Last weekend Diana (my wife) and I decided to journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is one of the prettiest drives in Virginia. The leaves are already showing signs of fall with some color changes; it won't be long until the peak season comes to the Parkway. We have never driven too far on the Parkway; usually we just go find a nice overlook close to home and set up our chairs, enjoy the view and commune with nature, God and our books. This journey carried us into North Carolina and then back into Virginia, stopping for the evening at Galax, VA. Some of the neat things we saw on this trip were the Mabry Mill in Floyd County (Va) a variety of wildlife, including deer that were everywhere, especially in the early evening hours when they come out to forage in the grassy fields along the Parkway. We saw wild turkeys that were so magnificent - they are such beautiful birds. I saw my first ever live skunk. I was beginning to think the only skunks that existed were road kill since that is the only way I have seen them. Skunks are really very pretty animals, almost like a cat.
We stopped in Mt. Airy, NC to visit Andy Griffith's home town and see all of the Mayberry sites. We got there just in time to visit their brand new Andy Griffith Museum and caught onto the tail end of a Mayberry squad car tour around the town. We followed the squad car as it stopped at all of the attractions related to the Andy Griffith show.
One of the most humorous things we saw was at Mabry Mill, VA. There's a pond next to the mill, with ducks that hang out and swim around. A couple had stopped to let their large Spaniel off his leash so he could run - not the smartest thing to do, since Spaniels do love water and love chasing things. This funny dog spotted the ducks and decided that one would be a great catch, and jumped right into the water. All but one white duck flew out of the pond to safety - the poor white duck couldn't fly. I saw this dog swimming around in the pond chasing the duck, and it was so funny I just started laughing. The owner corrected me - saying it wasn't funny at all because the dog had been in there for more than 30 minutes and wouldn't come out.
The funniest thing was that every time the dog paddled close to the duck and was ready to snatch him, the duck would disappear under the water, leaving the dog totally baffled. The duck would reappear 20 to 30 feet away, swimming calmly. This went on for at least twenty more minutes. Finally one of the ducks that could fly decided to help out his buddy and got back in the water. Now this Spaniel didn't know what to do, since he had two to chase now! The flying duck would swim close to the dog to distract him, and then would fill his face full of water from a very splashy take off; then the non-flying duck would swim close to the dog, only to do his disappearing act. I have never seen such team work from ducks and it gave me a whole new respect for them! Finally this thoroughly frustrated dog, and, I am sure, totally exhausted, decided to head for shore and back to his waiting masters.
Next time I'm sure they will be smarter and keep their dog on a leash when they are out in a public place. Their punishment was a ride home with a wet smelly dog!
Next time you are in Virginia or North Carolina, treat yourself to something special, and take the Parkway. You will find wonder and blessings with each turn you take, surely a show of God's handiwork.
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