October 23, 2020 Fishing on Buffalo Creek

Life is an adventure. It's beauty depends on how much you enjoy the journey. Today's adventure was found in a creek, in Rockbridge Co. 

          SIMPLE, UNASSUMING, TRANQUIL 

Fishing........ who knew, until today what joys there were, in standing almost knee high in a stream of river rocks, leaves floating by, and fish.  Until this week, I've never felt the necessity to invest in a fishing license, a rod and reel, waders, a net, vest, pack, a portable walking stick (No doubt this list is unlimited). 

What I observed on Friday was a disconnect.......... from stress, anxiety, news, internet, music, books, and any other source of distraction. I had my chair and my camera. The sounds of the stream, caused me to sit, close my eyes and listen. 👇👇👇 (if you are reading this blog from a cell phone, you have to click on this link👉. https://youtu.be/xOM91D_78qI

Welcome to Buffalo Creek! Located in Rockbridge Co, this gem of a fishing hole is free to anyone who possesses not only a valid Virginia fishing license, but a written "SPECIAL REGULATION TROUT WATERS license including Buffalo Creek". ***The land owner permits are available on line***. 

Traveling the back roads less travelled was preparing me for the official WIND-DOWN. 

Ron has always enjoyed fishing....ALWAYS. From some insane reason, I have related this to a 'guy' thing...................UNTIL YESTERDAY 😲

We were tagging along with our friends #dannykaye. These people are SERIOUS about their fishing hobby! They knew where to stand, where to look, and how to quickly pull them in! 😎

It didn't take long to realize that being a part of this thrill was something that I MUST DO. Kay was yelling wildly within 3 minutes of the first cast! The trio below was dressed and loaded. As soon as their 'photo shoot' ended, they were off into their uninterrupted world. They each went separate ways, and had no problems leaving me behind, sitting in a chair.

Obviously fishing reduces stress. Fishing increases your vitamin D, and I'm told it improves your concentration. It lets you unplug, as well as helps to keep you fit. Fishing is a lifelong skill that you can enjoy at any age. Being around like-minded people was a plus yesterday. We met for lunch, and shared fish tales, as well as updates on kids, grands, and life.

'Pastoral scenes' describe the views of this countryside(lush fields, calm skies, babbling brooks). Therapeutic . Look closely at my friend in the photo below!👇 #notacareintheworld

I think the total count at the end of the day was 15. (BUT THESE GUYS ARE SAFE AND ARE CONTINUING TO SWIM IN THE CREEK).

While I enjoyed my solitude of sitting in the shade, taking photos, and snoozing a bit, I have to admit, that I'm now searching for a pair of waders, fishing license, and a portable walking stick! WATCH OUT FISH, HERE I COME 😂😂😂

What a peaceful day! 

October 18, 2020 Jennings Creek, Buffalo Creek, Hamilton School House.

 Sunday afternoon was filled with much needed fresh air, basking in the sunshine, stomping in a creek, fishing, and a little photography (of course). 

Isolating ourselves from social media, news, and negativity (particularly this election time of year), seemed to put life back into the proper perspective. 

First stop: Route 11 The Historic Buchanan Swinging Bridge (hard to miss if you are driving on Main Street in downtown Buchanan)

Leaving Buchanan on Route 11, we crossed over I81 to the I81 Frontage Rd  then turned right on State Route 614(Arcadia Rd)., After entering the Jefferson National Forest, our second stop was Jennings Creek in Arcadia ...... address is 2252 N Creek Road, Buchanan, VA . Jennings Creek, North Creek, Middle Creek, McFalls Creek, depending on preferences, accommodate fishing, hiking, camping, picnic and swimming areas. 

 2.5 sec; f/10; ISO 100; 24-70 Canon lens at 35mm

We each had our entertainment......... Ron fishing, and me with my camera and tripod!

3.2 sec; f/22; ISO 100 24-70 lens at 24mm

3.2sec; f/22; ISO 100 24-70 Canon Lens at 42mm

1.6 sec; f/10; ISO 100; 24-70 Canon lens at 24mm

Before leaving the JNP, we drove down Solitude Road.

The vistas lived up to the name of the road!

Last stop on our day-trip was to Buffalo Road. 

The historic Hamilton School House on S.Buffalo Road is located in Rockbridge Co. 

Of course we stopped and took photos!

The Hamilton Schoolhouse is a one-room school building built in 1823. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

     

The rest of the story is penned in the links below.

Hint! 

Y'all did know that my maiden name was Hamilton, right? 😃😃😃 

Perhaps this will be the year that I find the link between J. Lucian Hamilton (School Superintendent of Rockbridge Co 1882-1886) and my Great Grandfather, Wilcher Cardwell Hamilton!

 👉👉👉👉  Jan 7, 2019 The Hunt is Real #1 Hamilton's Schoolhouse

👉👉👉👉 Jan 10, 2019 The Hunt is Real #2...Clifton Forge, Va

 The drive along Buffalo Rd, beside Buffalo Creek was lovely.

Looks like we may come back here to FISH!

It was quite a day!

October 15, 2020 Roaring Run Hike

Happy Fall, Yall! Change is on its way at Roaring Run, as the leaves are starting strut their stuff with the wild warm colors of Fall.  ROARING RUN RECREATIONAL AREA is located in Botetourt Co,(8 miles northwest of  Eagle Rock), Va.  Directions: From Eager Rock take 220 north and turn left on Craig Creek Road SR615. Continue for 5.5 miles. Turn right on Roaring Run Road (SR 621). Travel one mile to entrance. The easy hiking trail leading to the biggest waterfall is .6 miles.(short, and flat, except the last set of steps leading to the waterfall)

We had the area practically to ourselves, perhaps because it was Thursday, instead of the weekend.

.3sec; f/3.2; 35mm; ISO100 Canon EF24-70mm lens 

1.6sec; f/7.1; 53mm; ISO100; Canon EF24-27mm lens

We specifically included our DSLR camera equipment and tripods. Backpacking through the woods was uncomplicated. Our first attempts were made at using our NEUTRAL-DENSITY FILTERS. (Included are camera settings in some of the photos). The filters reduce the amount of light passing through the camera lens without changing the color of the scene.They are especially useful in bright light conditions to help prevent overexposure. Had the weather been cloudy, and not bright, the ND filters would not be needed.

1.6sec; f/7.1; 70mm' 100ISO; EF24-70 Canon Lens

1.6 sec; f/18; ISO 100; EF 24-70 Canon lens

"Autumn leaves don't fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar." Della Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing.

2.5 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100; EF 24-70 Canon lens

Enjoy the videos. 

Roaring Run is a beautiful place for solitude, and rejuvenating !

October 7, 2020 #3 Chincoteague/Assateague~~GreenbackvilleStocktonBerlinAssateagueMd

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Today we ventured off of the Island of Chincoteague to small-town Eastern Shore places that were mentioned in Ron's ancestry. We didn't have much to go on, except a page taken from a book that Ron's Dad scripted years ago. But that page, opened up a stuffed day of reminiscing about Ron's family. Seeing the rural farm land 'where it all began', was like completing a jigsaw puzzle of the past! Discovering a few surprises, was icing on the cake!   Here is page 1 of Ron's Dad's autobiography.

Our first stop was Greenbackville(which was the closest town from our starting point). 

Located 4 miles south of Stockton, Maryland, and settled in 1867, the town grew as a result of the Worcester railroad to transport oysters and other shellfish from Chincoteague to Baltimore and NYC. Due to the depression and the nor'easter of 1962, the area's economic base appears to be slightly  eroded. HOWEVER.............. Located on Harbor Drive was the highly recommended  CRUSTY CRAB SEAFOOD SHACK.

This abode was next door.😮

Our next stop on our 'fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants' itinerary was Stockton. BTW, below is a map for clarification. 👇. The towns that we visited are on the Eastern Shore....... Greenbackville is in Virginia, while the remaining towns are in Maryland

Stockton was, as described in Winston's autobiography above........... 'a small cross-roads town'.

What happened next on our excursion was miraculous. (200' beyond the above photos). 

We happened to pull into the driveway of GUNBY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Can you begin to imagine the emotion? 

Next stop.... Berlin, MD.

Strolling down Main Street took us back into the past! These same streets were taken by the Assateague and Pocomoke Indians BEFORE the colonial period. Beautiful tree-lined streets, a slower pace, Berlin appeared to be a very successful renovated community. (Can you imagine the hustle and bustle of this sleepy town area while the popular film Runaway Bride was being produced? Richard Gere and Julia Roberts on these lovely streets 😍)

The Sheppards and Sharpleys were also from Berlin, as detailed in the above autobiography. 

From Berlin, we traveled east to Assateague Island National Seashore which is in Maryland.

OH WHAT MAGNIFICENT BEAUTY!

Plan to spend more than just an afternoon here. 

The first sites upon entering are the ponies........ everywhere! 

The street, 

the side of the road, 

within touching distance........ 

everywhere! 

 

Available things to do in the area include: camping, horseback riding, bike trails, hiking, hunting, canoeing and kayaking, shellfishing and collecting, surf fishing and swimming.

We have been to many beaches, but this one far exceeded our expectations 😍😎🌞

Heading back to our motel, we made it in time to join our traveling companions, Craig and Doris, for our last night's seafood dinner at  DON'S SEAFOOD MARKET & RESTAURANT

Out day was almost complete. 

One last sunset photo session, along the main drag, and at the marina made for a perfect ending to a fun-filled day.

Day is done........... and so were we....... OH WAIT....

one more stop!