Bluegrass at Its Best

After a delightful breakfast at the Clay Corner Inn, we headed down 81 South towards Galax. Our first stop was the Blue Ridge Music Center along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Every day the Center hosts musicians and today it was Scott Freeman and Willard Gayheart who entertained the crowds. We enjoyed the music for at least 45 minutes. Then we visited the museum and learned quiet a few tidbits.

Then we headed to Galax for a typical southern bbq lunch and then on to our accommodations for the next two nights. We were a bit skeptical at first because we had to pick up the keys at RJ's Pizza parlor. However, we were pleasantly surprised upon arriving at Chestnut Creek Cabins. Not only is the cabin along the edge of the Creek, but it also is right along the New River bicycle trail. In the morning we can roll out of bed and onto our bikes!

After settling in, we walked 4 miles along the trail towards Galax. Fin was delighted to be out in the cool (actually cold...it was snowing very, very lightly!) weather exploring all the new smells. The only folks we saw were a band of high schoolers from the local track team and a couple from Northern Virginia who came to ride the trail.

This evening we drove to Fries, VA for the Thursday night music jamboree. There were at least 17 musicians performing...playing guitars, fiddles, mandolins, dulcimers, and other instruments. The crowd was dancing to the two step and many other rhythms. It definitely put us in the bluegrass mood.