Road Trip

[Norm Buck]

My wife & I are in the planning stage for a camping trip to the U.S. from Ontario in 2010. Our initial thought is to drive the Skyline and Blue Ridge Parkways down and take a quicker route home.
I'm seeking the advice of my American cousins about several things. A colleague has mentioned snakes... are there aggressive snakes that will enter one's tent along the way? It's not like we're scared of them, but who wants to sleep with one or get snake bit poisoned? http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/smilies/surprise.gif
We'd like to know about "must see" attractions in terms of live music (old-time, bluegrass, jug-band, country blues, et.al.), musical history, museums, scenery and such. Interesting places. Side trips are good, if they're worth it. We'd like this to be a rural experience. As much as we love Dolly Parton, Dollywood would not be on our agenda. http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/smilies/whistling.gif
When we get our time frame pinned down, I will be looking for weekend (or weekday) music festivals. My mandolin will certainly accompany us.http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/smilies/mandosmiley.gif
Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have.http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_popcorn.gif
Norm

d'oh, I guess I don't know how to use those icons.... :( can anyone fix this for me?

[yankees1]

If you would happen to travel further WEST I would suggest Mountain View , Arkansas for an old time music festival . The Folk Music Festival will be held approximately the third week of May. You can google a search for dates, etc. If you have never been to Mountain View, you would be in for a treat ! Fantastic!

[Norm Buck]

Thanks yank, for your suggestion, I will certainly look into that. Another thing I forgot to mention is that we would also like to know of recommendations for family-owned private campgrounds along the way... nice quiet family type places with pickin' parties in the evening...

Norm

[Michael Gowell]

I think the travel part of your trip is best done with the American Automobile Association or a similar professional organization. They know the routes, facilities, attractions by theme, etc.

The suggestions for you would certainly depend on your time frame, most festivals happening just once a year. Perhaps you should research the possibilities through the calenders posted by music sites like blues organizations, regional bluegrass associations, etc.

Re snakes, it all depends on where you are. In New England, no. Down South and out West, maybe. Research it.

Enjoy your visit. Don't tread on me.

[Norm Buck]

I think the travel part of your trip is best done with the American Automobile Association or a similar professional organization. They know the routes, facilities, attractions by theme, etc.

what I'm trying to get away from is the road more traveled.

The suggestions for you would certainly depend on your time frame, most festivals happening just once a year. Perhaps you should research the possibilities through the calenders posted by music sites like blues organizations, regional bluegrass associations, etc.

a work in progress as I mentioned above

Re snakes, it all depends on where you are. In New England, no. Down South and out West, maybe. Research it.

Internet research is spotty at best. I'm seeking advice from locals who know the score.

Enjoy your visit. Don't tread on me.

I'm sure we will enjoy our visit.

[tree]

Snakes are not anything a rational person should worry about on Skyline Drive or the BRP. There are venomous snakes in the area, but they are neither aggressive nor particularly numerous. If you're worried about having one snuggle up in your bag at night, take a page from us aging baby boomers as we progressed in our camping years - get yourself a good cot and an air mattress. Make sleep enjoyable again!

As far as live music, without knowing your schedule or route any more that vaguely, I would recommend looking up the Crooked Road in SW Virginia. And remember that Asheville, NC has lots of live music going on throughout the year. If you're there on a summer Saturday night, look into Shindig On The Green.

[Jim Gallaher]

I live in Staunton, VA, about 12 miles from Waynesboro, where the Skyline Drive ends and the Blue Ridge Parway begins at Afton (where I-64 crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains).

From May 30 to October 10, the Humpback Rocks farm exhibit at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 5.8 sponsors a free musical event each Sunday afternoon, 2-4 pm. Bluegrass, Old-time, Irish, etc. in the shade of a hundred-year-old walnut tree at the edge of a small mountain farm. The crowds are as large as 300.

Humpback also sponsors theme-based weekends that include music 12-2 & 2-4. This is also the 75th birthday of the Parkway, so special celebrations are planned. You can track the performance schedule as summer approaches on this web page: http://www.nps.gov/akr/customcf/apps/eventcalendar/events/blrievent43434032.html. It hasn't been updated for 2010 since the organizer is still lining up all of the bands.

My band, Loose Gravel (http://loosegravelbluegrass.com), will be playing May 30, July 25 and September 26.

Further down the Parkway at Milepost 213 you'll find the Blue Ridge Music Center (http://www.blueridgemusiccenter.org/), a developed performance facility that is definitely worth a visit. If you're in that vicinity, be aware of The Crooked Road (http://www.thecrookedroad.org/), a guide to the region's musical heritage and performances.

Timber rattlers and copperheads are the two varieties of poisonous snakes that inhabit the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here is some information about snakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway: http://www.nps.gov/blri/naturescience/reptiles.htm. I've done a lot of tent camping in these mountains and I've seen some of these snakes while hiking, but I've never had any come near my campsite. Deer are plentiful, black bears are spotted occasionally.

You might like to consider Big Meadows Lodge (http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/lodging.htm)in the Shenandoah National Park (http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm)(home of the Skyline Drive)for an "overnight upgrade". You can watch the deer and other animals come out in the evenings from the comfort of the Lodge.

Bluegrass festivals in Virginia that are located near the Parkway/Skyline Drive are:
- Graves Mountain (http://www.gravesmountain.com/bluegrass.htm), June 3-5
- Maury River (http://www.glenmaurypark.com/mrfc/) (Buena Vista), June 17-19 (not updated yet)
- Grottoes, June 17-19 (not updated yet)
- FiddleFest (http://www.roanokefiddlefest.org/) (Roanoke, VA), July 30-31
- Galax Fiddlers Convention (http://www.oldfiddlersconvention.com/), August 2-7
- Luray (http://bluegrassinluray.com/index.asp), August 5-7
- Grottoes, September 10-11 (not updated yet)
- Nothin' Fancy BG Festival (Buena Vista, VA), September 23-25 (not updated yet)

[John Durkan]

If you're anywhere near pittsburgh pa, www.bayernhofmuseum.com , this doesn'thave anything to do with mandolins but they've got lots of antique organs, and music boxes, caliopes and such. I've never been, but it's on my list

[jim_n_virginia]

If your gonna do the Blueridge Parkway be sure and vist Floyd General Store in Floyd, Va. They got bands and jamming in jam rooms on Friday nights and on Sundays my good friend and former bandmate Andrea Marshall runs the bluegrass and Old Time jam there on Sunday afternoons at 2pm. She also has a B&B right there next to the Little River where you can get a room or camp on her land. PM me is your are interested.

The ride between Woolwine and Floyd through the Blueridge Parkway is just amazing! :mandosmiley:

http://www.floydcountrystore.com/

oh yeah been camping in tents all my life and have never had a snake crawl in my sleeping bag! I don't think you have anythng to worry about there ... now bears .... thats another thing! LOL!

[Phil Goodson]

Old time Fiddlers' Convention at Fiddlers' Grove in Union Grove, NC takes place every Memorial Day's Weekend. Has been held every year for 85 consecutive years. Used to be attended by Grisman, Hartford, et al. Good camping and jamming. About 45 minutes south of the Blue Ridge Parkway just off I-77.

Here's a LINK (http://www.fiddlersgrove.com/) for the site. New info for 2010 not yet on the site.

[Norm Buck]

I'd like to thank all responders for your thoughtful replies! We were planning a similar trip a few years ago but realized we hadn't allotted enough time to do it leisurely or well, so the trip was postponed. This time we hope to do it up right! Prior internet research indicated the the Blue Ridge Music Center was a must see along the way, but The Crooked Road, Asheville N.C., Humpback Rocks, Floyd General Store and Andrea Marshall's place are all suggestions that either didn't come up with internet research, or were mere blips on the radar. Please keep those cards and letters coming folks! Our itinerary will be much enhanced by those of you in the know!

Thanks again.... Norm