Our gathering is less than three weeks away now and we've just received a really nice review on The Roost. A far nicer description than I've managed.
The Roost is a monthly e-newsletter about events specific to molded
fiberglass trailers.
Sounds interesting and I've just subscribed to give it a try.
RV Compass - Unconventional Rallies for Independent RVers
Here's what they had to say about our mini
rally and the Hungry Mother area.
November 2018
The Roost - Mass flockings of Egg Trailer Enthusiasts
Hungry Mother Mini-Rally is Huge in Area Offerings
By The Roost staff
As Walt, the host of the gathering describes, “I call this a mini
rally because it is small and has no agenda. This will be the 6th year and we typically have 12-14
fiberglass trailers of various brands and vintages.”
This “mini-rallly”, or anyone interested to gather, is held Thursday, November 1st to Sunday, November 4th. Although Walt claims to have no agenda, Friday night he makes Cowboy Stew and Sumi salad and others are welcome to supplement or not.
Attendees camp in the Burson Campground at Hungry Mother, which is one of the few State Park campgrounds open year round. Sites have electric and water hookups and some also have sewer. There is a dump station and a nice, modern bathhouse with showers.
Hungry Mother has a sandy beach with bathhouse on a placid 108-acre lake in the heart of the mountains, boat rentals (fishing, canoe, kayak and paddle), a boat launch and a universally accessible fishing pier. Besides the campgrounds, guests also enjoy its cabins, gift shops, visitor center, six-bedroom family lodge that sleeps 15, hiking and biking trails, and restaurant. Hungry Mother is also home to the Hemlock Haven Conference Center, available for retreats, conferences and special events.
Many people planning to attend the mini-rally have talked about doing the easy bike ride down the mountain at Damascus.
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 35-mile multi-purpose rail trail in southwestern Virginia from Abingdon, to the North Carolina state line near Whitetop, Virginia. It runs along a right-of-way that started in the 1880's as the Abingdon Coal and Iron Railroad Company.
After spending thousands of dollars without opening, the railroad company was broke. In the early 1890's the company's assets were bought by the Virginia Western Coal & Iron Railroad Company. It too had trouble and its assets were purchased by the Virginia-Carolina Railroad Company.
In February 1900, the Virginia-Carolina Railroad Company rolled into Damascus, Virginia ready for business. By 1912, the railroad was extended to Whitetop and by the end of the decade to Elkland, North Carolina (now named Todd).
In 1956 the last steam engine was retired from the line and replaced with diesel powered engines. By 1974, the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the line. In 1977 hard rains flooded and damaged most of the track and it was left unrepaired.
In 1977 removal of the track began and the land in Virginia was secured by the US Forest Service for a recreation trail. The land in North Carolina was returned to the land owners.
Current efforts to secure the easements in North Carolina to continue the Virginia Creeper Trail to Lansing, North Carolina are stalled.
A rare 4-8-0 steam engine, one of a handful that still survives, is on display at the trailhead in Abingdon.
Provided by the Blue Blaze Bike & Shuttle Service Website
Nearby Attractions include Grayson Highlands State Park, one hour away, as well as Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Historic Saltville (archaeological digs each summer and site of restored Civil War salt factory). Wolf Creek Indian Village and Museum, Bastian, VA, offers a reconstructed Native American village, museum, museum store and picnic area. Also in the area is the Museum of Middle Appalachians, Saltville, VA. The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, VA is in touch with the Historic General Francis Marion Hotel and Black Rooster Gallery. Be sure to check out the Virginia Heritage Music Trail.
In nearby Abingdon are the Barter Theatre, State Theater of Virginia, and the five-star Martha Washington Inn. Wytheville offers antiques and outlet shopping, and Bristol hosts the Bristol Motor Speedway. The William King Regional Arts Center has galleries in which art of Southwest Virginia and the world is featured.
Song of the Mountains Taping - Saturday November 3, 2018 @ 7:00PM
John McEuen, Newtown and Flashback at The Lincoln Theatre Marion, VA
Produced by the Appalachian Music Heritage Foundation, Song of the Mountains® showcases the best talents in Bluegrass, Americana, and Old-time music. An Award-winning public television series showcasing music, musicians, musical heritage and culture of the Southern Appalachians!
Link to Song of the Mountains Tickets
John Vermilye was partly attracted to Hungry Mother State Park because of the park’s name. More of his photos can be seen on lakeshoreimages.com.
The Legend of Hungry Mother
Legend has it that when the Native Americans destroyed several settlements on the New River south of the park, Molly Marley and her small child were among the survivors taken to the raiders’ base north of the park.
They eventually escaped, wandering through the wilderness eating berries. Molly finally collapsed, and her child wandered down a creek until the child found help. The only words the child could utter were "Hungry Mother."
The search party arrived at the foot of the mountain where Molly collapsed to find the child's mother dead. Today that mountain is Molly’s Knob, and the stream is Hungry Mother Creek.
Find more about Virginia State Park, Hungry Mother HERE
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