Hidden Valley Camping

[GordonM]

I traveled the three hours into the western part of Virginia for a little camping and trout fishing, late on Friday. It was only for one night of camping. I was able to fish a little Friday and all day Saturday, before driving home. It was a great trip, though too short, with lots of folks trout fishing on the Jackson River.

Here was my destination.

I got my tent set up and my sleeping gear stowed just in time for a quick thunderstorm. Then, it was off to fish before dusk.

My older /original styled Eureka Backcountry tent.

Saturday morning brew.

Breakfast of bacon, eggs, buttered bread and tea. Putting the KFS set to use that Sniper sent me from Scotland, it has become a fond favorite.

The weekend was rainy and I put up a tarp.

The Jackson river at Hidden Valley.

The Jackson River, upstream four miles from Hidden Valley, at the Poor Farm area.

Another in the Poor Farm area.

The reason I went, a small brown on aluminium foil.

The recipe: Juice from 1/2 lemon, 1 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter, a sprinkle each of dill, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Wrap tightly in the foil and bake for about seven minutes per side on medium heat / coals. Now that is food fit for a happy camper!

One parting shot, Redhound my personal mascot.

Thanks for looking.

Gordy

 

[MartinK9]

Great pics Gordy,

Thanks for sharing.

 

[JAG009]

Looks like a good wee trip you had , but that hidden valley seems to be well sign posted !!!Mmmmm

Cheers

Jason

 

[coln18]

Was planning to do the AT in the next couple of years but that big bear like creature in the last picture has scared me off

 

[calibanzwei]

All of a sudden I've become very hungry! Om nom nom

 

[rik_uk3]

Very nice Gordy, looks a lot like parts of Wales.

 

[ex-member Raikey]

Thats brilliant Gordy,...

sounds daft but i like a bit of rain once i,m set up,..

it seems to make the experience a little more realistic,....

i think there is nothing finer than waking to a soft pitter patter on the canvas,....


Stu

 

[R3XXY]

Thats brilliant Gordy,...

sounds daft but i like a bit of rain once i,m set up,..

it seems to make the experience a little more realistic,....

i think there is nothing finer than waking to a soft pitter patter on the canvas,....


Stu

I totally agree.

 

[Twodogs]

All good stuff Gordy
Nice one
Twodogs

 

[Karl82]

looks like a realy nice place.

 

[Barn Owl]

Looks great.

 

[GordonM]

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Martin, Cliff, calibanzwei, Karl82, Barn Owl and R3XXY! I had a good time.

JAG009 - Much of the signage was put in after filmimg of the movie Sommersby in the early 90s. The Warrwick Plantation house was used as the plantation home in the movie. Now it is mostly frequented by those trout fishing and bird watching.

coln18 - The Redhound is a great big "push over". One of my close childhood friends, Scotty Grove, has through hiked the AT. The annual AT pilgrimage should be somewhere in Tennessee about now. The Long Mountain, Virginia AT / US Route 60 intersection is only about 55 minutes west of my home.

rik_uk3 - There are a fair few families in the hills of Virginia, and my native Kentucky, that trace parts of our ancestry to Wales. Particularly in coal producing regions of the hills of southwest Virginia and Kentucky.

Raikey - I'm with you Stu, on the rain. It makes the fishing better, if not too hard and swift.


Gordy

 

[Toddy]

I have to say it; it looks awfully like central Scotland as well as Wales. No wonder so many emigrant families felt it was like home.
.........right down to the rain

Thanks for sharing the photos and your trip

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Sniper]

Looks a great site for a wee outing, and catching fish too now what more can a man ask for...........bacon and eggs for breakfast, ok kid I'm buying the tickets over right now as we speak. Seriously though Gordy that looks a great spot for a quick weekend away. Nice one mate.

 

[GordonM]

ok kid I'm buying the tickets over right now as we speak.

John, you and yours have a standing invite! I really like the KFS set, I use it all the time.

Gordy

 

[Sniper]

Those little utensils are the business for sure Gordy and very usable, I love mine and like you I use it all the time except when eating out of the pouch of a ration pack ...thats when the long handled spoon of yours comes in really handy. I'll make it over someday Gordy but I may have to wait on a lottery win first.

 

[GordonM]

No wonder so many emigrant families felt it was like home.

You are spot on Mary! There are many traditions from the UK, including aspects of the dialects, that are still present in those regions I previously mentioned. In the last 20 years, the opening of new highways into my home region has led to some loss of the Appalachian culture, which you would find bits and pieces of your culture still very much alive.

Gordy

 

[johnnythefox]

thanks for sharing looks like you had fun.

 

[Simon1]

Super photos Gordy!!!

 

[zeBarOOn]

That looks amazing, especially the fish. Melted butter and trout = the perfect match!