Natural Bridge

On Saturday Cissi, Brenda and I went to the Natural bridge and caverns in the north. We got there for 9am (which meant way too early a morning). But we got there were there were only a few people there.

Entrance to the bridge park.

The bridge is a natural formation carved out by Cedar Creek. There is a mile walk along the creek, through the bridge and up to Lace waterfall.

Waterfall along the steps going down to the creek

Cissi with her ticket!

Cissi and Brentha in front of the bridge.

Natural bridge and Cedar Creek

Luckily no rocks fell on us.

The walk along the Creek was beautiful. And it was a gorgeous day.

Cedar Creek

Another waterfall.

There was also lots of wildlife along the way. There were butterflies everywhere. As well as a few snakes sunning themselves. The otter was too fast for a photo but the baby geese happily posed for the camera.

Lots of the trees had these huge mushrooms.

Baby geese posing.

This butterfly stayed on her hand for ages. (Even when she walk halfway back down the trail)

Looking for some sun

Sunbathing

So were the butterflies.

The water fall at the end was lovely. We couldn't get as close as I wanted to but still worth the trip.

Lace waterfalls.

Cissi at the waterfalls

There was also a recreation of a Monacan indian Village from ~1700.  There were various huts and people to explain about how they lived. Miss Elizabeth is a direct descendent but there are only about 3500 left.

Miss Elizabeth, demonstrating planting

Raccoon, also used as a glove by the Indians. (Skunks used to stored tobacco.)

Deer hides.

Turkey wing used as a fan for the fire.

We had lunch by one of the waterfalls and then headed to the shop. There was also a butterfly farm at the shop.

After the bridge, we headed up the road to the caverns. Unfortunately the tour group we were in was huge so at times it was hard to hear what the tour guide was saying. Still the caves were nice. (My camera is rubbish in low light so I didn't get any good photos.)

We had finished at the caverns by 3.30pm so decided to head to a vineyard on the way back to Roanoke before dinner. Unfortunately we managed to pick on which was closed for a wedding. :-( Next time. 

We stopped at a Taiwanese restaurant in Roanoke on the way back. I just let Cissi order. The food was nice and the people were lovely and gave us free hot tea. There was also a Chinese Zodiac on the table. Because I have a juvenile sense of humour (and a gutter mind), mine made me laugh.    

My Chinese zodiac.