Rambling the back roads of Amherst County, Blue Ridge Mountains

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8N3CSB31XXI_2_GwxewxMEh5Twa743y2g-BbDQLMPPyX3jwKlIiMbuXlh84EbTI-T64IxfIm3mZGos5KKpAfk9gd0l7_Y3jZVw9tw46mC86a3xJZbilJS_i1Gw5vVtO6RuEzbPuhk6vw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8N3CSB31XXI_2_GwxewxMEh5Twa743y2g-BbDQLMPPyX3jwKlIiMbuXlh84EbTI-T64IxfIm3mZGos5KKpAfk9gd0l7_Y3jZVw9tw46mC86a3xJZbilJS_i1Gw5vVtO6RuEzbPuhk6vw/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Rain clouds hung over the mountains Saturday, a continuation of the wet weather that has been deluging Virginia the past week.</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/AVvXsEjunUsd1dc2gZReKZpVrZCXjAtXGr5azmkW1tBbsG1cosh3yzzksf384xZs2JgAZPQrt6SXJnpr9FDGcFTAghfn4LsyUT-SKTAbL9IUC2UmWO980Q8R6Nmd8n8rAT4TS1c0Dt3Q6L5efkx5/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunUsd1dc2gZReKZpVrZCXjAtXGr5azmkW1tBbsG1cosh3yzzksf384xZs2JgAZPQrt6SXJnpr9FDGcFTAghfn4LsyUT-SKTAbL9IUC2UmWO980Q8R6Nmd8n8rAT4TS1c0Dt3Q6L5efkx5/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5ci53f3IpAfaqd3fu3gA06gVX7ts3xvQneADl5NqPRzbI0iDz1xU_x88yzYzNWZeFkahmMLPIIDwm_aOmSpx4MCsDZFH7aV0Ga0pPRNXRs_ZRGdOTzFcKH-v-bpPZ5xvDtcEMHxDxDzq/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5ci53f3IpAfaqd3fu3gA06gVX7ts3xvQneADl5NqPRzbI0iDz1xU_x88yzYzNWZeFkahmMLPIIDwm_aOmSpx4MCsDZFH7aV0Ga0pPRNXRs_ZRGdOTzFcKH-v-bpPZ5xvDtcEMHxDxDzq/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many of the old farm structures are caving in, eventually resulting in the demise of the craftsmanship of the past</div><div style="text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-l0ZO56ocPGGnn0auHiT2Omzelfj3K0Pkw7r-rzzUH8iyEMfnjAxoJXDZ3TLGEb6acyUEzietV_kTlklGDvn0i2qIbgb-iMWvTiPOi8Tc06lBa7jrL0kL_KKuRLM8SYqYt8et9MwI4hM/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-l0ZO56ocPGGnn0auHiT2Omzelfj3K0Pkw7r-rzzUH8iyEMfnjAxoJXDZ3TLGEb6acyUEzietV_kTlklGDvn0i2qIbgb-iMWvTiPOi8Tc06lBa7jrL0kL_KKuRLM8SYqYt8et9MwI4hM/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Daily rainstorms have left mountain rivers and streams at full bank. While traveling up mountain hollows, debris across the road and on fences showed where water had jumped the banks. This is the Little Piney River in Amherst County.</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/AVvXsEis0itWK0IJbMRVf9BE12oWs5MXLAVpcFoQRGrfB2xJRsMH4-TU1ku1PIe_txPza-ZwmpFL2t0YzmWE1Xha3ZqVIecSR_xVeVMU_vMc8Ua0s_W89bvGvtC99Kuf6LH896Wz0egh7Umq0Vf5/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0itWK0IJbMRVf9BE12oWs5MXLAVpcFoQRGrfB2xJRsMH4-TU1ku1PIe_txPza-ZwmpFL2t0YzmWE1Xha3ZqVIecSR_xVeVMU_vMc8Ua0s_W89bvGvtC99Kuf6LH896Wz0egh7Umq0Vf5/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/AVvXsEiMMgscvTL1mBMsBytQ0v3o_y-Z8wVaWtR7m6Gb3LV2umgWxssSCRGTYSNFZTKxeUxjmLBum7RBk-euATTsgEVVD9JFySVL3grneH2NLXNEC8Rxp_YIcUThFubD1GS8SDh1tbVY-_IqE0Kf/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMgscvTL1mBMsBytQ0v3o_y-Z8wVaWtR7m6Gb3LV2umgWxssSCRGTYSNFZTKxeUxjmLBum7RBk-euATTsgEVVD9JFySVL3grneH2NLXNEC8Rxp_YIcUThFubD1GS8SDh1tbVY-_IqE0Kf/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/AVvXsEg83t7t4p7Zj24CdlrIQceiFruAguoI8zIOvaGpv9jI5hmGgmWTx5DEG5hvWwzhWhJtSm7ld8YgJ4rhWxcLYet3-tB4LaxGefZ4BVMJhCkFJD3KWssbFZj6Z-NpeJ3_1JVZNcwv972spbkU/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83t7t4p7Zj24CdlrIQceiFruAguoI8zIOvaGpv9jI5hmGgmWTx5DEG5hvWwzhWhJtSm7ld8YgJ4rhWxcLYet3-tB4LaxGefZ4BVMJhCkFJD3KWssbFZj6Z-NpeJ3_1JVZNcwv972spbkU/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/AVvXsEjOUj_lTvM_-XaURg4RxyOvmZvLHdVVtbKb9vCIm7qYmGv9iQ-UjJtYyVdn6OOPd1yooA8olwjzkwaoWPpe03kUcDYf1MG4HlpW3kXFpsmagelyEFMI_XsSVwAWf3wdNTciC3OFPQHJqX_Q/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUj_lTvM_-XaURg4RxyOvmZvLHdVVtbKb9vCIm7qYmGv9iQ-UjJtYyVdn6OOPd1yooA8olwjzkwaoWPpe03kUcDYf1MG4HlpW3kXFpsmagelyEFMI_XsSVwAWf3wdNTciC3OFPQHJqX_Q/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=188">Stonehouse Lake</a> in Amherst where a couple of fishermen were trying their luck on a quiet Saturday afternoon.</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/AVvXsEhoGZOFenziH_YgHszLOKuXIX8Gi_tAsp7yhocEaIv7zOAkbWnCwGNusK9eoRTNUIE-vq4P2-TrH_LsyfiYj8Kqm1AIa4IvgbQf_XNhZCrloQtPtsQm7-1xwzXlBQLiJuq98zk31ysa955x/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGZOFenziH_YgHszLOKuXIX8Gi_tAsp7yhocEaIv7zOAkbWnCwGNusK9eoRTNUIE-vq4P2-TrH_LsyfiYj8Kqm1AIa4IvgbQf_XNhZCrloQtPtsQm7-1xwzXlBQLiJuq98zk31ysa955x/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our way to <a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/mountpleasant/">Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area</a>. Once the road turned to gravel, heavy rains had washed off much of the gravel exposing underlying rock and washed-out gullies. Since we were in my car and not my sister's SUV, we reluctantly turned back with plans to return in a more suitable vehicle. Downpours and flooding have done a job on the back roads of Virginia's mountains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZcnjTXXtpeA9rupoHXIJ2h_45qPxuYa0yBSeG1CtjvthDkr4k2ocSZmQzGuAUjnZ146eB21PnVoiaQY51a6LcTmZGqAA3unAss0xCY3tni5l4GxkVMv0IcMpmGZeP7rxglJNaY1ZZgk4/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZcnjTXXtpeA9rupoHXIJ2h_45qPxuYa0yBSeG1CtjvthDkr4k2ocSZmQzGuAUjnZ146eB21PnVoiaQY51a6LcTmZGqAA3unAss0xCY3tni5l4GxkVMv0IcMpmGZeP7rxglJNaY1ZZgk4/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We found this charming mountain cottage that was for sale on the road to Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area. Offered by <a href="http://www.marysnowrealty.com/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=25">Mary Snow Realty</a>, it has 11 acres and an adorable 1880s home with stone chimney and screened-in porch overlooking a spring-fed pond filled with native trout. Creek behind the house, mature shrubs, split rail fence, property bumps up to the national forest. Very secluded.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SC-cv7iuxfaz5V-7h0k6YfIYX45UO4fe3ifQjaF1R8SH5lTRxpGDSLGUuVmlQycVj_S1_qOz4q6l8v8Xig0SKUP3rAGEuT2q4SnT75YuvQyZ58lPpnjcLDcy2taSB969uaiYXHrRg8jg/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SC-cv7iuxfaz5V-7h0k6YfIYX45UO4fe3ifQjaF1R8SH5lTRxpGDSLGUuVmlQycVj_S1_qOz4q6l8v8Xig0SKUP3rAGEuT2q4SnT75YuvQyZ58lPpnjcLDcy2taSB969uaiYXHrRg8jg/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Huge pine trees along the driveway of the 130+-year-old cottage.</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/AVvXsEicHsyFQ4OE7cZqsC7yezA-89tslIANvfNrRVunLzaM5NXDd5zrHGholBhb7V38Xk0yvUdxopB2I1i21TmQPowsqL1MKA5q0GbVzx1Tl5T7ezmkZui8RjPX1bzOLJ2AhGrqRFOF7_zQPS6q/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHsyFQ4OE7cZqsC7yezA-89tslIANvfNrRVunLzaM5NXDd5zrHGholBhb7V38Xk0yvUdxopB2I1i21TmQPowsqL1MKA5q0GbVzx1Tl5T7ezmkZui8RjPX1bzOLJ2AhGrqRFOF7_zQPS6q/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Overlooking the cottage's pond.</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/AVvXsEilbwdySJ8PjpMsLov_ap7LmEHKCwvEXrITrt24YdF5jfn5xCyl3hJo3PzWouvfTWF_4X3kttK_oodHzIOeo2W86OXZlcn0ITFOUU4grKk3ZCh1zy7Od65sAJtCuHAEcucI1en6GcnvNWSg/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbwdySJ8PjpMsLov_ap7LmEHKCwvEXrITrt24YdF5jfn5xCyl3hJo3PzWouvfTWF_4X3kttK_oodHzIOeo2W86OXZlcn0ITFOUU4grKk3ZCh1zy7Od65sAJtCuHAEcucI1en6GcnvNWSg/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Looking west toward Lexington from the Blue Ridge Parkway.</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/AVvXsEjXWDpEwh4JasMFWx2VZetpydWBphQtxCgY2am9NFElITQzitEdH6lWhVRlyxeV5lmwsJ9XKhWXnpfiaqdp0l7YME6KJanxoQC5hUS5DtGAaZF5e7mgszvLCOGbq8XS_g7ZCAnJ4aKF4Lc_/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWDpEwh4JasMFWx2VZetpydWBphQtxCgY2am9NFElITQzitEdH6lWhVRlyxeV5lmwsJ9XKhWXnpfiaqdp0l7YME6KJanxoQC5hUS5DtGAaZF5e7mgszvLCOGbq8XS_g7ZCAnJ4aKF4Lc_/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9stG1u7Hy9dS-TDtmFaPEXItKt2-ivmslAFOnIy_5bs8Yejo81_ZFWvycAt4ic681uImdV54XEv9SR87nycjEVnRjL-knYE4wrFPtQzeBrw1LuajR3_EcIbhvXQz3DIss2C1sUlybPx1r/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9stG1u7Hy9dS-TDtmFaPEXItKt2-ivmslAFOnIy_5bs8Yejo81_ZFWvycAt4ic681uImdV54XEv9SR87nycjEVnRjL-knYE4wrFPtQzeBrw1LuajR3_EcIbhvXQz3DIss2C1sUlybPx1r/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blue Ridge Parkway, that ribbon of roadway along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />July 13, 2013

Amherst Little Piney River Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area national forests Stonehouse Lake Rambling the back roads of Amherst County, Blue Ridge Mountains

 Rain clouds hung over the mountains Saturday, a continuation of the wet weather that has been deluging Virginia the past week. Many of the ...

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