Hi everyone, I’m back with the second half of my Barn Quilt adventure! (Here’s part 1 if you missed it!) Sorry for the delay, mountain weather is temperamental in the Spring, but we finally got some warm, clear days, and I was able to finish my scavenger hunt. The second leg of my journey is longer than the first, with more barns, more quilts, and more spectacular views along the way.
While looking for the first official quilt, I spotted one that wasn’t on the map, hiding amidst the trees. It turned out to be several small pinwheel patches surrounding a star.
The first official barn quilt was on the “Laurel Creek Cabin.” It was pretty far off the road, across a creek. According to my map, the creek is known as Big Laurel Creek, and the quilt pattern represents the Rainbow Trout that live in its waters.
About a mile farther down was the “Plyler-Sorenesn Barn.” The quilt pattern is called “Twisted Log Cabin in Block.” It is a copy of a pattern painted on a barn in Iowa.
The next official barn quilt was miles away, but as I searched for it, I spotted several quilt patches hiding along the roadside. The road was full of sharp turns along the edges of cliffs and creeks, so I had to drive slowly.
The scenery alone was worth the trip. Going around every bend in the road was like entering a new and beautiful painting, and the quilt trail map led me farther out into the countryside, where I witnessed the incredible mountaintop views, and spotted several quirky oddities. Following the quilt trail was a wonderful way to escape the commonly toured areas, and find something unique.
The next quilt was on a farm, off the road and down a long gravel driveway. I was hesitant, but the map said to feel free to drive up to check it out, and that if I had scheduled a tour, I could be shown around the property.
The central pattern is a windmill, with the turquoise and black edges representing the owner’s love of buffalo, and the southwest.
No one was home when I arrived, so I took a quick picture and headed on my way. Just one more patch and my quilt is done!
I found the final patch on my quilt at the Revere-Rice Cove Community Center. It has a flag theme, and is entitled “United We Stand,” a message representing community solidarity, and working together.
The trail over, my directions led me through the mountains and back towards civilization. On my way home, I couldn’t help but notice a few more patches hiding in plain sight.
I hope you enjoyed my quilt-quest! If it interested you, be sure to ask at a visitor’s center the next time you are in Appalachia. Get yourself a trail map, and go quilting!
