Burkes Garden is the crown jewel of Tazewell County, Virginia, and no matter the season there is always beautiful scenery to behold. The words breathtaking, majestic, and amazing are thrown around loosely these days but they truly describe the picturesque nature of Burkes Garden. The drive across Clinch Mountain to get there is not for the faint of heart as it is a long and winding road but well worth the effort. I happened to be in the area on a very dreary, overcast day which wasnt what I was hoping for at the time but, in the end, shows how true beauty can persevere even in the midst of such ugly conditions. Burkes Garden resembles a large bowl which is thought to have been formed by the collapsing of limestone caverns underground. The aerial view has earned Burkes Garden the nickname Gods Thumbprint for bearing a resemblance to a large thumbprint as if the Almighty pressed down on the area creating the valley from His hand. Burkes Garden checks in at 3,074 feet above sea level making it the highest valley in Virginia. Burkes Garden has long been known for its very fertile land which has drawn farmers dating back to the time when Native Americans settled in the area. In fact, this crop-friendly fertility is how Burkes Garden earned its name. The story goes that a man named James Burke had thrown down some potato peelings in a certain spot while cooking while in the area. Burke left then came back the following year to find that a crop of potatoes had grown in the spot where he had left the peels the year before. The discovery of this potato crop earned the area the tongue-in-cheek nickname Burkes Garden which ended up sticking as the permanent name. Burkes Garden was the George Vanderbilt IIs first choice for building what would eventually become the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Representatives for the Vanderbilt family attempted to purchase up the land but it proved unsuccessful as the farmers in the area at that time refused to sell. Biltmore Estate is one of the largest draws for tourism in Asheville and is a great subject for a future post. Burkes Garden was once home to a population of close to 1,500 residents in the late 1890s but is far more sparsely inhabited now. The current landowners are for the most part heavily involved in farming their large acreage of land. There is also now a small population of Amish families adding to the cultural diversity in the area. I had the pleasure of getting to talk to the young Amish family riding in the horse and buggy pictured finding them to be quite gracious and friendly. Burkes Garden is a one-of-a-kind experience and an incredible place to to visit whether for taking pictures, a nice Sunday drive or just to absorb the natural beauty in person. I pulled over at the General Store to walk around for a bit and it was like being able to move around in a perfect work of art. The air was noticeably fresh and crisp so I just filled my lungs up with as much as I could fit in. The panoramic view was equally amazing as every angle made for a scene of breathtaking views as far as the eye could see. I delayed leaving for as long as possible just to soak up the experience. I can definitively say that Burkes Garden must be witnessed to truly appreciate - no matter how pretty they turn out, pictures and words simply cannot do it justice. - Shane I would love to hear opinions and comments from others - feel free to leave your feedback below.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 22:58:15 +0000
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