ellen Modisett
WV Tree
I caught this shot while stopped for roadwork along W.Va. 92, on the way to the National Radio Observatory at Green Bank.
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Cara Ellen Modisett
Marlinton
I stopped here in Marlinton, along the Greenbrier River Trail, once a railroad.
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Cara Ellen Modisett
Elk River Inn.
The breakfast table view at the Elk River Inn.
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Cara Ellen Modisett
The porch at the Elk River Inn
The porch at the Elk River Inn, by night a perfect place to watch fireflies.
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Cara Ellen Modisett
Potts Mountain
An overlook on Potts Mountain.
The second trip I made – in June – for fall drives – was into West Virginia, along a route that can intersect with the Virginia highlands route as well. One Sunday afternoon I headed out of Roanoke and proceeded to climb four mountains, at least four major ones. It's only a few hours' drive, but it feels like a world away, heading over Catawba, Potts, Peters and Elk and to the edge of Slatyfork, where I stayed at the Elk River Inn and Restaurant and had one of the most delicious dinners I've had in a while (mountain trout spread on crisp bread, an incredibly tender pork tenderloin, macaroni and cheese made with truffles and Gruyere and strawberry/rhubarb crisp for dessert).
In June, it's cool up here on the peaks, and at night the porch is a beautiful spot to pull up a rocking chair and watch the fireflies go mad in the trees, blinking wildly in the shadowy slopes and meadow behind the inn, shining up at the moon. The inn itself is a lovely place to stay, designed in particular for mountain bikers and hikers and other outdoorsy folks, with comfortable rooms, tall beds and extra quilts if needed.
I stayed just one night – long enough to realize I must come back with cook/husband in tow, and ideally on a Thursday night for the live music and homemade ice cream. On the way back, I took detours to the National Radio Observatory and Marlinton's great downtown. My last detour was in Virginia, not far from home – I stopped for a small flock/family of chickens, plus a goose, wandering along 311 in Craig County.