Mabry Mill Restaurant reopened amid government shutdown

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkJzD8KjOSz-l7i3dN3qyBkwrD5YLebf3aEZWwvQkZjr9mZOhyphenhyphenQW7y6AIPC13Yy4S6k01f1NJugH1caxre8NVU2kYfY5gZq868Hu_i2-FinMsC0TzDgMtc0iBrEQ2-43INPjmchYQwI2V/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkJzD8KjOSz-l7i3dN3qyBkwrD5YLebf3aEZWwvQkZjr9mZOhyphenhyphenQW7y6AIPC13Yy4S6k01f1NJugH1caxre8NVU2kYfY5gZq868Hu_i2-FinMsC0TzDgMtc0iBrEQ2-43INPjmchYQwI2V/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Mabry Mill</i></div><br />Breakfast on the Blue Ridge Parkway is available again (along with lunch and dinner) at Mabry Mill Restaurant at the historic mill. <br /><br /><i><a href="http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/20182">Blue Ridge Muse</a></i> Douglas Thompson reported that the coffee is perking and pancakes are again on the grill.<br /><br />There was this puzzling comment from the National Park Service:<br /><blockquote>A spokesman for the National Park Service said Thursday they are not encouraging businesses operated by private vendors to reopen, they won’t stop those who do.</blockquote>Thankfully, for travelers and locals, Mabry Mill is back on the grid although the government shutdown didn't help things: <br /><blockquote>Radcliff said Mabry Mill is “definitely open through Oct. 31″ but lost at least $65,000 for the 10 days that it was closed because of the continuing government shutdown.<br /><br />The attraction was closed last weekend at what was considered the “peak” time for autumn colors on this part of the Parkway.</blockquote><a href="http://www.swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/peaks-of-otter-lodge-now-open.html">Peaks of Otter Lodge has also reopened</a> amid the shutdown.

Blue Ridge Muse Douglas Thompson government shutdown Mabry Mill Mabry Mill Restaurant National Park Service Peaks of Otter tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Mabry Mill Restaurant reopened amid government shutdown

 Mabry MillBreakfast on the Blue Ridge Parkway is available again (along with lunch and dinner) at Mabry Mill Restaurant at the historic mill. Blue Ridge Muse Douglas Thompson reported that the coffee is perking and pancakes are again on the grill.Th…

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Nancy's Candy Company in Meadows of Dan

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08iJl7Ep9Xg5YTFyjiymD3uH0xTXDRXwtD1dFMkEao2obi2VdudYmn1TdOr-519bYAhWc2FdYk4MXnkWCUYVWqtwAo14sEMvgf_OPQ3H-Qtwasur2KwfV8Lfx_uQdfnlHOHK8eyP92mJ5/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08iJl7Ep9Xg5YTFyjiymD3uH0xTXDRXwtD1dFMkEao2obi2VdudYmn1TdOr-519bYAhWc2FdYk4MXnkWCUYVWqtwAo14sEMvgf_OPQ3H-Qtwasur2KwfV8Lfx_uQdfnlHOHK8eyP92mJ5/s400/32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We stumbled on Nancy's Candy Company while traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway in September. SWAC Husband picked up a small package of cinnamon candy at Explore Park outside Roanoke and discovered it had been made in Virginia at Meadows of Dan. We were heading south on the Parkway so decided to look it up.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5_M-kxgSdWAd7xmZCRvwQhOTqeviaWLiiDP5jSUwIQcSZIHBKrK29u16-fMm5aBYq9-JIwoYuprBET2GfdM1DNgPKh-ZR1aohyjR7uK_SLHMpxv6YA9SzbyL5Jscy27eoiK_YNhI_kEV/s1600/33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5_M-kxgSdWAd7xmZCRvwQhOTqeviaWLiiDP5jSUwIQcSZIHBKrK29u16-fMm5aBYq9-JIwoYuprBET2GfdM1DNgPKh-ZR1aohyjR7uK_SLHMpxv6YA9SzbyL5Jscy27eoiK_YNhI_kEV/s640/33.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Within a mile of the Parkway at Meadows of Dan, there it was -- Nancy's Candy Company -- all decorated for Halloween.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Tkhk-8dpojFvUjXbAeIbWxYtiZqMKKfVTS4QGCI2yTTt5UM9W9gVkye6eSDf-FL6HufhcdNR02lqM9PNu48B_N4-NRXhftOibTjFB9CP8ueeI7HYUuxiJovwE2vQ9-wKHW2f_EoFBFJA/s1600/41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Tkhk-8dpojFvUjXbAeIbWxYtiZqMKKfVTS4QGCI2yTTt5UM9W9gVkye6eSDf-FL6HufhcdNR02lqM9PNu48B_N4-NRXhftOibTjFB9CP8ueeI7HYUuxiJovwE2vQ9-wKHW2f_EoFBFJA/s400/41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It all started with this little package of cinnamon candies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFNPoE9RJgNR7aR-oQznGt6HE6_hBI8viHFDCMe_ug6fB6y0cp-8L71Ds_INulqBShvYY0jti54cXDIkX88rU-bUmS0m9tJW7H01A4JFy5dE_p0DS3SWEIZ510-yuYiTs5K9jVAjCzrz0/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFNPoE9RJgNR7aR-oQznGt6HE6_hBI8viHFDCMe_ug6fB6y0cp-8L71Ds_INulqBShvYY0jti54cXDIkX88rU-bUmS0m9tJW7H01A4JFy5dE_p0DS3SWEIZ510-yuYiTs5K9jVAjCzrz0/s400/34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nancy's makes some candies and packages some bulk products. Their selection of fall and Halloween candies was impressive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cPcssOv_AwIPN9huOxLmajodb4rbSBMKB227nzjti1Q9LgmYWXDrNxWWqnZq9kZcYfjnhDAIyLVtznyKhfbzNtNmJx8StYSEsQPvW7b0zeY9EfhFwgYAs9HOM86GtL6M8Dh_t3_zfrSW/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cPcssOv_AwIPN9huOxLmajodb4rbSBMKB227nzjti1Q9LgmYWXDrNxWWqnZq9kZcYfjnhDAIyLVtznyKhfbzNtNmJx8StYSEsQPvW7b0zeY9EfhFwgYAs9HOM86GtL6M8Dh_t3_zfrSW/s400/35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIDV7HIoK-bpOozgdVnLVbgYNrVRe5ImlnX9jWIlCHhgClphqBdAYT9a2WHz_Zun57nbsYDIgU904UwfxRl2-HM564OY4i-hi-EsgaJaUV4oIY-y-B8sshplw57OuKlMN95oDNjW8Ozq5/s1600/36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIDV7HIoK-bpOozgdVnLVbgYNrVRe5ImlnX9jWIlCHhgClphqBdAYT9a2WHz_Zun57nbsYDIgU904UwfxRl2-HM564OY4i-hi-EsgaJaUV4oIY-y-B8sshplw57OuKlMN95oDNjW8Ozq5/s400/36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_K6rXtF0YymzPBSd-yn8J37vhEx7Ac3lbxXjNzbcm3q3SCrBKMnpQSK_K4_ZHBWMQovHBwDbYfrzmbV8hD96lZRyqCcxYyg76HfqXadTpZjbOQPBhMTxCFGMo2nQJV-b22GkSNrBGMD-/s1600/37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_K6rXtF0YymzPBSd-yn8J37vhEx7Ac3lbxXjNzbcm3q3SCrBKMnpQSK_K4_ZHBWMQovHBwDbYfrzmbV8hD96lZRyqCcxYyg76HfqXadTpZjbOQPBhMTxCFGMo2nQJV-b22GkSNrBGMD-/s400/37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR8dMXQ6ve6Ty6BOdswJbf6wV-s3IUrA6049OOwJ8GTR8CYXyqlhJJdBVtQZErW0X4My0zoRGE3Iu7lORvCxg99ubmIdlEqj_CWXZcwR1JEZywc8SWY9UmuaUxTbIyDCrcWiYidR81jd5/s1600/38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR8dMXQ6ve6Ty6BOdswJbf6wV-s3IUrA6049OOwJ8GTR8CYXyqlhJJdBVtQZErW0X4My0zoRGE3Iu7lORvCxg99ubmIdlEqj_CWXZcwR1JEZywc8SWY9UmuaUxTbIyDCrcWiYidR81jd5/s400/38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z0fnU-OZTkFjR01OnoZxaXKrbIFCctvTMWjRBsUMU6Zod5aea3QMSL9mJC2vpE9oavtvwiQk-eBxS5qqRVnniGDOs0pLR0NZkTDBE5dZT_nWSa0vRtYDynIe5itkJp_i8NY8NBp3kEak/s1600/39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z0fnU-OZTkFjR01OnoZxaXKrbIFCctvTMWjRBsUMU6Zod5aea3QMSL9mJC2vpE9oavtvwiQk-eBxS5qqRVnniGDOs0pLR0NZkTDBE5dZT_nWSa0vRtYDynIe5itkJp_i8NY8NBp3kEak/s400/39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There was an even wider selection of homemade candies that are crafted on-site in the candy kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HiSOZyDT7Hma6OrPSFP0H9IF0tSB21pVvFt2E_uB8elpundvLb1wplGxOC2CPI8FSDfXa0GCqLCGnRirT9JSuKpkBqHE1Sb3LHE-2DhSQp6GeU5Y0WtulWZ6bxIkugYeSwmOlajgWVKT/s1600/40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HiSOZyDT7Hma6OrPSFP0H9IF0tSB21pVvFt2E_uB8elpundvLb1wplGxOC2CPI8FSDfXa0GCqLCGnRirT9JSuKpkBqHE1Sb3LHE-2DhSQp6GeU5Y0WtulWZ6bxIkugYeSwmOlajgWVKT/s400/40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />From Nancy's website:<br /><blockquote>In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a small mountain community where pride in accomplishment is still important. This is the home of my Candy Factory. With the help of caring neighbors, we make the greatest tasting fudge, chocolates and truffles.<br /><br />Using the finest chocolate, fresh cream and butter and a little extra patience, I developed my original recipe for creamy fudge, decadent truffles, homestyle chocolates and lots more. Folks say our candy is the best they’ve ever had. <br /><br />Come visit us and shop our three candy stores – you’ve never seen so many luscious chocolates, mouth- watering fudges, artisan truffles and handmade candies. And at factory prices!</blockquote>If you're near Meadows of Dan or Mabry Mill or that part of Virginia, stop by and visit with the folks at Nancy's.<br /><br /><i>Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell</i><br /><i>September 27, 2013</i>

Blue Ridge Parkway candy makers Mabry Mill Meadows of Dan Nancy's Candy Store tourism Virginia Virginia Is For Lovers Nancy's Candy Company in Meadows of Dan

We stumbled on Nancy's Candy Company while traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway in September. SWAC Husband picked up a small package of cinnamon candy at Explore Park outside Roanoke and discovered it had been made in Virginia at Meadows of Dan. We were …

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Mabry Mill, others poised to open this weekend

This is great news! Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the changing leaves and stop by the re-opened restaurants and attractions along the way. This would be a great way to help these businesses recover and get back on their feet after ten days of government shutdown.<br /><br />Check before going just to be sure they're open but the restaurant at Mabry Mill was hoping to be reopened this morning, and Peaks of Otter was hoping to be reopened for this weekend including lodging and restaurant, according to the Roanoke Times:<br /><blockquote>Mabry Mill will reopen today and the Peaks of Otter Lodge in Bedford County could be open by this weekend under agreements with the National Park Service, which had ordered parkway sites and concessionaires to close when the federal government shut down Oct. 1.<br /><br /> Radcliff was planning for a Friday reopening of Mabry Mill, though she had yet to hear from the park service Thursday afternoon. Robert Peters, the general manager of the Peaks of Otter Lodge, said he was “very optimistic” the lodge will be open by this weekend.</blockquote>Private businesses that are helping the federal government by running park concessions should not be forced to close during budget debates.

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Mabry Mill Peaks of Otter tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Mabry Mill, others poised to open this weekend

This is great news! Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the changing leaves and stop by the re-opened restaurants and attractions along the way. This would be a great way to help these businesses recover and get back on their feet after ten days of gov…

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September scenes along the Blue Ridge Parkway

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwyFVelB1Iaa7Jbu_6vgoAfP9I4PemlOc06aea3XWx_PVgFYiFHy_gT2SQmYv3XoffXxRj4o7ACKGyGOM8A8knNOfMRFmtXRKVUBWpgUTC7oL50VMPVsBKurFKK3_BTJ_S8Hdliej0BRa/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwyFVelB1Iaa7Jbu_6vgoAfP9I4PemlOc06aea3XWx_PVgFYiFHy_gT2SQmYv3XoffXxRj4o7ACKGyGOM8A8knNOfMRFmtXRKVUBWpgUTC7oL50VMPVsBKurFKK3_BTJ_S8Hdliej0BRa/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The government shutdown has closed all attractions, restaurants, restrooms, and visitor centers along the Blue Ridge Parkway but the roadway itself is still open. Here are some scenes from Monday, the last day before the shutdown, as SWAC Husband and I drove from North Carolina back home to the Shenandoah Valley.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiEOtE-YDgwMxRp2-QtSufTb5rx08ltBmoWQROOX7BlGAi-pUY4CpSxDmKDnRT6lmQH6xMq9mz7TJbqaxoSYmlBDJZTzceJ0JOepjuUc_rfmTUxZYgSxTGc5zgrp12XN2vaN73ARWtspP/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiEOtE-YDgwMxRp2-QtSufTb5rx08ltBmoWQROOX7BlGAi-pUY4CpSxDmKDnRT6lmQH6xMq9mz7TJbqaxoSYmlBDJZTzceJ0JOepjuUc_rfmTUxZYgSxTGc5zgrp12XN2vaN73ARWtspP/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mabry Mill and the restaurant are closed due to the shutdown. We enjoyed visiting with historical interpreters including the blacksmith who had visited the <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/">Frontier Culture Museum</a> in Staunton and was impressed not only with the museum's blacksmith but the entire site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM3pP6vGVhdqKatqxowMrzzrzY_Rz0yl8mpiu8OuyOc_YwD47nfUgiWsEh64pGS-O0h19ti5sJ-jRb-Qv7k_50g-eRdsWsbkpNLm29O-TSoZvt2SStrFp38tRMnjWvLfooRJcKp51WEp6/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM3pP6vGVhdqKatqxowMrzzrzY_Rz0yl8mpiu8OuyOc_YwD47nfUgiWsEh64pGS-O0h19ti5sJ-jRb-Qv7k_50g-eRdsWsbkpNLm29O-TSoZvt2SStrFp38tRMnjWvLfooRJcKp51WEp6/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYTPDPiLxImQuGE8hzKzzAfP1be1IAE8fYZ0knWJwU-7MjZw53vyP7hX7ue7d7XFG5ah44Lr0dOSerOs4Z1CyCkBS-S9Uqr2aJ2qYpkUfqH_Ad9XxE2ScOsn4e68P60VlxdupryjE4jBN/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYTPDPiLxImQuGE8hzKzzAfP1be1IAE8fYZ0knWJwU-7MjZw53vyP7hX7ue7d7XFG5ah44Lr0dOSerOs4Z1CyCkBS-S9Uqr2aJ2qYpkUfqH_Ad9XxE2ScOsn4e68P60VlxdupryjE4jBN/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1jut1Z2sc91Hp_yuBEJLuPyvzRlSmJ9LKdMhAZPMg-KV0LBT2Q4h6amSqW4-5Pup-8_0WEbSheb7YGpFyuBMPTSq1Spvay4p28klAggu6kZWFkr4B__gJbq8h9stDUJxCQoXQlwv3coM/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1jut1Z2sc91Hp_yuBEJLuPyvzRlSmJ9LKdMhAZPMg-KV0LBT2Q4h6amSqW4-5Pup-8_0WEbSheb7YGpFyuBMPTSq1Spvay4p28klAggu6kZWFkr4B__gJbq8h9stDUJxCQoXQlwv3coM/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKRX6twfUCLqyqdH8N_DdT2MAfysbwDCfdX6g2jl3MCkGE5ULR3FjmVqCzw6cKIOBUEw-O5r1Ab9queQYIXQNEACOlIs9GUCrQrwqgU7-5ITxo2B5PZd4L32uee0WH5R5VmFZb7y_T-8j/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKRX6twfUCLqyqdH8N_DdT2MAfysbwDCfdX6g2jl3MCkGE5ULR3FjmVqCzw6cKIOBUEw-O5r1Ab9queQYIXQNEACOlIs9GUCrQrwqgU7-5ITxo2B5PZd4L32uee0WH5R5VmFZb7y_T-8j/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWJWm2qSMk338Jos-E8mwZI-_fApuGqnwSJM2uhL8xzyEa_cPl62jXsIrExrCeedCw8wiGu_Df5xsywW9xq0W-3NYogW0x-vGNJozho3jXrUXVFF2N8jHl_1kbWnKEBeg1BzA8i5Tffkq/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWJWm2qSMk338Jos-E8mwZI-_fApuGqnwSJM2uhL8xzyEa_cPl62jXsIrExrCeedCw8wiGu_Df5xsywW9xq0W-3NYogW0x-vGNJozho3jXrUXVFF2N8jHl_1kbWnKEBeg1BzA8i5Tffkq/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpXqFjG-BFXA2JkvSpR6p4Xuj3H40pnkg9Ovvih54VL8cQfBTWT-_11boH2ekzgntl-T6bhDKw9KdQuuvCF1nfYLTDZsVuYPjhL0PjIiTXmwHdL2kCSqiXvJntWJeP-9nXDxqULShP6nA/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpXqFjG-BFXA2JkvSpR6p4Xuj3H40pnkg9Ovvih54VL8cQfBTWT-_11boH2ekzgntl-T6bhDKw9KdQuuvCF1nfYLTDZsVuYPjhL0PjIiTXmwHdL2kCSqiXvJntWJeP-9nXDxqULShP6nA/s400/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />September 30, 2013

Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Mabry Mill North Carolina Virginia September scenes along the Blue Ridge Parkway

The government shutdown has closed all attractions, restaurants, restrooms, and visitor centers along the Blue Ridge Parkway but the roadway itself is still open. Here are some scenes from Monday, the last day before the shutdown, as SWAC Husband and…

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Mabry Mill spoonbread

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM_nGIjmmgZw0joazSCspGLtzkZZkdKni54r_yioGZAqO9LM7MQ6efyGhrBwcewBH1N0_a_3mFCxyuMjr3QUpDkpwB6FTtcXiZrd0Id3azGIpq1Z7P7ysOjFlP9jWBUsbrJ46kt-JAmmL/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM_nGIjmmgZw0joazSCspGLtzkZZkdKni54r_yioGZAqO9LM7MQ6efyGhrBwcewBH1N0_a_3mFCxyuMjr3QUpDkpwB6FTtcXiZrd0Id3azGIpq1Z7P7ysOjFlP9jWBUsbrJ46kt-JAmmL/s640/1.jpg" width="577" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">While visiting Mabry Mill along the Blue Ridge Parkway last week, SWAC Husband bought a bag of their corn meal. That means making something with it, right? So I pulled out my <i>Virginia Hospitality</i> cookbook given to me by my mom in 1978, and looked up the spoonbread recipe to make that Southern favorite for dinner. Yum!</div><br /><b>Spoon Bread</b><br /><br />1 1/2 cups corn meal<br />1 teaspoon sugar<br />1 1/3 teaspoons salt<br />1 1/2 cups boiling water<br />1/4 cup butter<br />5 eggs<br />2 cups milk<br />1 Tablespoon baking powder<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350. Mix corn meal, salt, and sugar together. Scald with boiling water. Add melted butter. Beat eggs; add milk. Combine mixtures. Add baking powder. Pour into oiled 9x13 baking pan and bake 30-40 minutes. Makes about 10 servings.<br /><br /><i>Virginia Hospitality,</i> page 172.<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 1, 2013

corn meal Mabry Mill Southern cooking spoonbread Virginia hospitality Mabry Mill spoonbread

While visiting Mabry Mill along the Blue Ridge Parkway last week, SWAC Husband bought a bag of their corn meal. That means making something with it, right? So I pulled out my Virginia Hospitality cookbook given to me by my mom in 1978, and looked up …

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Government shutdown? Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Parkway would close -- UPDATED

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCrg45c_Twty0OtRUVBQIt4kKWhtyb_nle44FCkfCXU4D8GpomXUIHFYwcO8RYBNcFtuhzu9NuEFDyPlpITnDgWfV9i-RzwdhPGa4qB8itLW2fWa32oGT6A0VlMXi2gIe5jxdjA51M2hr/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCrg45c_Twty0OtRUVBQIt4kKWhtyb_nle44FCkfCXU4D8GpomXUIHFYwcO8RYBNcFtuhzu9NuEFDyPlpITnDgWfV9i-RzwdhPGa4qB8itLW2fWa32oGT6A0VlMXi2gIe5jxdjA51M2hr/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Mabry Mill would be closed during a government shutdown.</i></div><br />Come on, people ... Republicans did this in 1995 and had our behinds kicked to the curb by the American people who blamed the entire government shutdown on the GOP. Do we really have to repeat history?<br /><br />Apparently so, for those who were not around back in the day. If you don't know history, you are bound to repeat it. <br /><br />So <a href="http://www.doi.gov/shutdown/index.cfm">what would be shut down</a>?<br /><br />Just as the east coast approaches leaf season when millions hit the roadways to admire the changing colors of fall, the Blue Ridge Parkway could be a victim of the shutdown. That trickles down to hotels, gas stations, restaurants, attractions, and other tourist-related businesses that clearly benefit during leaf season.<br /><br />The Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Smokey Mountains would close under a government shutdown. That includes bathrooms, visitors centers, camping and picnic areas, concessions operations and backcountry trails.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.themountainpress.com/news/x249846987/Government-shutdown-would-mean-Smokies-closure">The Mountain Press</a> reported: <br /><blockquote>The last time the government shut down, in the mid-1990s, for 27 days, closures cost park-dependent communities an estimated $14 million daily, according to a report from the National Parks Conservation Association.<br /><br />“When our national parks closed in 1995-96, I received an outpouring of calls from gateway communities alarmed by the situation,” said Phil Francis, the recently retired superintendent of Blue Ridge Parkway.<br /><br />“The potential shutdown adds insult to injury because these communities are already concerned about the recent cutbacks in funding for national parks that have harmed the Park Service’s ability to serve visitors," Francis added. "No one expected these cuts to happen again. Now we’re looking at not only a potential shutdown, but the likelihood of another round of cuts. If that happens, there’s a good chance it’s going to be even harder.”</blockquote>The <a href="http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20130927/NEWS/309270031/As-leaf-season-nears-government-shutdown-could-close-Blue-Ridge-Parkway">Asheville Citizen-Times</a> weighed in:<br /><blockquote>The parkway, which only recently reopened after a giant crack caused by a landslide was repaired, means a lot to tourism-related businesses in Asheville.<br /><br />If the shutdown happens, and lasts into the fall leaf season, small businesses could feel the pinch.</blockquote><a href="http://www.roanoke.com/news/2262104-12/government-shutdown-would-close-blue-ridge-parkway.html">The Roanoke Times</a> laid it on the line:<br /><blockquote>The Blue Ridge Parkway and many of its attractions will close during its peak travel season if the federal government shuts down on Tuesday.<br /><br />All national parks will be forced to close if Congress does not agree on a spending bill by midnight Monday. If a shutdown happens, park rangers have been instructed to close the parkway.<br /><br />“The plan is to close up all operations and shut the gates for the most part,” said Leesa Brandon, Partnerships & Community Outreach Coordinator for the parkway. “I am still hopeful that there will be a resolution and it won’t come to that.”</blockquote>Last week's journey down the Blue Ridge Parkway would not have been possible this week if the shutdown goes through. All the places SWAC Husband and I visited are slated to be closed:<br /><blockquote>Although many details will still need to be addressed, the Department of the Interior’s plan seems to instruct parkway attractions such as Mabry Mill, the Peaks of Otter and other privately managed venues on parkway property to close. Even if those places are allowed to remain open, however, travelers in automobiles would have limited access.<br /><br />Likewise, should a shutdown occur, the Blue Ridge Music Center will be forced to close and its daily bluegrass and old-time mountain music events will be canceled.</blockquote><a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2012/10/autumn-travel-and-leaf-peeping-in.html">No leaf looking</a> along Skyline Drive ... Shenandoah National Park closed ... no taking <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/blue-ridge-heritage-polly-growing-up-in.html">Polly to lunch</a> at Skyland Resort as we had planned. The shutdown would close it all and, again, affect businesses along the way.<br /><br />NPR senior business editor Marilyn Geewax <a href="http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/09/27/impact-government-shutdown">commented</a>:<br /><blockquote>"... tourism could take a big hit. Consider if you owned a restaurant. I talked to a guy who owned a restaurant out - just outside of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Early October is the leaf peeping season. That's when people are out there, driving around. If the National Park is closed, the Skyline Drive is closed, that's a real hit on all of that tourism industry out there. So restaurant owners worry, stores worry and, you know, the entire really travel industry is concerned because passports won't get processed.<br /><br />"So people may not plan various trips. So we're not really talking about an airport shutdown. Air traffic controllers will be deemed essential. TSA workers, they'll be essential. But it's all the things around traveling. Yes, the airport may be open, but if Yosemite Park is closed, what's the point of going on your vacation?"</blockquote>Glad we made our trek last week when we were able to see <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/blue-ridge-parkway-lunch-at-peaks-of.html">Peaks of Otter</a>, <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/early-morning-reflections-at-mabry-mill.html">Mabry Mill</a>, Explore Park, the BRP Music Center, and all the other sights along that meandering American byway.<br /><br /><b>UPDATED 10/1/2013:</b> A last-minute decision on Monday by the National Park Service will allow the Blue Ridge Parkway to remain open during the government shutdown. Political reporter Bob Stuart has the latest today in the <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/shenandoah-national-park-to-close-if-shutdown-happens/article_37420cb0-2a29-11e3-a5d7-001a4bcf6878.html"><i>News-Virginian. </i></a><br /><br /><i>Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell</i>

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway federal government government shutdown Mabry Mill Music Center Peaks of Otter Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Government shutdown? Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Parkway would close -- UPDATED

 Mabry Mill would be closed during a government shutdown.Come on, people ... Republicans did this in 1995 and had our behinds kicked to the curb by the American people who blamed the entire government shutdown on the GOP. Do we really have to repeat …

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Early morning reflections at Mabry Mill

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ynntl7IkyZpwanLakJlLdD-UJ1ErxpVKXhyBo9k2JuUxelq0K6AztO7Zk-mkVotYjdzG8LUlWlL32OfTQ81b4j_FADXLXC-xjG5_mXDFaoG2maWT-5bz7ouxqTcPTsHfGIJaKBkPKl5l/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ynntl7IkyZpwanLakJlLdD-UJ1ErxpVKXhyBo9k2JuUxelq0K6AztO7Zk-mkVotYjdzG8LUlWlL32OfTQ81b4j_FADXLXC-xjG5_mXDFaoG2maWT-5bz7ouxqTcPTsHfGIJaKBkPKl5l/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">I was able to capture the early morning September sun as it shimmered on the tops of trees and was reflected in the mill pond at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From visiting as a child to visiting with our own children to visiting post-children, I never tire of this iconic reminder of life as it once was in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.</span></span></div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway Mabry Mill southwest Virginia tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Early morning reflections at Mabry Mill

I was able to capture the early morning September sun as it shimmered on the tops of trees and was reflected in the mill pond at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From visiting as a child to visiting with our own children to visiting post-chil…

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