Photos ... Stuarts Draft on a rainy day

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVo1K-89tV08kXCGgT3Iahx6GZL6ZRpisRyWJdSb3K9DUv0cejaeotojHPQWGvWEg7X7O8-Y9z7gFbpvMUwAw20dD6zQmE56gu2FK3fMHEHauIlv0UMGosN7Gk4DjGIBw6c4nI6rfqEFLR/s800/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVo1K-89tV08kXCGgT3Iahx6GZL6ZRpisRyWJdSb3K9DUv0cejaeotojHPQWGvWEg7X7O8-Y9z7gFbpvMUwAw20dD6zQmE56gu2FK3fMHEHauIlv0UMGosN7Gk4DjGIBw6c4nI6rfqEFLR/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/AVvXsEifgcDS1N3Q6HNYUnM2ncWVEZ67C2QYGZ1AowaiLmrdNpKHFPnJJuHZlK_LCCAc0cfONUM79wsaEWlqzfbIzG_g4pXfKSr7EviGbmupI8Zl-vuvrL6iznLU0g281XXkYzxaNpz22i3Yy0hK/s800/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgcDS1N3Q6HNYUnM2ncWVEZ67C2QYGZ1AowaiLmrdNpKHFPnJJuHZlK_LCCAc0cfONUM79wsaEWlqzfbIzG_g4pXfKSr7EviGbmupI8Zl-vuvrL6iznLU0g281XXkYzxaNpz22i3Yy0hK/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/AVvXsEg_m10QBBo7Xs6Vqj-X9eYqaoAC3vIpYngKJiW3v76VbGTCCBICU21RKlklTz6UXUUFbUXTLCabGea8_x8W2dbBeRsSOxFwNySGUY2Vk_tR4a_HlfFSOT9XioLSEO6woA6AytwApHVB5feR/s800/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_m10QBBo7Xs6Vqj-X9eYqaoAC3vIpYngKJiW3v76VbGTCCBICU21RKlklTz6UXUUFbUXTLCabGea8_x8W2dbBeRsSOxFwNySGUY2Vk_tR4a_HlfFSOT9XioLSEO6woA6AytwApHVB5feR/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/AVvXsEj-VGIHssp35TIkkWr9FuCq1QBjtt1eaky5b2k30RkxN5InZITD61Yc2Aq9YliN_ppNKZMDR2jwVC-nrQR_zh1RwEuilh_2QIW_nLZoTV6iBP4Ind2ZAbnQ4fh_PnXTan4ivfpAqe6qZthD/s800/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VGIHssp35TIkkWr9FuCq1QBjtt1eaky5b2k30RkxN5InZITD61Yc2Aq9YliN_ppNKZMDR2jwVC-nrQR_zh1RwEuilh_2QIW_nLZoTV6iBP4Ind2ZAbnQ4fh_PnXTan4ivfpAqe6qZthD/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/AVvXsEjzwqd1_yMs3HwAmBL1koi3t1yJG92EROIvniOfUi4PbU1NB3F9e1HobhPZsDj8-Ec1XsytNXa-xCKSQ84TtJJI1QsaNhq09p_J3gEdQBGuSd2RcwgW6TNcSsMdEhf723VWbqhr5RaDF45g/s800/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwqd1_yMs3HwAmBL1koi3t1yJG92EROIvniOfUi4PbU1NB3F9e1HobhPZsDj8-Ec1XsytNXa-xCKSQ84TtJJI1QsaNhq09p_J3gEdQBGuSd2RcwgW6TNcSsMdEhf723VWbqhr5RaDF45g/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5uX4Zali9hJdQB2ePBjXEz0ES6SIRQWuNF43633DSw12dh3zccL1A6y8duZY2FMKdTHpopVgINZGybCoWklOwRPnBOjAGSmi5hVufI7scuijxOd6jKdeAblZYgC3qsb7Xy49Zc9ay0nJ/s800/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5uX4Zali9hJdQB2ePBjXEz0ES6SIRQWuNF43633DSw12dh3zccL1A6y8duZY2FMKdTHpopVgINZGybCoWklOwRPnBOjAGSmi5hVufI7scuijxOd6jKdeAblZYgC3qsb7Xy49Zc9ay0nJ/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbqXf48o8BLgdCg5m_xQObaQeF227KS8S0E9k-ZH0AKCV-UWj_9BpgjtQ3-pJeSKyCZ5-fSIg6OcJjqc0yt3YvNB5R9MSLzcAKNZHyuhVeHlwOEo1WzommtKT8RHp0JO4nWu2LYcZdxKP/s800/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbqXf48o8BLgdCg5m_xQObaQeF227KS8S0E9k-ZH0AKCV-UWj_9BpgjtQ3-pJeSKyCZ5-fSIg6OcJjqc0yt3YvNB5R9MSLzcAKNZHyuhVeHlwOEo1WzommtKT8RHp0JO4nWu2LYcZdxKP/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/AVvXsEgGApRzA9pjwzWcqbrBv5x8bfTFfU7f4Rf3lzbWBmIh7xpPPZaxWXLsFeeKSFoataVKfM_AcUsZ2-ocwECP4OF-8uaEOMvoQJ01OQ8p14FVpgM_7w1VKytGMe_ML0uICIlYYP1s6NuLiTp4/s800/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGApRzA9pjwzWcqbrBv5x8bfTFfU7f4Rf3lzbWBmIh7xpPPZaxWXLsFeeKSFoataVKfM_AcUsZ2-ocwECP4OF-8uaEOMvoQJ01OQ8p14FVpgM_7w1VKytGMe_ML0uICIlYYP1s6NuLiTp4/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/AVvXsEgg1sJSa7vQiXAxSdQT21sICzFlJ9e1exax817k47fNRcordjEfqhfj1cJZWcb1g-yGaxLOhXSG2ePxZ8LDUlixRTk_4ljnJphQlWgvEXy5NFNFo9O1ebq33BMA4fDxz5Xn4-vdxPsWplxM/s1600/Stuarts+Draft,+clouds,+Milmont+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1sJSa7vQiXAxSdQT21sICzFlJ9e1exax817k47fNRcordjEfqhfj1cJZWcb1g-yGaxLOhXSG2ePxZ8LDUlixRTk_4ljnJphQlWgvEXy5NFNFo9O1ebq33BMA4fDxz5Xn4-vdxPsWplxM/s400/Stuarts+Draft,+clouds,+Milmont+024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFIXOVj9AmIMoq9-UOA9jqdHOK5PA8w_VLqVg0HEtEDc3I6ENX0fJ0dlZaO0vrFIoWOt5MFWo7w9wLLNodhQHfE7f9nrhnSvOtR1y-BsrLwc_rQsaRCMVUqpUO8H5JyAa8t3v6v0ipe0U/s800/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFIXOVj9AmIMoq9-UOA9jqdHOK5PA8w_VLqVg0HEtEDc3I6ENX0fJ0dlZaO0vrFIoWOt5MFWo7w9wLLNodhQHfE7f9nrhnSvOtR1y-BsrLwc_rQsaRCMVUqpUO8H5JyAa8t3v6v0ipe0U/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />July 2, 2013

Augusta County Blue Ridge Mountains Shenandoah Valley Stuarts Draft Photos ... Stuarts Draft on a rainy day

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell July 2, 2013

Read more »

Milmont Greenhouse: Mountain views, gardening values

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe4TGno8tpNkHx8xt7prvYjh5tH4E4uD-FDSMXo9Y66ggQyFtdlqUk8p3q04JEc93KJI_V_wlLmS1w62iCRriT-F1PCRKAqVJZYy-ILy-fOOugQP1Zvovy2s5DIg24O8FupM27fnubJoy/s800/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe4TGno8tpNkHx8xt7prvYjh5tH4E4uD-FDSMXo9Y66ggQyFtdlqUk8p3q04JEc93KJI_V_wlLmS1w62iCRriT-F1PCRKAqVJZYy-ILy-fOOugQP1Zvovy2s5DIg24O8FupM27fnubJoy/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I snapped a photo while shopping the 50% off premium annuals on Tuesday at <a href="http://www.milmont.com/">Milmont Greenhouse</a> in Stuarts Draft. With the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background, this Mennonite-run nursery has a beautiful view both inside the fence and beyond. It's been my first choice for plants for 16 years.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbANETENsOpvOaQUE5F03-Tim4xCW6MnKsp81i4PbGa-8z7u143nw2cLOLE7eLpv9tGPndx8WCmUMYykaJ7MxeGU5EG1-aJph2sZjehCqnCZO32qGJoqzykA8j7XuSpvVGVS6Vw8PwtYm8/s800/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbANETENsOpvOaQUE5F03-Tim4xCW6MnKsp81i4PbGa-8z7u143nw2cLOLE7eLpv9tGPndx8WCmUMYykaJ7MxeGU5EG1-aJph2sZjehCqnCZO32qGJoqzykA8j7XuSpvVGVS6Vw8PwtYm8/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sprinkles fell from the clouds throughout the morning before finally turning into downpours by the middle of the day.</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/AVvXsEi_1-fg0ELCO80sjfMFnOLoPzNe_t7XsBcGtrEWBsassf-5yaPLxlWfYssVo1j_YURn5fVzl3C9e_p91Rcv88rQgdwWECDW7TvKomrXJ6NvJTL_jWnLTQvdNsoIFh1i84BCGZhjDsgQcpmJ/s800/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1-fg0ELCO80sjfMFnOLoPzNe_t7XsBcGtrEWBsassf-5yaPLxlWfYssVo1j_YURn5fVzl3C9e_p91Rcv88rQgdwWECDW7TvKomrXJ6NvJTL_jWnLTQvdNsoIFh1i84BCGZhjDsgQcpmJ/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/AVvXsEivkv9Rq5ZOS5IJVuo1IZxyVgreSU8vRNvDYZ1UVwCD7_PyUhd3nXITgfYCEGmSM6fvFJD6gUzifia1RnaAhUw7_b3o3Qcaoaj5YEzISnnFyq3gnEzZE0zWu5ZQOWnvMlIMMlcrA1mNo25j/s800/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkv9Rq5ZOS5IJVuo1IZxyVgreSU8vRNvDYZ1UVwCD7_PyUhd3nXITgfYCEGmSM6fvFJD6gUzifia1RnaAhUw7_b3o3Qcaoaj5YEzISnnFyq3gnEzZE0zWu5ZQOWnvMlIMMlcrA1mNo25j/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I was looking for flowers to fill in blank spots in pots that had been planted with Milmont products in the spring.</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/AVvXsEhGGHdaYfhkuv9vI8aPnK0Xsyv3opbRO47UfREDgvApPC04p72GIk6oAgIt6ojDOWpFTuqI6KqZMzFhGu5iZEarxM7Q568vJww3qY43KuTC9ahxgcOTzr9iz_lE0zCaic5FQCiIJoF05zHf/s632/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGHdaYfhkuv9vI8aPnK0Xsyv3opbRO47UfREDgvApPC04p72GIk6oAgIt6ojDOWpFTuqI6KqZMzFhGu5iZEarxM7Q568vJww3qY43KuTC9ahxgcOTzr9iz_lE0zCaic5FQCiIJoF05zHf/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/AVvXsEiDuJ9Ia1kE6zyW4FhOZNvz_yHgzq44R8Sd8IRfbbFZt0MBZTJUINYzkfgtTFcU0PqPjtScAxtvgEJ4vAocFztwq7C1MhzOpEWsNQb-gMx5BjAFBaoPJVBdm54iu4w81L6T5pcZfymxOydP/s800/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuJ9Ia1kE6zyW4FhOZNvz_yHgzq44R8Sd8IRfbbFZt0MBZTJUINYzkfgtTFcU0PqPjtScAxtvgEJ4vAocFztwq7C1MhzOpEWsNQb-gMx5BjAFBaoPJVBdm54iu4w81L6T5pcZfymxOydP/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/AVvXsEir_nufNOpHT53BmZ5TYRuJElwJEPWU-JmGbkXuMpdO6l1qYxshyphenhyphen1tYBH9SQgdbXlhEg_XjPi2YLFndGEgQHJLKKnyMynCylKhU4LsZUkOv2e87NDgfsjrsdVeSWJUQUh16gNKXAsfu8H7-/s790/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_nufNOpHT53BmZ5TYRuJElwJEPWU-JmGbkXuMpdO6l1qYxshyphenhyphen1tYBH9SQgdbXlhEg_XjPi2YLFndGEgQHJLKKnyMynCylKhU4LsZUkOv2e87NDgfsjrsdVeSWJUQUh16gNKXAsfu8H7-/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/AVvXsEhln1tMa2TASsEtjMxygUY-emeNR-QlOBm_ayAhmiRXYIAMSL063cAk_Ywc5fiNYVL5ctK64vCgbQ2ZFaDY51RZEi-MjRzUSRDXd9gNFcVhB0ojlLCN_Pd8lxlptGeUSKiyZiZcki-bXYUE/s657/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhln1tMa2TASsEtjMxygUY-emeNR-QlOBm_ayAhmiRXYIAMSL063cAk_Ywc5fiNYVL5ctK64vCgbQ2ZFaDY51RZEi-MjRzUSRDXd9gNFcVhB0ojlLCN_Pd8lxlptGeUSKiyZiZcki-bXYUE/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sale on hanging baskets and premium annuals began July 2.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />July 2, 2013

Augusta County Blue Ridge Mountains Mennonites Milmont Greenhouse Milmont Nursery Shenandoah Valley Stuarts Draft Milmont Greenhouse: Mountain views, gardening values

 I snapped a photo while shopping the 50% off premium annuals on Tuesday at Milmont Greenhouse in Stuarts Draft. With the Blue Ridge Mounta...

Read more »

U.S. Justice Department drops by to investigate Augusta County

Just in time for Independence Day, <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/opinion/editorials/abc-agents-went-too-far-in-response/article_14b4daf2-e194-11e2-ae78-001a4bcf6878.html">Uncle Sam is taking a stroll around Augusta County</a>'s 26 voting precincts today and tomorrow with the three members of the local electoral board. Actually, he's sending one of his lawyers and an architect from the civil rights division of the U.S. Justice Department.<br /><br />Uh-oh. Almost sounds like being called to the principal's office.<br /><br />Originally scheduled for June, the trip was delayed until this week, and Augusta Electoral Board chairman Ruth Talmage seemed unhappy even though she had originally <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/virginia_politics/former-augusta-supervisor-candidate-said-he-complained-to-justice/article_227f93ec-cef8-11e2-bc0b-001a4bcf6878.html">requested the visit be held off</a> until after the June Democratic Primary:<br /><blockquote>"Voters ought not to have to worry with some strange person from Washington watching and asking questions," Talmage said.</blockquote><a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/augusta-electoral-board-tells-justice-to-stay-away-on-election/article_67de2d68-ce30-11e2-b122-001a4bcf6878.html">She also said,</a> "The message is that they (Justice) are welcome to come, but not on election day.''<br /><br />An <a href="http://An email response sent to Justice on Wednesday through Augusta County Attorney Patrick Morgan said the electoral board "has concluded that permitting such inspections is not in the best interest of Augusta County, at this time. Therefore, I regret to inform you that the board of elections will not authorize you to inspect the polling places as previously planned."">email from the county's attorney</a> closed the door on the June visit:<br /><blockquote>An email response sent to Justice on Wednesday through Augusta County Attorney Patrick Morgan said the electoral board "has concluded that permitting such inspections is not in the best interest of Augusta County, at this time. Therefore, I regret to inform you that the board of elections will not authorize you to inspect the polling places as previously planned."</blockquote>It's rainy and drippy out there today so hope they've all got their umbrellas and golashes as they traverse the second-largest county in Virginia.<br /><br />As former magisterial district chairman in Pastures District located west of Staunton, I have personal knowledge of the time it takes to travel its five precincts, the most of any district in the county. Pastures' borders touch Staunton City and extend to Bath and Highland counties with the George Washington National Forest in between. It's a gorgeous district but you'd better be driving your reliable vehicle because it will rack up the mileage. <br /><br />That does not include the rest of Augusta that runs as far north as Rockingham County, south to Rockbridge County, and east to the tiptop of the Blue Ridge Mountains as it borders Nelson and Albemarle counties.<br /><br />The visit is in response to a complaint filed by Churchville resident Steve Morris who questioned a North River precinct located in the Churchville Fire Station in Pastures District, and handicap accessibility to that precinct. Morris ran an <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/virginia_politics/former-augusta-supervisor-candidate-said-he-complained-to-justice/article_227f93ec-cef8-11e2-bc0b-001a4bcf6878.html">unsuccessful bid as supervisor</a> in 2011.<br /><br />The electoral board <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/justice-department-delays-visit-until-july/article_6818dd36-d309-11e2-aa7c-0019bb30f31a.html">has defended the Churchville Fire Station precinct</a> location:<br /><blockquote>Talmage said both the precinct location and handicap access are appropriate. Talmage said Virginia law allows for a polling place within one mile of the border of a precinct boundary, and said North River lacks such a needed facility. She said the fire station's ramp and access door offer sufficient access. </blockquote>Talmadge complained in the <i>Waynesboro News-Virginian</i> that the tour would take "an unnecessary amount of time'' on Monday and Tuesday.<br /><br />Hmm. It's not wise to tweak Uncle Sam's nose.<br /><br />Reporter Bob Stuart <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/justice-department-to-visit-augusta-county-precincts-monday-tuesday/article_90c93bfe-e0dd-11e2-94f5-001a4bcf6878.html">reported</a>:<br /><blockquote>[Talmage] said the electoral board had asked to work with Justice on a schedule for touring the county precincts, but said the federal agency has not been cooperative.</blockquote>I guess once the June date was postponed, Uncle Sam decided to get his work done before his holiday, and this week was it. Maybe the federal agents will stick around for a Smalltown USA Fourth of July.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/justice-begins-investigation-in-augusta-county/article_c5a1f696-e2c1-11e2-b5ab-001a4bcf6878.html">Justice begins investigation in Augusta County </a>by Bob Stuart

Augusta County Blue Ridge Mountains Bob Stuart Churchville Fire Station Pastures District Ruth Talmage Steve Morris U.S. Justice Department Uncle Sam Waynesboro News-Virginian U.S. Justice Department drops by to investigate Augusta County

Just in time for Independence Day, Uncle Sam is taking a stroll around Augusta County 's 26 voting precincts today and tomorrow with the...

Read more »

Storm clouds over the Blue Ridge Mountains

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcPMmmuNxleOtVn4OurySgMCBMfwM2KMLsubIrCVrP5LxAL7J6Ff6ZXeew-FeEuqTQTDWOCJfFa2JO_3AGYgp5nexSs5NlaY5BoNnk4ZccEQMKKK9_ootxQXLWX01n0lHJt1hpYRsvph_/s800/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcPMmmuNxleOtVn4OurySgMCBMfwM2KMLsubIrCVrP5LxAL7J6Ff6ZXeew-FeEuqTQTDWOCJfFa2JO_3AGYgp5nexSs5NlaY5BoNnk4ZccEQMKKK9_ootxQXLWX01n0lHJt1hpYRsvph_/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Storm clouds gather over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Photos were taken from Weyers Cave.</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/AVvXsEhDRP8cAjuqJeL0sIEsYc-6DpHpqQOTBx-gRWoJ8pGShIAmUMCyom8DTC6J7ru5InztKmz6CH70AKnriB7IeMzLc5rFCFqCkgUz_sXijEtOeF91fwneAFJTXzl0BLarxf5CDxh8PQ9tz6_l/s800/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRP8cAjuqJeL0sIEsYc-6DpHpqQOTBx-gRWoJ8pGShIAmUMCyom8DTC6J7ru5InztKmz6CH70AKnriB7IeMzLc5rFCFqCkgUz_sXijEtOeF91fwneAFJTXzl0BLarxf5CDxh8PQ9tz6_l/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/AVvXsEgvu1fRsQH6GolyOwwPFcPpTQTrqP1xOksEKCtWRn-1hfPPLaaGjQFPgp4Zx9vECSKVJtpsaFHl9C1FpvGUEuhoIK7ZcxKGUAkEXLyTHJXdk5GF1k66z7YGtn-s_gaI7eKyh9d_VxCd0gf8/s800/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu1fRsQH6GolyOwwPFcPpTQTrqP1xOksEKCtWRn-1hfPPLaaGjQFPgp4Zx9vECSKVJtpsaFHl9C1FpvGUEuhoIK7ZcxKGUAkEXLyTHJXdk5GF1k66z7YGtn-s_gaI7eKyh9d_VxCd0gf8/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/AVvXsEjDfriWFGDwm4PJQz32Be4GsCFLtu_QSDu1-HKy1KY9ZXtWfqAyY6qJLwuYnp6MWDPmtOB3lbSkggkz5dFKDhTf5OswoiAu6P50XhzMg1IEDROIJi5PmGb7lyGXOd3rvynsk1qrb5J4TBRU/s800/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfriWFGDwm4PJQz32Be4GsCFLtu_QSDu1-HKy1KY9ZXtWfqAyY6qJLwuYnp6MWDPmtOB3lbSkggkz5dFKDhTf5OswoiAu6P50XhzMg1IEDROIJi5PmGb7lyGXOd3rvynsk1qrb5J4TBRU/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />June 28, 2013

Augusta County Blue Ridge Mountains storm clouds western Virginia Weyers Cave Storm clouds over the Blue Ridge Mountains

 Storm clouds gather over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Photos were taken from Weyers Cave. Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell June 28, 2013

Read more »

Black bear sighting in Staunton

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8mv0DWc0fieFyaT7SRmzI2Ns_VTV_4iL33lt0w-Vzy3Nt_Ku65ZkMx5DkKChWXWjvjR1q5p2kJIZhz4pUkyC9S_tG8j3VaRYoPVC40r0zn9Y8yBWrfz7sQNHVHId1IyPZMO2lw-ZuBTz/s1600/Black+bears+3+staunton+too.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8mv0DWc0fieFyaT7SRmzI2Ns_VTV_4iL33lt0w-Vzy3Nt_Ku65ZkMx5DkKChWXWjvjR1q5p2kJIZhz4pUkyC9S_tG8j3VaRYoPVC40r0zn9Y8yBWrfz7sQNHVHId1IyPZMO2lw-ZuBTz/s400/Black+bears+3+staunton+too.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy of Kristin Balsley</i></div><br />With the active black bear season this year in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains, it was only a matter of time before a bear was spotted in Staunton. Sure enough, that's what happened today as reports of a bear began surfacing around the middle of the day. The photo above was taken on North Augusta Street across from the Mary Baldwin College campus where the bear was seen on campus making its way toward Statler Boulevard.<br /><br />I was talking with wildlife biologist and longtime friend Al Bourgeois from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as we sat at dinner last weekend at a wedding in western Augusta County. He is one of the resident bear experts who has dealt with bears in this area for years. He said it has been a very active season as the hungry critters are roaming looking for food and, since there is very little natural food just yet, some are making their way to populated areas sniffing out garbage, bird feeders, and other edible goodies.<br /><br />Bears are not unusual in this part of Virginia, and each year there are incidents with some years busier than others. This is one of those busy years.<br /><br /><b>Previous posts from Lynn R. Mitchell about black bears:</b><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/04/bears-bears-bears-in-neighborhood.html" target="_blank"><b>Bears bears bears</b> in the neighborhood</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/04/if-you-live-in-virginia-youre-in-black.html" target="_blank">If you live in Virginia, you're in black <b>bear</b> country</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/black-bears-in-shenandoah-national-park.html" target="_blank">Black <b>bears</b> in Shenandoah National Park</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2009/06/black-bears-nabbing-pets-in-augusta.html" target="_blank">Black <b>bears</b> nabbing pets in Augusta County</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2009/06/journey-more-on-snakes-and-bears.html" target="_blank">The Journey: "More on snakes and <b>bears</b>"</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2009/08/black-bears-at-big-meadows.html" target="_blank">Black <b>bears</b> at Big Meadows</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2008/02/black-bear-population-exploding-in.html" target="_blank">Black <b>bear</b> population exploding in the Shenandoah <b>...</b></a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2008/10/aggresive-bear-alert-in-shenandoah.html" target="_blank">Aggresive <b>bear</b> alert in Shenandoah National Park</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2006/11/bear-attack-in-augusta-county.html" target="_blank"><b>Bear</b> attack in Augusta County</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2008/08/tonight-as-i-washed-dishes-i-was.html" target="_blank">Shenandoah ... where the deer and the black <b>bears</b> play....</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2010/06/black-bear-sightings-in-shenandoah.html" target="_blank">Black <b>bear</b> sightings in Shenandoah Valley</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2007/05/honey-theres-bear-in-storage-shed.html" target="_blank">Honey ... there's a <b>bear</b> in the storage shed....</a><br />- <a class="gs-title" href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/black-bear-attacks-hunter.html" target="_blank">Black <b>bear</b> attacks hunter</a>  <br /><br />

Appalachian Mountains Big Meadows black bears in Shenandoah Valley Blue Ridge Mountains Mary Baldwin College Shenandoah National Park Staunton Black bear sighting in Staunton

Photo courtesy of Kristin Balsley With the active black bear season this year in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains, it was onl...

Read more »

Staunton's Byers Street Bistro ... lunch on the patio

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5WrHBuwpPwTyoNvIq24BBPWMqdCFMVVD9bc-JH13fG5YsnRQLTxGBoeDfDxya90O-gkrZ7brFoK35HzqL577O3A4TTK4ne8Cc4nTSpgjiElroqur6D0ibybVOP8nw-ieGbHN_yxWkgmd/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5WrHBuwpPwTyoNvIq24BBPWMqdCFMVVD9bc-JH13fG5YsnRQLTxGBoeDfDxya90O-gkrZ7brFoK35HzqL577O3A4TTK4ne8Cc4nTSpgjiElroqur6D0ibybVOP8nw-ieGbHN_yxWkgmd/s400/21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.byersstreetbistro.com/">Byers Street Bistro</a> offers patio dining in the Historic Wharf District of Staunton, Virginia.</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/AVvXsEj9UI7bc8IZO0u8eVHkKAWWH6i7zryOYfKMuJtUH-7KF5nAgn3Gnlm5FmXMqBbrSOu5w_772J3fOXktGSPA4L_EsCDY3DPn57HZVNP1KfUE-nCc2D1TWNWqJwgX5aG3N_IN008ceq-yru21/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UI7bc8IZO0u8eVHkKAWWH6i7zryOYfKMuJtUH-7KF5nAgn3Gnlm5FmXMqBbrSOu5w_772J3fOXktGSPA4L_EsCDY3DPn57HZVNP1KfUE-nCc2D1TWNWqJwgX5aG3N_IN008ceq-yru21/s400/22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Historic Wharf District of Staunton got its name in the late 1800s when the Central Virginia Railroad Company extended its tracks across the Blue Ridge Mountains from the state capital of Richmond to the central Shenandoah Valley's Queen City of Staunton. The Wharf provided warehouses for goods moved in and out of the area by rail. Those warehouses have now been renovated and are restaurants, businesses, offices, and retail space.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />June 17, 2013

Blue Ridge Mountains Byers Street Bistro dining in central Shenandoah Valley downtown Staunton Historic Wharf District Virginia Is For Lovers Virginia Railroad Staunton's Byers Street Bistro ... lunch on the patio

Byers Street Bistro offers patio dining in the Historic Wharf District of Staunton, Virginia. The Historic Wharf District of Staunton got i...

Read more »

Father's Day 2013: 'One More Day' ... with Dad

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyYFRVjhz7uof1EPnUo0V1LX2QdyTUWVBm8ZO9V1q96-4MjfZ5bg4JYN_pvZz_MxzX1raOHgop13P2tRjYBs8T5nde8Sa5V2zx28hPQkdp7fv-jwjiyvWQSs8H5CDuaTp8lrMi98UcLOo/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyYFRVjhz7uof1EPnUo0V1LX2QdyTUWVBm8ZO9V1q96-4MjfZ5bg4JYN_pvZz_MxzX1raOHgop13P2tRjYBs8T5nde8Sa5V2zx28hPQkdp7fv-jwjiyvWQSs8H5CDuaTp8lrMi98UcLOo/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Shenandoah National Park as the mountain laurel blooms. My dad had two places on earth he loved more than anywhere else: the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.</i></div><br /><i>[My annual Father's Day remembrance of my dad....]</i><br /><br />It's Father's Day and, once again, my dad is not here to be with us. He passed away in 1975 at the age of 51.<br /><br />There's a country song by Diamond Rio called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuE1XJ_uqOs">"One More Day"</a> ... and every time I hear that song I think of my dad. It has been years since cancer took him from us and, yet, a word or song or thought can bring me to my knees as I continue to feel the loss of a man I admired and respected and miss to this day.<br /><br />He was a simple man, the oldest of five children growing up in Amelia County, Virginia ... a child of the Depression who quit school after eighth grade to help support his financially-strapped family.<br /><br />According to many pundits today, he should have felt sorry for himself and given up on life or blamed society. But he didn't. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, traveling to exotic places in the South Pacific as a gunner on the <i>USS Wisconsin</i>. He came home to Chesterfield County, Virginia, after the war, settled down, married, and raised three daughters. He wasn't the CEO of some company ... but to us he was more.<br /><br />He was funny, easy-going, and hard to anger ... but when he angered, look out. He was a stern disciplinarian who had a thundering velvet hand when we had misbehaved. He was a deacon in our church and a Sunday school teacher for most of his adult life. He played baseball on his company's team, and he taught us the game.<br /><br />My dad loved to camp in the Shenandoah National Park along the Skyline Drive. Because my parents couldn't afford pricey vacations, they took us to the mountains from the time we were young. Dad was a naturalist before it became fashionable. He was mindful of nature, teaching his girls to leave the flowers for others to enjoy. He taught us to pack out our trash, be respectful of the animals that lived there, and enjoy that beautiful part of Virginia.<br /><br />We still enjoy that beautiful part of Virginia. At the age of one, my parents took me for my first camping trip to Big Meadows Campground ... and we've been at it ever since ... and living in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a dream come true.<br /><br />Though not physically with me, I carry Dad's memory and honor him by remembering and practicing what he taught all those years ago.<br /><br />And that's why the Diamond Rio song can bring me to tears in a heartbeat ... if I could have just one more day with him it would be sitting around a campfire in Shenandoah National Park ... one more time.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuE1XJ_uqOs">"One More Day"</a><br />By Diamond Rio<br /><br />Last night I had a crazy dream<br />A wish was granted just for me, it could be for anything.<br />I didn't ask for money or a mansion in Malibu,<br />I simply wished for one more day with you.<br /><br />One more day, one more time...<br />One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied.<br />But then again, I know what it would do<br />Leave me wishin' still for one more day with you.<br /><br />First thing I'd do is pray for time to crawl,<br />I'd unplug the telephone, keep the TV off,<br />I'd hold you every second and say a million "I love you's"...<br />That's what I'd do with one more day with you.<br /><br />One more day, one more time...<br />One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied.<br />But then again, I know what it would do<br />Leave me wishin' still for one more day with you.<br /><br /><i>Originally posted on Father's Day 2007.</i>

Blue Ridge Mountains family Father's Day friendship mentoring Outer Banks Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Father's Day 2013: 'One More Day' ... with Dad

Shenandoah National Park as the mountain laurel blooms. My dad had two places on earth he loved more than anywhere else: the Outer Banks of ...

Read more »

Window on the World: Mountain laurel, wildflowers blooming in Shenandoah National Park

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkF3xcGM64XU88alaM5Rzm-oDD8wVFZr03xxeW6p-T-iRpkGnCH3-9F1QJt9TZTNt6NQLHVLvzWial0Ns3Lijmbj7PfvbzvJJipgfuk9LxxC0Cet4VDD7xWh9x02hdomdeyd6lEbPxadC/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkF3xcGM64XU88alaM5Rzm-oDD8wVFZr03xxeW6p-T-iRpkGnCH3-9F1QJt9TZTNt6NQLHVLvzWial0Ns3Lijmbj7PfvbzvJJipgfuk9LxxC0Cet4VDD7xWh9x02hdomdeyd6lEbPxadC/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday, June 14 ... spent the day along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park where the mountain laurel and a variety of wildflowers are in full bloom.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIigUHWuL3Li-i7q9gK1PymfLYYfU-mSxTSUt4j-Cs8ju4sNl9eXytw0uwIfwVK0z6eP-HIpHsfJyueNi4rV-xy8co4WpD556mtcUVsruUswXVmD4iqlyKOhTk9K53dW0jtk1xuc_tVipP/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIigUHWuL3Li-i7q9gK1PymfLYYfU-mSxTSUt4j-Cs8ju4sNl9eXytw0uwIfwVK0z6eP-HIpHsfJyueNi4rV-xy8co4WpD556mtcUVsruUswXVmD4iqlyKOhTk9K53dW0jtk1xuc_tVipP/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/AVvXsEjwlf2xNe1dWs84TcBiAB6UGosonG-bLktdyvHTiaqk4eZw4DJ33BgvvugsrOGu4y_B1n-pzCcxrnV5WBdxIYWn5Fdc2cWaQb_eV7VUM5dYLjhVx4TlQSvMKVo0XzUD8EaiZcb9BrXpMYeP/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/AVvXsEjwlf2xNe1dWs84TcBiAB6UGosonG-bLktdyvHTiaqk4eZw4DJ33BgvvugsrOGu4y_B1n-pzCcxrnV5WBdxIYWn5Fdc2cWaQb_eV7VUM5dYLjhVx4TlQSvMKVo0XzUD8EaiZcb9BrXpMYeP/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/AVvXsEjtwjtFtVPeAWqB_jQtSDkdtQCdIvvAouuu6E-UUIl7_7g3Dw9SPcrD7JZfI6D18gsFUnaRlK78XMzmnvn1SNnoWwxv6sNnw371AlgIezobH2azycSg-y8G8uscQstqZPsN5FlqHT16gGzb/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwjtFtVPeAWqB_jQtSDkdtQCdIvvAouuu6E-UUIl7_7g3Dw9SPcrD7JZfI6D18gsFUnaRlK78XMzmnvn1SNnoWwxv6sNnw371AlgIezobH2azycSg-y8G8uscQstqZPsN5FlqHT16gGzb/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Camp site at Loft Mountain as campers began arriving. It will be a great weekend with cool temps, low humidity, and sunny weather.</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/AVvXsEiPYIynR86C_faWXS5j26nIvY_42Yw6XgChyhormT53SZGhB8WwiUM1fCHE1nuEvQIgxpfCP2O1a4EE5XqgmytyUftVIQ42FcUgN5JxmKYQ103ttrgH1DPDEzBru7Uatu1uRtAC3R88tLy1/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/AVvXsEiPYIynR86C_faWXS5j26nIvY_42Yw6XgChyhormT53SZGhB8WwiUM1fCHE1nuEvQIgxpfCP2O1a4EE5XqgmytyUftVIQ42FcUgN5JxmKYQ103ttrgH1DPDEzBru7Uatu1uRtAC3R88tLy1/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/AVvXsEj_xyeMguDaMLzHgKzDYLdPI9NRU6yYPtiSB0W4J6vBXkddQTvD5LAsKbqkvJuCYG15eZSUQkk_XMB5Nf6QHQG1FONTdGod3cm7y4kLMsqcO57v2o18Hq5wUNFzMG7B8QTijN2b6dvwfL33/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xyeMguDaMLzHgKzDYLdPI9NRU6yYPtiSB0W4J6vBXkddQTvD5LAsKbqkvJuCYG15eZSUQkk_XMB5Nf6QHQG1FONTdGod3cm7y4kLMsqcO57v2o18Hq5wUNFzMG7B8QTijN2b6dvwfL33/s640/5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qFEYxe19WHgNJeRN9V2THUG40J58MKvzj1DAqUSFbHF7RLx4pBi46Zxd8VOQvzOGDHvuxUJJVY7LooqBii-P9x_sON29vXhH439h01rtBuJnMk5zJF5-ClXVVULatudVgp5BXWUuhPlB/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qFEYxe19WHgNJeRN9V2THUG40J58MKvzj1DAqUSFbHF7RLx4pBi46Zxd8VOQvzOGDHvuxUJJVY7LooqBii-P9x_sON29vXhH439h01rtBuJnMk5zJF5-ClXVVULatudVgp5BXWUuhPlB/s640/6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABA6-vck3yGRxzrkoEj3K6MMapQqTvmSA-gt0nqteDpVWp-h4uBTfYa218gamFz7fgivB2bNs4gSDBSeRjAqeWyzkJDooUUAGiVy_pjvCCWaIJshnB4oy5hiVfK-M-9zVOQKuI6m5k0MF/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABA6-vck3yGRxzrkoEj3K6MMapQqTvmSA-gt0nqteDpVWp-h4uBTfYa218gamFz7fgivB2bNs4gSDBSeRjAqeWyzkJDooUUAGiVy_pjvCCWaIJshnB4oy5hiVfK-M-9zVOQKuI6m5k0MF/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/AVvXsEjJFUjmfMABJWbf2SAC1sxVXKoq-hkLNlijsSFpDow8P7nC9YSZiIFqBUI4KDgAjmjT44dknHNmwn6qVe7q3cp6fUGUiJsTBCMIDWFslKGq28Q4EgLe51kYgSsUvOgBdR4Ef7SAkTH0Zs8P/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/AVvXsEjJFUjmfMABJWbf2SAC1sxVXKoq-hkLNlijsSFpDow8P7nC9YSZiIFqBUI4KDgAjmjT44dknHNmwn6qVe7q3cp6fUGUiJsTBCMIDWFslKGq28Q4EgLe51kYgSsUvOgBdR4Ef7SAkTH0Zs8P/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking at Waynesboro in the Shenandoah Valley.</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/AVvXsEgEu9yMocHpgDk1BlncAw8DS25LYA9KOR7wz717xjl1PjruADaF9LgOMB5DMYsUBRBJe5H9tI8K6gE1vIY7lvjo_AJPjsgRakXWGcrodbQMhxqeVsUg-cnoWy4wkKDCbMbHQ3XPEb8iLumT/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu9yMocHpgDk1BlncAw8DS25LYA9KOR7wz717xjl1PjruADaF9LgOMB5DMYsUBRBJe5H9tI8K6gE1vIY7lvjo_AJPjsgRakXWGcrodbQMhxqeVsUg-cnoWy4wkKDCbMbHQ3XPEb8iLumT/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/AVvXsEgr7XhVFrHE7vh15uCOBCU3IOkJPdtytlHBRhVx8qwhb0g375L0OljVFDYkn0NbHB_UocYTlO-q-t8YqC6clYpyxi_WAMmghtJQblNDU4YaUBKOwHHa8f2anubzyn256YcWjW4SYQjIZXLg/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7XhVFrHE7vh15uCOBCU3IOkJPdtytlHBRhVx8qwhb0g375L0OljVFDYkn0NbHB_UocYTlO-q-t8YqC6clYpyxi_WAMmghtJQblNDU4YaUBKOwHHa8f2anubzyn256YcWjW4SYQjIZXLg/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Shenandoah National Park<br />June 14, 2013

Blue Ridge Mountains mountain laurel Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers wildflowers Window on the World: Mountain laurel, wildflowers blooming in Shenandoah National Park

Friday, June 14 ... spent the day along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park where the mountain laurel and a variety of wildflowers...

Read more »

Saturday: Shenandoah National Park neighbors enjoy free admission

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlPfVbZ3RRIAI0Dl80yGVlJW6wPzf2eeOtsfqrZygBLM5ayHYxLi3o4lzDZw8BckLnWnacaSFRGyamc0pvoo1wxUOrvZ0T25RiLnUmyf3O1EqXULZErik6ay3UBv2VGyzxCIIbjKp5opg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlPfVbZ3RRIAI0Dl80yGVlJW6wPzf2eeOtsfqrZygBLM5ayHYxLi3o4lzDZw8BckLnWnacaSFRGyamc0pvoo1wxUOrvZ0T25RiLnUmyf3O1EqXULZErik6ay3UBv2VGyzxCIIbjKp5opg/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>June 14, 2013 ... mountain laurel is in full bloom along Skyline Drive.</i></div><br />Tomorrow -- Saturday, June 15 -- residents from AUGUSTA, Albemarle, Greene, Madison, Nelson, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, and Warren Counties receive free admission to Shenandoah National Park in honor of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen/parknews/shenandoah-national-park-continues-neighbor-appreciation-day-2013.htm">Neighbor Appreciation Day</a> plus discounts on items in the bookstores and on some items in gift shops and restaurants.<br /><br />DNC, the park's official concessioner, plans to provide a 10% discount on select items in their retail stores and a 10% discount on food and some beverage items at all their restaurants. The Shenandoah National Park Association, which supports the interpretive and educational activities of Shenandoah National Park, will offer a 20% discount on all items in their bookstores located in the Dickey Ridge and Byrd Visitor Centers.<br /><br />Visitors wishing to take advantage of these discounts will be required to show proof of residency by showing their Virginia driver's license.<br /><br />A trip along the Skyline Drive on Friday was filled with wildflowers and mountain laurel blooming in profusion throughout the Park. With comfortable temperatures and low humidity, Saturday should be a perfect day to visit.<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Shenandoah National Park<br />June 14, 2013

Blue Ridge Mountains Byrd Visitor Center Dickey Ridge DNC mountain laurel Neighbor Appreciation Day Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Virginia Is For Lovers Virginia tourism Saturday: Shenandoah National Park neighbors enjoy free admission

  June 14, 2013 ... mountain laurel is in full bloom along Skyline Drive. Tomorrow -- Saturday, June 15 -- residents from AUGUSTA, Albemarle...

Read more »

AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeO6Us0ldG6-0nbkow0BVtpYiOTvrif3JrTx2bMHscQXKwzTPYijjvhV6OHWpzC4ilHIjriXuegj7OlZgkxS7hIjtg74FtD5pBP5I20DpfwwaW76LhdYUN_6CeXhrNRkrrK31ol04ZW5l/s1600/Warrior+Hike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeO6Us0ldG6-0nbkow0BVtpYiOTvrif3JrTx2bMHscQXKwzTPYijjvhV6OHWpzC4ilHIjriXuegj7OlZgkxS7hIjtg74FtD5pBP5I20DpfwwaW76LhdYUN_6CeXhrNRkrrK31ol04ZW5l/s400/Warrior+Hike+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru-hike.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.warriorhike.com/">Warrior Hikers</a> are our military veterans: <br /><blockquote>In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.<br /><br />Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.</blockquote>I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my <a href="http://www.lynnrmitchell.com/">SWAC Girl blog</a> who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- <a href="http://rockfishtoreeds.blogspot.com/">Rockfish to Reeds</a>. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia. Merlot describes her blogs as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well."<br /><br />So a tip of the hat to her for her interest in the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. Sunday offers an opportunity to thank these military veterans who put their lives on hold and on the line to preserve our freedoms. I'll update with more info as I find it but it's this Sunday, June 16, at 5:00 at the VFW in Waynesboro. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-N3GmgNmor_52EOb0850cgtPsg2J0sLdSao4C9RdaKzD3ymlaaRGo-AAn7vuaGMyKNdYDpFGtKVrgy-BVff4NnAS1_rf-nZi06MK8uAnQG3zPOcWZKXCAxAWC_QLvIGHmAi40GGoCnzj/s1600/Warrior+Hike+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-N3GmgNmor_52EOb0850cgtPsg2J0sLdSao4C9RdaKzD3ymlaaRGo-AAn7vuaGMyKNdYDpFGtKVrgy-BVff4NnAS1_rf-nZi06MK8uAnQG3zPOcWZKXCAxAWC_QLvIGHmAi40GGoCnzj/s320/Warrior+Hike+map.jpg" width="61" /></a></div>

Appalachian Trail Blue Ridge Mountains military veterans Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom support our veterans Warrior Hike Waynesboro AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru...

Read more »

Paranormal research takes place Saturday overnight at Swannanoa

They say there are ghosts at Afton Mountain's Swannanoa so overnight a <a href="http://www.nbc29.com/story/22540718/fishersville-based-paranormal-society-sets-up-shop-at-swannanoa">Fishersville paranormal society will be investigating</a> reports that it's one of the most haunted places in Virginia.<br /><br />With sophisticated equipment set up throughout the marble mansion, it will be interesting to hear if anything comes of it when the sun rises Sunday morning....

Afton Mountain Blue Ridge Mountains Fishersville paranormal society Swannnanoa Virginia haunted places Paranormal research takes place Saturday overnight at Swannanoa

They say there are ghosts at Afton Mountain's Swannanoa so overnight a Fishersville paranormal society will be investigating reports th...

Read more »

Up close & personal: Blue Ridge Parkway's Linn Cove Viaduct

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo9I1VAH2-tuoo6Diz51FJIcsug8ik_VvqvNYTbDxFrkT5AVAKEojvt6E-oItnugag5fM9Yc-Q_fRgYmu39meBtrf_XZ0ls_RqCwbDYwu0aCTdesR1bahWgVZjo631IlelVli595PGj0s/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo9I1VAH2-tuoo6Diz51FJIcsug8ik_VvqvNYTbDxFrkT5AVAKEojvt6E-oItnugag5fM9Yc-Q_fRgYmu39meBtrf_XZ0ls_RqCwbDYwu0aCTdesR1bahWgVZjo631IlelVli595PGj0s/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We lived 12 years in Iredell County, NC, about an hour north of Charlotte where SWAC Husband worked before we transferred back to Virginia. During those years, we spent a lot of time in the Blue Ridge Mountains, most often around Blowing Rock and Boone. While living in that area, the viaduct was finally constructed at Milepost 304 around Grandfather Mountain south of Blowing Rock, an engineering marvel engineered to fill in the missing link of the Blue Ridge Parkway.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xxIv8_iV3QzeRro6ToF8eHdV_3ZpygHW1nUPdgbcsveNdupqAjXkxkoaoZqqs4l1gZI8017Nssa5-3dkm92AxNH8jZZhuNTcoS_LIcFecT7iwpvckDHWopjC6Wgk6G7XsyTdDCC8dtJX/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xxIv8_iV3QzeRro6ToF8eHdV_3ZpygHW1nUPdgbcsveNdupqAjXkxkoaoZqqs4l1gZI8017Nssa5-3dkm92AxNH8jZZhuNTcoS_LIcFecT7iwpvckDHWopjC6Wgk6G7XsyTdDCC8dtJX/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In May, as we traveled back from a week on Florida's Panhandle spent with family, we meandered the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Fancy Gap. Along the way, we stopped at the Linn Cove Visitor Center and walked the trail that goes under the viaduct to get a closer look.</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/AVvXsEjpBoMR-KO_tMYqpEalPp5fJxz-AvBHV2A5UHo02va_ArKqFtZkGJLZygxl44fYP_D5EgVnqTD395aZygpGK2HqP40u_RuXsKKf9AbV3FZnOajIaAXV0lwhCTOAzzcQ8vW7fSbcOpuD8hug/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBoMR-KO_tMYqpEalPp5fJxz-AvBHV2A5UHo02va_ArKqFtZkGJLZygxl44fYP_D5EgVnqTD395aZygpGK2HqP40u_RuXsKKf9AbV3FZnOajIaAXV0lwhCTOAzzcQ8vW7fSbcOpuD8hug/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It took eight years, completed in 1987, and cost $10 million to construct this cement segmental bridge that was used to protect the fragile alpine environment on Grandfather Mountain. Walking beneath the structure offered the opportunity to observe how man and nature came up with a compromise in this national park area.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-0AFl-m9Vl2MlyvLMEZUTB8IyRnkaotrxlLa3jCs2kcqKelMtaKINdOh9yxDjKCsGNHP5KxMsDBHs6RRYzbXO9DhMANEM1iRmNZUDBixZPwEqNp6WZIx40QlIndVEiiBgEVLTUREu-vk/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-0AFl-m9Vl2MlyvLMEZUTB8IyRnkaotrxlLa3jCs2kcqKelMtaKINdOh9yxDjKCsGNHP5KxMsDBHs6RRYzbXO9DhMANEM1iRmNZUDBixZPwEqNp6WZIx40QlIndVEiiBgEVLTUREu-vk/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linn_Cove_Viaduct">Wikipedia</a>: "<b>Linn Cove Viaduct</b> is a 1,243-foot (379 m) concrete <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmental_bridge" title="Segmental bridge">segmental bridge</a> which snakes around the slopes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandfather_Mountain" title="Grandfather Mountain">Grandfather Mountain</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina" title="North Carolina">North Carolina</a>. It was completed in 1987 at a cost of $10 million and was the last section of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Parkway" title="Blue Ridge Parkway">Blue Ridge Parkway</a> to be finished.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-w-s_1-1"></sup><br /><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-w-s_1-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linn_Cove_Viaduct#cite_note-w-s-1"><span></span><span></span></a></sup><br /> <div style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viaduct" title="Viaduct">viaduct</a> was needed because of the damage that a traditional cut-and-fill road would have caused to Grandfather Mountain. The viaduct was designed by Figg and Muller Engineers, Inc. Construction began in 1979. It is 1,243 feet (379 m) long and consists of 153 segments weighing 50 tons each. The bridge's segments were <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precast_concrete" title="Precast concrete">precast</a> at an indoor facility at the south side of the parkway. After being transported to the bridge site, each section was lowered into place by a custom crane placed on either edge of the existing structure. The only work done at ground level was drilling for the seven footings which support the viaduct. In particular, there was no access road other than the Blue Ridge Parkway itself. The bridge has received eleven design awards."</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq_E5BU00qqLCRLBCEHc2SRAa5mKNK0lxA6m-JOSloICBmmjYhQYetNipsjYBSJSmZW9ORAqiaiXilbJtwQj47lJLp_-lFqtu4JBDIXASzrk22akXsCwGoyPwPfzPIugHJ9NmDBCcfXj5/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq_E5BU00qqLCRLBCEHc2SRAa5mKNK0lxA6m-JOSloICBmmjYhQYetNipsjYBSJSmZW9ORAqiaiXilbJtwQj47lJLp_-lFqtu4JBDIXASzrk22akXsCwGoyPwPfzPIugHJ9NmDBCcfXj5/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took multiple photos from various angles as we walked the trail.</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/AVvXsEj1Zi0fUea4_HbQT6qQRuE2rV1mYppzVjWBj3Jat3izHoG6NCOFgl-C22uz2gA0Q25pgzVMtoCNcOAjden4Hw2_BkwP9aUltS4AlcpUXafO0XYEflLc1IICNG8Q9WQmkDse3PGMiQjeDuAS/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Zi0fUea4_HbQT6qQRuE2rV1mYppzVjWBj3Jat3izHoG6NCOFgl-C22uz2gA0Q25pgzVMtoCNcOAjden4Hw2_BkwP9aUltS4AlcpUXafO0XYEflLc1IICNG8Q9WQmkDse3PGMiQjeDuAS/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sFi933IjZdHEVWuPOo-BBR17dFqZNDS5y56NZEDmQO4wFg6YkR7AKCeyKKnCWzcoSdUHCkm04ccjRYHYiz6Ad-Y70HJoYtaCc2K3dZ0ppLpCQMxChLrSOPBbPe1MaBCpDvlSXlj0_nsv/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sFi933IjZdHEVWuPOo-BBR17dFqZNDS5y56NZEDmQO4wFg6YkR7AKCeyKKnCWzcoSdUHCkm04ccjRYHYiz6Ad-Y70HJoYtaCc2K3dZ0ppLpCQMxChLrSOPBbPe1MaBCpDvlSXlj0_nsv/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the view from the Parkway at the beginning of the viaduct on the south end.</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/AVvXsEhD2lr5jGRa5I_yWxbmecJEmJRmonwc2JP3EhxVaG5nciET51Ep9nOo1mzFQkw6qMhrJjLCgzh_PVNMFG8-zZVDQ35cuRm_cHPnlpc1zl9ANJ8HUpyCm_aIqxdEi9-52bDB7SYmzM3VuGTH/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2lr5jGRa5I_yWxbmecJEmJRmonwc2JP3EhxVaG5nciET51Ep9nOo1mzFQkw6qMhrJjLCgzh_PVNMFG8-zZVDQ35cuRm_cHPnlpc1zl9ANJ8HUpyCm_aIqxdEi9-52bDB7SYmzM3VuGTH/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Driving on it ...</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/AVvXsEjJqmx-xjXU_0UxlEIKJTxpTK0wkdU8w7fgB2gjDI4bwfuVgbuYIEhpIBwKthcxw17UPX0ysZgXSw7YUte7phMQJ1UcEpDnaQ0oRS3vCwwPizGjHOJYOhIQH9B8RtGxozkMayhFpkJYzSqK/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqmx-xjXU_0UxlEIKJTxpTK0wkdU8w7fgB2gjDI4bwfuVgbuYIEhpIBwKthcxw17UPX0ysZgXSw7YUte7phMQJ1UcEpDnaQ0oRS3vCwwPizGjHOJYOhIQH9B8RtGxozkMayhFpkJYzSqK/s400/18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">... with Grandfather's slopes on the left ...</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/AVvXsEiC6YjV1C1WllJmcQicd7WriEnlCnjaR3Vs0fw-hNRQMyzdUDyqagVw91rhhhZkftkv5P0DFXv1ptEwCkuF2DsHDZAcHha1dRt1VkkIUjdSOfx3dOIRdxTlwClqAJsewR1o9NRgPP28QjjH/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6YjV1C1WllJmcQicd7WriEnlCnjaR3Vs0fw-hNRQMyzdUDyqagVw91rhhhZkftkv5P0DFXv1ptEwCkuF2DsHDZAcHha1dRt1VkkIUjdSOfx3dOIRdxTlwClqAJsewR1o9NRgPP28QjjH/s400/19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">... and then looking back.</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/AVvXsEhdJ6cgNA_pplIUzSAO324UDBmhfmyadz2_fiuNwDTrg60B9jB21Oz11a3090YPRX855hfQi5iHFDoKg1O0UygkWWcV0Tn04FF7eOzS-fVaVE9GNRWVqoV_TDVvrOZ2obn9CaZdGYuWVfPo/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJ6cgNA_pplIUzSAO324UDBmhfmyadz2_fiuNwDTrg60B9jB21Oz11a3090YPRX855hfQi5iHFDoKg1O0UygkWWcV0Tn04FF7eOzS-fVaVE9GNRWVqoV_TDVvrOZ2obn9CaZdGYuWVfPo/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/AVvXsEhy5_6prTxY73AJJr1SkC9hm8GPHMbVSyDfPh7wOwsxXV4QnBMS2k5MRMOIVzcCC8SbwUc4QduHDgEdGc6qVD5tmmOtrSwKX-vBgGHxNFp9eIc6ZY3Xc_2gnIplY_MYNDnGh0IkAITsf6kJ/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5_6prTxY73AJJr1SkC9hm8GPHMbVSyDfPh7wOwsxXV4QnBMS2k5MRMOIVzcCC8SbwUc4QduHDgEdGc6qVD5tmmOtrSwKX-vBgGHxNFp9eIc6ZY3Xc_2gnIplY_MYNDnGh0IkAITsf6kJ/s400/21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgj8QCxZj2RD7U9khGESNLwfXq2VIsi_Uj5_DuV0bc8cv6fWhG1EQAV7hFc5x0eht8uBQbgKUzrQ3_vgZ1TFca16qiEVDNNG24PiqEyqgyCgeXC4GEWTY2_vlBdphZkgLJ_twp0UouRazYB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8QCxZj2RD7U9khGESNLwfXq2VIsi_Uj5_DuV0bc8cv6fWhG1EQAV7hFc5x0eht8uBQbgKUzrQ3_vgZ1TFca16qiEVDNNG24PiqEyqgyCgeXC4GEWTY2_vlBdphZkgLJ_twp0UouRazYB/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view from the viaduct.</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/AVvXsEjiJKnH_-E0kK_tnNC_KvZkNvCcejqzoct8WX8sFz06u7plZR-st3nBG9tEQZm13qwPi1Pb3cP66MvYorvKaZ6ukvb_3FjuLGrzqgG_MPxJguOOepV6gRKjUIJINrF-zCtCg94QVwSPWc8E/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJKnH_-E0kK_tnNC_KvZkNvCcejqzoct8WX8sFz06u7plZR-st3nBG9tEQZm13qwPi1Pb3cP66MvYorvKaZ6ukvb_3FjuLGrzqgG_MPxJguOOepV6gRKjUIJINrF-zCtCg94QVwSPWc8E/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/AVvXsEhSfdqhmZbZl7tcP-MpNgrp9i-2ruHTQnpLdKqYfUIvmKEEUr9xm7nB_TZ1kFs5nKzf0E3ZkpHCnrscX_9g02WIp5MMCILl-Zg-TW4GjgiOAzFjwafm5CnxZY0li8IZcjYDZt-qnfH0m8c1/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfdqhmZbZl7tcP-MpNgrp9i-2ruHTQnpLdKqYfUIvmKEEUr9xm7nB_TZ1kFs5nKzf0E3ZkpHCnrscX_9g02WIp5MMCILl-Zg-TW4GjgiOAzFjwafm5CnxZY0li8IZcjYDZt-qnfH0m8c1/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This view is of the viaduct from the Visitor Center at the south end. The trees show the stark difference of Grandfather's slopes at the alpine level. We saw this view at the beginning of the trail at the edge of the parking lot ...</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/AVvXsEikdVZthIoxG2mp7x-_J4jC6eADmE85mitsFv-RwGThSG1_LSCdGfyZjz48pRmX8ijUGqUfMsM08kwrN1QcC0_choIJYpTnicB66Bt-AeBIqCBeecDTYgTK6Y-Tgdl8ZiFZ8SM-VmO82snn/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdVZthIoxG2mp7x-_J4jC6eADmE85mitsFv-RwGThSG1_LSCdGfyZjz48pRmX8ijUGqUfMsM08kwrN1QcC0_choIJYpTnicB66Bt-AeBIqCBeecDTYgTK6Y-Tgdl8ZiFZ8SM-VmO82snn/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">... and then we saw this view as we approached the viaduct from the trail. Seeing it from beneath was an entirely different experience as we studied the pillars and molded cement sections that barely disturbed the surrounding area.</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/AVvXsEhTPi7RrTpKsi4Q4pvIfDJRxnZA9sjkXf6qh9EiLAQ5zf1r0MUP7GfuZSvK3vJ-tFeOBJYu8k_ROVX0VbWT3twKijzVMz1vqYH-FFNoYtFg7F5WnGBudqPjhswvP-YIxFMhmq1QmHfJDoGg/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPi7RrTpKsi4Q4pvIfDJRxnZA9sjkXf6qh9EiLAQ5zf1r0MUP7GfuZSvK3vJ-tFeOBJYu8k_ROVX0VbWT3twKijzVMz1vqYH-FFNoYtFg7F5WnGBudqPjhswvP-YIxFMhmq1QmHfJDoGg/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not to mention it was a good leg-stretcher in-between thunderstorms on a rainy day.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />May 2013

Blowing Rock Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway Boone Grandfather Mountain Iredell County Linn Cove Viaduct Lynn R. Mitchell National Park Service North Carolina Wikipedia Up close & personal: Blue Ridge Parkway's Linn Cove Viaduct

We lived 12 years in Iredell County, NC, about an hour north of Charlotte where SWAC Husband worked before we transferred back to Virginia. ...

Read more »