#creeper trail

[trial-by-error-photos]

2021, Virginia creeper trail, film

I cant remember the camera. It could be the k1000 or the spotmatic or nikon fm (or maybe another.....)

Also not sure on film stock. Probably used a 135mm lense for this because i was really feeling that lense back then.

[hikinghappy]

Weather’s getting warm and I can’t wait to return to the Virginia Creeper Trail! It’s a 34 mile railroad-turned-bike trail through Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and gorgeous Virginia farmland. We typically bike from Damascus up to Whitetop Station (or as close as we can get, it’s a hard climb!) then coast back down the hill enjoying the scenery.

[ultra-average]

From my 20-miler today

[hikinghappy]

A few shots from the Virginia Creeper Trail today. The trail is 34 miles in total from Abingdon to Damascus to White Top, Virginia. We rode from Damascus most of the way up the hill to Green Cove and back down, 28 miles round trip. It's a slow, steady climb up and speedy ride down, and the scenery is gorgeous. Too busy biking to take enough photos, but the late afternoon sun glittering on the river and 60-ft tall trestles were amazing. Lots of bikers and AT hikers out enjoying the trail (it shares a brief section with the AT) and the cool mountain weather. Great day, highly recommend!

[captcrab]

Called Whitetop for a reason. ”Baby it’s cold outside...”

[ottersight12]

Here are a few shots I filmed while in Abingdon, Virginia, on April, 28, 2018. Earth Limitation Films Links: 1. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarthLimit...

On my film channel, we had a web series titled Underground Television. We have changed the name to E.L.F. Television.  Here is the first episode of that.  I went on a pre-birthday trip to Abingdon, Virginia, on April, 28, 2018, which was last Saturday with my son and some family.  My mother used to work in Barter Theater when I was a small child, and I also lived in the town for a short period of time.  I didn’t prioritize doing much filming while I was there, yet I did get a small collection of footage. Enjoy!

-Caleb O.

[aureliasaid]

Creeping in Va

Va Creeper Trail August 18-20, 2017 

Friday

Dropped our soon-to-be 20something at RDU bound for Copenhagen and we headed to....Abingdon, Va. Bikes on rack, helmets in tow, we headed to southwestern tip of Va. An historic town with roots back to revolutionary times, Abingdon is known these days for its famed Barter Theater (and Barter Theater II) that brings in visitors for its year round live theater. The Virginia Creeper Trail has brought it more recent fame for the 34 miles rail to trail hiking and biking path along most of the Holston River. And this weekend, the Bristol NASCAR race series brought plenty of visitors as well from the 100000 fans attending each of the nighttime races at nearby Bristol, TN. Which all means, if you don't plan ahead, be prepared to pay jacked up prices if you can get a room at all. Accommodations are varied from cabins to B&B's and basic indy motel sorts. We paid up and landed a suite at the Martha Washington Inn and Spa which is by far the nicest accommodations around and long known for its hospitality and historic angle. The Martha, as they refer to it, is right on Main St and is a gentle but majestic building with large, comfy front porch. Its a lovable hodge-lodge that shows the efforts at keeping up with the Jones and times through the decades, but its small town mentality keeps it on this side of quaint. The common spaces are quite varied with the library and front porch a highlight. The spa, fitness, indoor/outdoorish pool and outdoor hot tub are new and a nice addition. Two well kept hard tennis courts and mini golf are a bit of an oddity, but bonus for those interested. The dining room and bar is in keeping with the historic feel full of dark wood and high ceilings. The breakfast was included and very generous. Dinner is supposedly very good though uncreative and note, was booked solid pre-theater. Our bedroom was quite the red velvet tribute to the Civil War and the suite that we had to resort to was more of a parlor. But updated TVs and new bathroom was a plus. The town is totally charming both in its red brick historic buildings on the very walkable Main Street and just the overall small size of it. We walked out the hotel, right across from the theater and down two blocks to 128 Pecan restaurant which is a casual atmosphere and good enough food. 

Saturday

Saturday morning and the weather was a bit foggy but promised to be clear blue skies and 85 degrees. We booked the Martha Creeper Shuttle to take us to White Top Mtn about 45 mins ride to the top of the Creeper Trailhead. There are many bike shops and outfitters that will do this with or without renting you bikes. And off we went. It is an 18 mile ride downhill on a wide, dirt and crushed rock trail mostly through the woods to Demascus. You are riding over a total of 47 purpose built bridges and beside the Holston River which makes for a really delightful ride. Since this is in the Mt. Rodgers National Forest, the are bathroom stops along the way, plus some enterprising restaurants. 

But Damascus was our stop with a yummy lunch at the Inn the Country, a sandwich and ice cream cafe as you first arrive into the town. The second half ride from Demascus to Abingdon is more level with a slight gradual elevation into town with more open meadows. 

The trail eases into town and lands you back on Pecan St, a perfect location to take a right and go 4 blocks to the Wolf Hill Brewery. An old wooden large shed that is basically open air with garage door closing and overhead heaters for the winter, it has a large variety of their brews, perfect to wash down after 34 miles. We headed back to hot tub and then back to the brewery for the live band, The Floor Boards, playing a bluesy rock set before heading to The Tavern, the oldest building in Abingdon, for dinner. A mossy roof and low ceilings are the perfect atmosphere for a delicious but not cheap dinner. A nightcap on the Martha porch made for a perfect day/birthday weekend for William and our buddies, the Lesemanns. 

Sunday

Sunday was a hike in the Wytheville area which was on the way home off I-81/I-77. We did the High Rocks trail which was a 2.7 mile hike round trip up the mountain through the woods for a fantastic 300 degree view of the whole area. Perfect to get your heart rate up but could be done in 1.5 hours total with time for a sit, view and snack at the top. Other hikes that were considered in the Abingdon area was The Channels, which was too long for our timing at 7 miles RT and the Devil's Bathtub, but was further west by an hr. Of course, Mt Rogers and the AT is all around the Creeper trail, but we didn't want to head back up the mtn. Also Seven Sisters in Wytheville, but also too long for our timing. All in all, pretty fantastic.

[running-inthefire]

Grateful for lungs and leggies that have carried me to some truly beautiful places.

Longest run in several months. Hurt like hell at the end but oh, it left me craving so much more.