Big Island, VA
( Natural Bridge )
We camped here at the Jellystone Park with my son Lindy and his wife Kim and of course our Grand Daughter Ella. Lindy and Kim just bought a coach and have been doing a great deal of traveling so it was fun to be able to meet up with them and camp there together. Because the purpose of this stop off was to spend time with them we cut short our riding and only did one morning ride. It was no biggie as we have seen a lot of this area on the Parkway. We own 5 acres of property in the George Washington Forest which is located 2 miles off the parkway itself so skipping the afternoon ride was not a problem.
We had just come from Powhattan, VA where we camped for two days. The purpose of that stop over was to spend time with Natalia and Matt so our riding there was limited to a venture out to the store for supplies.
We are both early risers so we got our start on our ride rather early. I was a bit concerned we may run into heavy fog in the mountains but the blanket of fog seemed to be limited to the valleys below. We headed out of the campground on the bikes and rode over to Big Island a few miles away to enter the Parkway. From there we headed South with our final destination being Peaks of Otter. The ride up the mountain was spectacular and the turns for the most part gentle yet winding. You feel very relaxed while riding on the BRP because of the absence of commercial traffic. Our morning rides are always relaxing and enjoyable because there is little to no traffic. Its a great time to head off and ride the mountains.
We didn't do much stopping as we were a bit pushed for time. We wanted to be able to make it back in time to rest and then spend the afternoon and evening with the kids. So we by passed several overlooks along the way. We did manage to stop a couple times for a few pictures. While climbing higher into the mountains I rounded a tight blind curve and on the other side seen a deer on my side of the road running on the shoulder right for me. As soon as it seen my bike it turned and took off running the other way. I slowed way down and kept my distance not knowing if it would cross in front of me or not. At the same time I radioed Ally and told her to slow down as well. The deer jumped back into the ditch and ran up the hill into the woods. While it was cool to see the deer it was also startling. But the excitement was far from over. Just a few miles up the parkway I came through another turn and noticed something very large and black in the road. As I got closer I seen it was a bear. Actually, this was one very large bear. I radioed Ally and told her to slow down there was a bear in the road. Being the first bear she has ever seen in the wild she was really excited. As I got closer he turned his head and looked at me then spun around and made a leap towards the ditch. He was so huge that from the middle of the road to the shoulder took one leap. I was close enough to see him and when he stretched out to make that leap his legs and body size was in full view to me. I am sure he would be close to 6 ft tall if he stood upright. Seeing this bear made Ally's ride for her. She had a smile on her face the rest of the trip over finally being able to view a bear up close and personal.
We arrived at the Lodge at Peaks of Otter to find they served breakfast. We enjoyed coffee and a plate of french toast while looking out over the lake. If your ever in the area, be sure to stop off at the lodge for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They serve up some awesome food and the entire dining room looks out over the mountains and a lake. FYI the lodge also has guest quarters where you can spend a few nights if you like. I believe the rate is approximately $ 108 per night.
Our ride back was great and even more relaxing for me as I had Ally lead heading home. I was so tired I couldn't concentrate enough to lead us so we switched places. It actually made the trip back to the campground enjoyable for me as I got to see a bit more versus watching the road and ditches for wildlife.
We didn't take many pictures on this portion of the trip so I will include some we took back in Powhattan as well.
Enjoy !!
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| Camp Site at Cozy Acres Campground, Powhattan, VA | A view from the Gazebo across the catfish pond |
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| Another view across the pasture | The site itself |
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| The Big Island Valley showing the morning fog lifting | Mojo & Maggie sit at the Terrapin Mnt Overlook. Elevation here is 2,880 ft. |
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| The BRP near Terrapin Mnt. A turn lies at the end of this stretch which takes you to the other side of the mountain where you can view the Valley of natural Bridge | Ally walks back from the edge of the overlook pull off. This section of road winds its way up higher towards the Peaks of Otter |
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| Shelves and cliffs made of rock are everywhere on the Parkway | Another view of some very old mountain rocks. Each one carved to a different shape and size by mother nature and time |
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| Bus Row. Our rig sits along side Lindy & Kim's at the campground | No camp is complete without a nice campfire at night. Ally, while playing with her camera settings was able to snap this picture |
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| Natalia & Matt drove over from Richmond to join us and spent the night. They completed the family camp fire that night | Big Daddy & Lindy pose for a picture inside the Coach |
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| The Route we took to Peaks of Otter via Glasgow and Big Island, VA | This map shows where our property is located. Inside the George Washington National Forest and right next to Otter Creek |