Julian Price Campground

Past Family Picnics

| Flower Roberts

I drove to our family’s favorite picnic spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday.

Julian Price Picnic Area

This is called Julian Price Picnic grounds. Just up the road is Price Lake and Julian Price Campground. My family spent many happy days at these places.

Gravel beach in the creek’s curve.

The Dudley side of the family picnicked in this spot often. Someone always went early to save it.

Deep part of creek.

We loved it because of the stones across the creek and the gravel beach in the curve where the water got deeper.

Loved playing on these stones.

I sorted through decades of photos to find these of past picnics. Many of these people are gone now. I will say to those of you who have not lost somebody close yet, you never stop loving them. You just have to find different ways to express that love after they are gone…Like writing and talking about them.

Boys being boys.

These photos made me smile. All these children are grown up now. We have such sweet memories of them playing in the water on those hot summer days.

The Dudley family enjoying each others’ company.

As I sat there alone, I was not lonely. My heart felt grateful again. What a great family I have had and still have.

Love you Dudleys!

FLOW

Around the Amphitheater

| Flower Roberts

I remember this place from my childhood. My family hiked to this amphitheater from our campsites while carrying flashlights, just incase the program ran long. My dad was a scout leader, so we were always prepared.

Julian Price Campground Amphitheater

Park rangers would give scheduled talks about nature here. Sometimes there was a slide show.

Screen for slide shows.

They brought rocks, bones, wood samples and cones to be passed around. I was a tactile child, so this was a treat.

I love watching the bonfire flames and seeing sparks fly up when anorher log was tossed on.

Firepit


I relished these times in this amphitheater. I remember walking around through the half-circles of benches to pick the best seats.

We met other campers in this place. We talked with park rangers who were like superheroes to me. Once there was a woman ranger who came here and lead a hike. I was in awe of her.

Hurricane Helene hit this place hard. Most of the Julian Price Campground is still closed. I am happy to see that the beloved amphitheater survived the ravages of that hurricane. It was a magical outdoor classroom.

Seating in the Julian Price Amphitheater

Just being here gives me joy. I can sit with my younger self on these benches and remember how great those times were with my parents and sister. This place and those rangers made me love nature. I passed that loved around to hundreds of my students.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Grateful again. That happens a lot here in these mountains.

FLOW