Michelle, Chazzy and I spent the weekend exploring different areas of SW Virginia. Our first stop was the Powell-Thompson Cemetery in Mercer County, WV (just a short distance over the border) to visit the gravesite of my GGGG-Grandfather who served in the 8th Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War. Then we made our way into Giles County, VA and up Stony Creek to Glen Alton. After a hike along the birding trail we drove up on Salt Pond Mountain and hiked out to Wind Rock. The levels of Mountain Lake have dropped even lower than last year and the lake is probably a third of its former size. We spent the night at Claytor Lake and the next morning we were up early for some mountain biking along the New River Trail. Finally, on Sunday we hiked Molly's Knob at the Hungry Mother State Park near Marion. A final stop at the salt ponds at Saltville, VA completed the weekend loop. We had a great time and enjoyed nature right here in our part of the state.