News for today's 2018

Autumn at Staunton's historic Wharf District

7:36 PM Tukiyooo 0

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 …

Adventures with Barb ... enjoying the waning days of fall leaf season 2013

11:37 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z6De64wjT95StznLrAEj39C6DAPXOH1dPy7OumBCd7O3xol6AYb2FzNmxJIVkps4i3MDll-4z4G10kW4etTVnUDDntCigDp5yAB8lhPZ9CIhHN6c_3Ec_rGspysVquYIZDQJrr6a3fN7/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z6De64wjT95StznLrAEj39C6DAPXOH1dPy7OumBCd7O3xol6AYb2FzNmxJIVkps4i3MDll-4z4G10kW4etTVnUDDntCigDp5yAB8lhPZ9CIhHN6c_3Ec_rGspysVquYIZDQJrr6a3fN7/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxiTZBicly7Z6A90Sl3BNs7JSqV-mEY1hBvlZXuXTzbFxFN05hR8lOo3kOJp23nhI_SUmfFhSFKILRPIk8hgNPCDnN3N1rT4aUCVaHM_t3JQErxYvXfcbClSl9UIdoyzpk_QkKoKEa_Sn/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxiTZBicly7Z6A90Sl3BNs7JSqV-mEY1hBvlZXuXTzbFxFN05hR8lOo3kOJp23nhI_SUmfFhSFKILRPIk8hgNPCDnN3N1rT4aUCVaHM_t3JQErxYvXfcbClSl9UIdoyzpk_QkKoKEa_Sn/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyrLX45CAT_CJmHfcEZ8_MGcHDwE5_RI1BQdCvfhHDF2r64mdAxBn-O15gm6IAut8ipCZquuEhosydTGiZoeGQqlJRayqoJZmK8NAGiKKs_VY_0qRO1nyPc9a4nksL8FHchcrkVxwVN1y/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyrLX45CAT_CJmHfcEZ8_MGcHDwE5_RI1BQdCvfhHDF2r64mdAxBn-O15gm6IAut8ipCZquuEhosydTGiZoeGQqlJRayqoJZmK8NAGiKKs_VY_0qRO1nyPc9a4nksL8FHchcrkVxwVN1y/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintUEI3tr0036YEiFj0tbwTsMf7qeIOqXFYJCEyITSntSCJR07W9URmZOy6Vn5GGvRzXIrm1eRWVeuZ3uJ1c-d9dtqKg7m9IjpPdFQMFXz37rNmnJYCYN4X8kSJlvIaTgqQbx-IhJIU_Nb/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/AVvXsEintUEI3tr0036YEiFj0tbwTsMf7qeIOqXFYJCEyITSntSCJR07W9URmZOy6Vn5GGvRzXIrm1eRWVeuZ3uJ1c-d9dtqKg7m9IjpPdFQMFXz37rNmnJYCYN4X8kSJlvIaTgqQbx-IhJIU_Nb/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR7eE4goaxzi9MWOAz1rJ2fCMRKVioSfvreW2tkB0NCD_E3dDmGkyPHaOPi8T040uAQFHL_A4ha-M8xcdmZaCyzqe-cL8ptoVjeFnB5WPutnTNlDGXLzTdVcXs_g-S3NlO4ChBtgRypm7/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxR7eE4goaxzi9MWOAz1rJ2fCMRKVioSfvreW2tkB0NCD_E3dDmGkyPHaOPi8T040uAQFHL_A4ha-M8xcdmZaCyzqe-cL8ptoVjeFnB5WPutnTNlDGXLzTdVcXs_g-S3NlO4ChBtgRypm7/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKHyA0qN5uvTa_7oS4lYER2rD649l_9a83jzSJiX5AjNoK-7iCycnXzVZW2cMW1-0H9M9jC1CbvxyYo50XGgizKy21tJvqB7C4x2Hi2sjfg4YTB1wpor4MAdWUPVq1ATye22F9SfZlTm1/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKHyA0qN5uvTa_7oS4lYER2rD649l_9a83jzSJiX5AjNoK-7iCycnXzVZW2cMW1-0H9M9jC1CbvxyYo50XGgizKy21tJvqB7C4x2Hi2sjfg4YTB1wpor4MAdWUPVq1ATye22F9SfZlTm1/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ8xTvwrjjKvtlZfFB9L2Mzoo8RVa31W1rDiO_kGSS4gnRbbVhuqOlJ_CaODuyQXaAe22FykAMspqIhAe7ezMd3am4bLc5LbMcRCfezUnP9VwHriOLG0vhVK5zOrqo4lTumGto23-NfkU/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ8xTvwrjjKvtlZfFB9L2Mzoo8RVa31W1rDiO_kGSS4gnRbbVhuqOlJ_CaODuyQXaAe22FykAMspqIhAe7ezMd3am4bLc5LbMcRCfezUnP9VwHriOLG0vhVK5zOrqo4lTumGto23-NfkU/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZYInl549SkVSUvCaVvcPu_p18zhh7QggvRg7JM34ez19P1SjewByCxYwQvoY6fT-TbGKUM_LSakzIiZPT5XrBxGYeK1X6rQsRnPOu8tdYzpxXujSNHYtEa7FCGe1Djmpszoo3c3uHmnc/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZYInl549SkVSUvCaVvcPu_p18zhh7QggvRg7JM34ez19P1SjewByCxYwQvoY6fT-TbGKUM_LSakzIiZPT5XrBxGYeK1X6rQsRnPOu8tdYzpxXujSNHYtEa7FCGe1Djmpszoo3c3uHmnc/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6mhTPaogZTZpzLf3wIIOGZnUi6rmAOGfLQt8fpzQ7lsJ0n8c3RYfGDi8exXQcv016_HokOE8uLsN-X4IXKo8jg7q30IizxG285Q1hC8ilibk1k1WK5A7BJlxj4YrTLyu3RZmfafXoknl/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6mhTPaogZTZpzLf3wIIOGZnUi6rmAOGfLQt8fpzQ7lsJ0n8c3RYfGDi8exXQcv016_HokOE8uLsN-X4IXKo8jg7q30IizxG285Q1hC8ilibk1k1WK5A7BJlxj4YrTLyu3RZmfafXoknl/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKeHBX-wIFCfrk5FAGlfF3leaqKuoFfY8SMDavGszZfWKNs7BS-7wIz-O1P0Jb5RZK3-vP6zMsYBfapi651U9ImQ56oHwU6NWKGMkD4E6rru-ZVrizVddxBfstracnKlV-97lUEuqwOcT/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKeHBX-wIFCfrk5FAGlfF3leaqKuoFfY8SMDavGszZfWKNs7BS-7wIz-O1P0Jb5RZK3-vP6zMsYBfapi651U9ImQ56oHwU6NWKGMkD4E6rru-ZVrizVddxBfstracnKlV-97lUEuqwOcT/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_4EK8W560WQ-9sK9OfnDYgbKa_W-CvQUAU5UIfcz7cQSaYr8s7hcJ38-sLMopgDYNXmoySt9cxE1xl8rE3IyzXXgH1T6ut1x0DoR5SsNT02mrEbD_gii-ZV3mjIbwBs5x9rlR172WoQi/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_4EK8W560WQ-9sK9OfnDYgbKa_W-CvQUAU5UIfcz7cQSaYr8s7hcJ38-sLMopgDYNXmoySt9cxE1xl8rE3IyzXXgH1T6ut1x0DoR5SsNT02mrEbD_gii-ZV3mjIbwBs5x9rlR172WoQi/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIEKgf155rWYAJhYpL50qhWSxxFSxzDsnQgGBYajFDUhOsL9YELw7y1g-PxWrJlWzp6l_vdcAM__ekxUv3na85FovLTWLw55SfuWGjTWP5j9sQosQqZglJUhgSc55MfDlPqaafnwwG7z7/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIEKgf155rWYAJhYpL50qhWSxxFSxzDsnQgGBYajFDUhOsL9YELw7y1g-PxWrJlWzp6l_vdcAM__ekxUv3na85FovLTWLw55SfuWGjTWP5j9sQosQqZglJUhgSc55MfDlPqaafnwwG7z7/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJxMIbS9kQ-J5jYUKUh4Lrdf6euO8_6qtlwlntXU-gNEDhPFoaVu39WJ6TS4zC7Q9bCICF2qSQkHvLdmYAQj1pb8cwNi3bNsONDGftmijNmr1YHeTk-tH2UzeT_RNLPBPV5Y94Q1dr46s/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJxMIbS9kQ-J5jYUKUh4Lrdf6euO8_6qtlwlntXU-gNEDhPFoaVu39WJ6TS4zC7Q9bCICF2qSQkHvLdmYAQj1pb8cwNi3bNsONDGftmijNmr1YHeTk-tH2UzeT_RNLPBPV5Y94Q1dr46s/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH2yih-ghi8s-ksj3lxKg8_sKT7sXw7YySn4YtKCUwia5H79krSoFIsTpi2uWF51sByF6kFhK1lEsXRs8ez5nL9-mdvMGFnAaaImeUmmyfjDgfVWZXRgNNfWHUyPz8VOKyWkN0_YUedC7/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH2yih-ghi8s-ksj3lxKg8_sKT7sXw7YySn4YtKCUwia5H79krSoFIsTpi2uWF51sByF6kFhK1lEsXRs8ez5nL9-mdvMGFnAaaImeUmmyfjDgfVWZXRgNNfWHUyPz8VOKyWkN0_YUedC7/s640/9.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucNFDcPN7gwf3ePV3QatnpaQxh27xqZN6WWEONG_VRKwFLHbqLy6dBI9TIXOgCbB0ssnfdWay6bmN64BujEq1Ihhh4z0k02EamAkSoQb33Mp8ls4YRsGcXWppb0Vy8tM_bFFqI8S2oMmm/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucNFDcPN7gwf3ePV3QatnpaQxh27xqZN6WWEONG_VRKwFLHbqLy6dBI9TIXOgCbB0ssnfdWay6bmN64BujEq1Ihhh4z0k02EamAkSoQb33Mp8ls4YRsGcXWppb0Vy8tM_bFFqI8S2oMmm/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Sjmj3z7JaRO1GJYJFo0is9A8NhyphenhyphenxGiykeoNunarPmb4UtXQ_vwVb0IuNywjJJeqvMWrbhpRGNiwYImhhza820Qb0hJLak_cwgrUw-x_2b3c_jSVRsTqVXe_oVpjPJRUKqbrrAua95uK/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Sjmj3z7JaRO1GJYJFo0is9A8NhyphenhyphenxGiykeoNunarPmb4UtXQ_vwVb0IuNywjJJeqvMWrbhpRGNiwYImhhza820Qb0hJLak_cwgrUw-x_2b3c_jSVRsTqVXe_oVpjPJRUKqbrrAua95uK/s640/15.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6T8KB2OHq4C5NraiYUrL1vjwd3_csGqU0b73Sa3NoWHHtQS88v7cgO24DQt3Px7HHQRB2RaimyRBBCBDxUk4Is-rruQou8YFX3VxKH4Uz7D912zqiJFWTHy12V8wUhVPEc_c3wCMErNV/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6T8KB2OHq4C5NraiYUrL1vjwd3_csGqU0b73Sa3NoWHHtQS88v7cgO24DQt3Px7HHQRB2RaimyRBBCBDxUk4Is-rruQou8YFX3VxKH4Uz7D912zqiJFWTHy12V8wUhVPEc_c3wCMErNV/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IbYYR_FBYMKiYDQzKV4vnsAID2glEUYw-KtTd4iHp9g0sYZvA5gLmLDSMirtai-wlU42nYmf4V7TkavwI0fyp5GS9gv75HlJSx0UGQvWWE2ulJ25NycjrMHjOX5RmItQnjFKYelkUAGD/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IbYYR_FBYMKiYDQzKV4vnsAID2glEUYw-KtTd4iHp9g0sYZvA5gLmLDSMirtai-wlU42nYmf4V7TkavwI0fyp5GS9gv75HlJSx0UGQvWWE2ulJ25NycjrMHjOX5RmItQnjFKYelkUAGD/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oXsLBCWuFeulp3RhS2eB2UGRCdwSLljsdq2-Z9_d7JyBLLDLtyhRiupHq1X55bQcU5CcrLsH7CEBygHUGhlR-64PH9DQ-udiRy-VY6AtTSXmC7zmpAZDmCbt8DGaufgvVEciRG9NV5-G/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oXsLBCWuFeulp3RhS2eB2UGRCdwSLljsdq2-Z9_d7JyBLLDLtyhRiupHq1X55bQcU5CcrLsH7CEBygHUGhlR-64PH9DQ-udiRy-VY6AtTSXmC7zmpAZDmCbt8DGaufgvVEciRG9NV5-G/s400/18.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeayDJsFFBHlSmFhaUfsiK6VhnR8idf6_PSSe-PbkWowOAhASd9IIi-uxVqhyDU6tXTupjUL7_tzKXGb7Ml_pzyxv63aPrlV1fQUrsxKXll0OvKGko2r1fCgadFSFj3ojlsQ5l_QztVWY/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeayDJsFFBHlSmFhaUfsiK6VhnR8idf6_PSSe-PbkWowOAhASd9IIi-uxVqhyDU6tXTupjUL7_tzKXGb7Ml_pzyxv63aPrlV1fQUrsxKXll0OvKGko2r1fCgadFSFj3ojlsQ5l_QztVWY/s400/29.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><br />These photos were all taken in Augusta County, most of them along the western foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. What a glorious day just going where the wind blew. The Shenandoah Valley was at peak leaf color on the first weekend in November, unusually late for this area, but it's been an unusual leaf season. With sunny skies and cool temperatures, the final colors of red and gold popped out which sent Barb and me on another adventure along the back roads and up to Afton.<br /><br />We found a covered bridge, visited a friend whose property touches the boundaries of Shenandoah National Park, found trees with leaves of shimmering golds and brilliant reds, observed vehicles parked at Skyline Drive overlooks along the Blue Ridge Mountains, toured the Dooleys' marble mansion on Afton known as  Swannanoa, stopped for caramel corn from Afton's popcorn man, and lunched at McAlister's where our plans to eat at an outdoor table were sidelined by a prevailing wind with an exceptionally cool edge to it. <br /><br />It was a fun day. More photos to come<br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />#FallinVA <br />November 2, 2013

Adventures with Barb ... enjoying the waning days of fall leaf season 2013

Adventures with Barb Afton Mountain back roads of Augusta County Blue Ridge Mountains Lynn R. Mitchell Swannanoa tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Adventures with Barb ... enjoying the waning days of fall leaf season 2013

These photos were all taken in Augusta County, most of them along the western foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. What a glorious day just going where the wind blew. The Shenandoah Valley was at peak leaf color on the first weekend in November, un…

Peak leaf color in Shenandoah Valley this weekend

4:33 AM Tukiyooo 0

<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

Peak leaf color in Shenandoah Valley this weekend

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 …

Friday: Gov. McDonnell at historical marker dedication commemorating first Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation

6:54 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q5-YxHFumVKHbiJglsMdCa1nNx0QY5KrGpoWQgNZ2nVtMPF0yXnbtpuNZGt1Pe-IVfo08KEsaBcagf6ptrct8bAzLAx_uN6-WpG_gSb8lucVv5MLSx9RFLBE7Wbu3Fhl9MLOb11G6Jk3/s1600/Thanksgiving+-+first+in+Va.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q5-YxHFumVKHbiJglsMdCa1nNx0QY5KrGpoWQgNZ2nVtMPF0yXnbtpuNZGt1Pe-IVfo08KEsaBcagf6ptrct8bAzLAx_uN6-WpG_gSb8lucVv5MLSx9RFLBE7Wbu3Fhl9MLOb11G6Jk3/s320/Thanksgiving+-+first+in+Va.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You know those state historical markers you see along Virginia byways and highways? The ones that tell of an event or person of interest, often with a pull-off wide enough for a vehicle or two? Being a history geek, I love those signs and my sister even has a book that lists them all in the event you aren't able to stop.<br /><br />Today a <a href="http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/cdc6c5abcb6f4f8085ed2a271a71af5c/VA--Historical-Marker-Thanksgiving">new marker will be dedicated</a> on Route 5 near Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County east of Richmond with Governor <b>Bob McDonnell</b> addressing the dedication. The event is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. and will also include <b>Dr. William C. Bosher,</b> a respected educator in Virginia, and <b>Malcolm E. “Jamie” Jamieson</b>, owner of Berkeley Plantation.<br /><br />The unveiling by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will commemorate the <b>First Thanksgiving in Virginia</b>, as declared by Captain John Woodlief who arrived on December 4, 1619, with 37 men who had sailed from Bristol, England, to the New World.<br /><br />A member of the Virginia Company and Jamestown settler, Woodlief carried instructions that the day of his ship's arrival would "be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to almighty God." The men celebrated their safe journey by giving thanks to God, creating a tradition that became the basis of our annual celebration of Thanksgiving.<br /><br />The celebration continues to this day and is remembered each year at Berkeley Plantation with the <a href="http://www.virginiathanksgivingfestival.com/">Virginia Thanksgiving Festival</a> that is held on the first Sunday in November. The free event will be observed this year on <b>Sunday, November 3, 2013</b>, from noon until 4:00 p.m. with a Colonial celebration that includes a parade, horse-drawn carriages, fife and drum performers, costumed interpreters, and musical entertainment. Food for purchase will be provided by <a href="http://www.williamsburgoccasions.com/">The Catering Company</a> of Williamsburg.<br /><br />The re-enactment of the landing will begin at 3:00, followed by the Chickahominy Tribal Dancers who will perform a traditional friendship dance. Master of Ceremonies will be Richmond radio personality Tim Timberlake.<br /><br />The public is encouraged to take chairs and blankets. For more information and directions, go to the webside: www.VirginiaThanksgivingFestival.com.

Friday: Gov. McDonnell at historical marker dedication commemorating first Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation

Berkeley Plantation Bob McDonnell Chickahominy Indians First Thanksgiving Jamestown tourism Virginia Company Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Is For Lovers Williamsburg Friday: Gov. McDonnell at historical marker dedication commemorating first Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation

You know those state historical markers you see along Virginia byways and highways? The ones that tell of an event or person of interest, often with a pull-off wide enough for a vehicle or two? Being a history geek, I love those signs and my sister e…

Shutterbug: He is my son

8:44 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtjUHlcDDthl_4ee-_hKhwxNwCkwL-spwsunZYFg_KQaXqGizGJYF2Lm1hBmzc2dmBFv_Kt_IF-Ss0pNRF07UyFjAsMvmvSswi4ONecUSpUkrnNvvrWKk7cBxAA0PUqGAnZHq4My0hZKb/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtjUHlcDDthl_4ee-_hKhwxNwCkwL-spwsunZYFg_KQaXqGizGJYF2Lm1hBmzc2dmBFv_Kt_IF-Ss0pNRF07UyFjAsMvmvSswi4ONecUSpUkrnNvvrWKk7cBxAA0PUqGAnZHq4My0hZKb/s400/27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">SWAC Son and I were on a mission Sunday. With our Nikon cameras in hand, we headed out looking for photo moments along the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and up to the edges of Shenandoah National Park. He is like his mom ... he enjoys capturing pictures that showcase his window on the world ... and so we found autumn leaves, mountains, horses, battlefields, cemeteries, and other interesting sights that highlighted that October afternoon in western Virginia. Above he captures Grace United Methodist Church at <a href="http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/The-History/The-Battles/Battle-of-Port-Republic">The Coaling</a> near Port Republic in eastern Rockingham County.</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/AVvXsEjXnP_YrKCQGA8eIGsC6zJw8Qha4Cgky-9JPghilVoPK5r6l4yKayEJiLUBRmbovhyFIzlcbeTTZOUrSKJFIObP7wtL5OPSBU1nsbj3gbea_Y_0s7As4EZD7xHPPvGUPnNam8OKDbCuBodQ/s1600/28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnP_YrKCQGA8eIGsC6zJw8Qha4Cgky-9JPghilVoPK5r6l4yKayEJiLUBRmbovhyFIzlcbeTTZOUrSKJFIObP7wtL5OPSBU1nsbj3gbea_Y_0s7As4EZD7xHPPvGUPnNam8OKDbCuBodQ/s400/28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the <a href="http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/The-History/The-Battles/Battle-of-Port-Republic">Battle of Port Republic</a> Battlefield.</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/AVvXsEh8EB5capdYyPiQ_f-Kuom4puc_t04V6MbrD80Bw77RSv4a1aInmp4ah6WByJxBAaeT2aI_v3NjBTcXKF21JWBtGtxY2AZnod3oWCycUKxSK2ve5UXM9_355s4xD8ydJOf0G6HrfYVcbbyy/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EB5capdYyPiQ_f-Kuom4puc_t04V6MbrD80Bw77RSv4a1aInmp4ah6WByJxBAaeT2aI_v3NjBTcXKF21JWBtGtxY2AZnod3oWCycUKxSK2ve5UXM9_355s4xD8ydJOf0G6HrfYVcbbyy/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blue Ridge Mountains at the edge of western boundary of Shenandoah National Park.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 27, 2013

Battle of Port Republic Grace United Methodist Church Rockingham County The Coaling tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia Shutterbug: He is my son

SWAC Son and I were on a mission Sunday. With our Nikon cameras in hand, we headed out looking for photo moments along the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and up to the edges of Shenandoah National Park. He is like his mom ... he enjoys capturing pi…

Leaf peeping on the back roads of Rockingham County

7:18 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8QJDE-DF319dJsURjcCYveaFxGZhFqzCv-zg9ju45bD9I8_LBciB8jiv-AJ9_5Vy_rq1IOFOiSN68C5ZubjJugV4HW38JCGbcfvXXw3m80kJLveu_yPOktTPkZ-BGwTm0a4wl08eSDfM/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8QJDE-DF319dJsURjcCYveaFxGZhFqzCv-zg9ju45bD9I8_LBciB8jiv-AJ9_5Vy_rq1IOFOiSN68C5ZubjJugV4HW38JCGbcfvXXw3m80kJLveu_yPOktTPkZ-BGwTm0a4wl08eSDfM/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXa5lNdyUQr58CXOBXF8oZD8DJdDpzRL256TTA7IxNsvGHMJYpt6eGqhKr6Q9Bf28YH9pWzbdndNKk46Qxo7L9IT70OrPCdGH7ZGiEzngXwyvhfpuswwF1QhsyWcHfsUq57F-UKdeHetD/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXa5lNdyUQr58CXOBXF8oZD8DJdDpzRL256TTA7IxNsvGHMJYpt6eGqhKr6Q9Bf28YH9pWzbdndNKk46Qxo7L9IT70OrPCdGH7ZGiEzngXwyvhfpuswwF1QhsyWcHfsUq57F-UKdeHetD/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLs3ovaj3tHJW2ckig_ZtcAXu4wO8s9eDkpXp1fu9vHYnTpThQAWOd8XE_kwx2CQuAlVqdkky5kTmqm1MlQF4gBJ95ndT5OO3Q7ur-9Xt4ndiqfL2egvRvETmMjxjcNypbQLRvXUoScGt/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLs3ovaj3tHJW2ckig_ZtcAXu4wO8s9eDkpXp1fu9vHYnTpThQAWOd8XE_kwx2CQuAlVqdkky5kTmqm1MlQF4gBJ95ndT5OO3Q7ur-9Xt4ndiqfL2egvRvETmMjxjcNypbQLRvXUoScGt/s400/18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolIO_f3B3phhbM9e8lYReacCc7zrbLZu7NjOgPUEJJJOcBN-OBHUptNsqQsZ03PAkBnMeTwg32Da8Z_nZd-3pzFqjf_AYohL0GkS4kQ47vkgGGo_lGX-YLllrO6mLm0IyhmdJra4Cj3nd/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolIO_f3B3phhbM9e8lYReacCc7zrbLZu7NjOgPUEJJJOcBN-OBHUptNsqQsZ03PAkBnMeTwg32Da8Z_nZd-3pzFqjf_AYohL0GkS4kQ47vkgGGo_lGX-YLllrO6mLm0IyhmdJra4Cj3nd/s400/19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDXz3OaUjZGcIisTrkzhwK20Ds8YPK_hZv-easNxVO6MTEF1GvQ3A9FfnCICZnh0_Fertxi_-3nGDEXBpXDfJwaiYXepA-bPo01yZZ3wK_XMjMtkttASNTzJenH-ep2wykuLFAjxFsgL1/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDXz3OaUjZGcIisTrkzhwK20Ds8YPK_hZv-easNxVO6MTEF1GvQ3A9FfnCICZnh0_Fertxi_-3nGDEXBpXDfJwaiYXepA-bPo01yZZ3wK_XMjMtkttASNTzJenH-ep2wykuLFAjxFsgL1/s400/20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b0ceU7J5vdhl_269WOV79-xUsXK4J4iESHwk97NdfD7oDXs8fS_xiAYMgvBBVS9t_HbzoOrg3j0URmLdtBsDbtHwBIQB8MnXXhWaF1knc7NA3xG1RmfVM_edsn1gj-Bh7GWzGEjHNZUH/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b0ceU7J5vdhl_269WOV79-xUsXK4J4iESHwk97NdfD7oDXs8fS_xiAYMgvBBVS9t_HbzoOrg3j0URmLdtBsDbtHwBIQB8MnXXhWaF1knc7NA3xG1RmfVM_edsn1gj-Bh7GWzGEjHNZUH/s400/22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 27, 2013

Leaf peeping on the back roads of Rockingham County

Blue Ridge Mountains fall in Shenandoah Valley October leaf looking Rockingham County tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Leaf peeping on the back roads of Rockingham County

Photos by Lynn R. MitchellOctober 27, 2013…

October afternoon on the back roads of Page County

6:23 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkhx3x07emcLl3YF1GQZQUkKYi5vuj0PzFJwwGGAE9na1zVWEHrayAMdQLfz1jMhkntTyTbhycvpKBEC7idSlPOv0CIj5uVIlxa17GY0TvrTXUBfH4sLhsHYxuod-8yVSFVDvKYdiL9_3/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkhx3x07emcLl3YF1GQZQUkKYi5vuj0PzFJwwGGAE9na1zVWEHrayAMdQLfz1jMhkntTyTbhycvpKBEC7idSlPOv0CIj5uVIlxa17GY0TvrTXUBfH4sLhsHYxuod-8yVSFVDvKYdiL9_3/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday was a perfect autumn afternoon in the Shenandoah Valley with cool  temps and sunshine during the 2013 leaf season. SWAC Son and I set out  with our cameras to roam the back roads along the western slopes of the  Blue Ridge Mountains, stopping and snapping leaves, creeks, ponds, and  mountains.</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/AVvXsEi0QgMwWnOvBQvIi8sqt-uDdMIdH5NbklYKU7aQWceSEUT9kZ1mlAxWc15kelEqopHFSMDMAdMS8Lpm-UAepUG-C-FSvPO1OQ1EL9B0C9kUCY3rvsPdyyyOD7PH0P5fQ-YAJAiYqBy9MEee/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QgMwWnOvBQvIi8sqt-uDdMIdH5NbklYKU7aQWceSEUT9kZ1mlAxWc15kelEqopHFSMDMAdMS8Lpm-UAepUG-C-FSvPO1OQ1EL9B0C9kUCY3rvsPdyyyOD7PH0P5fQ-YAJAiYqBy9MEee/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmUD3nUcL4tV5hc2Xq18Es-3fbEHLjoHCod7IK9_j51dDnOnC3BkEqNYJJq3nWkTiOI0eZCa6_lwEMAlwNYvT4ZSsnTx6R7vQHAEbe2P-0UyzjgfEhG4nc_h1ai9lP_45rvMJSKf_XsqN/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmUD3nUcL4tV5hc2Xq18Es-3fbEHLjoHCod7IK9_j51dDnOnC3BkEqNYJJq3nWkTiOI0eZCa6_lwEMAlwNYvT4ZSsnTx6R7vQHAEbe2P-0UyzjgfEhG4nc_h1ai9lP_45rvMJSKf_XsqN/s640/4.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Leaves are at three stages -- some are still green, others are brilliant reds and oranges, while some trees are already bare, their leaves fallen to the ground. Many oaks had dull brown leaves waiting to fall but we were in search of the brilliant reds and yellows that stand out on the mountain slopes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-Kd16Jv9MbEGinR4iMVCw_uTkquskXWq0HTYB6DaWPgPd7x7SUmSF0MXKttnSHe0Evgvp3V54kciA241yH7V1r7JIZWcs4X9aolZVPvm0sHNXNUp-ndM_VotDP-DNbU0oE9CYxrb_fpz/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-Kd16Jv9MbEGinR4iMVCw_uTkquskXWq0HTYB6DaWPgPd7x7SUmSF0MXKttnSHe0Evgvp3V54kciA241yH7V1r7JIZWcs4X9aolZVPvm0sHNXNUp-ndM_VotDP-DNbU0oE9CYxrb_fpz/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Horseback riders under the tree prepared for an afternoon ride deeper into the mountains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMf12dOY4IFiTpBxuLr6E0TwVwkrPGm_4gYRFL__kycogRX_8GttJI_wPfmG4E1RO8kWHqXtGRS4jMfd3HYlI2UdoAKIi_4Zsrja_kvB_GnhkAuRmmXdVd2BW9BLkxLyfYZ6tx4yj6xTU/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMf12dOY4IFiTpBxuLr6E0TwVwkrPGm_4gYRFL__kycogRX_8GttJI_wPfmG4E1RO8kWHqXtGRS4jMfd3HYlI2UdoAKIi_4Zsrja_kvB_GnhkAuRmmXdVd2BW9BLkxLyfYZ6tx4yj6xTU/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Leaf color seems a bit more muted this year but the colors still made a beautiful display.</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/AVvXsEgeS-q4RfqNkB1rMqMYq3-I1D8zuzGpzbQ88B5bq4Si61JLyOh6h8AayeSuMxaaG16ChaQlYHaP0AhUvKORO-iWMEHyWpbHzDcmuFqPgeDYDLN2SHv5WKitHd0QSyCvA__EXrBRcs2ewCOi/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS-q4RfqNkB1rMqMYq3-I1D8zuzGpzbQ88B5bq4Si61JLyOh6h8AayeSuMxaaG16ChaQlYHaP0AhUvKORO-iWMEHyWpbHzDcmuFqPgeDYDLN2SHv5WKitHd0QSyCvA__EXrBRcs2ewCOi/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm_qYIYPUCQO-EBkQ63n-waqJgjLfYF9E0bDlEu7Fg_BAXilZs_iuW0tbre2jgv22ltK3xoXCzP-8_wyFIJxVJbYAKiLZWhX5ndOBlDm7676HCbMIl0t8xjDxB1HoUcsG08Ej33kJM2M-/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm_qYIYPUCQO-EBkQ63n-waqJgjLfYF9E0bDlEu7Fg_BAXilZs_iuW0tbre2jgv22ltK3xoXCzP-8_wyFIJxVJbYAKiLZWhX5ndOBlDm7676HCbMIl0t8xjDxB1HoUcsG08Ej33kJM2M-/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN-jGyHVSDmapAufHKi3gnv86JB-Lk49_-rBcblnzHRezX9Mynt5eAyam6_CkrhHeurQzBcM-pp_44ZeMYn6WOI_dk4RWTzEzJ-0VHqyNo5c4WVCsKX3yBl-_SUUGufTrnaCghN6n1fkn/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN-jGyHVSDmapAufHKi3gnv86JB-Lk49_-rBcblnzHRezX9Mynt5eAyam6_CkrhHeurQzBcM-pp_44ZeMYn6WOI_dk4RWTzEzJ-0VHqyNo5c4WVCsKX3yBl-_SUUGufTrnaCghN6n1fkn/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Adventures with SWAC Son <br />October 27, 2013

October afternoon on the back roads of Page County

back roads of Virginia fall in Shenandoah Valley Lynn R. Mitchell Page County SWAC Son tourism Virginia Is For Lovers October afternoon on the back roads of Page County

Sunday was a perfect autumn afternoon in the Shenandoah Valley with cool temps and sunshine during the 2013 leaf season. SWAC Son and I set out with our cameras to roam the back roads along the western slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, stopping …

Autumn at western Virginia's Douthat State Park

6:27 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGjH1LR_7NpkMbi_af_O_43l3I2UWgi_DKwDjEjhi_PuqFnbwdgi-RyTSEypRxO04OL7GZfrCShEYCDyzzAocQKVYCuWLaRgzUsVJVX04-_Fr7TA4KcO5QRAUN7VomY1wFRrA8SCJz1sn/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGjH1LR_7NpkMbi_af_O_43l3I2UWgi_DKwDjEjhi_PuqFnbwdgi-RyTSEypRxO04OL7GZfrCShEYCDyzzAocQKVYCuWLaRgzUsVJVX04-_Fr7TA4KcO5QRAUN7VomY1wFRrA8SCJz1sn/s640/32.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/dou.shtml">Douthat State Park</a> is located in the Allegheny  Mountains of western Virginia. The park has 4,546 acres in Bath and Alleghany counties and includes a 50-acre lake. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="fl q kno-desca-lnk" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douthat_State_Park"><span class="kno-desca"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50thbdDPgK4JRuoC8O5OaPaJQzBwYowfBgU4Gy5Sx5gMKC-IOSZWDf1mT8DUJaerYZAd4qPWa0QFuVAnemw6AkkLqTqOwvnxQFMeQMkrdvk9uTSdrtgI8nRLHFX0aysfXbuWW9RVcp615/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50thbdDPgK4JRuoC8O5OaPaJQzBwYowfBgU4Gy5Sx5gMKC-IOSZWDf1mT8DUJaerYZAd4qPWa0QFuVAnemw6AkkLqTqOwvnxQFMeQMkrdvk9uTSdrtgI8nRLHFX0aysfXbuWW9RVcp615/s400/29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A traditional family park for 75 years, Douthat is listed on the  National Register of Historic Places for the role its design played in  the development of parks nationwide. </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/AVvXsEh9Rgy1w6PR-VIHSJcHJ2B7DMmECyoQ8RIn320DPOuntGHlt768k8AuWCwLTjPCVRjWkxnjXBxJJ_0BVi5qZYdv84XNpkj0WWpXquG6BGqinZ6P-DyafTJJzV38GLbjGuuZYxrX_Gmu20cl/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rgy1w6PR-VIHSJcHJ2B7DMmECyoQ8RIn320DPOuntGHlt768k8AuWCwLTjPCVRjWkxnjXBxJJ_0BVi5qZYdv84XNpkj0WWpXquG6BGqinZ6P-DyafTJJzV38GLbjGuuZYxrX_Gmu20cl/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amid some of Virginia's most  breathtaking mountain scenery, visitors enjoy interpretive programs, two  miles of stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, a sandy  swimming beach with snack bar, boat rentals, a gift shop and camp store,  cabins, and more than 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle  trails. </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/AVvXsEiOnepvcReX3DpJOSSIMyazaCwj2yuBCxN0qptA2vbOP4XQv6zXhk3caCz8z5j1h2YQJN_bHm5rJIBRRtEfNn1hQN_yfg41Ddg-Mtis8R0PkgJEcQD-6LntuKDs1SW0KncBcSyrqqfPFew4/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnepvcReX3DpJOSSIMyazaCwj2yuBCxN0qptA2vbOP4XQv6zXhk3caCz8z5j1h2YQJN_bHm5rJIBRRtEfNn1hQN_yfg41Ddg-Mtis8R0PkgJEcQD-6LntuKDs1SW0KncBcSyrqqfPFew4/s400/31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plus, there are playgrounds, an amphitheater, picnic areas, tent  and trailer camping, and a restaurant overlooking the lake. The park  also has 32 cabins and three lodges that accommodate 15, 16 and 18  guests each.</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/AVvXsEhFBYeCwzg6P2fKgyCb_Knvo4x4NsBZY5zOm9gui5-m9qSpX9mz9RgvzdqrogZJBEwVYFC5I5epdcUK4_O7HXLZCinRtQLoEZxJ5IjoeKNyXGUn0foOlJTQIqdvFu78FE1v10ISY0t1xNs_/s1600/33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBYeCwzg6P2fKgyCb_Knvo4x4NsBZY5zOm9gui5-m9qSpX9mz9RgvzdqrogZJBEwVYFC5I5epdcUK4_O7HXLZCinRtQLoEZxJ5IjoeKNyXGUn0foOlJTQIqdvFu78FE1v10ISY0t1xNs_/s400/33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMLdLdWXKPWjcM6COvZmmFQezkjhUC2gNussa9jMwoe102-y5SJ-VRzXSNtTigpnHW5iaWX3esPj7ixH12kHkseAJKpwaGm5jnxhOz_VcAc_S_VPl7eZ26w0YgJMELD65-0khxNS2zqd_/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMLdLdWXKPWjcM6COvZmmFQezkjhUC2gNussa9jMwoe102-y5SJ-VRzXSNtTigpnHW5iaWX3esPj7ixH12kHkseAJKpwaGm5jnxhOz_VcAc_S_VPl7eZ26w0YgJMELD65-0khxNS2zqd_/s400/34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFDZP4AaF3KUKt5uPyYtAF3EggAMJuAL8aVaOYLivMAWvSCbdENAPEwlctIipxZMVvUdm-HJA06i4lDxqQWcXcqWqdacRFUMfBmk76vRCh7KsUxfIiWrtwvXBq6NvsF7Rcy72n4NxShBP/s1600/54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFDZP4AaF3KUKt5uPyYtAF3EggAMJuAL8aVaOYLivMAWvSCbdENAPEwlctIipxZMVvUdm-HJA06i4lDxqQWcXcqWqdacRFUMfBmk76vRCh7KsUxfIiWrtwvXBq6NvsF7Rcy72n4NxShBP/s400/54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq9tVgxLkPCudHyb0lIa80vMHSMreZjoRqQYMETHsEdn_VkZVeBQPmj3JGbQ_mJoFxJG7WU5duUYtQGlxKAK02t7awAC-APSKRYIs1Xc6Zt4-DOnOGeUAg7Hphj08WO3oq-rJOLHaUK7H/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq9tVgxLkPCudHyb0lIa80vMHSMreZjoRqQYMETHsEdn_VkZVeBQPmj3JGbQ_mJoFxJG7WU5duUYtQGlxKAK02t7awAC-APSKRYIs1Xc6Zt4-DOnOGeUAg7Hphj08WO3oq-rJOLHaUK7H/s400/35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpekkluSZxvhzVL8QRKvFDQ89KpyrxRUk1K0duqXGjPVm68cKUYxKN7Hfq8Gh3g7rMeS1CJDSMNSZX_atF0X9cIeskTnBpJXO9rL0bk9fM69CYLLQ_i1vjnH6qQgfJzbLfoJBOvBgW8dv7/s1600/36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpekkluSZxvhzVL8QRKvFDQ89KpyrxRUk1K0duqXGjPVm68cKUYxKN7Hfq8Gh3g7rMeS1CJDSMNSZX_atF0X9cIeskTnBpJXO9rL0bk9fM69CYLLQ_i1vjnH6qQgfJzbLfoJBOvBgW8dv7/s400/36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ42YrYGC6DyGRmOeaZZ1WRRpPu2oZF7Db7ZrR4UTZvbR-RBzo2tHkpAiOqkcc2iNxeEnN9TnPxXvv2C3IBjx4ZtCG0h8LuRhM1w4P3F46IptsQ38SZ2xlfA7nFn2QtQvWPzaafO6LFBDh/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ42YrYGC6DyGRmOeaZZ1WRRpPu2oZF7Db7ZrR4UTZvbR-RBzo2tHkpAiOqkcc2iNxeEnN9TnPxXvv2C3IBjx4ZtCG0h8LuRhM1w4P3F46IptsQ38SZ2xlfA7nFn2QtQvWPzaafO6LFBDh/s400/35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71XYpAbQWvSQh7Fr5D79k16JozBXzw44sW64sqox7KkxAQEQpT3h3nlouL6UafrCX0UqLx6i9m0C8_bvogFreyBaVYL6Myu88xf53Bb0g89dZFrm_2t1-v6CYiD9C619A92tDsplIjKlr/s1600/53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71XYpAbQWvSQh7Fr5D79k16JozBXzw44sW64sqox7KkxAQEQpT3h3nlouL6UafrCX0UqLx6i9m0C8_bvogFreyBaVYL6Myu88xf53Bb0g89dZFrm_2t1-v6CYiD9C619A92tDsplIjKlr/s400/53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtoWDvmVxGH8Jw3FVpbZc9bmbI4ks8TfpdIMV_3_czmqg_jkRnSVHSkMBVQMdQkM8Ivpj33pSgOtLO9YZ7NF0Csku-V-QxbDjySUG1oF0k8OUyakWlASsvewndRU803kk7ITRPnxM6iZ-/s1600/55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtoWDvmVxGH8Jw3FVpbZc9bmbI4ks8TfpdIMV_3_czmqg_jkRnSVHSkMBVQMdQkM8Ivpj33pSgOtLO9YZ7NF0Csku-V-QxbDjySUG1oF0k8OUyakWlASsvewndRU803kk7ITRPnxM6iZ-/s400/55.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GWb2HhMLam46DeE-XSMTVKoVt7ahis3Z5wSa_D7cK3srTJIUuUR6p7pgsRcZnBRRuUeluL8FEtr0gP0xfwebrvt9N4_L0zqsLJ6wvn2p1mMoZENzUBMJXe4gQtbHknOnRiC6PqX1gbrK/s1600/56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GWb2HhMLam46DeE-XSMTVKoVt7ahis3Z5wSa_D7cK3srTJIUuUR6p7pgsRcZnBRRuUeluL8FEtr0gP0xfwebrvt9N4_L0zqsLJ6wvn2p1mMoZENzUBMJXe4gQtbHknOnRiC6PqX1gbrK/s400/56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 24, 2013

Autumn at western Virginia's Douthat State Park

Alleghany County Bath County Douthat State Park Lynn R. Mitchell tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia Autumn at western Virginia's Douthat State Park

Douthat State Park is located in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia. The park has 4,546 acres in Bath and Alleghany counties and includes a 50-acre lake. A traditional family park for 75 years, Douthat is listed on the National Register of…

Top