Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship, praise him under the open skies; praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his magnificent greatness; praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings.
Psalm 150:1-3 (The Message)
Road Trip – Day 3
TFC Chapel, Wytheville, VA
&
Rex Theater, Galax, Virginia
Friday, August 20
As we approached the Wytheville TA Travel Center, we were pleased to see this great ad for the chapel.
The Beacon Light Chapel is behind the restaurant and next to the garage – an easy place for truckers to find.
Chaplain David Nispel is a retired driver, who rededicated his life to the Lord on one of our chapels many years ago – I think 1987 – after he had walked far from God and was going through a tough time.
He showed Cerwin a welding repair that had recently been done under the chapel. Cerwin said they did a good job.
David is a good friend and prayer warrior to many drivers. On this day we were pleased to meet Kevin, a driver from Michigan.
Kevin signed a TFC release form so we can use these pictures in ministry literature.
Like that hat!
I doubt that any driver leaves the chapel without a prayer of blessing from Chaplain David.
While we were there, he received several phone calls from drivers who had previously shared concerns with him. One was a praise for answered prayer.
David prayed with each one before they said goodbye.
We were pleased that Buddy and Pat Dillow were available to go out with us for an early supper. Buddy used to be on staff with TFC, and is now a volunteer at this chapel.
It was delightful to catch up on their lives. This was a birthday party for Chaplain David whose birthday was the next day.
My delicious meal
~~~
After leaving the chapel, Cerwin asked me to get the Road Atlas, and as he drove, we discussed where to get a motel for the night. Our next appointment was Monday morning in Greensboro, North Carolina, so we had an open weekend – without any plans.
As I looked for towns that were in the general direction of our route, I noticed Galax, Virginia, and remembered picking up a brochure about Galax when we were at the visitors center just after entering Virginia.
When I told Cerwin the brocure said it was the World’s Capital of Old-Time Mountain Music and dubbed one of the Ten Best Driving Vacations by USA Today, we decided this is where we would spend our weekend.
We had hoped to find a bluegrass or mountain folk concert during this trip – and there was one that night at historic Rex Theater.
After checking into our motel, and relaxing a bit, we drove to the theater. The two-hour concert is free, because it is usually a live radio program with sponsors. (It wasn’t live on this night because of the Bristol NASCAR race. It was going to be aired the following Monday.)
There was a beautiful painting of a Tennessee mountain behind the stage, and the old chairs were stuffed and spring-loaded – which means we could “rock” to the music while enjoying Pepsi and popcorn. Oh, what fun!
The announcer for WBRF 98.1 FM reading names of sponsors for the Blue Ridge Back Roads Show – which we were about to enjoy.
Maggie and Bill Anderson’s old-time music (mostly old gospel tunes) and singing was fabulous.
They sang with great harmony and timing and loved to tease each other.
They seemed to instinctively know what the other person was going to do or say next. They did the 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. portion of the show.
The Blue Ridge Travelers performed from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
They were talented musicians – doing mostly instrumentals – a delight to our ears.
Twelve-year-old Jeffrey stole the show with amazing mandolin picking and funny facial expressions.
We were so pleased to have discovered this fabulous concert.
~~~
When we got back to the motel, and told the clerk how much we enjoyed the evening. She said, “Then you may enjoy Fries Volunteer Fire Department’s Fiddlers & Bluegrass Convention tomorrow.”
It was just a few miles away and lasted from 3:00 p.m. until midnight, so we made plans to stay at the motel another night.
~~~
I’ll show you those pictures tomorrow!
~~~
Road Trip – Day 3
TFC Chapel, Wytheville, VA
&
Rex Theater, Galax, Virginia
Friday, August 20
As we approached the Wytheville TA Travel Center, we were pleased to see this great ad for the chapel.
The Beacon Light Chapel is behind the restaurant and next to the garage – an easy place for truckers to find.
Chaplain David Nispel is a retired driver, who rededicated his life to the Lord on one of our chapels many years ago – I think 1987 – after he had walked far from God and was going through a tough time.
He showed Cerwin a welding repair that had recently been done under the chapel. Cerwin said they did a good job.
David is a good friend and prayer warrior to many drivers. On this day we were pleased to meet Kevin, a driver from Michigan.
Kevin signed a TFC release form so we can use these pictures in ministry literature.
Like that hat!
I doubt that any driver leaves the chapel without a prayer of blessing from Chaplain David.
While we were there, he received several phone calls from drivers who had previously shared concerns with him. One was a praise for answered prayer.
David prayed with each one before they said goodbye.
We were pleased that Buddy and Pat Dillow were available to go out with us for an early supper. Buddy used to be on staff with TFC, and is now a volunteer at this chapel.
It was delightful to catch up on their lives. This was a birthday party for Chaplain David whose birthday was the next day.
My delicious meal
~~~
After leaving the chapel, Cerwin asked me to get the Road Atlas, and as he drove, we discussed where to get a motel for the night. Our next appointment was Monday morning in Greensboro, North Carolina, so we had an open weekend – without any plans.
As I looked for towns that were in the general direction of our route, I noticed Galax, Virginia, and remembered picking up a brochure about Galax when we were at the visitors center just after entering Virginia.
When I told Cerwin the brocure said it was the World’s Capital of Old-Time Mountain Music and dubbed one of the Ten Best Driving Vacations by USA Today, we decided this is where we would spend our weekend.
We had hoped to find a bluegrass or mountain folk concert during this trip – and there was one that night at historic Rex Theater.
After checking into our motel, and relaxing a bit, we drove to the theater. The two-hour concert is free, because it is usually a live radio program with sponsors. (It wasn’t live on this night because of the Bristol NASCAR race. It was going to be aired the following Monday.)
There was a beautiful painting of a Tennessee mountain behind the stage, and the old chairs were stuffed and spring-loaded – which means we could “rock” to the music while enjoying Pepsi and popcorn. Oh, what fun!
The announcer for WBRF 98.1 FM reading names of sponsors for the Blue Ridge Back Roads Show – which we were about to enjoy.
Maggie and Bill Anderson’s old-time music (mostly old gospel tunes) and singing was fabulous.
They sang with great harmony and timing and loved to tease each other.
They seemed to instinctively know what the other person was going to do or say next. They did the 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. portion of the show.
The Blue Ridge Travelers performed from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
They were talented musicians – doing mostly instrumentals – a delight to our ears.
Twelve-year-old Jeffrey stole the show with amazing mandolin picking and funny facial expressions.
We were so pleased to have discovered this fabulous concert.
~~~
When we got back to the motel, and told the clerk how much we enjoyed the evening. She said, “Then you may enjoy Fries Volunteer Fire Department’s Fiddlers & Bluegrass Convention tomorrow.”
It was just a few miles away and lasted from 3:00 p.m. until midnight, so we made plans to stay at the motel another night.
~~~
I’ll show you those pictures tomorrow!
~~~
Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer. [Jesus]
Matthew 5:44 (The Message)
Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer. [Jesus]
Matthew 5:44 (The Message)
Road Trip – Day 3
Monacan Village
At Natural Bridge
Thursday, August 20
The first time you notice the Native American Village – during the early part of Cedar Creek Nature Trail – is when you approach the palisade (fence).
This exhibit is a bit grassy and weedy, but there is a variety of garden and herb items here.
I found the house quite interesting. The interpreter said there would be thirty or forty of these in a village, but because of space there is only one here.
I soon learned that their wigwams or ATI were only used for sleeping, storage, and protection from the elements. Cooking, sewing, and crafts were done in special shelters.
Beds were probably comfortable to them, but they don’t look real comfortable to me.
The interior was very dark and smelled of smoke. I was able to take these pictures because of a good flash.
The source of the pungent smell of smoke.
Drying corn
Gourds and baskets were used for storage.
This is a sample of a village cooking area. The size depended on the number of people living inside the palisade.
And interpreter explained the process of tanning and how various hides were used, traded, or sold.
This is where women did their stitching, weaving, crafts, and maybe prepared something for a meal.
Three hundred years ago life was quite different for Native Americans, and anyone living in the United States.
This was an interesting trip back in history.
European colonists arriving in Virginia may have been greeted with, “Wingapo.” If you ask any Virginia Indian, “When did you come to this land?”, he or she will tell you, “We have always been here.”
~~~
Tomorrow: Visiting Chaplain David Nispel at the chapel in Wytheville, VA.
~~~
God rules. On your toes, everybody! He rules from his angel throne—take notice! God looms majestic in Zion, He towers in splendor over all the big names.
Psalm 99:1-2 (The Message)
God rules. On your toes, everybody! He rules from his angel throne—take notice! God looms majestic in Zion, He towers in splendor over all the big names.
Psalm 99:1-2 (The Message)
Road Trip – Day 3
Natural Bridge
Firday, August 20
This is a place I’ve wanted to see for a long time, but it’s the first time it fit into our travel plans.
The arch is composed of solid grey limestone and is 215 feet high (55 feet higher than Niagara Falls). It is 40 feet thick, 100 feet wide, and spans 90 feet between the massive walls. The span contains 450,000 cubic feet of rock.
According to legend, in 1750 the youthful George Washington, engaged by Lord Fairfax, surveyed the surrounding acreage of Natural Bridge, and during his visit scaled twenty-three feet up the left wall of the bridge and carved his initials G.W. which can be seen today.
At it’s highest point, the bridge is approximately 1,160 feet above sea level. Before white men came to our shores, the Monacan Indians considered this ancient wonder a sacred site and called it The Bridge of God.
On the entrance side of the bridge, I noticed this woman sketching it. She gave me permission to take this picture.
It was a beautiful day to walk Cedar Creek Nature Trail.
Lost River
This couple was just ahead of us, and pointed out a snake that was sunning in the tree below us.
From the beginning of the trail to the end at Lace Falls, the distance is about one mile.
We could see lots of tiny fish in the shallow part of the creek.
On the return trip, we spent some time talking with the couple who showed us the snake. They are retired and walk this trail almost every day of the year.
The only days they don’t walk is when the trail is closed because there are large icicles on the bridge or the creek is in flood stage.
The final part of the walk was the toughest – when we climbed the 137 steps to the visitors center. (For those who cannot ascend the steps or do not wish to, they can take a shuttle bus.)
Partway up the steps, we came upon this old, interesting tree.
Natural Bridge literature says it is 1,500 years old.
~~~
There is an Native Indian Village along the trail, and because I took quite a few pictures, I will post those photos tomorrow night.
~~~
God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness.
Psalm 145:3 (The Message)
