OurSuiteTime: Blue Ridge Reservoir and Long Lake

Friday, June 26, 2009

Blue Ridge Reservoir and Long Lake

Yesterday started slowly for us but picked up in a hurry after we decided to take a drive on a couple of the forest roads nearby. Our first drive was on forest road 751 that started about 5 miles north of here off route 87. This road went to the Blue Ridge Reservoir. It was only 4.5 miles in on this road and we passed a really neat campground on the way in. The Rock Crossing Campground was the kind of place that dry campers love. In the forest, quiet and well maintained. Here is a picture of one of the approximately 36 sites:

All of the sites had a fire ring, picnic table and barbecue grill. Then we went to the end of this road to the reservoir. We were pleasantly surprised at the beauty of this body of water. Here is a picture from the road as you enter the reservoir area

Another shot of the launch that is at the bottom of this road:

And another of the sign at the top of this road above the launch:

The total distance from the lodge to this point was only 12 miles. We decided to take another of the forest roads a little further north off rte 87. This one, forest road 211 took us to Long Lake. There were actually two lakes, Soldier and Long Lake, but the road goes closest to Long Lake. It was a nice drive of about 20 miles through the forest to get there. We saw lots of wildflowers along the way. Here is a shot of some morning glory- like ground cover:

We finally arrived at Long Lake and it was in an area of no trees and flat, baron land. It was a huge lake and there were only a couple vehicles in sight. Probably because of its remoteness. Here are a couple shots of the lake and the boat launch:

Shortly after this shot was taken Josie came running up the launch and swatting at something. It turns out that there were hundreds of mosquitos on her legs and she couldn't get away fast enough. I looked down at my legs and mosquitos were swarming everywhere. We got out of there in a hurry.