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| Virginia |
We continue our music-themed adventure with a couple of trips to the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia. During the summer the Center offers free Midday Mountain Music performances.
We spent Tuesday afternoon listening to Dot & Dan Shikenjanski. 🎻🪕
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| Dot & Dan Shikenjanski |
Dot and Dan played a terrific rendition of The Yellow Rose of Texas in our honor. They wanted to recognize people from the other states but didn't know songs for all 50 states. So they played YOUR STATE'S NAME HERE. This song is by Lou and Peter Berryman - click the YouTube link here to listen to the Berrymans singing it. It's fun!
After all that great music, we needed a treat.
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| The Conery |
The Conery in Draper was a perfect stop for ice cream! Located in the old Draper High School, The Conery is in the building known as the Home Economics Cottage (built in 1938).
This room was used to teach the boys Shop. In order to keep up with all of the school's tools, the Shop teacher painted silhouettes of the tools on the walls. The images on the front of this counter are the actual silhouettes found in this room.
In addition to listening to music, we explored the area where our friend grew up.
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| Canadian geese at Claytor Lake |
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| Fishermen on the New River |
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| Jackson Ferry Shot Tower |
The Jackson Ferry Shot Tower overlooks the New River. It was built more than 200 years ago to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers. Lead from nearby mines was melted in a kettle atop the 75-foot tower and poured through a sieve. It fell through the tower plus an additional 75-foot shaft beneath the tower into a kettle of water.
Only four of these architectural landmarks survive today!
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| Views from Draper Mountain Overlook |
We took a break to visit West Wind Winery.
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| West Wind Winery |
On Thursday afternoon we visited the Blue Ridge Music Center again. This time we enjoyed music performed by Scott Freeman & Willard Gayheart. Scott played the mandolin and the fiddle! Many of the songs they played were written by Willard who is 94 years old!
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| Scott Freeman & Willard Gayheart |
Click here to see my previous post about Virginia.
Our journey continues to North Carolina where we share some favorite sites with our travel buddy!
