Shirley, we love you!

Oh my word, we left Fort Chiswell and went to find an Information Centre for the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Shirley Welch and Ruth

Talk about finding a needle in a haystack.  We followed the signs and it was a bit like following a "Deviation" sign in France.  You know what I mean, - you follow the sign, and then there is nothing!  Absolute zippo!  You end up lost, or at the very least, looking stupid.
Eventually we asked where the Information Centre was, and were directed to a Farmer's Market on a parking lot, - with a warning that there would be a town festival going on. (But there wasn't).
When we got inside the tiny Visitor's/Information Centre, we were greeted by an old lady at least 80 years old!  (We kind of worked that one out from the things she told us).
She was the loveliest, most informative person we have met, and gave us fantastically good advice about the Blue Ridge Parkway.  In all the time we have been here, no one has given us such good information.
Soon we told her what we were doing, and oh boy, she was thrilled.
Shirley Welch of Carroll County Office of Tourism, Farmers Market Road, Hillsville, Virginia is now our VBF.  We spent a good 30 minutes to an hour, just enjoying the delightful company of a wonderful, gracious old lady, who was as switched on as any youngster.  Completely refreshing.
She ran the Tourism Office with style and perfection.

Shirley, it was a complete pleasure to meet you.
If  you ever get to read this blog, - our lives were enriched by meeting you!