Madison supervisors ask Congress to reopen Shenandoah National Park

Wouldn't it be great to see every county adjoining Shenandoah National Park take the same action as the Madison County supervisors by asking Congress to reopen Shenandoah National Park [<a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/starexponent/news/local_news/madison-supes-to-congress-reopen-shenandoah-national-park/article_e0ae5cf2-31dd-11e3-96ce-001a4bcf6878.html">link</a>]? For many, it's difficult to watch as nearby businesses suffer from the closure and endure the lack of tourist traffic at this time of year when millions travel to the mountains for the colorful autumn leaf season.<br /><br />Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison County is feeling the pinch at the time of year when their parking lots are usually blown out with vehicles and tourists:<br /><blockquote>"The next three weeks are going to be the main time for foliage," said Jimmy Graves with Graves Mountain Lodge on Thursday. "You've got the businesses on top of the mountain, they're closed and so ... yes it's an impact because you don't have the people here whether they'd come to eat lunch, some would spend the night, but they're going other places. Normally this time of year we would probably have another 50 people coming hiking, eating, would be more than 100 cars a day going to White Oak (Canyon), probably more than that going to Old Rag.<br /><br />"We are losing money from the park being closed - everyone around the park is losing money," he said.</blockquote>Some attractions are set to reopen on the Blue Ridge Parkway ... it's past time to reopen Shenandoah National Park. [<a href="http://www.roanoke.com/news/2291048-12/mabry-mill-other-parkway-attractions-poised-to-reopen.html">link</a>] <br /><br />End the government shutdown.

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Madison supervisors ask Congress to reopen Shenandoah National Park

Wouldn't it be great to see every county adjoining Shenandoah National Park take the same action as the Madison County supervisors by as...

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Mabry Mill, others poised to open this weekend

This is great news! Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the changing leaves and stop by the re-opened restaurants and attractions along the way. This would be a great way to help these businesses recover and get back on their feet after ten days of government shutdown.<br /><br />Check before going just to be sure they're open but the restaurant at Mabry Mill was hoping to be reopened this morning, and Peaks of Otter was hoping to be reopened for this weekend including lodging and restaurant, according to the Roanoke Times:<br /><blockquote>Mabry Mill will reopen today and the Peaks of Otter Lodge in Bedford County could be open by this weekend under agreements with the National Park Service, which had ordered parkway sites and concessionaires to close when the federal government shut down Oct. 1.<br /><br /> Radcliff was planning for a Friday reopening of Mabry Mill, though she had yet to hear from the park service Thursday afternoon. Robert Peters, the general manager of the Peaks of Otter Lodge, said he was “very optimistic” the lodge will be open by this weekend.</blockquote>Private businesses that are helping the federal government by running park concessions should not be forced to close during budget debates.

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Mabry Mill Peaks of Otter tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Mabry Mill, others poised to open this weekend

This is great news! Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the changing leaves and stop by the re-opened restaurants and attractions along the wa...

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Peak leaf color above 4,000 feet is this weekend

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzvCHExBNMDTz99UHrD-2gdv58nF2bS8bhm5FGyNT2Xd3unPXJFhgEN_IczLw0WxJ_mrEL3lySVDN3MMCbwKjOroPc7cJfheShqSG_F2WDwb38EpcXzsFJs2Uis0vDas_Iz4SX0Cr_KVy/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzvCHExBNMDTz99UHrD-2gdv58nF2bS8bhm5FGyNT2Xd3unPXJFhgEN_IczLw0WxJ_mrEL3lySVDN3MMCbwKjOroPc7cJfheShqSG_F2WDwb38EpcXzsFJs2Uis0vDas_Iz4SX0Cr_KVy/s400/4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Eric McCarty at Blue Ridge Parkway Color Tracker reports that peak leaf color will be this weekend, October 11-13, 2013, at elevations above 4,000 feet. That includes Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Gardens, and Mt. Mitchell in the North Carolina mountains.<br /><br />Go to http://www.blueridgeparkwaydaily.com to follow the color changes along the Blue Ridge Mountains.<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway Blue Ridge Parkway Daily Craggy Gardens Grandfather Mountain leaf color season Mt. Mitchell Peak leaf color above 4,000 feet is this weekend

Eric McCarty at Blue Ridge Parkway Color Tracker reports that peak leaf color will be this weekend, October 11-13, 2013, at elevations above...

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September scenes along the Blue Ridge Parkway

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwyFVelB1Iaa7Jbu_6vgoAfP9I4PemlOc06aea3XWx_PVgFYiFHy_gT2SQmYv3XoffXxRj4o7ACKGyGOM8A8knNOfMRFmtXRKVUBWpgUTC7oL50VMPVsBKurFKK3_BTJ_S8Hdliej0BRa/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwyFVelB1Iaa7Jbu_6vgoAfP9I4PemlOc06aea3XWx_PVgFYiFHy_gT2SQmYv3XoffXxRj4o7ACKGyGOM8A8knNOfMRFmtXRKVUBWpgUTC7oL50VMPVsBKurFKK3_BTJ_S8Hdliej0BRa/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The government shutdown has closed all attractions, restaurants, restrooms, and visitor centers along the Blue Ridge Parkway but the roadway itself is still open. Here are some scenes from Monday, the last day before the shutdown, as SWAC Husband and I drove from North Carolina back home to the Shenandoah Valley.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiEOtE-YDgwMxRp2-QtSufTb5rx08ltBmoWQROOX7BlGAi-pUY4CpSxDmKDnRT6lmQH6xMq9mz7TJbqaxoSYmlBDJZTzceJ0JOepjuUc_rfmTUxZYgSxTGc5zgrp12XN2vaN73ARWtspP/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiEOtE-YDgwMxRp2-QtSufTb5rx08ltBmoWQROOX7BlGAi-pUY4CpSxDmKDnRT6lmQH6xMq9mz7TJbqaxoSYmlBDJZTzceJ0JOepjuUc_rfmTUxZYgSxTGc5zgrp12XN2vaN73ARWtspP/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mabry Mill and the restaurant are closed due to the shutdown. We enjoyed visiting with historical interpreters including the blacksmith who had visited the <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/">Frontier Culture Museum</a> in Staunton and was impressed not only with the museum's blacksmith but the entire site.</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/AVvXsEjKM3pP6vGVhdqKatqxowMrzzrzY_Rz0yl8mpiu8OuyOc_YwD47nfUgiWsEh64pGS-O0h19ti5sJ-jRb-Qv7k_50g-eRdsWsbkpNLm29O-TSoZvt2SStrFp38tRMnjWvLfooRJcKp51WEp6/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM3pP6vGVhdqKatqxowMrzzrzY_Rz0yl8mpiu8OuyOc_YwD47nfUgiWsEh64pGS-O0h19ti5sJ-jRb-Qv7k_50g-eRdsWsbkpNLm29O-TSoZvt2SStrFp38tRMnjWvLfooRJcKp51WEp6/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/AVvXsEhbYTPDPiLxImQuGE8hzKzzAfP1be1IAE8fYZ0knWJwU-7MjZw53vyP7hX7ue7d7XFG5ah44Lr0dOSerOs4Z1CyCkBS-S9Uqr2aJ2qYpkUfqH_Ad9XxE2ScOsn4e68P60VlxdupryjE4jBN/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYTPDPiLxImQuGE8hzKzzAfP1be1IAE8fYZ0knWJwU-7MjZw53vyP7hX7ue7d7XFG5ah44Lr0dOSerOs4Z1CyCkBS-S9Uqr2aJ2qYpkUfqH_Ad9XxE2ScOsn4e68P60VlxdupryjE4jBN/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/AVvXsEiT1jut1Z2sc91Hp_yuBEJLuPyvzRlSmJ9LKdMhAZPMg-KV0LBT2Q4h6amSqW4-5Pup-8_0WEbSheb7YGpFyuBMPTSq1Spvay4p28klAggu6kZWFkr4B__gJbq8h9stDUJxCQoXQlwv3coM/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/AVvXsEiT1jut1Z2sc91Hp_yuBEJLuPyvzRlSmJ9LKdMhAZPMg-KV0LBT2Q4h6amSqW4-5Pup-8_0WEbSheb7YGpFyuBMPTSq1Spvay4p28klAggu6kZWFkr4B__gJbq8h9stDUJxCQoXQlwv3coM/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/AVvXsEhZKRX6twfUCLqyqdH8N_DdT2MAfysbwDCfdX6g2jl3MCkGE5ULR3FjmVqCzw6cKIOBUEw-O5r1Ab9queQYIXQNEACOlIs9GUCrQrwqgU7-5ITxo2B5PZd4L32uee0WH5R5VmFZb7y_T-8j/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/AVvXsEhZKRX6twfUCLqyqdH8N_DdT2MAfysbwDCfdX6g2jl3MCkGE5ULR3FjmVqCzw6cKIOBUEw-O5r1Ab9queQYIXQNEACOlIs9GUCrQrwqgU7-5ITxo2B5PZd4L32uee0WH5R5VmFZb7y_T-8j/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/AVvXsEhCWJWm2qSMk338Jos-E8mwZI-_fApuGqnwSJM2uhL8xzyEa_cPl62jXsIrExrCeedCw8wiGu_Df5xsywW9xq0W-3NYogW0x-vGNJozho3jXrUXVFF2N8jHl_1kbWnKEBeg1BzA8i5Tffkq/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWJWm2qSMk338Jos-E8mwZI-_fApuGqnwSJM2uhL8xzyEa_cPl62jXsIrExrCeedCw8wiGu_Df5xsywW9xq0W-3NYogW0x-vGNJozho3jXrUXVFF2N8jHl_1kbWnKEBeg1BzA8i5Tffkq/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/AVvXsEigpXqFjG-BFXA2JkvSpR6p4Xuj3H40pnkg9Ovvih54VL8cQfBTWT-_11boH2ekzgntl-T6bhDKw9KdQuuvCF1nfYLTDZsVuYPjhL0PjIiTXmwHdL2kCSqiXvJntWJeP-9nXDxqULShP6nA/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpXqFjG-BFXA2JkvSpR6p4Xuj3H40pnkg9Ovvih54VL8cQfBTWT-_11boH2ekzgntl-T6bhDKw9KdQuuvCF1nfYLTDZsVuYPjhL0PjIiTXmwHdL2kCSqiXvJntWJeP-9nXDxqULShP6nA/s400/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />September 30, 2013

Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Mabry Mill North Carolina Virginia September scenes along the Blue Ridge Parkway

The government shutdown has closed all attractions, restaurants, restrooms, and visitor centers along the Blue Ridge Parkway but the roadway...

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My two cents: Government shutdown ... so what has been accomplished?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWMV3h5wQr9ecoDXQ-ZQTfadPD9-hDDRSlUjGX7z735kc6A_xwoH4DrhVEEkvuYgXo56Xv60tovl77RGuyyba7zkzlprQ4WjKRomu65i3oBlmPKvav8ZZugWruN_SbHZxnGYzGfP0y99M/s1600/GOP-Dem+fighting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWMV3h5wQr9ecoDXQ-ZQTfadPD9-hDDRSlUjGX7z735kc6A_xwoH4DrhVEEkvuYgXo56Xv60tovl77RGuyyba7zkzlprQ4WjKRomu65i3oBlmPKvav8ZZugWruN_SbHZxnGYzGfP0y99M/s320/GOP-Dem+fighting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />So here we are on Day 3 of the Government Shutdown. Nothing has been accomplished and there's no end in sight.<br /><br />There's enough blame to go around on all sides of this debacle but the <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/08/ny-times-on-gop-shutdown-threat.html">show horses of the Republican Right</a>, led by Ted Cruz and encouraged by Rand Paul and Marco Rubio, got their way even though past history predicted a train wreck.<br /><br />If Mr. Cruz had been paying attention, he would have realized the <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/ted-cruz-blasted-by-angry-gop-colleagues-government-shutdown-97753.html?hp=t1_3">backlash was going to be against him</a>. From all accounts, he entered the battle without a survival plan or exit strategy. If this was to help pad his presidential hopes, it certainly didn't show good leadership skills. A poll before the shutdown showed 71 percent of Americans were against it, and a poll released after the shutdown showed 72 percent of Americans were against it. Clearly, it was going to be a suicide mission for Republicans.<br /><br />The problem with these kinds of stunts is the unintended and unexpected consequences that emerge and hit mainstream media and social media. The <i><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/01/the-nine-most-painful-consequences-of-a-government-shutdown/">Washington Post</a></i> today lists ten of the more serious ones.<br /><br />For some, the thought of being furloughed without a paycheck is a scary proposition. Imagine having a mortgage, car payment(s), and daily living expenses only to lose your income or have it delayed. Sure, the investment types talk about having six months' worth of income bankrolled for a rainy day, but how many have truly been able to do that? With the constant financial demands of raising a family, many find themselves living paycheck-to-paycheck.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/01/bragg-hagel-obama-shutdown/2903915/">Military families are impacted</a> and <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/shutdown-idle-us-based-military-commissaries-20435412">commissaries</a> were shut down on bases around the country. <br /><br />On Tuesday, a group of <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/heroes-still-ww-ii-vets-push-aside.html">elderly World War II veterans were so ticked off </a>when they saw the World War II memorial closed that they pushed aside barricades set up by the government, and visited anyway. Most were from out of state on probably the only chance they will ever have to see this memorial erected by the American people to honor the service of those who saved not only America but the world. As many noted, these men had scaled the cliffs of Normandy in their youth. A barrier was not about to block them, and the news spread like wildfire through Twitter and Facebook.<br /><br />For those of us who live in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it's ridiculous to have the gates closed to <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/skyline-drive-and-shenandoah-national.html">Shenandoah National Park</a> at the start of leaf season, blocking the scenic Skyline Drive as well as access to lodges and hiking trails utilized by thousands. Is the down-time going to be added to season passes to make up for the lost days? It's a mere inconvenience to us but not for those from overseas or states across the country who had planned October visits to this well-known national park, nor to workers who are now on furlough and out of work.<br /><br />Even though a last-minute decision by the National Park Service kept the <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/government-shutdown-skyline-drive-blue.html">Blue Ridge Parkway</a> open, all facilities along this 470-mile ridgetop drive have been shuttered. That leaves tourists helpless as they drive past Mabry Mill, <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/just-reopened-peaks-of-otter-now-victim.html">Peaks of Otter</a>, campgrounds, restaurants, and visitor centers not to mention restrooms. <br /><br />For communities <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_24209569/government-shutdown-closing-national-parks-could-spark-public">bordering national parks throughout the country</a>, the loss of tourist dollars is going to hurt big-time, pushing some who were hanging on by a thread over the brink. <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/just-reopened-peaks-of-otter-now-victim.html">Peaks of Otter </a>near Bedford had just reopened; will it recover from this unexpected shutdown? On the Outer Banks, the lighthouses are closed as well as NPS-controlled beaches.<br /><br />The <i>News Virginian</i> made good sense in Wednesday's editorial, <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/opinion/editorials/congress-needs-to-rethink-priorities/article_66ead884-2b00-11e3-a726-0019bb30f31a.html">Congress needs to rethink priorities</a>:<br /><blockquote><span class="paragraph-0">If the government is shutting down, why haven’t they turned off the lights? That was a random thought from our staff Monday night, while following the House and Senate debates. Midnight passed, all of the deadlines expired and members of both parties talked about how the government was shut down now. Yet a government which shut down Shenandoah National Park Tuesday morning due to lack of funds kept the lights going as both parties argued whose fault it was, long into the night.</span></blockquote>They added:<br /><blockquote>Let’s be realistic. Whether you agree with the Affordable Care Act or not, nobody is going to defund it. House members can vote another 40 times and while it looks good on paper, nothing is actually accomplished. The Democrat-controlled Senate is not going to vote to shut down something that President Obama has made a key part of his legacy.</blockquote>While many were against ObamaCare, <a href="http://cmsdev.gdn.newsleader.com/article/20131002/OPINION02/310020026/Poteat-GOP-faction-flirting-disaster?odyssey=nav|head"><i>News Leader</i></a> columnist Matthew Poteat makes a valid point:<br /><blockquote>Take for example the willingness of a small but influential bunch of House Republicans to shut down the Federal government because they oppose implementing the Affordable Care Act. Never mind that the law was passed by due process, signed into law by a duly elected (and reelected) president, and validated by the Supreme Court.</blockquote>It was the reelection of Barack Obama that showed the majority of Americans were in favor of ObamaCare. Republicans fought it for three years and lost. That's the way our system works. If the shoe was on the other foot and Democrats were pulling this stunt, Republicans would be excoriating them for ignoring the will of the people.<br /><br />I'm weary of the hypocrisy from both sides of the political aisle. That includes the hypocrisy of Congressional members who are exempted in what many consider an odious law. What's good for the American people should be good enough for our elected leaders who voted for the Affordable Care Act. <br /><br />No one is going to emerge from this fight unscathed but, sadly, Republicans are going to bear the blunt of the blame which brings to mind that explanation of insanity: "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Blue Ridge Parkway democrats government shutdown impasse Republicans Shenandoah National Park U.S. Congress My two cents: Government shutdown ... so what has been accomplished?

So here we are on Day 3 of the Government Shutdown. Nothing has been accomplished and there's no end in sight. There's enough blame ...

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Frontier Culture Museum picks up government shutdown slack with school field trip

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntGh1iotE83oj3Cratyp4i3_3Kksg4VX4d73QqYOmdynuEhyrIQR1mxPyjI_6Ycah2PTNvMJcM-F03THt3Jw4yHKA_fnwGeOOMdwChrgisSxKPIHxWASp3mvCtOgqleWKLsm1Qd0lMVFp/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntGh1iotE83oj3Cratyp4i3_3Kksg4VX4d73QqYOmdynuEhyrIQR1mxPyjI_6Ycah2PTNvMJcM-F03THt3Jw4yHKA_fnwGeOOMdwChrgisSxKPIHxWASp3mvCtOgqleWKLsm1Qd0lMVFp/s640/18.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />I heard from a friend this morning whose wife teaches kindergarten at a local private school. The school had been scheduled to take a field trip today to Humpback Rocks farmstead on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a group of authentic log buildings forming an 1800s mountain farm. Due to the government shutdown, Humpback Rocks is closed and the field trip was in danger of falling through.<br /><br />However, they were able to rearrange their field trip to Staunton's <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/">Frontier Culture Museum</a> that teaches about the early immigrants who came to America from England, Ireland, Germany, and Africa complete with costumed interpreters and hands-on teaching opportunities.<br /><br />A silver lining of this government shutdown may be that some tourism sites not under the federal government's umbrella could see an uptick in their visitors. The Frontier Culture Museum is just one....<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway field trips Frontier Culture Museum Humpback Rocks Lynn R. Mitchell Frontier Culture Museum picks up government shutdown slack with school field trip

I heard from a friend this morning whose wife teaches kindergarten at a local private school. The school had been scheduled to take a field ...

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Just reopened, Peaks of Otter now a victim of government shutdown

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8IuKVsgcPO25YS8QQrJgaTptcSCxDUV5Z4jsvX6FzjRutF_eS8DiEDpyXbCHjeF5d4xiNHKW-eTqQ96BSFjMAbMHBSwFU0x6ha0iTm0lQ43mpKHWfltrq5KJLPW65RDPOlnfn7QYvICL/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8IuKVsgcPO25YS8QQrJgaTptcSCxDUV5Z4jsvX6FzjRutF_eS8DiEDpyXbCHjeF5d4xiNHKW-eTqQ96BSFjMAbMHBSwFU0x6ha0iTm0lQ43mpKHWfltrq5KJLPW65RDPOlnfn7QYvICL/s400/22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Peaks of Otter Lodge on September 26, 2013.</i></div><br />The government shutdown <a href="http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_d9749888-2b17-11e3-a817-0019bb30f31a.html">has shuttered Peaks of Otter</a>, that historic lodge and restaurant that reopened this year after being closed the past two years. Even though it is run by a private enterprise, the government has forced its closing until a budget is passed by Congress.<br /><br />Will it recover?<br /><br />Take a drive south on the Blue Ridge Parkway and you will see shuttered gift shops, restaurants, and campgrounds because no vendors can be found to run these concessions. Imagine running a business that the government can arbitrarily shut down at a time of year that brings in more than 25% of income.<br /><br />Last week, as SWAC Husband and I meandered down the Blue Ridge Parkway toward North Carolina, we stopped at Peaks of Otter for lunch. I had been excited at its reopening this year and even tried to book a room -- albeit on short notice -- for our trip but they were full. That was a good sign.<br /><br />The restaurant at mid-day last Thursday was busy with every window table occupied. The host, a gentleman about retirement age, greeted us and led the way to a table directly in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Abbott Lake and Sharp Top. I joked with him, asking how he <i>knew</i> we wanted to sit in front of the window. He chuckled and said sometimes there aren't enough windows for all the requests to be at those prime tables.<br /><br />The manager, a friendly middle-aged lady, welcomed us and made sure we were comfortable, then took our drink orders. A few minutes later a smiling young waitress, probably twenty-something, arrived to take our orders. We enjoyed a twenty-dollar lunch with a million-dollar view as we watched guests strolling the pathway that circles the lake. <br /><br />A lady arrived alone and was seated at the table beside us. From nearby Bedford, she said she had been busy working at home that morning but decided to drop everything and head to the Peaks for lunch. Maybe she was listening to the news ... maybe she needed a taste of mountain air ... but I'm glad she did it last week because if she felt like an impromptu lunch today, she would be out of luck.<br /><br />After lunch, we explored the lodge, saying hello to the friendly staff and taking photos of the rustic interior with beautiful views. A friendly young lady worked the gift shop. Inside the visitor center, an outgoing gentleman boomed out a welcome and offered directions to various hikes and the bus trip to Sharp Top. Next door in the country store, stocked with camping and hiking necessities, another man about retirement age greeted us with a friendly smile, offering information and bus tickets for the ride to the top of Sharp Top. Running every hour on the hour for those with young children or mobility issues, the bus offered an alternative for those who could not make the trek up the steep trail. We took a short leg-stretcher, not having time to hit the summit either by bus or legs, and then hit the Parkway south as we continued on our trip.<br /><br />Today while listening to news of the government shutdown, I thought about all those workers we encountered last week. They are out of work at one of the busiest times of year for leaf-looking country. It's sad to think that the lodge, restaurant, and all facilities are closed to the public because of the debacle in D.C.<br /><br />Reporter Eleanor Kennedy with the <a href="http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_d9749888-2b17-11e3-a817-0019bb30f31a.html"><i>Lynchburg News and Advance</i></a><i></i> talked with folks at Peaks of Otter:<br /><blockquote>General Manager Robert Peters said most of the lodge’s 72 employees were gone by noon on Tuesday, with more set to depart at 5 p.m. when the front desk officially closed. About half of those employees, like front desk supervisor Debbie Smith, worked for the lodge under its previous operator and were rehired when Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts took over and reopened the attraction in July.<br /><br />“I’ve been through a lot with the Peaks of Otter,” said Smith, who started as a housekeeper there more than 25 years ago.<br /><br />A handful of staff members remained Tuesday to keep the place going, including Peters, Smith and a few housekeepers and maintenance staffers. But today, Peters said, the lodge will be maintained by Peters and one other person.<br /><br />“[The employees] are out of work with no pay until the government figures out what to do,” he said. “It’s bad for the guests, it’s bad for the employees…it’s a bad situation.”<br /><br />Tuesday’s closure came only days after the lodge’s grand opening celebration last Friday and at the start of its biggest moneymaking season, when autumn foliage draws many to the Parkway each year.<br /><br />Peters said the 63-room attraction was expected to be at about 50 percent capacity Tuesday night, 75 percent today and Thursday and completely booked through the weekend.<br />...<br />During that time, Peters said, the lodge likely will lose between $5,000-$10,000 on weekdays and $20,000-$30,000 thousand over the weekends.<br /><br />“It’s adding up quickly,” he said. “This is the money that’s coming in that pays the bills for the rest of the year.”</blockquote>A guest preparing to leave the lodge made a comment that is true across the board for those affected by this shutdown:<br /><blockquote>“The people here have been absolutely fantastic,” said Loudene Riggs, a member of the North Carolina contingent who’s been coming up to the Peaks with her husband since the 1960s.<br /><br />“They have been handed a really rough deal.”</blockquote>End the government shutdown.<br /><br />Here are more photos from Thursday, September 26, 2013, as we enjoyed some time at Peaks of Otter: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFux8ATR4bdKQfYz3pAGvsZC-PZQLv0f3Tnq8FFl6xALvbTj0IRTzwNhWmMqg71AsbB3je91Us74tN1gHxFEQymt5LPfhKEiEQ962BE0vP_AiRyvmJNDkHJmlq0KcTsWzHVbWXBJ9k87as/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFux8ATR4bdKQfYz3pAGvsZC-PZQLv0f3Tnq8FFl6xALvbTj0IRTzwNhWmMqg71AsbB3je91Us74tN1gHxFEQymt5LPfhKEiEQ962BE0vP_AiRyvmJNDkHJmlq0KcTsWzHVbWXBJ9k87as/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">A welcoming fall entrance to the Peaks of Otter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2R3v9onpxSqdBIbsAMtJVBDeLo1YIquLnRocfADCW18ph2qu0fVzQLKo_SBosnijHq6BXdl2-_yBCnjxbqt1frl3Z6vAM6Gixa_hx2MUdM8rEZyPnTIAHYLecMlrwxA4ab_LXAOHlnq7/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/AVvXsEiO2R3v9onpxSqdBIbsAMtJVBDeLo1YIquLnRocfADCW18ph2qu0fVzQLKo_SBosnijHq6BXdl2-_yBCnjxbqt1frl3Z6vAM6Gixa_hx2MUdM8rEZyPnTIAHYLecMlrwxA4ab_LXAOHlnq7/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our lunch table overlooked Abbott Lake and Sharp Top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQxI4XRrLVLeiTlQhBeGR6Jx_7DxJYF6woHn5pW85SSMXratBgj-konvsSGFvvYRrNysXUm4VUmhwmbeX6aG8uBCpRzn7W3-GOsBdg5FATIt0t4bhdu4In5beVDYxYz6q89K11m4qAPj1/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/AVvXsEjZQxI4XRrLVLeiTlQhBeGR6Jx_7DxJYF6woHn5pW85SSMXratBgj-konvsSGFvvYRrNysXUm4VUmhwmbeX6aG8uBCpRzn7W3-GOsBdg5FATIt0t4bhdu4In5beVDYxYz6q89K11m4qAPj1/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIBhGz2NL2YsXRNlziB40IvjNSkhY57w_LhtiHJYOPshs_nFb9VJfQldQTwOTYxz9Ia-UAdJ_JBH0uioxZbftWicVZAJ5vEkp2MmSet5peWW1OP-uOSv74vsKkDNcO3BNba9wjxgh-ZVi/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/AVvXsEgnIBhGz2NL2YsXRNlziB40IvjNSkhY57w_LhtiHJYOPshs_nFb9VJfQldQTwOTYxz9Ia-UAdJ_JBH0uioxZbftWicVZAJ5vEkp2MmSet5peWW1OP-uOSv74vsKkDNcO3BNba9wjxgh-ZVi/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR10Bc5AH53fb3s4yXEbmcb9GJlh4Y9eIk2xmmit2KZK2QqxgmbuNzlsJE8d7Fcb-RVXOyaUuUPOl4Okm91_tPIWdKoSBl1AfPtRMdrzXd0hLGjhMyN7KCSZE6DLLLHg82qogKVEs1FSV/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/AVvXsEixR10Bc5AH53fb3s4yXEbmcb9GJlh4Y9eIk2xmmit2KZK2QqxgmbuNzlsJE8d7Fcb-RVXOyaUuUPOl4Okm91_tPIWdKoSBl1AfPtRMdrzXd0hLGjhMyN7KCSZE6DLLLHg82qogKVEs1FSV/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-M9iL7MpY0UkZmHgBhF3skZkh2l4kZUwyY1WN-E3qH6DikqdjTghOdUDY0vS9e7zSvowIKg9KIh4jB6MpYYO-NpaaQkvDy3Ezkt3dNEusRCx9l3e-SwT90-W8Qmocktby4NPuv3xfszM/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-M9iL7MpY0UkZmHgBhF3skZkh2l4kZUwyY1WN-E3qH6DikqdjTghOdUDY0vS9e7zSvowIKg9KIh4jB6MpYYO-NpaaQkvDy3Ezkt3dNEusRCx9l3e-SwT90-W8Qmocktby4NPuv3xfszM/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou20fUhZYGo06PinygFyLGklvp-nbN74wY-5xZfeq8wd3R0AUat3KZl7nFLIDsNioWjKDCmaZQe6xHrBv9rawUhENsuUxsAGIZdzfn_Rfj1HS8KBHxlK02RlLF7pESUR4nyzIpkK7sSOU/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou20fUhZYGo06PinygFyLGklvp-nbN74wY-5xZfeq8wd3R0AUat3KZl7nFLIDsNioWjKDCmaZQe6xHrBv9rawUhENsuUxsAGIZdzfn_Rfj1HS8KBHxlK02RlLF7pESUR4nyzIpkK7sSOU/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_q6Lj1bC8be44Z4f6MXU-wK4OVxdEEubzy6jW1jJCUKTYwHOuxTcSB6824Amjwlm1Yzg5eipFwLDtlhOziHSaC4vwJK9Ow7mgmAxKTAYL-CVTD3Hcad4Ox0lRnIN0Qyl_YE3D7eo0utH/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/AVvXsEhy_q6Lj1bC8be44Z4f6MXU-wK4OVxdEEubzy6jW1jJCUKTYwHOuxTcSB6824Amjwlm1Yzg5eipFwLDtlhOziHSaC4vwJK9Ow7mgmAxKTAYL-CVTD3Hcad4Ox0lRnIN0Qyl_YE3D7eo0utH/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">The lounge area of the main lodge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUdRfSumcV_3lq5TkyrNJOcpRjHupWra5EWOY3XmogDJTaB7XyKZorWWvsLhx-mRZJ49OTeRmvf2Qs_vIVjIu84PYAM1echg-wsMYKg_a_RvOGRnKKv46lsXAlsV3YLMeoxMN3HTJ7v5S/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUdRfSumcV_3lq5TkyrNJOcpRjHupWra5EWOY3XmogDJTaB7XyKZorWWvsLhx-mRZJ49OTeRmvf2Qs_vIVjIu84PYAM1echg-wsMYKg_a_RvOGRnKKv46lsXAlsV3YLMeoxMN3HTJ7v5S/s320/18.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS4oS3S5uOuEkAI_u7Y-m0MrXLq2FcahYdgBo_A0gLrNgs6xWgTw-e1BdHVWnkh73GI2I_Jt2UGgGlNq6AeWRLutv0eWa_wTuqjs91t_MMw3y5sh4vZXZNvcLcIkaVQlQXYeiDUPCA0wz/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS4oS3S5uOuEkAI_u7Y-m0MrXLq2FcahYdgBo_A0gLrNgs6xWgTw-e1BdHVWnkh73GI2I_Jt2UGgGlNq6AeWRLutv0eWa_wTuqjs91t_MMw3y5sh4vZXZNvcLcIkaVQlQXYeiDUPCA0wz/s400/19.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lobby area and gift shop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFyfTv7-Xkv3l7ZkJhhMwmkrx4OE7gRmArug85bbPywJMjhFAXcSlBCUqg_RKty1KwgrtWVkurjiD2rYH9Pl0NL-JrRb5uNOr59Tq8USYWBEgXP8S-kGE-zlc0Rbi401hjO-XEeaS5k0z/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFyfTv7-Xkv3l7ZkJhhMwmkrx4OE7gRmArug85bbPywJMjhFAXcSlBCUqg_RKty1KwgrtWVkurjiD2rYH9Pl0NL-JrRb5uNOr59Tq8USYWBEgXP8S-kGE-zlc0Rbi401hjO-XEeaS5k0z/s640/20.jpg" width="280" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Available from the gift shop....</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrbNcyNt2sqlAA41Mj8Kz1Aof7xpM0lz7Gted7ctz6Cp5TBdOwn2NV81rQ5mX6uMCkuJU6rH_t2UOjvcZQ-_79EljiDk-vJeEbyTXLIkZdyKPhxaiLsYoPYNRfI7av2JTReTvnCbCJL4U/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrbNcyNt2sqlAA41Mj8Kz1Aof7xpM0lz7Gted7ctz6Cp5TBdOwn2NV81rQ5mX6uMCkuJU6rH_t2UOjvcZQ-_79EljiDk-vJeEbyTXLIkZdyKPhxaiLsYoPYNRfI7av2JTReTvnCbCJL4U/s400/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Peaks of Otter Campground is now closed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnGc_0L-Y5RZRjW08cpgrK-9G7SeqcYSbi8X8qDJFoRlEI6sVPr9jvNpm01teDOHSgcW86U0_-xZB9Zxy2MvMsd-VosSPdWTtQoudsctTIKxEpPcgKlgAbIFmzCWLRT6mLKxsQLorTrvW/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnGc_0L-Y5RZRjW08cpgrK-9G7SeqcYSbi8X8qDJFoRlEI6sVPr9jvNpm01teDOHSgcW86U0_-xZB9Zxy2MvMsd-VosSPdWTtQoudsctTIKxEpPcgKlgAbIFmzCWLRT6mLKxsQLorTrvW/s400/25.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAempAbdqJ4PvViDRtqofydpOS0py1PTGTlXydwD9qut6aHgEMI2vP-u2orJbBIAAll2Es1LZ1PjlWEhJAmB3ZtHzujdG0kOpiZRIMp012OTWaEpc5ANWO3yROXohBq8NMC0oNsIiFx4cD/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAempAbdqJ4PvViDRtqofydpOS0py1PTGTlXydwD9qut6aHgEMI2vP-u2orJbBIAAll2Es1LZ1PjlWEhJAmB3ZtHzujdG0kOpiZRIMp012OTWaEpc5ANWO3yROXohBq8NMC0oNsIiFx4cD/s640/21.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><i></i> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J_7YvZGba18Af3V-MN045ijSxQedRoOTIWuMwULRzJS-oDhibxRf5b0Y87SHky1RluXPYode5Erxbww8PbKPn3j637oLM3Io5moRQEgQ1GdBLZyNE29juZezxP4iLbJ713iPo6uvZDj6/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J_7YvZGba18Af3V-MN045ijSxQedRoOTIWuMwULRzJS-oDhibxRf5b0Y87SHky1RluXPYode5Erxbww8PbKPn3j637oLM3Io5moRQEgQ1GdBLZyNE29juZezxP4iLbJ713iPo6uvZDj6/s400/23.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sharp Top looms over Peaks of Otter Lodge.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />September 26, 2013

Bedford Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown National Park Service Peaks of Otter Just reopened, Peaks of Otter now a victim of government shutdown

Peaks of Otter Lodge on September 26, 2013. The government shutdown has shuttered Peaks of Otter , that historic lodge and restaurant that r...

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Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park closed due to government shutdown

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCRGWPtxU8G4VEir4MevRSp0Z9uM4vJqGUFNpR_rgk9M0BHH00q326EZPdw16IcVfqKrmTx3Ia7Cxh3cy11-H0iDRwrg00iryuLFTIsY1QPX-v3yvKBEhjs2Zzf4CS7EwItdPVdZtYrWu/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCRGWPtxU8G4VEir4MevRSp0Z9uM4vJqGUFNpR_rgk9M0BHH00q326EZPdw16IcVfqKrmTx3Ia7Cxh3cy11-H0iDRwrg00iryuLFTIsY1QPX-v3yvKBEhjs2Zzf4CS7EwItdPVdZtYrWu/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> If the government shutdown that began today continues through October, these are scenes you won't see this year. Just as leaf season is about to arrive, Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park are closed to visitors. Peak weekend usually hits about the third week in October.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyEMUNNIrIZU5Qzb1w_bF8uca_jfhCrmpfJZSFbY4H2yudWiA0sIAy4WPiPjYmipmEGy8CZSRkonagT01L4uvahhytOSp4uKymNYU9rarHaHulWRlpGXH59syjeGIY_FOms91mh5qW2l-/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/AVvXsEgbyEMUNNIrIZU5Qzb1w_bF8uca_jfhCrmpfJZSFbY4H2yudWiA0sIAy4WPiPjYmipmEGy8CZSRkonagT01L4uvahhytOSp4uKymNYU9rarHaHulWRlpGXH59syjeGIY_FOms91mh5qW2l-/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/AVvXsEhry4AmNpopqRK-lVbme7e_uf9BJh8vT0d6uiW66heteNXygH_y44SLKvkdoxKu8CY6YC8krGNrvm0O4pgk41G2HRWrVOR7zm4Q6sFdQerc6qusUVXcAE87BYAnWTYhQZ8Q7gQW1wcnc2IZ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav5Ltx1ACdGPUIqPJvQXPCt9UorpPyz6yd2SJpZedbpScQEgbD8r4BUxUXqT8Lnl5k8hk60Vcceeg33mce-bfLa1YlK9bjuugRVTSkN1vmr4QC99zk9sZ0UWW3a7XVU7g_rDTMngTRIiO/s400/31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/shenandoah-national-park-to-close-if-shutdown-happens/article_37420cb0-2a29-11e3-a5d7-001a4bcf6878.html">Shenandoah National Park to close</a> by Bob Stuart <br /><a href="http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/article_5e17bf58-2a4f-11e3-b9a9-001a4bcf6878.html">Area parks, services to close in government shutdown</a> by Ray Reed<br /><a href="http://www.roanoke.com/news/2265842-12/blue-ridge-parkway-will-allow-traffic-not-attractions.html">Blue Ridge Parkway will allow traffic, not attractions, in shutdown</a> by Ralph Berrier, Jr.<br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Shenandoah National Park

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway government shutdown Lynchburg News and Advance Roanoke Times Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Waynesboro News-Virginian Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park closed due to government shutdown

 If the government shutdown that began today continues through October, these are scenes you won't see this year. Just as leaf season is...

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