Fairies, Legends, Crystals and Leaves

Enchanting Fairy Stone Lake

 

 

Our last few nights in Virginia were spent at Fairy Stone State Park, about 25 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway in the southern part of the state.  All we knew of the park was that it had an intriguing name and it was on our way south so off we went.

 

 

Maya shows David which way to go to find the fairies...

 

 

It seemed we wandered for a long time along the back roads slowly climbing in elevation and clinging to the seemingly never-ending curves.  Fall was still putting on quite the show in this remote little mountain valley.  We were definitely off the beaten path.  

 

Some of the 'fairy stones' before polishing

 

At the park office we learned about the legend and science of the ‘Fairy Stone.’  The park acquired its unique name from stone crystals known as fairy stones, found within its boundaries. These stone crystals form crosses composed of iron, aluminum and silicate.  The name of this mineral compound is staurolite.  The hexagonal or six-sided crystals often intersect at right angles to form the Roman or Maltese shape but some crystals intersect at 45 degree angles to form St. Andrews crosses.  That’s a quick look at the science.

 

The campground - just us and the fairies

 

 

Now for the legend…  A long, long time ago in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains fairies lived in a remote and enchanted valley.  Not much is known of them for certain, as fairies have always been elusive creatures.  But it is said that one day an elfin messenger arrived from far away bearing the sad news of Christ’s death.  When the fairies heard the terrible details of the crucifixion, they wept.  As their tears fell to the earth, they crystallized into little stone crosses.  No one knows for sure what happened to the fairies but sometimes in certain places in the valley, if you are lucky, you will find the little stone crosses or ‘fairy stones,’ the only thing they left behind.

Fall reflections...

 

 

David’s Stats:

Days Hiked   1

Total Miles Hiked   6.74
Total Elevation Gain     1,075