#66 Big Stone Gap, VA

We are located at Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground in Big Stone Gap, VA.  The RV park is clean, spacious and located right on the Greenbelt Trail.  This bike/walking trail winds along part of the Powell River and through the town of Big Stone Gap.

You can see our motorhome located in the lower left area of this photo.

When we pulled in to the RV park, we found this cool, welcoming porch complete with rocking chairs.

  

The Greenbelt Trail is about 2.5 miles in length. 

The RV park owner is a woodcarver.  Some of his work can be viewed along the Greenbelt Trail.

Notice the overflowing Powell River.  Yes, it has been raining here a lot.

Big Stone Gap is located about 75 miles west of Wytheville and Marion, VA.  We enjoyed the scenic drive here and saw little traffic compared to that on Interstate 81. 

It seems Big Stone Gap has an interesting history.

In my research of attractions in the area, I discovered that a movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, Ashley Judd and Patrick Wilson was filmed here last fall.  The movie title is Big Stone Gap

and it is based on the best selling novel "Home to Big Stone Gap" by local native Adrianna Trigiani.  I understand the movie has not yet been released.  Also, American author John Fox Jr, who wrote Trail of the Lonesome Pine, was also from Big Stone Gap.  This book was made into a movie in 1936 which starred Henry Fonda and Fred MacMurry.  You can read more about that movie at this website.

There is even an outdoor drama here, Trail of the Lonesome Pine. It's produced through the months of July and August.

I can understand how these authors were inspired to write these creative and inspirational stories, the mountains surrounding this area and the town are just beautiful.  It looks like we have found another interesting place to explore.

I'll be adding more later.