Grindstone, Troutdale,VA

Grindstone NFS Troutsdale, VA

Thursday, May 22 Arrived at Grindstone early, it was only around 60 miles from Stoney Fork. I did a good job picking Site 45 (elevation 3915) of the Internet, you never know what it is going to be like until you get there, and this being Memorial Day weekend it wouldn’t be a good weekend to screw up.

Well when we got here the throw rugs by the door and kitchen area were wet, another leak but where, I had a good idea that it came from the flush line for the black water tank (big water pressure) after removing the side of the basement to get to all the good stuff, I could see where it was leaking but could’t get to it from there. After removing a few more things trying to get to it, I removed the recessed fire extinguisher holder and got to the anti siphon valve (plastic) that hat exploded. I have epoxied it back together and will put the pressure to it tomorrow. Tried pressure and seemed to hold.

I think this is a very nice park (remote) no cell phone service, there fore no Internet, we did manage to luck out with a spot where you could aim the dish down the road opening thru the trees, so we are set.

Great shower, second only to Gambrill

Friday, May 23 We went of a hike this morning on the Mt. Rogers trail that leaves from the campground, it is seven miles to the top, we made it three and turned around, maybe next time. This is one of the nicer trails that we have walked on good surface and not to steep.
The rhododendron buds are just developing here and as you walk up the Mt. the leaves get newer and newer any earlier and they would still be buds.

Saturday, May 24 It rained last night and is pretty wet this morning, went for a nice walk this afternoon,
Finally someone has a real dog a Black & Tan.

Sunday, May 25 This morning 50 degrees, walked 8 miles and 5 hours on Mt Rogers Trail, we were both tired this afternoon did nothing.

Monday, May 26 Did nothing this morning, the high is 69, rode down the road 603 towards White Top Mt looking for a place that the cell phone would work ended up parked at White Top Mt Baptist Church and had a couple of bars. A person could get lost here, don’t leave without the laptop again.

Tuesday, May 27 We went to Marion this morning and did laundry and grocery store, ate lunch at Smokey Joe's. At the Laundromat we met Pete & Janet from Bushnell FL who are also staying in this campground.
I also saw a strangely marked deer on the way back to the campground it had a lot of white blotches on it where it should be brown, must of cross bred with a cow.

Wednesday, May 28 It’s rainy this morning, we visited with Pete & Janet, and later this afternoon Sue and I drove over to Grayson Highlands State Park to take some pictures and check it out and I can’t wait to lead my trailer towing friends from Volney on 16 down US 58 to the park entrance. The fog was so thick up high, that is was a good thing the road had lines on it, when we got to the visitor center we had to hunt for it because you couldn't see it until you were about 20 feet away, just follow the cement walkway and it will lead you somewhere.