* Wilderness Regional Museum * 12.28.2021 * Dublin, VA *
Off I 81 on our way from Shenandoah, VA to Gatlinburg, TN. Even though the museum was closed the docent came in to meet us and give us a tour. Mind you, Harvest Hosts are free to stay at. There are so many wonderful people out here on the road. April, our tour guide, shared stories about the area, these buildings, but mainly about the families that lived here. Many relatives of the original owners still live in the community today. She said she was reviewing court records archived in the attic looking to document some of the more “illicit activities” that happened in the community, and so many of the names have not changed. She finally decided to use the name “Smith” to not offend any families here. Fascinating stories of industrious people. Out the window of this first photo you can see where our RV will be parked for the night. April said this level spot use to have a long outbuilding on it, where the wagons would pull off the main route to load up on new supplies, before continuing their journeys westward. It’s humbling to think that our RV sits, and we will sleep in the same spot of so much westward traveling history. I think it’s a good omen and a tip of the hat to the journey through history we are embarking upon.
