Floyd, VA-Roanoke, VA 10/9 120 driving miles; 6 walking milesy

John Denver was right, it was "...almost heaven, West Virginia." That's because heaven was over the ridge a piece in Virginia. He just missed it. After being here a few days, I'm pretty sure God is a Virginian, although I'm sure "thems fightin' words". At the very least, Jesus' spirit of kindness, gracious acceptance, and joy has emitted from every "best" human we've met around these parts. After awaking to a gorgeous sunrise, we showered, dried our tents, and headed in from the camp ground for morning coffee. With the whole day before us, we headed South to a little town called Galax, one of the few towns left around here with industry (Furniture factory). We talked first with Lindsey and Dakota at the visitor center because that's the place we beeline to after arriving in a town. (Obviously, information is received better after a restroom break). The gals (Girls, women, ladies...they're all young to me) were wonderful. I especially enjoyed the gentle way Dakota interacted with Lindsey, who has some sort of special need. There was the kindness on display. Our next to "best" humans, Becky Barr, wife of the owner of Barr's Fiddles and a young man named Evan who works for them simply gushed with enthusiasm as they chatted us up: hence the gracious acceptance. Then I ran into to gals (Brenda and Tina) who were delighted that I took their picture in front of the water powered sawmill: hence the joy. Maybe it's the music that rings everywhere in these mountains, but whatever it is, I myself am overjoyed that  I'm graced to experience this area. Speaking of joy, Becky Barr directed us to the Blue Ridge Mountain Music Center where daily local musicians gather in the breezeway in a circle, each musician taking a turn at leading a song. Judy and I experienced much the same thing in Luchenbach, TX the last two winters. What's especially striking (Especially in light of this oft times dog eat dog world we live in) is that everytime a new player showed up, the others simply widened the circle, sometimes playing with one hand and holding the chair with the other.  (I felt the same magical feeling in Luchenbach) After listening for awhile and touring the exhibits that explained the music's history, we drove another stretch of the parkway. I don't want to put limits on heaven, but today under the cotton candy cumulus clouds, the shy girl blushing of fall colors, and the spine straight trees standing at attention like soldiers along side the road, clearly this is a favored place in creation. Regardless, bathed as I am in this pure hearted music, all I can conclude is that life is good, especially today.

This the day the Lord hath made.

Lindsey and Dakota, very cute and very helpful.

Art shot of the day: Music in the air.

Becky Barr, wife (43 yrs.) of the owner who builds, repairs, plays, and sells intruments-not just fiddles.

All kinds of instruments, both old snd new, decorate the store.

Evan, a banjo player, dabbling with this mandolin. I told him. "I only play the radio." He replied, "That's OK, we need listeners, too!"

When it was Howard's turn, he told a story about Hoot Owls (He grew up a mile away), and then he played (And sang) a gospel tune called, "Give me the roses while I live".

Best photo of the day. The water powered saw mill: life as it was back then.

Selfie of the day: Me, Brenda, and Tina. (I heard Tina answer her husband's question: "What you doin'?" She says, "I'm getting my pichure taken with this goid looking man."

 Surely, this place is among God's favorite.

I'll add this but camera's cannot capture the vista, and the best light was on the other side of ridge.

Just a waitin' for the flat steppin' to begin. Gospel hour provided by a five piece ensemble and Clogging Team, all students on scholarship from Davis and Elkins College.

Wow! Five wildly talented kids of the 800 who attend Davis-Elkins, and interestingly small worldish, the fiddle player (Scotty Leach) is from Centralia, WA, but of course he wasn't born when I taught there. Message of the night: "We'll camp a little while in the wilderness, in the wilderness, in the wilderness, and then we'll all journey home." Amen.

And then, prayers be answered, the tap dancing began! Amen