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Blue Ridge Tales — July 2026
Vol. 3 #8
August is a month for wandering.
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Some journeys follow winding mountain roads. Others lead to forgotten recipes, old legends, or stories whispered beneath the hills. This month's collection travels through all of them.
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We'll take a drive along Back of the Dragon, one of Virginia's most exhilarating mountain roads. We'll pull up a chair to explore how one simple recipe can become a person's lasting legacy. We'll revisit The Curse of Ivanhoe, where history and folklore became impossible to separate. And we'll descend into the coalfields to explore the enduring legend of the Tommyknockers, the mysterious underground guardians said to warn miners of danger.
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Whether you're planning your next Blue Ridge adventure or simply traveling from the comfort of your favorite chair, I hope you'll enjoy the journey.
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History & Culture
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The Curse of Ivanhoe: When a Town Began to Sink
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What begins as an ordinary town soon turns into one of Southwest Virginia's most enduring mysteries. Is the Curse of Ivanhoe simply folklore, or did a series of strange events give the legend a life of its own?
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Back of the Dragon: The Road as Destination
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Some roads get you from one place to another. Others become the destination. Discover why Virginia's Back of the Dragon has become a bucket-list drive for motorcyclists, sports car enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a mountain road with a story to tell.
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The Signature Dish: When Food Becomes Family History
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In many families, one person becomes forever linked to one particular dish. My Aunt Carrie had her baked beans. This story looks at how a favorite recipe becomes part of someone’s identity and, over time, part of the family’s memory.
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Tommyknockers: Folklore and Survival in Coal Mining
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Long before modern safety regulations, miners depended on experience, instinct, and sometimes something they couldn't explain. Step into the coal mines of Appalachia and meet the mysterious Tommyknockers, whose whispered warnings have become one of the region's most fascinating legends.
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Thanks for reading. I hope these stories gave you another reason to appreciate the people, places, and traditions that make the Blue Ridge such a remarkable place. Until next month, happy exploring.
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If someone you know enjoys this kind of reading, feel free to pass it along.
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