November 'Full Beaver Moon' /Frosty Moon setting over Appalachians

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPllfBKPiNYEVrVvin2_8wLHESn01ZM53kpN3hAfUCh9fXBqB5v1JSz0t-dgjvoCp2M8yI5s6f2iqRQLtVTLQjLrzoGA8rq6lxSeX1et-G6o4J811xaFhHKdjEHcBQ3X78mPRJ5S9XsdZP/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPllfBKPiNYEVrVvin2_8wLHESn01ZM53kpN3hAfUCh9fXBqB5v1JSz0t-dgjvoCp2M8yI5s6f2iqRQLtVTLQjLrzoGA8rq6lxSeX1et-G6o4J811xaFhHKdjEHcBQ3X78mPRJ5S9XsdZP/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view out our window this morning toward the western Appalachians as the full moon began setting at day break. November is known as the Full Beaver Moon because it was when pioneers set up their beaver traps before the swamps froze. It is also referred to as the Frosty Moon. (Source: <a href="http://www.farmersalmanac.com/full-moon-names/" target="_blank">Farmers Almanac</a>)</div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />November 18, 2013

Appalachian Mountains autumn in Shenandoah Valley November Full Beaver Moon November 'Full Beaver Moon' /Frosty Moon setting over Appalachians

 The view out our window this morning toward the western Appalachians as the full moon began setting at day break. November is known as the Full Beaver Moon because it was when pioneers set up their beaver traps before the swamps froze. It is also re…

Read more »

Autumn leaves at Staunton's Byers Street Bistro

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTz8AokrBLwS0RFZnmWAcGuvtyIWA3efGmOztRaKIFKgpC035siJ7bl2uMhy_IypSKfHCBhByfE8CNO4e0uUsn5QE4VskU4EsFR8ddKsLxEDJ6GNvGavksuE-qmnNLl7IPDBl7_MyUAdg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTz8AokrBLwS0RFZnmWAcGuvtyIWA3efGmOztRaKIFKgpC035siJ7bl2uMhy_IypSKfHCBhByfE8CNO4e0uUsn5QE4VskU4EsFR8ddKsLxEDJ6GNvGavksuE-qmnNLl7IPDBl7_MyUAdg/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took this picture last week while in downtown Staunton. The vivid colors of the tree stood out against the gray color of the Byers Street Bistro building and its outdoor eating area in the historic Wharf District.</div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />November 4, 2013

autumn in Shenandoah Valley Byers Street Bistro Historic Downtown Staunton Historic Wharf District outdoor eateries photos by Lynn R. Mitchell Shenandoah Valley Autumn leaves at Staunton's Byers Street Bistro

I took this picture last week while in downtown Staunton. The vivid colors of the tree stood out against the gray color of the Byers Street Bistro building and its outdoor eating area in the historic Wharf District.Photo by Lynn R. MitchellNovember 4…

Read more »

Bradford pears display last of colorful autumn leaves

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOGi1n6qjCysGaLXmNKi4ISrLYGRxK6F-IQUMrR5-wJOyar63VLBXELN_w7QvkjtLNKQFizVAU_XtScmFn39H6WCTdQQ1a_elXsasNVMg0eWyB_o_jS4VBB3V2KVUTl_gUwKsn7yHM8bc/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOGi1n6qjCysGaLXmNKi4ISrLYGRxK6F-IQUMrR5-wJOyar63VLBXELN_w7QvkjtLNKQFizVAU_XtScmFn39H6WCTdQQ1a_elXsasNVMg0eWyB_o_jS4VBB3V2KVUTl_gUwKsn7yHM8bc/s640/3.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As cold wintry winds blew through the Shenandoah Valley Tuesday, I bundled up and took a stroll around the yard. Autumn leaves that have fallen and are covering the ground beckoned for us to grab rakes and get to work. Not just yet, however, because the Bradford pear leaves are just now turning. With bare trees around them, the Bradfords with their perfect shapes have the autumn palate all to themselves before shedding the last leaves of the season and <i>then</i> we can start raking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNJ73l5lu_MpewrCXwfl31xFusi1VVXalmPLKpDtw78aXOEfVKJR8uqpx8aCjpNxRt3bBHi4n3kvfCUbJntjMM1NIZCaGjumlC4T1NTxn_r_w-zNE6F8Mf0L3An85JGchUhoP4yGUcycC/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNJ73l5lu_MpewrCXwfl31xFusi1VVXalmPLKpDtw78aXOEfVKJR8uqpx8aCjpNxRt3bBHi4n3kvfCUbJntjMM1NIZCaGjumlC4T1NTxn_r_w-zNE6F8Mf0L3An85JGchUhoP4yGUcycC/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuesday's overcast, gray, blustery day was the Valley's first taste of winter weather as temperatures fell from the 40s at sunrise into the 20s by evening. While other areas of Virginia saw snow squalls throughout the day, none were spied in our corner of Augusta County. It's late fall in the Shenandoah Valley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />November 12, 2013

Augusta County autumn in Shenandoah Valley autumn leaf season Bradford pears Virginia Is For Lovers Bradford pears display last of colorful autumn leaves

As cold wintry winds blew through the Shenandoah Valley Tuesday, I bundled up and took a stroll around the yard. Autumn leaves that have fallen and are covering the ground beckoned for us to grab rakes and get to work. Not just yet, however, because …

Read more »

Autumn at Staunton's historic Wharf District

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_VilGpQw5oZTkFUrDxVIfKgE8rJFL-87gMunzw-Fi6FBHqPTu5F81_Oz8O0F5ToAPQ11KYA_CDWaowQXNusNugxrVzh23HqLh_VKapr-HJmqvkk3uqITalaKH_u50pUV1zsThtU8YelI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_VilGpQw5oZTkFUrDxVIfKgE8rJFL-87gMunzw-Fi6FBHqPTu5F81_Oz8O0F5ToAPQ11KYA_CDWaowQXNusNugxrVzh23HqLh_VKapr-HJmqvkk3uqITalaKH_u50pUV1zsThtU8YelI/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Autumn's colorful leaves were still visible Monday afternoon at <a href="http://www.byersstreetbistro.com/">Byers Street Bistro</a> in downtown Staunton's historic <a href="http://www.visitstaunton.com/history.htm%E2%80%8E">Wharf District</a>.</div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />November 4, 2013

autumn in Shenandoah Valley Byers Street Bistro Historic Downtown Staunton Historic Wharf District tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Autumn at Staunton's historic Wharf District

Autumn's colorful leaves were still visible Monday afternoon at Byers Street Bistro in downtown Staunton's historic Wharf District.Photo by Lynn R. MitchellNovember 4, 2013 …

Read more »

Peak leaf color in Shenandoah Valley this weekend

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xepZSr1O45XAPxqAfZx0V9Cj6eF6XtkqCqfj_HJmmC7yhxOWCWoCYEK5bqNIScSlGrJFHn9a8meRxkajhGI9GCMVKvSFlrWlDF6trp8zKjmpLrqSv4Sf7AT7wjdxfaOSUjwWoh4dOpvg/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xepZSr1O45XAPxqAfZx0V9Cj6eF6XtkqCqfj_HJmmC7yhxOWCWoCYEK5bqNIScSlGrJFHn9a8meRxkajhGI9GCMVKvSFlrWlDF6trp8zKjmpLrqSv4Sf7AT7wjdxfaOSUjwWoh4dOpvg/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The maple beside my deck.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you're looking for vibrant autumn leaf color, this is the weekend to hit the central Shenandoah Valley. Reds and golds have popped out in the past few days and salvaged a season that had been so-so until now. But you'd better hurry. Autumn color is fleeting and, once it's gone, that's it until next year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheye3DQ7NurFioUfSQAd3V9BfeABbPCLD9GmuD6EZXM6-91Ex15eu3F9MeP5o-YGPPYkD6YX8VwJ1dNDh0JHTcmlmbGZyUaJ3ItSQVPakCjRz6sa8dsTptYg6u1foIytASMUbg6tsNiKsU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheye3DQ7NurFioUfSQAd3V9BfeABbPCLD9GmuD6EZXM6-91Ex15eu3F9MeP5o-YGPPYkD6YX8VwJ1dNDh0JHTcmlmbGZyUaJ3ItSQVPakCjRz6sa8dsTptYg6u1foIytASMUbg6tsNiKsU/s640/1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Here's the weekend weather forecast from Harrisonburg's <a href="http://www.whsv.com/weather">WHSV TV-3</a>:<br /><blockquote>After a chilly start to Saturday, look for more clouds throughout the day. The breeze will return for Saturday and Sunday. However temperatures will cool back to near 60° Satuday, and into the lower 50s Sunday. Saturday will be a decent day for JMU's Homecoming. An isolated light shower can't be ruled out in our western mountains, and even some sprinkles in the Valley, however most areas will remain dry.<br /><br />As cooler temperatures rush in Saturday night a few upslope snow showers are possible for the western mountains into very early Sunday morning. No accumulation in those favored locations.<br /><br />Sunday looks to bring plenty of sunshine. We'll be breezy and cool. High temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Next week looks to bring sunshine for the first half of the week, as temperatures slowly warm back into the mid 60s. However we will be tracking another strong front that could potentially bring more rain next Thursday night. </blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw3rBFzXs9y5hncpCyl9fG2agiQYubi3wxQ5uKxaSo38iFSVqLKHwr50CBdkjJ27NU5bF-6Re5pVqwW_O11pfPiq1LkxXs-fnko283-NfmdgKlGI2QH0bUsynxDRt_dlRGOp09baWms68/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw3rBFzXs9y5hncpCyl9fG2agiQYubi3wxQ5uKxaSo38iFSVqLKHwr50CBdkjJ27NU5bF-6Re5pVqwW_O11pfPiq1LkxXs-fnko283-NfmdgKlGI2QH0bUsynxDRt_dlRGOp09baWms68/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There's lots of quaint places to check out in the Valley while leaf peeping including the <a href="http://www.daytonfarmersmarket.com/">Dayton Farmers Market</a>, the <a href="http://www.safarmersmarket.com/">Farmers Market in downtown Staunton</a>, and local shops and eateries. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr9we3fnQHeNx4V-4ZVe8XttD3nDM6g7j1v7paz13tgEBO7LqQsBha6bFNCFbpFnB-1ze_HNMgVi2I0QPzofu9YC70ESc3c677RMmEIRjpqsiZmtQPZEsqWD8BHHiKIPNBEX_xmUYjDqF/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr9we3fnQHeNx4V-4ZVe8XttD3nDM6g7j1v7paz13tgEBO7LqQsBha6bFNCFbpFnB-1ze_HNMgVi2I0QPzofu9YC70ESc3c677RMmEIRjpqsiZmtQPZEsqWD8BHHiKIPNBEX_xmUYjDqF/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here's a <a href="http://www.stauntondowntown.org/">link to things to see and do in Staunton</a>.<br /><br />And here's a <a href="http://www.waynesborodowntown.org/#top">link to what to see and do in Waynesboro</a>. <br /><br />My post from earlier in the season: <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/autumn-travel-and-leaf-peeping-in.html">Autumn travel and leaf peeping.</a><br /><br />Enjoy the waning days of the 2013 leaf season!<br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 2013

autumn in Shenandoah Valley Dayton Farmers Market peak leaf season Staunton tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Peak leaf color in Shenandoah Valley this weekend

The maple beside my deck.If you're looking for vibrant autumn leaf color, this is the weekend to hit the central Shenandoah Valley. Reds and golds have popped out in the past few days and salvaged a season that had been so-so until now. But you'd …

Read more »

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is back tonight for the 47th year

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHveDUsgN-E3EKFIi-8zHIKy-YHSQNfcwcugZaloFhIbp8ftW7KrH01wlh0KSrTjzglmsyPYspFqaaSd9VUZ66VKU42WY1z2ePq6N21O8gXbjuiHqC71GbX360c4vhhMLhfqv19tGOOqO/s1600/Peanuts+Halloween+gang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHveDUsgN-E3EKFIi-8zHIKy-YHSQNfcwcugZaloFhIbp8ftW7KrH01wlh0KSrTjzglmsyPYspFqaaSd9VUZ66VKU42WY1z2ePq6N21O8gXbjuiHqC71GbX360c4vhhMLhfqv19tGOOqO/s320/Peanuts+Halloween+gang.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's Halloween! Do you know where you'll be at 8:00 tonight? I'll be parked right in front of the television watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," that classic Peanuts Gang treat that first aired on October 27, 1966. This year viewers will enjoy it on the holiday itself.<br /><br />Follow along as <span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22charlie+brown%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAAEsANP_AHvTx-gAAAAPCAMiCS9tLzAxM3ozbkAB8F7Th9WmiiCJ1LsF093onJlDlHBfTylNLAAAAA">Charlie Brown</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22snoopy%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA2NksUH8Obtl5-y_i_99Zv29-IPtrsMABdV0BCwAAAA">Snoopy</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22linus+van+pelt%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA2PiDov3npMYSnWuM09bEc23_8Q0lmoAv8UWpSwAAAA">Linus van Pelt</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22lucy+van+pelt%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA-PZLPNT03x-Ck6NP2V3QE5Yk0Fg6goAbM_SjywAAAA">Lucy van Pelt</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22sally+brown%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA-O60JkLl6rd_XCH5c2nBu2gVd4V0mcBQ9QHliwAAAA">Sally Brown</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22schroeder%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA2PRkcWzS9uXsO8oyle8VCMr3X1YZyYA18fceywAAAA">Schroeder</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22pig-pen%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA-MUuZtpO_U_vDiqV7xPd7tUwGqfY7cALeKcRSwAAAA">Pig-Pen</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22patty%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA6PF8rJZucmrvGq9bh5avca7faeHxQMAAl8MFiwAAAA">Patty</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22violet+gray%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA-MCdx6WNzv8d9_xvfq3UoFBaceZqxwAtrGYiiwAAAA">Violet Gray</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22frieda%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA-P3bdMWOVQb_T11kW3p-vLkr35WrR0Aa-_jiCwAAAA">Frieda</span>, <span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?biw=1366&bih=664&q=%22it%27s+the+great+pumpkin,+charlie+brown%22+%22characters%22+%22shermy%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gaFxlXGeA-P-461qUbk8m-X2Bdd9uNbMyOWw4ScABh2XiiwAAAA">and Shermy</span></span> spend Halloween -- some in the traditional door-to-door search for treats -- and others waiting for the Great Pumpkin.<br /><br />"Comic Riffs" reporter Michael Cavna at the <i>Washington Post</i> has <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-7-things-you-dont-know-about-thursdays-peanuts-special/2013/10/28/abb92e4c-4023-11e3-9c8b-e8deeb3c755b_blog.html">"7 Things You Don't Know About 'Peanuts' Special"</a> with some interesting tidbits of info. <br /><br />In today's fast-paced, ever-changing world, it's somehow comforting that the Peanuts gang is still alive and well and enjoying Halloween 47 years after the original showing. Creator Charles Schulz would be proud.

autumn in Shenandoah Valley Charles Schulz halloween It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Linus Peanuts Snoopy "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is back tonight for the 47th year

It's Halloween! Do you know where you'll be at 8:00 tonight? I'll be parked right in front of the television watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," that classic Peanuts Gang treat that first aired on October 27, 1966. This year viewers wil…

Read more »