Just Chillin!

The gas stoves are in!  We are all systems go with the secondary heat source.

The gas guys came early, I hadn’t had a shower, and while they were busy, Jason also showed up!

He was supposed to give me a jingle when he crossed the Virginia state line about 3 miles down the road so I could meet him at the end of the lane way and flag him in since he had never been here before, but as it turns out, he had ZERO cell service since leaving Jefferson, NC.

Note to those who want to travel this direction – T-Mobile just won’t make you happy in these here parts!

US Cellular (which piggy backs off of many carriers) or Verizon (which I have) is the only thing that seems to be fairly reliable out here.

Basement studio stove is up and running!

It will be great to heat the basement sewing space without having to turn on the heat for the whole cabin.  The basement is the coldest spot in the cabin, yet the place I’ll likely be spending most of my time.  This is going to be awesome.

The stoves are from Northern Tool, are ventless and very efficient. 

Once the propane guys were off on their way, Jason and I took a drive around the area, stopping to check out the local Grayson Highlands General Store a few miles up the road. 

This place has everything a small community needs, from gasoline to propane to wood for a campfire, snow shoe and ski rental, groceries, snacks, adult beverages, and a restaurant!  We grabbed a table and ordered up black angus burgers with provolone cheese and the works.

From the Grayson Highlands General Store website.

From there I picked up some necessary items I had forgotten – peanut butter, a potato (because we were going to be 3 for dinner and not 2 and I was 1 short) some corn chips, and a jar of local honey. 

They’ve got milk, eggs, juices – and believe it or not, a whole section of gluten free and vegan items.

This place is VERY close to the Appalachian Trail and gets quite a bit of business.  In the summer on Sundays, they have Bluegrass music jams in the back yard by the river.  The inn above the store has a 2 bedroom suite with laundry facilities for those who wish to stay a while, and 2 regular hotel type rooms with all of the comforts of home.

Dennis, the owner was kind enough to chat with us about his plans for the place.  He has added huge gardens and green houses, he is growing grapes with the hopes of making wine in the future.

Glorious Forsythia!

The Big Wilson Creek meets the New River further down stream.

The joining of the two is what gave Mouth of Wilson its interesting name.

Here’s a video I took while the water was flowing swiftly after a break in the rain:

A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on Mar 31, 2017 at 11:18am PDT

This is a sweet spot just bit up the road from the cabin.  It was fun to meet some neighbors in the community, and Dennis said there is a quilting group that meets at the firehouse regularly.  My heart smiled all the way home after we left!

Abandoned house, route 58 out of Mouth of Wilson, VA

Abandoned house, Grassy Creek rd, Mouth of Wilson, VA.

Side view.

I noticed this old house on the first trip up here to check out the cabin.  So many questions!  WHY did this house go derelict when the land is still in use?  What is the story?  These buildings continue to amaze me, and Jason was a great son indulging in his mom’s whim of stopping to take photos of these old wonders.

After all of that gallivanting, a nap was required!

Sadie is on the “couch annex”, an ottoman right next to where Jason is snoozing.  I looked over from where I was quietly hand stitching and smiled at the peaceful slumber happening under my new roof.  Happy memories are already being made here.  It’s been an amazing 2 weeks.

Many stitches were put in place to record them all.

Jason is heading home today, I’m here until tomorrow afternoon and then it will be quite a few weeks before I’m able to come up again.  But I now know what will be waiting for me, and I’ve met people in the area.

I can’t WAIT until the Bluegrass jams start on Sunday summer evenings out behind the Grayson Highlands General Store where the Big Wilson creek flows as it has for hundreds of years.

And who knows what I’ll discover with the “Fire house ladies” who meet to quilt.

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Miracles are everywhere. You just have to stop, pay attention and appreciate the little things.

Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt made for Ronda Dye by her great grandmother when she was a little girl. Thanks for sharing, Rhonda!

Have a lovely Saturday, everyone!

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