This doesn't look like Virginia.
That's what I told myself at every bend of the New River this past June. I was on another photo shoot with Sam Dean in Pembroke. This time we were shooting for two days and camping overnight on the river- my first time in a tent since my long-forgotten Girl Scout days. I was ready to pee in the woods. I was ready to get my shoes wet (not with pee). I was ready for the sweat and too much sun. I was ready to not sleep at all. I wasn't ready for the train that would roll through the neighboring meadow at 5 am on day two. It's a hell of a wake-up call, but it got the camp stirring.
Before I get ahead of myself...
That's what I told myself at every bend of the New River this past June. I was on another photo shoot with Sam Dean in Pembroke. This time we were shooting for two days and camping overnight on the river- my first time in a tent since my long-forgotten Girl Scout days. I was ready to pee in the woods. I was ready to get my shoes wet (not with pee). I was ready for the sweat and too much sun. I was ready to not sleep at all. I wasn't ready for the train that would roll through the neighboring meadow at 5 am on day two. It's a hell of a wake-up call, but it got the camp stirring.
Before I get ahead of myself...
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." -Dr. Seuss
This quote was running through my head both days of the adventure. Here I am. Going. Learning. Camping. Castle Rock (above middle) had been on my radar for a few years, and my attempts to research the formation were relatively fruitless. There wasn't much to learn via Google, so I was super excited to be experiencing it in person.
The rock tower lies on one of the five oldest rivers in the world as it flows through the little town of Pembroke, population 1,128. It's here that Tangent Outfitters provides full service outfitting for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting and mountain biking. They'll even be your guides. With southern charm and accents to boot!
This quote was running through my head both days of the adventure. Here I am. Going. Learning. Camping. Castle Rock (above middle) had been on my radar for a few years, and my attempts to research the formation were relatively fruitless. There wasn't much to learn via Google, so I was super excited to be experiencing it in person.
The rock tower lies on one of the five oldest rivers in the world as it flows through the little town of Pembroke, population 1,128. It's here that Tangent Outfitters provides full service outfitting for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting and mountain biking. They'll even be your guides. With southern charm and accents to boot!
Several portions of the river near Pembroke were lined with cliffs like the one you see above. The river was silent and the morning fog made their unveiling surreal. The moment above is one of my favorites. We were on a jungle safari in Virginia, minus the flesh-eating fish and bugs as big as your hand.
Below are some behind-the-scenes moments. On the left, Sam shoots slo-mo video of the models on day one. I can't tell you how nervous the bend in that jib arm made me. Do you see the camera held up by a string over the water? Shout out to Parkway Brewing Co's Get Bent Mountain IPA in the middle. And on the left, Ron The Bike Guy improvises with a reflector on Whose Line Is It Anyway.
Below are some behind-the-scenes moments. On the left, Sam shoots slo-mo video of the models on day one. I can't tell you how nervous the bend in that jib arm made me. Do you see the camera held up by a string over the water? Shout out to Parkway Brewing Co's Get Bent Mountain IPA in the middle. And on the left, Ron The Bike Guy improvises with a reflector on Whose Line Is It Anyway.
I'd also like to give a shout out to The Palisades Restaurant in Eggleston. I'd eaten at the farm-to-table restaurant on a previous trip and fell in love. Imagine how excited I was to learn they were catering dinner and breakfast for us while camping. On day two they made THE BEST grits I've ever had in my life. In a cast iron skillet. Over a fire. I thought I had been living a food-fulfilled life before that moment, but I stand delectably corrected.
The adventure came and went, 12 million photos were snapped, no one drowned (for the most part), and we all got sun. If I were Dr. Seuss I'd make up an awesome ending with mountains and water and paddles and rhyme it with "fun." Instead:
"You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!"
"You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!"
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