New Mural at New River State Park
Winter Day Trips I
t’s an amazing thing, to live in a place with a full-blown winter, and yet be able to slip away for a day trip to warmer climes. Due to their elevation, the Blue Ridge Mountains experience winters comparable to those of northwestern Pennsylvania, with its average snowfalls of 100 inches and bitter cold—and that’s more than four hundred miles north of here. Blue Ridge peaks average more than 6,000 feet of elevation, but just “down the mountain” from those heights, the climate quickly returns to the moderate winters of the upper south. All that to say there’s no reason to endure a spell of cabin fever up at the highest points of the High Country when a quick trip—an hour of two in most any direction—can restore spirits and revive energies. To prove the point, here are three day trip destinations, all within about 50 miles of the High Country, that offer a break from the winter doldrums. They each have something worth seeing, whether great art or great scenery—or both. And while the trip might require a jacket and hat because, you know, WINTER, it’s a fair bet that mittens, snow boots, and scarves can be set aside for a few hours. Situated at 2,716 feet in elevation, New River State Park in nearby Ashe County, North Carolina, is a quick drive and at least 1,000 feet lower than where most High Country living takes place. In Ashe County, the mountains seem to leave more
By LouAnn Morehouse
space for valleys, and the vistas are all the better for it. It might be that the prevalence of wide-open scenery has led the good people of Ashe to welcome large-scale art with enthusiasm. The bustling town of West Jefferson is already known to be a place to see murals; there are more than seventeen of them throughout downtown. The West Jefferson murals have been so well received that they’re now spreading throughout the county. Chamber Director, Kitty Honeycutt, says that she and other Ashe County advocates recognized the connection between seeing a major artwork and viewing majestic scenery, and decided to “cross-pollinate” their audiences. The mural at New River State Park is the first in their planned Mural Connectivity Project, which is envisioned as a driving trail through Ashe County for art lovers as well as outdoor enthusiasts. The new mural stretches across the ground level of the park’s welcome center at the Wagoner Access, one of two areas in the park where people can put a canoe or kayak into the New River. Conceived and painted by Whitney Landwehrmann, the scene encompasses a broad view of the river from various perspectives as the images wrap around the building. The artist, an Ashe County native and professed river lover, has incorporated several points where a visitor can pose against the mural and “become” a part of the scene. It’s a beautiful
painting in a lovely natural setting, and for bonus points there’s a park ranger at hand to provide more information—such as why the New River is considered the oldest river in North America. The park’s 3,000+ acres have walking trails for visitors who enjoy mixing their art and nature viewing, and tent camping is allowed year round. Or bring along a picnic—hot chocolate, anyone?—and plan a return trip with the canoe when the weather warms up a bit. If descending just 1,000 feet isn’t far enough, drive a little further down, to 2,087 feet, and the fine old town of Abingdon, Virginia offers many charms and diversions. As one native puts it, “Everyone knows about Abingdon thanks to the Barter Theatre and the Creeper Trail, but we have even more to offer.” The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace is an ideal destination to sample more of those offerings. Located just off I-81 at exit 14, the Center’s distinctive profile is easy to spot. It’s a true showcase of the region, presenting an array of talents from fine handcrafts to revered musical traditions. The Center’s marketplace is a spacious, light-filled hall that displays for sale a juried selection of products from 180 local artists and artisans. There are wood works, weaving, jewelry of all kinds (including carved coal), as well as tatting, beading, Continued on next page CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LIFE Winter 2021/22 —
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