One thing that we like about our trips is discovering unexpected places. We were driving toward the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mabry Mill when we passed Patrick County's famed Lover's Leap and saw a sign for a county park at the top of the 3,000-foot ridgeline. So we pulled into the place to have a look around.
There were a number of signs warning park users not to feed the bears. Apparently the park is a gathering place for wannabe Yogi Bears. The park is small but exceptionally nice. It has a few short trails that lead to overlooks and through the exclusively hardwood forests at the summit. It was cold up there and I had to walk through patches of snow and ice left over from a recent winter storm.
One of these days I'd like to go back there in warmer weather to see if any of those local bears show up to try to panhandle the tourists.
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| A stitched panorama I made from the Fred Clifton Park. Along VA 58 where you find yourself at about 3,000 feet above sea level. Looking out over a vast plain of forests and fields. |
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| A nice overlook in the park. There was still a good bit of snow and ice on the ground from a recent winter storm. |
Walking through rhododendron from one overlook to another.
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| Another view taken from a second overlook. |
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| There is a very nice picnic area in the park, most complete with grills. |
Great pics. I especially like the panorama.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice little park. Completely unexpected. Apparently they have a lot of black bears up there, too. Many signs warning patrons not to feed them.
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