One of the challenges for any weekend is to somehow get all the chores on the “to do” list done, yet still find time to play.  By 3pm this past Sunday, I’d accomplished enough to be able to head out for a little local ride.  Luckily for me, local riding often means country roads, fields, lakes, and historic communities.

Dry Valley

Claytor Lake is a reservoir of The New River, created when a hydroelectric dam was built in 1939.  I stopped for a water break and the chance to watch the geese and ducks.  It was a perfect afternoon to ride, but the bright sun made for challenging photography.

Yes! That is a lighthouse! On the lake 🙂

Soon it was time to ride on down to the end of the road.

I’ve photographed this slowly decaying barn from many angles … it’s a beauty.

From there, I rode through the community of Newbern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  I’ve ridden through the Newbern Historic District many, many times but somehow had missed these two structures.

The Old County Jail and site of the First Courthouse of Pulaski County

The original reservoir for the Newbern Waterworks

A little beauty, a little history, a little photography … all seen from the bike. Not a bad way to spend a few hours.