Fairy Stone State Park

 

You know I have a crazy love for the Virginia State Parks.  If you haven't fallen in love yourself with them then maybe this post will help you see the light. 

 

This story started 1/1/15 at a different Virginia State Park.  The Busy Bryants went on a First Day Hike at Pocahontas State Park and while out hiking I snapped some pictures.  I entered one of those pictures in the State Park's First Day Hike picture contest.  I won a gift certificate that could be used with the Virginia State Parks.  I planned my trips for the year and squeezed in a weekend trip to Fairy Stone State Park.   Fairy Stone (FS) is located in Patrick County VA, just northwest of Martinsville.  The name of the park comes from the stones or rocks that can be found in and around the park.  Since we were going in November we opted for a cabin. 

 

Our home for the weekend...and the one with the best view of the lake.

 

The cabins are all furnished and have the essentials for a short stay.  Linens, dishes, a bundle of firewood...they do NOT have phones, televisions or Wi-Fi.  I could not have been happier.  At these particular cabins we also did not have cell phone service.  At first the 16 year old went through withdrawal.  Then she found out how much fun it was to play cards with her family and color with her sister :-)  I spent hours sitting on the screened in porch checking out the view of the lake. 

 

We snuck in a hike on our last day there on the Little Mountain Falls Trail.  This trail has a spot that is cleared enough you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains off in the distance and it's own waterfall.

 

The park offers camping (tent and campers), pavilions for picnics, a beach for swimming in the summer and has it's own equestrian camp.  Nearby you have Martinsville, The Blue Ridge Mountains, and or course a couple wineries. 

 

 

Everyone in the family agreed that this park deserves a visit in the summer.  Actually I'll visit again any time.  But a summer visit will be a top priority.  We want to try out the swimming and maybe go out kayaking on the lake.  I soaked in the pleasure of sitting on the porch and just listening to the animals in the woods...but the laughter from my family and memories that we created...that is what I LOVED.  Even my 16 year old agreed. 

 

 

 

Covered Bridges in Virginia

What is it about a covered bridge that we find so charming? The VDOT website listed 6 covered bridges in Virginia and until we set off on vacation a couple weeks ago I had never seen the first one.  I had them on my list of "Go see" but they were never near anything we were going to visit.  Now I can say I've visited two.  If you want to see the list of briges check out the VDOT website. 

Bob White Bridge and Jack's Creek Bridge, both right off of Route 8 in Patrick County, are the two bridges we visited.





Bob White Bridge

 

Jacob's Creek Covered Bridge



Jacob's Creek



Glad they were covered bridges because it rained the entire visit to both of them!  Jack's Creek bridge can actually be seen from Route 8 but there are plenty of signs to let you know where to go.  And Bob White Bridge is just a couple miles (if that) further north right off of 8.  Again plenty of signs to mark the way.  Both bridges are near Fairy Stone State Park.  We have not visited that park yet so maybe when we do we can make another visit to these treasures...and hope it's NOT raining.

Still working on the post about New River Trail State Park's actual trail....lots of great pictures to share.  This weekend we are headed off to Nelson County to Run a Spartan Race...Have a great weekend!