The Pines Campground

Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
There are different wildflowers here than at the last site: lupines and wild geraniums, buttercups and some kind of bellflower. Also, the wild dogwoods are in bloom -- so pretty scattered among this rich green assortment of trees.

Virginia uses "not recommended" instead of "prohibited" on road signs, as in "tractor trailers not recommended on Rt 649". I like it. I'm going to make it a point to use it myself.

We are camping at a free National Forest campground here - The Pines. Sites are well-placed and have a fire ring and table. Nice place. At 4 pm, there are already several campers here, even though it's only Tuesday. Just to be safe, we left our chairs and water jugs to save our spot while we went fishing.

The Pines is aptly named. Full of tall, tall, straight pine trees, mixed with oaks and maple, hickory, walnut, and other deciduous trees. Weirdly, ALL the trees are tall and straight. It is kind of like our CT forests, except for the tall-tall-straightness factor. Must have been planted by loggers?

it's a very nice site. Some no-see-ums. Quiet. You can heat a stream running somewhere, and birds singing. A little out of to the way, and since there aren't many sites, fills up quick on weekends.

Another storm is threatening LOL.Read more