Hello Patrick,
March Madness is upon us. This applies not only to basketball but also to our weather! As I write this, we are in the low 70s, and there is talk swirling that we could have snow the week of this read. Wow, that is genuinely March Madness. I may be telling you my age since the weather seems to be the beginning of my talks. Still, being in tourism, we heavily rely on good weather for our fantastic outdoor amenities here in beautiful Patrick County.
I have a question for you, Patrick. Do you know what a “Fairystone” is? Do you know where we can find them? A Fairystone is a staurolite, a small gem or precious stone. Some are shaped like a Roman or St Andrew’s Cross, but other variations exist.
Fairy Stone State Park gets its name from the iconic gems. It is an incredible State Park located right here in Patrick County. The “legend” of the stones is: “Long, long ago… as Fairies danced in the sunny glade in Patrick County, an Elfin Messenger arrived with the sad news of Christ Jesus’ crucifixion. The Fairies cried, and as their tears fell to the ground, they turned into small gems in the shape of crosses!! As the legend goes, the Fairies disappeared, but the remnants can still be found today! I have unearthed them on field trips during elementary school and later in my adult life. I encourage you to take in the beauty of the park this year.
The park is well known for its 168-acre lake adjoining Philpott Reservoir. It is just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Attractions include cabins, a campground, group camping, an equestrian campground, a conference center, hiking trails, lake swimming, rowboats, canoes, paddleboats, kayaks, picnicking, and two playgrounds. Yes, Patrick, this is in our backyard; some of you have never been. So, plan a trip, get in the water, hunt for “Fairystones,” and take in the beauty of nature.
The Park is just off Route 57, at 967 Fairystone Lake Dr., Stuart, VA 24171. It is one of those places that you should visit and tell your friends about. So, Patrick, “Come get lost and find yourself” at Fairy Stone State Park. You will love it!
James Houchins
Director of Tourism
