Wytheville VA Graham's Forge Adventure

In planning our trips, I look for interesting places off the main highways.  We do not normally travel interstate highways because we much prefer the adventure of backroads.  In planning the drive from Wytheville, VA to Harrisonburg, I saw that just off the highway was Graham's Forge.  For some reason, it caught my imagination and decided we needed to try to find it.

Little did I know the adventure this little detour would provide.

I parked in the church parking lot and proceeded to get pictures as near the old building as I could.  I am assuming the brick building may have been the Graham family's general store, and I'm sure it carries its own stories.

The old Forge is the wooden building in the background.  I have since found better pictures of it and a bit of its history.

Source

Graham's Forge Mill is a historic grist mill located in the community of Grahams Forge, Wythe County, Virginia. The mill was built about 1890, and is a five-story, rectangular, wood-frame building on a limestone foundation. Atop the metal roof is a cupola with a finial, and a late-Victorian-styled lightning rod. Also on the property are the smokehouse with oven / kettle used for hog scalding, corn crib, grain storage facility, oven / kettle remains, and mill dam.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

I love this old photo!

When I got back in the car, I asked, "Where to now?" to able-bodied assistant.  He said, "Well, your directions say to head toward Graham Robinson Rd, but I don't know where it is."  At that moment we both looked up and saw the road sign immediately in front of us.  You guessed it - Graham Robinson Rd.  The only thing about this road was that it was a one lane dirt road headed who knows where.  It wasn't on the map.

Being either brave or crazy, we decided let's do it!

We weren't sure what we would do if we met an oncoming vehicle, but thankfully we were the only explorers on that road that day.

We soon came across these massive cinder block constructions.  As of yet, I have been unable to find out what they were used for.  Whatever it was, it was a large undertaking that petered out.

I decided this one needed investigating closer.

And this is what I discovered.  I was still no closer to finding out what took place in these buildings.  The dirt floor and tree-trunk posts should indicted something interesting.

Dick was happy to let me explore.  There was a nice little stream that actually started back at the Forge and the little dirt road followed it.

We found this interesting, but I chose not to get any closer.  We finally decided it must have been a two-story outhouse.  What do you think?

Then our adventure got a whole more interesting when the road suddenly ended in the middle of field with three non-English-speaking men working on some equipment.  It got a bit scary at this point because we had no idea where we were or where to go.

Finally, one of the men pointed to his right and we noticed this one lane wooden bridge.  Do we or do we not?  Are they trapping us in the woods?  So we prayed!

The road continued to be even rougher that before, but turning around was not an option.

Before we knew it, we had emerged into an open corn field and could actually see the possibility of life.  And we were still intact.

We eventually turned onto a paved road, and you will never believe what we saw.

We have since learned a lot about this old house, but at the time, we were awe struck and mystified to find something of this size in the middle of nowhere.

Construction of this historic home and plantation began in the 1830s for the family of Squire David Graham. Construction of the home and its many additions continued into the 1890s, when the property passed to the family of Graham's son, Major David Pierce Graham. The Graham family made their wealth from the labor of slaves, as well as the iron industry which was also an important part of the economic history of this region. The Graham family's iron furnaces provided pig iron (a lesser quality) that was instrumental in building a variety of items. Major Graham served in the Confederate Army, and his furnaces provided iron for Southern forces during the Civil War.  Graham's pig iron was turned into cart wheels, rail, and even cannon, but it was reported the iron was unsuitable for the task as some of the cannon made from it ruptured.

The home of Squire David Graham, and later his son, Major David Pierce Graham, was built in stages beginning in 1830. The Grahams were influential residents in Wythe County owing to their wealth, the labor of slaves, and ownership of a dozen iron forges and furnaces. The Grahams were also investors in several mines and other projects throughout the region. The family also owned thousands of acres as well as a general store and mill.

David Pierce Graham, was born in 1838. He  was a major with the the 51st Virginia Infantry Regiment, which was formed in 1861 with eleven companies.  He joined at that time and rose to the rank of Major, before being discharged for health reasons. Major Graham still desired to support the Confederacy and provided iron for the Rebel cause. It is even claimed that a children's room in the mansion was used to as a meeting place for Confederate commanders and also to treat Confederate wounded when action drew near.

Major Graham loved the mansion and lived there for his entire life adding to and refining his family's home. After his death, it stayed in the family until it was eventually sold.  More recently it was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Source

The house does now carry the fame of being haunted and there have evidently been para-normal sightings.  Whether or not this is true, the tours are helping support the restoration process.  Let it be known, we saw nothing to prove or disprove the claim.

I hope you have enjoyed taking this adventure with us.

A Red, White & Blue Hodgepodge

I have been away from the Hodgepodge for several weeks and decided this is the week to try to make a comeback.  It is not likely to last long since we have a month-long trip planned for mid-June to July, but let's enjoy it while I can.

Thank you, Joyce, for being ever faithful to bring us together.

1. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children, how did you choose their names?

Yes, I love my name, Elizabeth Claire.  Elizabeth is a family name passed down through many generations on both sides, and most recently, a maternal great aunt after whom my mother was named - Laura Elizabeth.

Our son, John Marcus, was not named after any family member, although I regret not giving him my father's middle name, Porter, even though he loves his middle name and it has now been passed down three generations. Also, the initials, JMD have remained for 3 generations.

 I wanted to continue the Elizabeth tradition, so we named our daughter Christina Elizabeth.  She is simply called Christy.  Her first daughter also carries Elizabeth as a middle name.  Now that Chandler Elizabeth is expecting a girl, I asked if she would carry on the tradition, and I think her facial expression indicated the name will likely end where it currently is.

2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose?

A piece of red velvet cake.  However, I can easily picture a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a few scattered blueberries completing the plate.  My next pick would be a combination of red, white, and blue trifle cake.

3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day?

I have been happily retired too long to even pretend to answer this question.

 

4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer?

There is not a single patriotic thing inside or outside my house.  It is not that we aren't patriotic, it's just that I don't redecorate for any occasion or season other than Fall.  My neighbor felt sorry for me yesterday, Memorial Day, and brought me a couple of small flags to put outside.  I'll save them for closer to July.

5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!

May showers, thunderstorms, and lots of sunshine

A trip to South Texas, Big Bend, and a delightful night in Cloud Croft, NM

Yellow squash, zucchini, and onions stewed down and served with a steak for Sunday dinner

  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

After being misled by the blue sticky note on the gender reveal card and having a blue confetti reveal, our granddaughter discovered they are actually having a girl.  Everyone was thrilled with the repeat reveal with pink confetti, except Bass.  He had had enough!  This is from a video, hence the blur.  She will be our great-grandchild #8!

Speaking of great-grandchildren, how about this beautiful, happy Greek baby boy?  He will be two in mid-January, and we can't wait to see him and his parents when they visit Texas this fall.

And this is his gorgeous mother, who had her 30th birthday last week, ready for a special Greek birthday dinner with her handsome husband.

Remembering the MoonPie and RC Cola

Saturday night a week ago, while visiting a dear friend, we watched the splashdown of Artemis II's monumental return from the moon.  The only thing that would have made that visit more enjoyable would have been the ultimate celestial snack, the MoonPie, and a large RC Cola.  Do you remember this delight known as being "as big as the moon?"

I can't say I grew up on MoonPies and RC Colas back in the '50s, but they were definitely a delicacy when we were treated to them.  Our children loved them, and I would occasionally serve them for dessert.  Our family summer trips always included at least one box of Chocolate MoonPies, and they never melted in a hot car.  I now wonder why we allowed the health influencers to convince us that these icons, made with 'Real Sugar,' needed to be omitted from our diet.  Isn't it interesting that they still exist and, evidently, are still popular and offer several different varieties?  Have you had one lately?

So to belatedly celebrate Artemis II, let's look back on the MoonPie's beginning.

According to company lore, the story began in 1917 when Earl Mitchell, a traveling salesman, visited a general store frequented by Appalachian coal miners.  When Mitchell asked what they looked for in a snack, the miners responded that it needed to fill them up, be portable enough to fit in a lunch pail, and be a treat that would get them through a long shift.  One man then was said to point to the moon, saying he hoped the snack would be as big as the moon.

Mitchell headed back to Tennessee and reported to the folks at Chattanooga Bakery.  They came up with a new creation - a chocolate-dipped tasty treat featuring fluffy marshmallows sandwiched between two large graham crackers.  The legendary MoonPie was born, and soon folks all over the South were clamoring for one.

The Chattanooga Daily Times posted this ad for the Chattanooga Bakery on October 7, 1917.

By 1929, these factory workers in the Chattanooga Bakery were boxing up hundreds every day.

In its early days, the MoonPie was the ultimate budget-friendly snack.  For just a nickel, it offered a delicious boost.  It was often paired with an RC Cola, giving rise to the Depression lunch.  And that's another story:  In the '20s and '30s, the coldest place in the country was the drink box at the crossroads country store.  Farm workers would get an hour for lunch and would go to the drink box.

There was a 6-ounce Coca-Cola for a nickel, and there was a whopping big 10 ounce RC for a nickel.  The RC was the better buy, so they could buy a MoonPie for a nickel and here was lunch for a dime for these hard-working folks.  And that's how the MoonPie and RC Cola combo began.

From the Tennessean:  January 4, 1948

In the 1940s, the "Soldier's Comfort" MoonPies were shipped in comfort packages to boost morale for the Armed forces during WWII.

In the 1950s, MoonPies became the preferred "throw" during Mardi Gras parades.  They were soft enough to be tossed into a crowd without causing injury.  Before this, the "Cracker Jack" box was the favorite but tended to be rather dangerous.

The 1960s brought new flavors like vanilla, banana, and strawberry to the lineup.

In 1994, the Out of the World Festival celebrated the 75th anniversary of the MoonPie and the RC, and has become an annual festival in Tennessee.

1999 saw the debut of the Mini MoonPies.

From the Birmingham News:  July 27, 1981

So, whether you're planning to watch the skies for the next lunar mission or just looking for a taste of nostalgia, the MoonPie remains a delicious reminder of big dreams and even bigger snacks.  There is evidently a MoonPie recipe book with some pretty sinful ways to use this Southern snack.  Although I prefer mine plain, I do plan to look for a box on my next trip to the store.  How about you?

Travel on the Hodgepodge

Happy Humpday!

I haven't thought about Humpday in a long time, and not sure why it came to mind as I was typing this.  Nevertheless, it seems to apply this week.  Does Wednesday ever seem like a day you just need to get through so the rest of the week can unfold?  That may be why it came to mind.  This is indeed a busy week.

What a difference a couple of weeks can make!  Two weeks ago, on this Wed., we were laid-back and lazy, which is exactly how we wanted to be.  More on this in #6.

Now, let's get on with answering the Hodgepodge questions Joyce has given us.

1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately?

No, but I do compile all the information our CPA needs and put it in our portal on her website.  We heard from her last week while traveling that everything was perfect, and we will be getting money and our tax forms back this week.

Something taxing?  Yes!  One of the places we stayed on our trip, double-charged us and denies it, although it is obvious he charged our CC twice, one minute apart.  Getting this resolved is a very taxing endeavor.  Why can't people just be honest!

2. When it comes to travel, are you a last-minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

I am a combination of the two.  I start packing early by putting in things I will need on the trip.  Then, the last-minute things go in the day before we leave.  I am pretty good at planning my wardrobe and what I can mix & match.  However, this time I overpacked the jeans I would need.  My favorite packing tip is to tightly roll all my clothes.  They fit so much better and don't tend to wrinkle as easily.  Sure takes up much less space.

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level?

There are people I would like to see get their own month - me, for example, but I don't necessarily think a sandwich needs a whole month.

Yes, we love grilled cheese sandwiches, but don't eat them very often.  We love them with Tomato Bisque.  My secret ingredient is to add a bit of fig jelly to one side of the bread before toasting.  The light, sweet flavor adds a delightful taste and complements the cheese.

 

4. There's a well-known quote that says-

'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd  

Is constant growth necessary, or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

As a Christian, I think we are encouraged to always be growing in Christ's likeness.  That is my desire.  That being said, stability and a sense of peace are also to be desired, and I believe can only truly be found in achieving the prior.  

5. Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

• daffodils or tulips  -  Daffodils
• lemonade or iced tea   -  Iced sweet tea
• gardening or hiking   -  Neither!  Can't do either one anymore
• ladybugs or butterflies   -  Butterflies  
• umbrella or raincoat   -  Umbrella
• floral patterns or polka dots   -  Neither, but I'll go with polka dots

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We traveled down via the scenic routes through Southwest Texas to the Big Bend NP area a couple of weeks ago, arriving back home this past Monday.  It had been on our bucket list since moving to Texas five years ago.  It was a gloriously long and at times very tiring drive to the park, which we managed in two days.  Texas has one of the most diverse topographies, and of course is enormous.  There is no getting anywhere in a hurry.

After leaving the Tin Bit Ranch, where we stayed for three nights, we drove north to the Guadalupe Mountains, then northeast to the little New Mexico town of Alamogordo.  We loved driving through the White Sands National Park there and seeing other sights in the area.

Easter Sunday morning, we attended a very small First Baptist Church before driving north to our final destination.

These are a few of our favorite sights along the way.

Three Twisted Sisters Scenic Drive

Three Twisted Sisters Scenic Drive

Big Bend NP

White Sands NP

After church on Sunday, we drove up to Cloudcroft, NM, to overnight at the Cloudcroft Lodge.  It was such a great way to end our trip.

Lion or Lamb?

Welcome to our Wednesday Hodgepodge, where Joyce asks the questions and we answer.  Join us on her blog here.

1.  As the saying goes, 'March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.' Did your March come in roaring or like some other animal?

March 1 in Plano, TX, came in as a tiny kitten - all sunshine and happiness, with hardly a breeze.

Every month carries with it certain feelings, which is why some people love and anticipate December and others dread it. How do you feel about the month of March?

March is usually a transition month in the South.  It means winter is past, summer is probably coming before you're ready for it; the winds are picking up, and a cool front could come at any time.  March also means a time to begin transitioning your closet because you will definitely not need sweaters anymore, but neither will you go sleeveless except on occasion.  It's also a time to transition mentally, from predominantly indoor activities to being outdoors and traveling.

2. Where in your life are you a lion? Where are you a lamb?

 I can be a lion when I feel strongly about something, and an opportunity to express my opinion presents itself.  I am a lamb when the Holy Spirit nudges me and says, "That's enough, Libby."

3. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pound Cake day. Do you like pound cake? If so do you have a favorite flavor? Let's play this or that-

Pound cake is my husband's favorite cake, but have I made one in the past 40 years?  Nope!

• pound cake or layer cake?   Layer cake - preferably German Chocolate
• pound cake or cheesecake?   Pound cake
• pound cake or angel food cake?   Angel Food cake
• pound cake or brownie?   BROWNIE!  I can seek out a brownie on a large table full of every imaginable dessert.
• pound cake or pie?   Pound cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream or ice cream.

4. What makes you feel childlike wonder right now?

 Watching two of our great-grandchildren explore new things that their grandmother shares with us on Snapchat.

5. What's one thing you need to add to your wardrobe to get ready for spring? If you're in the southern hemisphere, then answer for fall?

I need more pants selections.  A neighbor bought the prettiest top for my birthday last year, and I liked it so much that I ordered several more in different colors and designs.  I need to swap in my winter leggings for something more appropriate for a Texas summer to go with my new tops.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

It is in the most amazing moments of sparkles and light that there will always be shadows.  So when all you see are shadows, turn and look for the light.  One cannot exist without the other.