Dew on the needles at Boyd Gap Trail.

The first time we passed the sign we were surprised to see an overlook with our name on it. We had to find a place to turn around and go back to the drive up to the trail head and the overlook of the river valley below.

Panorama View From Boyd Gap Overlook

“Creston is an unincorporated community in Ashe County, North Carolina, southwest of Grayson. It lies at an elevation of 2,861 feet (872 m).” – Wikipedia
via Ashe County | North Carolina Mountain Dreams.

Brinegar Cabin, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC

Brinegar Cabin was settled by Martin Brinegar in 1885 and occupied until the land was purchased for construction of the Parkway in 1935.  The cabin which still stands today has an over one century old loom that is still used in craft demonstrations in the summer months.  Brinegar Cabin, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, serves as a gateway to Doughton Park which hugs the parkway for six miles (238 to 244).  Doughton Park , originally known as The Bluffs, is named after Congressman Robert L. Doughton, a longtime supporter of the Parkway.  There are numerous trails within the park, and two trails, Cedar Ridge (4.3 miles) and Bluff Mountain (7.5 miles), begin at Brinegar Cabin.  Along with the craft and weaving demonstrations, guided nature walks and discussions are led by park rangers.

via The Blue Ridge Parkway – Mile 238.5 Brinegar Cabin and Loom.

Mabry Mill is a watermill located at milepost 176.2 of Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, Virginia. It is a tourist attraction mainly for the picturesque views of the mill itself. A short trail around the mill connects historical exhibits about life in rural Virginia. The trail allows visitors to view the gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop.

Mabry Mill was built by Edwin Boston Mabry (E.B. Mabry). E.B. Mabry returned to Floyd County in 1903 and began the construction of the mill. It was first a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, then became a sawmill. By 1905 it was in operation as a gristmill. By 1910 the front part of the mill was completed and included a lathe for turning out wheel hubs, a tongue and groove lathe, a planer and a jig-saw. Between 1905 and 1914 E.B. Mabry bought adjacent tracts of land, mostly for the purpose of acquiring more water power. 1

During peak seasons, demonstrations of crafts are given by National Park Service volunteers at Mabry Mill.

via Mabry Mill – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.