View Full Version : AT Journeys profiles Catawba, VA
Chaco Taco
01-15-2008, 13:27
I was reading the new Journeys Mag and they profiled Catawba, Va. i am thinking of taking my cousin up there for her first AT experience and to hike up to McAfee and Dragon's Tooth. What do you guys think of this area. Is it as beautiful as described in Journeys???
Blue Jay
01-15-2008, 13:29
Yes, yes and yes
Lone Wolf
01-15-2008, 13:33
and make sure you do it thursday - sunday then eat at The Homeplace restaurant http://filebox.vt.edu/users/kdesrosi/thehomeplace/
The Solemates
01-15-2008, 13:39
if i could live anywhere, it would probably be in this valley
Chaco Taco
01-15-2008, 13:51
The photos in this edition are amazing. I think I have found my cousins first hike.
Thoughtful Owl
01-15-2008, 14:03
I was reading the new Journeys Mag and they profiled Catawba, Va. i am thinking of taking my cousin up there for her first AT experience and to hike up to McAfee and Dragon's Tooth. What do you guys think of this area. Is it as beautiful as described in Journeys???
Most definately and as LW said...
and make sure you do it thursday - sunday then eat at The Homeplace restaurant http://filebox.vt.edu/users/kdesrosi/thehomeplace/
this is a part of the AT experience you won't want her to miss. If you haven't been here before you are in for a real treat!
Cool, thanks for the heads up on the article, COL Chaco. I'd love to read the article and see the pics, but my new edition of Journeys isn't here yet. :(
Mmm mmmm Mmm..the Home Place.
Lotsa yummy food.
I remember being clad in LL Bean Cresta Hikers that were a bit worn and a little muddy. Smelly clothes that smelled from sweat.
No matter.
The owners insisted we go in first. Set us up and said to make sure we had our fill.
It was one of the most memorable places to eat on any of the trail journeys I've taken.
Lone Wolf
01-15-2008, 15:08
Stumpknocker finished his 06 thru-hike there
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=163561
Blue Jay
01-15-2008, 15:30
The first time I made it to the Homeplace, I was 4 hour early, so I fell asleep in one of the Gazebos. Some time later I heard a voice from heaven, sweet southern and extremely female. "Mr. Hiker, Mr. Hiker, you don't have to wait until we open, come around to the kitchen". As soon as I got there they were throwing out a pan of peach cobbler that they judged to be burnt (exaxctly the way I like it). I ate the whole pan. There are only a few times in my life that were better than that afternoon.
Chaco Taco
01-15-2008, 15:31
Actually the photos in the whole thing are friggin awesome.
Cool, thanks for the heads up on the article, COL Chaco. I'd love to read the article and see the pics, but my new edition of Journeys isn't here yet. :(
Catawba Valley is absolutely spectacular. One of my favorite areas around the trail.
Chaco Taco
01-15-2008, 15:39
Looks like we are going to go the last weekend March.
That's where I'm starting my section this summer, where the trail crosses 602. Gotta plan this right. Start my hike between a Thurs and Sunday and I can eat there. Ya baby!! What a way to start a hike!!
Yo Colonel,
Definately two beautiful spots on the AT. Make sure you go past macafee north, Tinker cliffs continues for about a mile or so afterwards....Beautiful rock cliffs and views. See ya soon??
oh, and don't worry about the homeplace. it is amazing food but you had better be seriously hungry to get your money's worth. which I always do.
Hobo
Creek Dancer
01-15-2008, 16:00
Ahhhhhhhhhh...The Home Place. Where they have to tie down the biscuits to the basket lest they float away.
Actually the photos in the whole thing are friggin awesome.Yeah, thanks for rubbin' that in. ;):D I'm sure it'll be here in the next day or twelve.
Blissful
01-15-2008, 17:14
For sure. Great views and a great place to eat. Doesn't get any better.
D'Artagnan
01-15-2008, 17:25
Yeah, thanks for rubbin' that in. ;):D I'm sure it'll be here in the next day or twelve.
Just in case, I'll bring my copy to SORUCK. ;)
Gotta agree that Catawba Valley is one of those places everyone should visit to truly appreciate the AT. I still remember waking to the sound of what I would later learn were roosting buzzards on the high tension power lines near Campbell (?) shelter. Not a sound I was expecting. :D Kind of spooky when you're all alone. :o
Well for once I get something right :D
When I come over this forms part of my hike and I will definitely arrange to get to the Home Place - biscuits that have to be pegged down, home made cobblers - Heaven.
YUM... those biscuits. Oh my God !!..
I heard a voice from heaven, sweet southern and extremely female. pan of peach cobbler
Pretty hard to pick which made me smile more.
Yes, it is. Wish I had hiked up there earlier.
Have a great trip!
Frau
sheepdog
01-15-2008, 18:36
D'Artagnan
I still remember waking to the sound of what I would later learn were roosting buzzards on the high tension power lines near Campbell (?) shelter. Not a sound I was expecting. :D Kind of spooky when you're all alone. :o
The way I hike, I get spooked anytime a buzzard is near me. They might think I am an easy meal.:eek:
Be careful coming down Dragon's Tooth if you go northbound. I got crossed up on the rocks, got off the trail, and ended up in a cowfield. It's a beautiful area though.
if i could live anywhere, it would probably be in this valley
Sorry, gotta rain on the parade: Sulfur water, stinky rotten-egg sulfur water. Not out of the springs but out of the wells & no county water. That valley is 15 min. from Roanoke and yet very little development. Same for Mason Cove back closer to ROA. Blessing and a curse.
Hikerhead
01-15-2008, 22:57
I used to live way up in Masons Cove. Man that was a long arse ride to work everyday.
But I'd like to move back there now.
The Solemates
01-16-2008, 11:58
Sorry, gotta rain on the parade: Sulfur water, stinky rotten-egg sulfur water. Not out of the springs but out of the wells & no county water. That valley is 15 min. from Roanoke and yet very little development. Same for Mason Cove back closer to ROA. Blessing and a curse.
i'll take it any day over where i currently reside. little development is what i want.
Sorry, gotta rain on the parade: Sulfur water, stinky rotten-egg sulfur water. Not out of the springs but out of the wells & no county water. That valley is 15 min. from Roanoke and yet very little development. Same for Mason Cove back closer to ROA. Blessing and a curse.
Little bit of chlorine will take care of that, usually...
Furlough
01-16-2008, 14:50
Stumpknocker finished his 06 thru-hike there
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=163561
An apt and funny excerpt from the above -
"I got to Campbell's Shelter and saw Lone Wolf there waiting on me with a couple PBR's and some wine.
I drank a PBR, but left the wine for him. We sat there for a while talking. I watched Lone Wolf drink the wine. He must be really refined because when he would tilt the bottle to drink, his pinky finger would stick out. :-)))"
Love to read Stumpy's journals, the man has a humorous wit I can appreciate.
Furlough
_terrapin_
01-16-2008, 22:57
Dang, I'm kickin' myself for skipping Catawba. I was in a hurry to finish my hike, two days to the south. Stoopid. Maybe next time. ;)
Kerosene
01-17-2008, 11:22
I thought that the section between Dragon's Tooth and The Priest was terrifically scenic and a great walk. Definitely two thumbs up!
The Catawba General Store was one of the most welcoming places on the southern half of the AT. I was there on a Tuesday so no Home Place, but I ate well in the "Fine Dining and Hardware Room".
Eunice, who worked at the General store last year, was a true trail angel for me. I had to get off in Catawba, and she took good care of me. Took me to her home, then drove me to the airport so I could rent a car one way back to nashville.
Thanks Eunice!! Hope I get to see her again when I go back this year.