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TWO PORTS IN A SUMMER
STORM
by Mona Magnis
We
luxuriated in Subway’s amenities for as long as we could. The storm finally let
up and we had a date with a bed and breakfast near Woolwine several miles
south.
The
house had been built at the turn of the century on the banks of the Rock Castle
Creek facing the site of the Mountain Rose Distillery Number 250 which was one
of the few legal distilleries in the state of Virginia. It was known for
“honest goods” and “full measure” and produced such delectable whiskeys as “Old
Ike” rye, “Mountain Dew” corn and “Pride of Virginia” corn whiskey. It is
rumored that the products of the Mountain Rose Distillery were used in the
White House during Prohibition.
After
settling in, we walked along the bubbling creek, noisy with birdsong and damp
from the rain. The clouds had lifted and, for the first time in three days we
welcomed the sun.
Although we were only staying one night we discovered that
there were many area attractions that could induce us to stay longer if we had
more time. Mabry Mill, the Chateau Morrisett Winery and restaurant with summer
jazz concerts, the Villa Appalachia Winery, the Floyd General Store which holds
Friday Night Jamborees, hiking trails, Fairy Stone State Park with its
swimming, fishing, hiking and biking trails and the Reynolds Homestead museum
are all very nearby.
The
Mountain Rose Inn |
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TM
Negotiating
the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia can be challenging at the best of times with
its serpentine, hairpin turns that squiggle for hundreds of miles but in a
thunderous rainstorm with fifty feet of visibility it is daunting. We had been
maneuvering the parkway for three days. The first day was glorious. The second
day the rains came and came and came. By the third day, with the promise of clearing, we attempted the Parkway
again and the clouds closed in and the storms began again. By lunch my husband,
the designated driver, was stiff and tired and we both were hungry having
nibbled away our supply of fruit and crackers. Descent roads were not close
together and in the fog we kept missing exits. As the afternoon wore on we
despaired of ever eating again. The fog finally lifted somewhat and we took the
first exit we saw and
left the parkway. Fortunately the road was somewhat straight and the traffic
light. Anyone with any sense stayed
indoors. As carefully as we could we searched the road for signs of a restaurant
but none were evident. Suddenly, we turned a sharp curve and saw a beautiful
yellow sun streaming through the storm. Right in front of us, in the middle of
nowhere, there was a shinning new Subway restaurant attached to a new service
station. Never have two tired, hungry pilgrims been so happy to see a fast food
restaurant as we were. We dodged the
rain and as we entered the brilliantly lit restaurant two friendly women
greeted us warmly. The restaurant was spotlessly clean. My husband and I
thought we were in a traveler’s heaven with warmth, welcome, delicious fresh
food and yes, immaculate restrooms. We had found a welcoming port in the storm.
With the skies still
dripping and the clouds beginning to lift we began our search for the Mountain
Rose Bed and Breakfast Inn. At Woolwine we turned right on Charity Hwy. The instructions read that the entrance is
on the left side immediately after crossing Rock Castle Creek. Of course we
missed the house because it is set back a hundred feet or more from the road at
the end of a curved, tree lined, unpaved lane. The trip was worth the search. When
the lane ended a lovely two story Victorian home nestled in a hundred acres of
treed land, extended its welcome. 
We
were graciously welcomed by the swim-suit clad innkeeper, Melodie Pogue and
immediately offered refreshments, sherry, ice tea and cookies and invited into
the pool for a swim.
Our large, sunny, interestingly decorated room was delightful. A private bath,
fireplace, air conditioning, soft linens, plush towels, private label soaps and
shampoos coddled us into feeling ‘right at home’. 
In the morning we were
treated to a delicious three-course breakfast. It was served elegantly on antique silver and china with 19th
century oil lamps providing the illumination. Fresh fruits, melon soup,
homemade breads, egg dishes as well as pancakes and other savories were
offered. The menu changes daily. 
We
had found a warm, welcoming second port in the summer storm.