Free entrance to national parks this weekend

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QdyLK0bjnnZ0OU4wgcVg8T4JbbK5nS5Xc-VygYpT_XStj6h-Hj1W-T72cteS2_00g0_uBWYJsNU2KewQDMqM5TzZPkxT8LrK8kMjCq-NPvgMF_4XdAcqKMgS-9Z5C1z0CN-2WgG8EaaW/s1600/National+Park+Service+emblem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QdyLK0bjnnZ0OU4wgcVg8T4JbbK5nS5Xc-VygYpT_XStj6h-Hj1W-T72cteS2_00g0_uBWYJsNU2KewQDMqM5TzZPkxT8LrK8kMjCq-NPvgMF_4XdAcqKMgS-9Z5C1z0CN-2WgG8EaaW/s200/National+Park+Service+emblem.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/2013-fee-free-days.htm">National Parks will offer free entrance</a> this weekend, November 9-11, for Veterans Day. For those in the Shenandoah Valley, that includes Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive.<br /><br /><b>Virginia</b> <br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.nps.gov/apco">Appomattox Court House National Historical Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/asis">Assateague Island National Seashore</a><br /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/colo">Colonial National Historical Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/grfa">George Washington Memorial Parkway's Great Falls Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/mana">Manassas National Battlefield Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/pete">Petersburg National Battlefield</a><br /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/prwi">Prince William Forest Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen">Shenandoah National Park</a></blockquote><b>West Virginia</b><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.nps.gov/hafe">Harpers Ferry National Historical Park</a></blockquote><a href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm">A complete list of all national parks is here.</a> Enjoy a weekend discovering America's outdoors!

free entrance to national parks National Park Service Shenandoah National Park Virginia Free entrance to national parks this weekend

National Parks will offer free entrance this weekend, November 9-11, for Veterans Day. For those in the Shenandoah Valley, that includes Sh...

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Crimora Mine retreat for rent in Blue Ridge foothills of Augusta County

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhEbdbPWGCh5r6t1AkYHiDdo9zZ_3e0_iFGCocr_9sZL8tOiOCBXWtC6ZaYGdlUhm6ySB16trC5oAWub2tbD7aBEVEZfEgneLwb3sNUpUgMBBkyZjOzn-H4MLcaVTwG0tF2vaygLVKCmB/s1600/Crimora+Mine+rental+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhEbdbPWGCh5r6t1AkYHiDdo9zZ_3e0_iFGCocr_9sZL8tOiOCBXWtC6ZaYGdlUhm6ySB16trC5oAWub2tbD7aBEVEZfEgneLwb3sNUpUgMBBkyZjOzn-H4MLcaVTwG0tF2vaygLVKCmB/s400/Crimora+Mine+rental+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Crimora Mine Retreat is a beautiful log home available for rent that is located in eastern Augusta County adjacent to Shenandoah National Park and accessible by an old-fashioned covered bridge.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.crimoramineretreat.com/">From their website</a>:<br /><blockquote><b>Crimora</b> <b>Mine Retreat</b> is a luxurious log home completed in the fall of 2007. This private vacation cabin is located on 150 acres of woodland in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bordered by the Shenandoah National Park and a few miles from the Appalachian Trail, Crimora Mine Retreat is the perfect place for a getaway with family and friends. <br /><br />You can enjoy fishing, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing all while soaking up breathtaking views from this stunning locale. Mountains, lakes and sunsets can be seen from every angle and the surrounding area is teaming with deer, bear, turkey, beavers, ducks, hawks and even an occasional bald eagle! <br /><br />This state of the art, four bedroom, three bath home boasts a gourmet kitchen, game room, wrap-around porch with hot tub and most importantly…this all comes to you at an affordable price!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Crimora, Virginia is conveniently close to:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Harrisonburg</div><div style="text-align: center;">Waynesboro</div><div style="text-align: center;">Staunton</div><div style="text-align: center;">Charlottesville</div><br />Crimora Mine Retreat is part of the open pit manganese mines that started in 1866. Manganese was used in the production of steel and can still be found scattered all over the property. The three adjoining man-made lakes range anywhere from 20 to 100 feet deep with underground shafts connecting multiple water sources around the Crimora area.</blockquote><a href="http://www.crimoramineretreat.com/contact">Rental rates and accommodations info</a>:<br />Crimora Mine Retreat sleeps up to ten people<br />No pets/smoking - 25 year age requirement<br />$475/night for weekdays<br />$575/night for weekends/holiday<br />$3000 weekly<br />$30/day optional golf cart rental<br /><br />Pavilion available for rent separately for special occasions.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z5ge1naLv4O-2awHMnE7Xgux8LS6mtl0sSd0aIaSw51zAbYY0OOH-5iQrAjuVzTOTE2lkCsfc12hOvgb7silAS1eQwfkq-QU-TBAS4W6dJ45EogK3P3nX6iX-wL0ZUO-N_exzufd2xMQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z5ge1naLv4O-2awHMnE7Xgux8LS6mtl0sSd0aIaSw51zAbYY0OOH-5iQrAjuVzTOTE2lkCsfc12hOvgb7silAS1eQwfkq-QU-TBAS4W6dJ45EogK3P3nX6iX-wL0ZUO-N_exzufd2xMQ/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Covered bridge entry to Crimora Mine Retreat.<br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell, November 2, 2013.</i></div>

Augusta County Blue Ridge Mountains Crimora Mine Retreat log home rental Shenandoah National Park Crimora Mine retreat for rent in Blue Ridge foothills of Augusta County

Crimora Mine Retreat is a beautiful log home available for rent that is located in eastern Augusta County adjacent to Shenandoah National Pa...

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Afton Mountain's popcorn man

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyD57WX-HC2gjtROq0jcrmdDovRpoSEQRXpiuwVHi48_MSkjEBcU_MH2tG-0EPpI_UZVaSBSAo1yRlvBRNz__NGy2hugXYycacSptyNF1Glh0UH97A4_yg5-jK6mX_HdsBH-WNQsRfbrwF/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyD57WX-HC2gjtROq0jcrmdDovRpoSEQRXpiuwVHi48_MSkjEBcU_MH2tG-0EPpI_UZVaSBSAo1yRlvBRNz__NGy2hugXYycacSptyNF1Glh0UH97A4_yg5-jK6mX_HdsBH-WNQsRfbrwF/s400/20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>King's Gourmet Popcorn on Afton Mountain</i></div><br />"If you build it they will come." Or, perhaps more appropriately, they will stop and buy.<br /><br />Ron King has found a market for snacks on Afton Mountain with <a href="http://www.kingsgourmetpopcorn.com/">King's Gourmet Popcorn</a> located at the juncture of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, I-64, and Rt. 250. With views into the Rockfish and Shenandoah valleys, millions of tourists pass that way annually.<br /><br />Once an oasis for hungry travelers, the past 15 years have not been kind to Afton. The Inn at Afton formerly known as the Holiday Inn, the Howard Johnson Restaurant, service station, and everything else have fallen into disarray. Only the Inn remains open. The sight of burned-out buildings and graffiti is not what most would expect while traveling the scenic mountain ridges.<br /><br />That's why King's bright yellow vendor trailer, decorated now for fall with brightly colored chrysanthemums, hay bales, and orange pumpkins, is a welcome sight for hikers, travelers, and locals alike. He is filling a need, as evidenced by his steady customer base and ever-growing menu selections.<br /><br />Eighteen months ago he started with a tarp and kettle korn pot, cooking the salty-sweet goodness on site while servicing curious customers. That fall he was joined by the apple man.<br /><br />Then King's Gourmet Popcorn began branching out, offering bottled water and icy cold soft drinks followed by a wider variety of flavored popcorn and then pork rinds. That was followed by the bright yellow vendor trailer that replaced the tarp and kettle. He added picnic tables, hotdogs, coffee, ice cream, walking sticks, and tee shirts. A Facebook page was established that now sports 600 followers and comes in handy when late afternoon storms cause early closings, conveniently announced online. There's even a small neon "Open" sign that flashes when he's on site.<br /><br />In short, King's Gourmet Popcorn is now a fixture on Afton Mountain, sought after by travelers who have become familiar with his offerings. My husband stops almost every time we're in the vicinity, grabbing his favorite bag of kettle korn before heading north on the Drive or south on the Parkway, and even sometimes as we head east on I-64 toward Richmond.<br /><br />Ron King is becoming a tradition. But he's not finished. Plans are to add more food selections, mail order, and additional flavors. Many would be happy if he proved to be the seed that began the rebirth and rebuilding of Afton Mountain.<br /><br />An interesting article by Waynesboro reporter Roger Gonazlez shares more about King Gourmet Popcorn and Ron King in <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/mountain-munchies/article_7b29ef1c-b0e2-11e2-b523-0019bb30f31a.html"><i>The News Virginian</i></a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>If you go:</b></i></span><br /><blockquote>Kings Gourmet Popcorn<br />Afton Mountain, I-64, Exit 99 (look for the bright yellow vending trailer)<br />Open: 7 days a week <br />Follow on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KingsGourmetPopcorn">Facebook</a><br />Website: <a href="http://www.kingsgourmetpopcorn.com/">King's Gourmet Popcorn</a></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQclunh_WY1uCaC0XNNAYP3wu1tt7QX9QUjtnDQbN_miM_9_0f1vwPQ8ktusoRQutvw-dshuCxUGNQ2OZw1fQOa4ciTmRce9V8GC8fw5YErOCHdvQEKbNqxLcBCg05ejUiczdvF2u82g_v/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQclunh_WY1uCaC0XNNAYP3wu1tt7QX9QUjtnDQbN_miM_9_0f1vwPQ8ktusoRQutvw-dshuCxUGNQ2OZw1fQOa4ciTmRce9V8GC8fw5YErOCHdvQEKbNqxLcBCg05ejUiczdvF2u82g_v/s640/19.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qCZP4fgct9dJWHloPF5rA5bSNEDXCV8bm2VbKKv5uUx60cOxkQeTqVik8fE1m3v7n8EPBV7G9xkdABBvyMsqR0_MLOUz8NdynjLJuD318LY5d64mhKSclIcu5Vw1uiZA7MASSJemfuMT/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qCZP4fgct9dJWHloPF5rA5bSNEDXCV8bm2VbKKv5uUx60cOxkQeTqVik8fE1m3v7n8EPBV7G9xkdABBvyMsqR0_MLOUz8NdynjLJuD318LY5d64mhKSclIcu5Vw1uiZA7MASSJemfuMT/s400/21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xJb-Bm2O1yIfF9nJMjbYnVqsFjVBR9gGWZSEBAbybk7FwJ2YB0Hu03libqtjXZ-0mSGcIwAi3h_h8eIhB3r4g4qXq_HFjPBIj9kBvPxd4MVDM2CAv0j6O5XkxKRnqOYzVBHjp_ZvgJlw/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xJb-Bm2O1yIfF9nJMjbYnVqsFjVBR9gGWZSEBAbybk7FwJ2YB0Hu03libqtjXZ-0mSGcIwAi3h_h8eIhB3r4g4qXq_HFjPBIj9kBvPxd4MVDM2CAv0j6O5XkxKRnqOYzVBHjp_ZvgJlw/s400/22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSMzHui5PTPJ3N_DdMKMBlk-GuG_V9bBjZT0oZzJCjUef61whn4nBy28LfSGXjIfi01YWR8j8km96XsY6Ge-hSivWm6J7ddkQKwRAp_0MAFDy5tLz6hq4C5Q50589vHaWlDGU-vZjejOc/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSMzHui5PTPJ3N_DdMKMBlk-GuG_V9bBjZT0oZzJCjUef61whn4nBy28LfSGXjIfi01YWR8j8km96XsY6Ge-hSivWm6J7ddkQKwRAp_0MAFDy5tLz6hq4C5Q50589vHaWlDGU-vZjejOc/s400/23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtuQ1cUHX51HzrmXm5BCfWB3qxzVfj0cAfn7kwLV8GY29Voq9r_QHRB_FVAolg4_pKoH3LsiGR2IxC62xqSbpIpSUR_YrtkXqjwM5L6qcYBFr8BLadiQ8zrtNFRTN-yI6asvUWmkeaTwW/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtuQ1cUHX51HzrmXm5BCfWB3qxzVfj0cAfn7kwLV8GY29Voq9r_QHRB_FVAolg4_pKoH3LsiGR2IxC62xqSbpIpSUR_YrtkXqjwM5L6qcYBFr8BLadiQ8zrtNFRTN-yI6asvUWmkeaTwW/s400/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Afton Mountain overlooks (from top to bottom) Skyline Drive, I-64, and Rt. 250.</i></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 11, 2013

Afton Mountain Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway King's Gourmet Popcorn Ron King Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Afton Mountain's popcorn man

King's Gourmet Popcorn on Afton Mountain "If you build it they will come." Or, perhaps more appropriately, they will stop and ...

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October 11, 2013 ... Skyline Drive is still closed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnNiCp3tWNhS-lUAp-RIs08at7qER1BMPV8iH4kWr2r4B5aEbTkwzSDn2slyH40UaGjQcG1qo3Mn0C3hwRAp63FIBLCneKSvhq_y7ayCYYE90jPIN5MP1FKDXEJLwsorKvhmZhEcv-w69/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnNiCp3tWNhS-lUAp-RIs08at7qER1BMPV8iH4kWr2r4B5aEbTkwzSDn2slyH40UaGjQcG1qo3Mn0C3hwRAp63FIBLCneKSvhq_y7ayCYYE90jPIN5MP1FKDXEJLwsorKvhmZhEcv-w69/s640/4.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The entrance to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive at Afton Mountain is blocked by a locked gate and sign that announces, "CLOSED. Shenandoah National Park is CLOSED due to the government shut down."</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/AVvXsEigVUf2z1EwzcOMvrpM5MNZ19oBNeiL5dbNFxKlaUIFwH2sFer6Mm9s7VW53i3CPh1Q1YSxHkBJUPn4tpdlNsPHr_-mibGjnAG3viNB6qWjpB-bFWLri5aVRxyXI16QbCow9B3gJ4tTcPG2/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVUf2z1EwzcOMvrpM5MNZ19oBNeiL5dbNFxKlaUIFwH2sFer6Mm9s7VW53i3CPh1Q1YSxHkBJUPn4tpdlNsPHr_-mibGjnAG3viNB6qWjpB-bFWLri5aVRxyXI16QbCow9B3gJ4tTcPG2/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE0v15J07J5zY9mg238EWUsBDUOpfWtoB8ksqBIMK7vKteT9M-d8p1Cq6iSah1IrxnxklEidc7XR9z27S8H7Lwwj7wTgfXr9FEIYEY5vR-HvOtQwte-v-8ES6akSLJbQ_iUnbB5r7_iBp/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE0v15J07J5zY9mg238EWUsBDUOpfWtoB8ksqBIMK7vKteT9M-d8p1Cq6iSah1IrxnxklEidc7XR9z27S8H7Lwwj7wTgfXr9FEIYEY5vR-HvOtQwte-v-8ES6akSLJbQ_iUnbB5r7_iBp/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 11, 2013

Blue Ridge Mountains government shutdown October leaf looking Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers October 11, 2013 ... Skyline Drive is still closed

The entrance to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive at Afton Mountain is blocked by a locked gate and sign that announces, "CLOS...

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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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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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News Virginian LTE: 'Congress needs to adjust its priorities'

<a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/opinion/letters/i-agree-with-wednesday-editorial/article_4e5f0984-2bc8-11e3-a2fa-001a4bcf6878.html">News Virginian Letter to Editor</a><br />October 3, 2013<br /><br />This is disgusting. So the government is shut down. I can’t even take a trip to Shenandoah National Park. But at the same time, members of Congress still get paid. How does that make any sense? Why should a Congressional staffer still collect his $90,000 paycheck when the park ranger making $30,000 just got furloughed? As usual, it’s a case of both parties looking out for their own self interest.<br /><br />I agree with <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/opinion/editorials/congress-needs-to-rethink-priorities/article_66ead884-2b00-11e3-a726-0019bb30f31a.html">Wednesday’s editorial</a>, Congress does need to adjust its priorities. Unfortunately, they won’t. You and I both know it. I’m a Republican, but even I can see the Democrats in the Senate won’t defund Obamacare. So why are we screwing over people to “fight” for something that’s never going to happen? I’ll tell you why. It’s so these Republicans in Congress can come back to all of us and say well, we gave it our best shot. We failed, but at least we tried.<br /><br />No, they didn’t try. If you know the answer to something is going to be no, why ask the question? Instead of shutting down government, why not work toward a compromise? I teach my kids that they may not get everything they want. Sometimes they have to be the bigger person and work things out with someone. It’s time for Congress to do the same.<br /><br />Greg Miller<br />Waynesboro

government shutdown letter to editor News Virginian Shenandoah National Park News Virginian LTE: 'Congress needs to adjust its priorities'

News Virginian Letter to Editor October 3, 2013 This is disgusting. So the government is shut down. I can’t even take a trip to Shenandoah N...

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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/AVvXsEhHDARr5hWn618oEY5ZjYxQaP52ClkC9TVOPaKs7x9Js1RY-G6OXOZ1W-a9MPHostbgh2wkktrOA2cGoshT4QqJNsonTWvT78WhSElYjPgyQ2NgQcetcK9yqa0k5QALL2WIdICgyzmiaTg0/s400/28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKw0foK6T_zFJ-cNovPSqKkC1U2-iORl3h0C25R_1xgFI13gMLJxSXCMPeS9cr36R0-hRfc05m3Zny3QxfsVqOM_YRNB_S-IDAKi3OkjVfdjcFeCaBxEcBw2rquwrhsnjqeYwgXLPpQJb/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKw0foK6T_zFJ-cNovPSqKkC1U2-iORl3h0C25R_1xgFI13gMLJxSXCMPeS9cr36R0-hRfc05m3Zny3QxfsVqOM_YRNB_S-IDAKi3OkjVfdjcFeCaBxEcBw2rquwrhsnjqeYwgXLPpQJb/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav5Ltx1ACdGPUIqPJvQXPCt9UorpPyz6yd2SJpZedbpScQEgbD8r4BUxUXqT8Lnl5k8hk60Vcceeg33mce-bfLa1YlK9bjuugRVTSkN1vmr4QC99zk9sZ0UWW3a7XVU7g_rDTMngTRIiO/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/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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Government shutdown? Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Parkway would close -- UPDATED

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCrg45c_Twty0OtRUVBQIt4kKWhtyb_nle44FCkfCXU4D8GpomXUIHFYwcO8RYBNcFtuhzu9NuEFDyPlpITnDgWfV9i-RzwdhPGa4qB8itLW2fWa32oGT6A0VlMXi2gIe5jxdjA51M2hr/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/AVvXsEiuCrg45c_Twty0OtRUVBQIt4kKWhtyb_nle44FCkfCXU4D8GpomXUIHFYwcO8RYBNcFtuhzu9NuEFDyPlpITnDgWfV9i-RzwdhPGa4qB8itLW2fWa32oGT6A0VlMXi2gIe5jxdjA51M2hr/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Mabry Mill would be closed during a government shutdown.</i></div><br />Come on, people ... Republicans did this in 1995 and had our behinds kicked to the curb by the American people who blamed the entire government shutdown on the GOP. Do we really have to repeat history?<br /><br />Apparently so, for those who were not around back in the day. If you don't know history, you are bound to repeat it. <br /><br />So <a href="http://www.doi.gov/shutdown/index.cfm">what would be shut down</a>?<br /><br />Just as the east coast approaches leaf season when millions hit the roadways to admire the changing colors of fall, the Blue Ridge Parkway could be a victim of the shutdown. That trickles down to hotels, gas stations, restaurants, attractions, and other tourist-related businesses that clearly benefit during leaf season.<br /><br />The Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Smokey Mountains would close under a government shutdown. That includes bathrooms, visitors centers, camping and picnic areas, concessions operations and backcountry trails.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.themountainpress.com/news/x249846987/Government-shutdown-would-mean-Smokies-closure">The Mountain Press</a> reported: <br /><blockquote>The last time the government shut down, in the mid-1990s, for 27 days, closures cost park-dependent communities an estimated $14 million daily, according to a report from the National Parks Conservation Association.<br /><br />“When our national parks closed in 1995-96, I received an outpouring of calls from gateway communities alarmed by the situation,” said Phil Francis, the recently retired superintendent of Blue Ridge Parkway.<br /><br />“The potential shutdown adds insult to injury because these communities are already concerned about the recent cutbacks in funding for national parks that have harmed the Park Service’s ability to serve visitors," Francis added. "No one expected these cuts to happen again. Now we’re looking at not only a potential shutdown, but the likelihood of another round of cuts. If that happens, there’s a good chance it’s going to be even harder.”</blockquote>The <a href="http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20130927/NEWS/309270031/As-leaf-season-nears-government-shutdown-could-close-Blue-Ridge-Parkway">Asheville Citizen-Times</a> weighed in:<br /><blockquote>The parkway, which only recently reopened after a giant crack caused by a landslide was repaired, means a lot to tourism-related businesses in Asheville.<br /><br />If the shutdown happens, and lasts into the fall leaf season, small businesses could feel the pinch.</blockquote><a href="http://www.roanoke.com/news/2262104-12/government-shutdown-would-close-blue-ridge-parkway.html">The Roanoke Times</a> laid it on the line:<br /><blockquote>The Blue Ridge Parkway and many of its attractions will close during its peak travel season if the federal government shuts down on Tuesday.<br /><br />All national parks will be forced to close if Congress does not agree on a spending bill by midnight Monday. If a shutdown happens, park rangers have been instructed to close the parkway.<br /><br />“The plan is to close up all operations and shut the gates for the most part,” said Leesa Brandon, Partnerships & Community Outreach Coordinator for the parkway. “I am still hopeful that there will be a resolution and it won’t come to that.”</blockquote>Last week's journey down the Blue Ridge Parkway would not have been possible this week if the shutdown goes through. All the places SWAC Husband and I visited are slated to be closed:<br /><blockquote>Although many details will still need to be addressed, the Department of the Interior’s plan seems to instruct parkway attractions such as Mabry Mill, the Peaks of Otter and other privately managed venues on parkway property to close. Even if those places are allowed to remain open, however, travelers in automobiles would have limited access.<br /><br />Likewise, should a shutdown occur, the Blue Ridge Music Center will be forced to close and its daily bluegrass and old-time mountain music events will be canceled.</blockquote><a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2012/10/autumn-travel-and-leaf-peeping-in.html">No leaf looking</a> along Skyline Drive ... Shenandoah National Park closed ... no taking <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/blue-ridge-heritage-polly-growing-up-in.html">Polly to lunch</a> at Skyland Resort as we had planned. The shutdown would close it all and, again, affect businesses along the way.<br /><br />NPR senior business editor Marilyn Geewax <a href="http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/09/27/impact-government-shutdown">commented</a>:<br /><blockquote>"... tourism could take a big hit. Consider if you owned a restaurant. I talked to a guy who owned a restaurant out - just outside of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Early October is the leaf peeping season. That's when people are out there, driving around. If the National Park is closed, the Skyline Drive is closed, that's a real hit on all of that tourism industry out there. So restaurant owners worry, stores worry and, you know, the entire really travel industry is concerned because passports won't get processed.<br /><br />"So people may not plan various trips. So we're not really talking about an airport shutdown. Air traffic controllers will be deemed essential. TSA workers, they'll be essential. But it's all the things around traveling. Yes, the airport may be open, but if Yosemite Park is closed, what's the point of going on your vacation?"</blockquote>Glad we made our trek last week when we were able to see <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/blue-ridge-parkway-lunch-at-peaks-of.html">Peaks of Otter</a>, <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/early-morning-reflections-at-mabry-mill.html">Mabry Mill</a>, Explore Park, the BRP Music Center, and all the other sights along that meandering American byway.<br /><br /><b>UPDATED 10/1/2013:</b> A last-minute decision on Monday by the National Park Service will allow the Blue Ridge Parkway to remain open during the government shutdown. Political reporter Bob Stuart has the latest today in the <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/shenandoah-national-park-to-close-if-shutdown-happens/article_37420cb0-2a29-11e3-a5d7-001a4bcf6878.html"><i>News-Virginian. </i></a><br /><br /><i>Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell</i>

Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway federal government government shutdown Mabry Mill Music Center Peaks of Otter Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Government shutdown? Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Parkway would close -- UPDATED

  Mabry Mill would be closed during a government shutdown. Come on, people ... Republicans did this in 1995 and had our behinds kicked to th...

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Blue Ridge Heritage: Polly -- growing up in the shadow of Shenandoah National Park

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA26jEw1B1nJ6ThYfFtXYZK-aJ81v6NDVqrg8G2GgzyLL-YrKvU6iAY0s1MBzC9SDuWd_XKtglvqcCSdbTJl63CmZ_UYh2Gdj5UKW3Rv_24blAYXSjcsUZ7SpfycAC0aRqMrK84Gz72xRp/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA26jEw1B1nJ6ThYfFtXYZK-aJ81v6NDVqrg8G2GgzyLL-YrKvU6iAY0s1MBzC9SDuWd_XKtglvqcCSdbTJl63CmZ_UYh2Gdj5UKW3Rv_24blAYXSjcsUZ7SpfycAC0aRqMrK84Gz72xRp/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Polly looks from Big Meadows Lodge over the valley where she grew up</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ9jL6yXvdJa8xx1s0otoLOLmqYNAK6t5a3xy6o_3yfoOdYquWvYVWzSX2Qh8GR2_JsWAVMKSnn_3GD4ZROW_AmXzLMFSnBMUX1psiT2E5l099p497oym6-KE_0JhaqaPoYz4vVLinCBb/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ9jL6yXvdJa8xx1s0otoLOLmqYNAK6t5a3xy6o_3yfoOdYquWvYVWzSX2Qh8GR2_JsWAVMKSnn_3GD4ZROW_AmXzLMFSnBMUX1psiT2E5l099p497oym6-KE_0JhaqaPoYz4vVLinCBb/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It was hazy on the warm September day that we visited Shenandoah National Park.</i></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/AVvXsEjdtiZpKwrH6uMdiQQCHY2pJFm-LGWnEKRAuw9_0sasM0Bdmsef4pb1rcVE0Qsc65GD2PAFco1H5yrts-WMQSUWGQlRWs3XZX5qjTlsC3uwsVQhz_1FUt48kDL6mv-QJXXl8VhkHEGG9JKp/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtiZpKwrH6uMdiQQCHY2pJFm-LGWnEKRAuw9_0sasM0Bdmsef4pb1rcVE0Qsc65GD2PAFco1H5yrts-WMQSUWGQlRWs3XZX5qjTlsC3uwsVQhz_1FUt48kDL6mv-QJXXl8VhkHEGG9JKp/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Great Room of Big Meadows Lodge.</i></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/AVvXsEhGyaoFGMoMWienCVp6cJ7RnhPPeQOvvGaSFZqwD5u9ES83DyS7oG1mUFfibVjoksm-MYAIh06B_G-O6YBNX6Lvss2KBRuiKTBxHzv5eA5w1_Ev_fqX1Eo1VyZt9ShlTQsvT8rx4pP_oPKK/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyaoFGMoMWienCVp6cJ7RnhPPeQOvvGaSFZqwD5u9ES83DyS7oG1mUFfibVjoksm-MYAIh06B_G-O6YBNX6Lvss2KBRuiKTBxHzv5eA5w1_Ev_fqX1Eo1VyZt9ShlTQsvT8rx4pP_oPKK/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/AVvXsEiT9Srbh8zuyuP56XvOTotlkcJUmBJJOOjbbUTvb7MeC0zatnWSWDKWyg3KhyPYGa_NevemgodPeSGKClk2NrSj1qVQ2b-X7YSmi13DAJqLM9rD6EuRArhQXw4mLiAY2ac_NAW0NwKLVi_o/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9Srbh8zuyuP56XvOTotlkcJUmBJJOOjbbUTvb7MeC0zatnWSWDKWyg3KhyPYGa_NevemgodPeSGKClk2NrSj1qVQ2b-X7YSmi13DAJqLM9rD6EuRArhQXw4mLiAY2ac_NAW0NwKLVi_o/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The terrace overlooks the Page Valley and is a good place to sit and enjoy mountain breezes.</i></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/AVvXsEionN6aFEsQ37FtdrNAmmO8M7dPuP1CDOSPm8K5v50n9iNprJcZlowK5_k7k3hQ4FmlFsX0eBPYT5n5-RDbCC0yY20cxTKeWz5QhGBMqrrmyZyT5jU4Xx1T12hnb7lBMhOB11MvF49I-vNc/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionN6aFEsQ37FtdrNAmmO8M7dPuP1CDOSPm8K5v50n9iNprJcZlowK5_k7k3hQ4FmlFsX0eBPYT5n5-RDbCC0yY20cxTKeWz5QhGBMqrrmyZyT5jU4Xx1T12hnb7lBMhOB11MvF49I-vNc/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/AVvXsEglWj1DruNzI3iSsAMlow7JCbUdFYwSIhDjksZ0iAq53Uuzk3QlSpQLY9hCFWWQ8sX6zFlYx027y-0_CWcJPoq4yy3R7b-2MQ145ERrERO7Z9KpBxUmcII1XCBCU2fmmFhkNKs9PGvwxrYS/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/AVvXsEglWj1DruNzI3iSsAMlow7JCbUdFYwSIhDjksZ0iAq53Uuzk3QlSpQLY9hCFWWQ8sX6zFlYx027y-0_CWcJPoq4yy3R7b-2MQ145ERrERO7Z9KpBxUmcII1XCBCU2fmmFhkNKs9PGvwxrYS/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/AVvXsEjgRGtghpw8AvTtPMVng_oK_e9NWoVF00ner-byif_WB4JD2TFK2VoQ0Pbh6VFJU21vusw3yDiQlSH9vsARx5TODDE-9j_16-tbAmyPdy9_G_pxhVRMw8HxhJcFV8uixyvd0XpRYC1aJIHu/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/AVvXsEjgRGtghpw8AvTtPMVng_oK_e9NWoVF00ner-byif_WB4JD2TFK2VoQ0Pbh6VFJU21vusw3yDiQlSH9vsARx5TODDE-9j_16-tbAmyPdy9_G_pxhVRMw8HxhJcFV8uixyvd0XpRYC1aJIHu/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The dining room doors were open to let cooling mountain breezes in while we ate lunch.</i></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/AVvXsEhSE8p3yPm7bHiOkABEOYDiPm6ES_dpSUU1hrBCOgBO4Ud2N-1-0pdjJDVYmN9-oi21NQaZb8OIictTrwG9wNQ6FFgIu1EkFHXO0Q01mRXAxFapwxRxZ7KSfW5KX8FzfxI3QiGkR4OmDpTQ/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/AVvXsEhSE8p3yPm7bHiOkABEOYDiPm6ES_dpSUU1hrBCOgBO4Ud2N-1-0pdjJDVYmN9-oi21NQaZb8OIictTrwG9wNQ6FFgIu1EkFHXO0Q01mRXAxFapwxRxZ7KSfW5KX8FzfxI3QiGkR4OmDpTQ/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The white oak basket making class was meeting as we ate lunch. The next class is Thursday, September 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., as local basket artisan Clyde Jenkins shares his talent of basket making with techniques handed down through the generations. Beginners to intermediate, price of $50 per person includes all materials to make one basket. Reservations suggested. 877.847-1919. Here's the listing of <a href="http://www.goshenandoah.com/Calendar.aspx">other activities</a> at Big Meadows and Skyland.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAcBRSLm_ph_z2mBkXB7BtKccC3XzkhrRhgEjFrvjAFICx1tiHambljjiJ0Legv8hPKbMUhEN2GiUIEh6kVEQlgGoUagAShEtb8Rhcmf2pgPsEIDQiyUvkeGeezEJtFOQjpxq2QDxsXGr/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/AVvXsEiKAcBRSLm_ph_z2mBkXB7BtKccC3XzkhrRhgEjFrvjAFICx1tiHambljjiJ0Legv8hPKbMUhEN2GiUIEh6kVEQlgGoUagAShEtb8Rhcmf2pgPsEIDQiyUvkeGeezEJtFOQjpxq2QDxsXGr/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The heat from this fireplace feels good on cold days.</i></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/AVvXsEi0D7dLx2GL7QjpcK1bEF-ejS29fAuEhJjHtnHgxJupcCxSftJn1PeqnsSZ1FPb4tpCk8gFupD4ZhWuypslH3lDBr9zD7CPgBrvOouKh8Im6lqaoyhlkOl_DclTERUrSCz2pJFoWHWo0WdO/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D7dLx2GL7QjpcK1bEF-ejS29fAuEhJjHtnHgxJupcCxSftJn1PeqnsSZ1FPb4tpCk8gFupD4ZhWuypslH3lDBr9zD7CPgBrvOouKh8Im6lqaoyhlkOl_DclTERUrSCz2pJFoWHWo0WdO/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GcO5BtRehpUHlCNupF9imeuRVTN6sGbCPHYJpp2CEH44FiWUE6hQSPnoBDvN2bGGJHmB_Cma0ZYv-EU6u-k78xpZRG8ov5sgGJc3SyHfH9RoYOfOdmCVM6Nw_7KMywiMBYJUp58dg6UM/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GcO5BtRehpUHlCNupF9imeuRVTN6sGbCPHYJpp2CEH44FiWUE6hQSPnoBDvN2bGGJHmB_Cma0ZYv-EU6u-k78xpZRG8ov5sgGJc3SyHfH9RoYOfOdmCVM6Nw_7KMywiMBYJUp58dg6UM/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/AVvXsEimkU28cLNHPIhwV_2SBfwzHFisjd7dhk3Ve3cMz4RHATWWxyT-MPKX3DXCtst08yG3OHMwbkjyPmkkRoO9-I4MVAG1lWb5VPz_l-n1bY1hMZH-3eIMJlxdFfd3Sb3aOkrPUy4_8nlJeiIM/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkU28cLNHPIhwV_2SBfwzHFisjd7dhk3Ve3cMz4RHATWWxyT-MPKX3DXCtst08yG3OHMwbkjyPmkkRoO9-I4MVAG1lWb5VPz_l-n1bY1hMZH-3eIMJlxdFfd3Sb3aOkrPUy4_8nlJeiIM/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The gift shop sells local wines, post cards, SNP clothing, snacks, Christmas ornaments, and more.</i></div><br />I once said of <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2008/06/talking-over-iced-tea-with-living.html">Paul Galanti</a> that I was talking over iced tea with living history. Recently I broke bread <i>and</i> had iced tea with a walking, talking pint-sized history book.<br /><br />Polly Yager Campbell is a bundle of energy in a small package, and she's no pushover. Youthful for her age with a memory as sharp as a tack, she knows the land around Shenandoah National Park like the back of her hand. She should. She grew up at the foot of the mountain beneath Big Meadows Lodge in Page County. She is a Virginian from a long line of Virginians. The Yager family migrated to Virginia in 1717 and settled in "Germanna Colony," an area on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. <br /><br />On an exceptionally warm day for September 12th, Polly and I met in Elkton, and drove up Rt. 33 to Skyline Drive. Our destination was lunch at <a href="http://www.goshenandoah.com/Big-Meadows-Lodge.aspx">Big Meadows Lodge</a>. <br /><br />At Milespost 51, we turned left at the field known as Big Meadows and slowly drove the one mile to the lodge's parking lot, scanning the woods and open areas for wildlife and commenting on the lush green of trees and grasses after an exceptionally wet summer. Perhaps it was the warm temperatures that day but we saw no wildlife in the usual places other than birds. <br /><br />There were a few mid-week visitors. We walked across the parking lot to the lodge that was build in 1939 from stones carved and transported from Massanutten Mountain, a lodge Polly's father helped build in the 1930s. In 1997, this mountain getaway was added to the National Register of Historic Places.<br /><br />Polly and I made our way through the lobby area to the Great Room, pausing to look out the large ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the valley, and then stepped outside onto the flagstone terrace that extends along the entire length of the valley side of the building.<br /><br />A haze caused by the late summer heat partially hid the Page Valley below as Polly and I stood at the terrace railing and gazed over the tree tops, searching for landmarks. Polly smiled as a memory came to mind and shared that, as a child, she could look up the mountain at night and see the lights from the Lodge. Wow, I thought ... can you imagine growing up and being able to see Big Meadows Lodge?<br /><br />The cool mountain breeze rustled her hair as she stared into the valley thinking about her childhood on land in Page County that had been in the Yager family for five generations. As she shared more memories, I couldn't help but wish there was a way to record her thoughts. They are a part of her ... but they are also a part of the history of Virginia, the park, and the mountains. <br /><br />She spoke of her family -- father, grandfather, mother, grandmother, and siblings. She talked about tragic events and family members who had passed on. She remembered the seasons -- October is her favorite time of the year and the month of her birth -- and being caught in a big snowstorm once while at Skyland with her husband, eventually escaping before they became snowed in.<br /><br />She talked of traveling the back mountain roads, and told about a time when her uncle had driven to pick up her dad at Big Meadows. They met a truck approaching from the opposite direction in the middle of the narrow, steep road and, when they tried to pass, their car hit the soft, unstable shoulder, causing the vehicle to tumble over the side of the mountain. Polly was inside with her mother and siblings. With a quiet chuckle, she said two little saplings stopped the free-fall or they would have gone all the way to the bottom. She was calm in the retelling ... no, no one was seriously hurt, she said, although they were shaken and bruised when the backseat came loose, as the car rolled over, and all the tools fell on their heads.  She was holding her baby sister on her lap, and her arms were still wrapped tightly around her when the car came to a stop, and she was able to climb out. Her mother had a broken arm. So there were occasions when vehicles went over the mountainsides, I asked. Oh, yes, she replied, and it sounded like something that was more common than not.<br /><br />I could have stood at that railing all day and listened but, after a while, we went inside and walked around the Great Room of the Main Lodge with its rustic chestnut wall paneling and beams, huge stone fireplace, and the bank of paned ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the Page Valley. Chestnut trees, valued by early settlers for their durability and used for all the wooden interiors of the main lodge, were plentiful in 1939 but, due to disease, are practically extinct these days.<br /><br />Polly's eyes took it all in, sweeping across the room, perhaps remembering her dad in that place looking at his handiwork of decorative chestnut touches or special add-ons. Perhaps she was remembering as a child climbing into one of the rockers that faced the windows overlooking the terrace. Perhaps she was just lost in thought. Only one patron was in the room with his laptop taking advantage of the WiFi, a nod toward the realization that, while visitors enjoy the mountain isolation, they still like their modern electronics.<br /><br />On to the Spotswood dining room, named for Governor Alexander Spottswood who led his Knights of the Golden Horseshoe to explore the area in 1716, a large space with walls of windows, chestnut wood paneling, a huge stone fireplace, and tables with ladder-back chairs that added to the rustic feel. A friendly young man seated us at a window table overlooking the terrace and Polly's valley. Perfect! The breeze coming through the screen door had the faint scent of the outdoors, green like the mountains.<br /><br />We sat across from one another and ordered our meal and then, over glasses of iced tea, the conversation turned to politics. Polly has crossed paths with too many politicians to count so there we were, two political junkies, veterans at the game, eagerly discussing the people, places, and activities of politics at all levels.<br /><br />There was a lot to talk about since we had both been Republican volunteers and members together on the State Central Committee. A long-time volunteer in statewide politics, Polly's blue eyes teared up at the memory of the changes in the party; and her service of 44 years as Secretary of the Republican Party. She also served as Young Republican representative for several years before her election as Secretary. It is evident from talking to her that she is profoundly proud of the commitment of her time and means to the building of the Republican Party and honored by the opportunity to have served and be touched by so many lives. <br /><br />And then her eyes flashed as she recalled more than 50 years of hard work that included countless Republican losses in the early years, remembering when the Democratic candidates would win yet another election and call out to the defeated Republicans, "When you going to give up?" Polly would respond, "There's another election next year." Then she and her colleagues would go back to the drawing board, help recruit more candidates, roll up their sleeves, and get back to work.<br /><br />She paused ... and then smiled at the thought of the jubilant victory in 1970 when <a href="http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Holton_A_Linwood_1923-#start_entry" target="_blank">Linwood Holton</a> -- whom she knows and calls Lin -- became the first Republican governor in Virginia in 100 years. That's a long, dry run, and the win whetted Republican appetites for more. It was the beginning of the Republican comeback in Virginia after years of dominance by the Democratic Byrd machine. Those not familiar with Governor Holton may be familiar with his son-in-law ... former Governor and now U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.<br /><br />Polly talked of attending the first ever Republican Advance, as well as subsequent ones, at Ingleside Resort in Augusta County, of seeing George H.W. Bush there when he was running for president, and seeing his sons, George and Jeb, while working of their father's campaign. She smiled at the thought ... they were called the Bushie Boys, she said. We discovered we're both Bush family admirers.<br /><br />I soaked in every word as she shared historical political facts, my brain absorbing it like a sponge. Back in the Byrd days, Republicans were scarce. Polly's family was Republican, and it sometimes affected jobs. Her father was a carpenter, self taught, and worked for the construction company that built Big Meadows and Skyland Lodge. He also helped build the Byrd Visitor Center at the entrance to Big Meadows, a job he was working on in 1965 when, at the age of 59, he died of a heart attack. <br /><br />I shared with Polly that my parents had honeymooned at Big Meadows so, in a sense, our parents' paths had crossed in that historic, rustic resort. Since she had grown up living there, I was all ears, listening, asking questions, and imagining what it must have been like to have Shenandoah National Park right outside your door.<br /><br />For employees of the park who live in the Page Valley, there is a gated gravel road that climbs up the mountain to Skyline Drive just south of Big Meadows. Nowadays, only those with a key can access that shortcut but when Polly was a little girl it was still a public road that ran beside her house. In 1936 when she was about five or six years old, she and her family walked the five miles up that mountain road to attend the dedication of Shenandoah National Park. The ceremony, attended by President Franklin Roosevelt as well as other dignitaries and many visitors and locals, took place in the big meadow. She didn't know it then but President Roosevelt was the first of many high-ranking politicians she would rub elbows with in her lifetime.<br /><br />Spending time with Polly was a reminder of how much things have changed during her 50 years in politics -- from not winning, to that first taste of sweet victory, to today. She was a Republican pioneer at a time when the GOP began to effectively chisel into the long time Democratically-controlled government.<br /><br />We finished our lunch, took one last stroll around the lodge, and finally headed to the car to begin the journey down the Drive and back to Elkton. I left richer for having heard history on several levels, and grateful to know Polly a little better through her window on the world. Her memories are rich and laced with historical facts. They need to be mined -- recorded and heard -- before that generation is gone. <br /><br />Polly and I have a date for lunch at Skyland in October. I can't wait....

Big Meadows Lodge Blue Ridge Mountains Franklin Roosevelt Germanna Colony National Register of Historic Places Page County Polly Yager Campbell Shenandoah National Park Skyland Lodge Skyline Drive Blue Ridge Heritage: Polly -- growing up in the shadow of Shenandoah National Park

Polly looks from Big Meadows Lodge over the valley where she grew up . It was hazy on the warm September day that we visited Shenandoah Nati...

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Apple Butter Festival Saturday at Skyland

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D7dLx2GL7QjpcK1bEF-ejS29fAuEhJjHtnHgxJupcCxSftJn1PeqnsSZ1FPb4tpCk8gFupD4ZhWuypslH3lDBr9zD7CPgBrvOouKh8Im6lqaoyhlkOl_DclTERUrSCz2pJFoWHWo0WdO/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D7dLx2GL7QjpcK1bEF-ejS29fAuEhJjHtnHgxJupcCxSftJn1PeqnsSZ1FPb4tpCk8gFupD4ZhWuypslH3lDBr9zD7CPgBrvOouKh8Im6lqaoyhlkOl_DclTERUrSCz2pJFoWHWo0WdO/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Saturday, September 21. Come to Skyland as the staff sets up the copper kettles and stokes up the fire for a day of apple boiling. Watch the process, give the kettle a stir, and try a delicious sample. Then take home some fresh-from-the-kettle jars of apple butter. The Chef will be creating a great menu of items such as grilled chicken with an apple salsa, apple smoked barbecue, granny apple cole slaw, apple cobbler and hot & cold apple cider. Wine tasting, pony rides, children’s crafts, and live entertainment featured throughout the day. Held on the historic lower level area at Skyland Resort, miles 41.7 or 42.5 on Skyline Drive.<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell <br /><br />

Apple Butter Festival Blue Ridge Mountains Shenandoah National Park Skyland Skyline Drive Apple Butter Festival Saturday at Skyland

Saturday, September 21. Come to Skyland as the staff sets up the copper kettles and stokes up the fire for a day of apple boiling. Watch th...

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Chilly morning in Shenandoah Valley

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULhuATQMP84cVSwTC-BvxwEQE_WPLmoWihj0Vmcm2hICI_lS7PmCikr3zph3wV6uOg-LSKZW-NAQ3J0shVCFLCxAASWXDqxfsrl_pl-D9kviplM2q7KVkYcapZ8BCr-sY1XDdLM0issfv/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULhuATQMP84cVSwTC-BvxwEQE_WPLmoWihj0Vmcm2hICI_lS7PmCikr3zph3wV6uOg-LSKZW-NAQ3J0shVCFLCxAASWXDqxfsrl_pl-D9kviplM2q7KVkYcapZ8BCr-sY1XDdLM0issfv/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>View looking west from Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, near Big Meadows</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>September 12, 2013 </i></div><br />Thursday while visiting Shenandoah National Park, the temperature was 90 in the Valley and around 80 in the park -- unusually warm for mid-September. This morning, just three days later, it was 41 degrees at sunrise with heavy dew in my corner of Augusta County. <br /><br />We're one week away from the first day of fall on September 22 and the weather this weekend has certainly felt like we've slipped into the next season. Temperatures in the low 40s the past two mornings are preparing us for cooler temps, sweat shirts, sweaters, and brisk walks.<br /><br />One week left of summer with daytime highs predicted in the 70s. It's going to be a busy week so we'll get out and enjoy the waning days of summer. It's almost fall in the Shenandoah Valley....<br /><br /><i>Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell</i><br />September 12, 2013<br />

Big Meadows fall late summer Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah Valley Skyline Drive Chilly morning in Shenandoah Valley

View looking west from Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, near Big Meadows September 12, 2013 Thursday while visiting Shenandoah Natio...

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Elusive mountain lion sightings continue in Valley

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUcHqfzbAwkmrVy2FHKKRYM-Gw26UIewXH419ZGmGdkJheZzkfEqCZqFlKQzw7fs59vWxXCSFN6xx2DwzIjLq2i5sbWZpU-_mhyphenhyphen46wyaTRthdccKqmFYL4cznb3ncidBB4-lX945ODTj7/s1600/Mountain+lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUcHqfzbAwkmrVy2FHKKRYM-Gw26UIewXH419ZGmGdkJheZzkfEqCZqFlKQzw7fs59vWxXCSFN6xx2DwzIjLq2i5sbWZpU-_mhyphenhyphen46wyaTRthdccKqmFYL4cznb3ncidBB4-lX945ODTj7/s1600/Mountain+lion.jpg" /></a></div><br />When my husband and I bought our house west of Staunton in 1997, one of the first things the homeowner told us was about seeing a mountain lion crossing our quiet street. According to him, the mountain lion had reportedly killed a calf in the field beside the house. Nothing, however, came of it. Throughout the years, various Valley residents have reported sightings of the elusive creature but, according to Friday's <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050026/Have-you-seen-Valley"><i>News Leader</i></a>, there has never been positive evidence of mountain lions in the area: <br /><blockquote>Lee Walker, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said they get calls on a regular basis on mountain lion sightings, but have never been able to substantiate any as true sightings.<br />...<br />The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has cited the mountain lion, or puma, to be an endangered or threatened animal in Virginia since 1979.<br /><br />Since 1970, scores of mountain lion sightings have been reported without a single one being confirmed, the department reports. Most occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson counties. Others have been clustered in the Valley.</blockquote>Read more about this curiously interesting cat <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050026/Have-you-seen-Valley">here</a>.

Augusta County mountain lions puma Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah Valley Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries western Virginia Elusive mountain lion sightings continue in Valley

When my husband and I bought our house west of Staunton in 1997, one of the first things the homeowner told us was about seeing a mountain l...

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Summer escape to Big Meadows

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cDA7bHM1v_HnYP56b7L-rPK9FF4si-IHLK8CrJVv84Ir3yCeHtyxgX04CT3HQI4SS5WwG4GwhV4OMDQvfV24sOjrXJu7RRbjOCq8CH_To53nZcjtbsFum3JpCUlCQjXZgUQsVAbtL5zD/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cDA7bHM1v_HnYP56b7L-rPK9FF4si-IHLK8CrJVv84Ir3yCeHtyxgX04CT3HQI4SS5WwG4GwhV4OMDQvfV24sOjrXJu7RRbjOCq8CH_To53nZcjtbsFum3JpCUlCQjXZgUQsVAbtL5zD/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen">Shenandoah National Park </a>... this black bear crossed the Skyline Drive in front of us on Friday, stopped to look, and then disappeared into the underbrush. I only had time to snap one quick blurry photo through the windshield. The speed limit is 35 ... the Park requests that drivers observe it because a record number of bear cubs, deer, and other wildlife have been killed by vehicles.</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/AVvXsEiE-Vb4rnx7kgyHE0AxaSUkXYQX-vKOPdQguMixFjOldC7X1IVIEq2vPle5gDRJ-_QgW4jhTpmFWTGnYmSNtl1abTQRJ44gOLFYCRu_a3htE92wJucS9PVnsrJtQm3bOlYAudO_w7PABgDV/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-Vb4rnx7kgyHE0AxaSUkXYQX-vKOPdQguMixFjOldC7X1IVIEq2vPle5gDRJ-_QgW4jhTpmFWTGnYmSNtl1abTQRJ44gOLFYCRu_a3htE92wJucS9PVnsrJtQm3bOlYAudO_w7PABgDV/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had decided to take advantage of the cooler temps and low humidity from a cold front that passed through western Virginia. Our destination was Big Meadows picnic ground and the surrounding area. The "big meadow" is behind the sign. When I was a kid, temporary overflow parking was in the field for those who arrived late after the campground was full. Today it is burned periodically to keep it open as it has been for centuries.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMxDub40imTL0HgnfNiEATg132i9RAWiE7UdGpvGwPB6XAOYcyY9pNfk1apt0uoFFKecj_YpPJqFtH5Rs0J4QpGfFwAkeFaw5aS7z8SQawGH1p6Y-QScHxTHTaiWZQmkC_bASBGE4Nqxz/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMxDub40imTL0HgnfNiEATg132i9RAWiE7UdGpvGwPB6XAOYcyY9pNfk1apt0uoFFKecj_YpPJqFtH5Rs0J4QpGfFwAkeFaw5aS7z8SQawGH1p6Y-QScHxTHTaiWZQmkC_bASBGE4Nqxz/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Blue Ridge Mountains ... layers of historic scenery.</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/AVvXsEi33Y3HJfBNAlLqek82dSpGb8WRGqMszdp2wq-ZS6rX1N2VHVCzkGWvQbQJDAdPJ4MRk9bQ0XCa67drH28lUWiXcSZGvOwDyMbChJ3dhoN1mtPMAEeYywKW_jJXuNPwbPs57pPAW6Gam-uM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33Y3HJfBNAlLqek82dSpGb8WRGqMszdp2wq-ZS6rX1N2VHVCzkGWvQbQJDAdPJ4MRk9bQ0XCa67drH28lUWiXcSZGvOwDyMbChJ3dhoN1mtPMAEeYywKW_jJXuNPwbPs57pPAW6Gam-uM/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/AVvXsEg5lF2DQ9s_iNZREidz55ivxWctMV9QeJbC04T7LnLLzMldv6GTJPUd382BvKY-anpb78iY47mvSH4BLYioY2SUibx8kV5fl0E-Onyibz21yBk-01I10z4YfhmusryN5AXf5essc3CaDpFL/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lF2DQ9s_iNZREidz55ivxWctMV9QeJbC04T7LnLLzMldv6GTJPUd382BvKY-anpb78iY47mvSH4BLYioY2SUibx8kV5fl0E-Onyibz21yBk-01I10z4YfhmusryN5AXf5essc3CaDpFL/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers were in abundance as were butterflies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEhGwjUfV-BnLRCCTAUY8mv_SH_4cqnFRRmjMzXM3Wb_LJgtEr-_cvbl7Kl2AzbUuCRIMN-rmKoQH1gys_RwrfhgZNiN3xt21Q-5N7PvFXa6tOx5qBZuedPQ0B0muhvGP5OvqRPaaOaQcdRh/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwjUfV-BnLRCCTAUY8mv_SH_4cqnFRRmjMzXM3Wb_LJgtEr-_cvbl7Kl2AzbUuCRIMN-rmKoQH1gys_RwrfhgZNiN3xt21Q-5N7PvFXa6tOx5qBZuedPQ0B0muhvGP5OvqRPaaOaQcdRh/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The trail invites to explore the big meadow. On a July day with temps in the 60s and low humidity, it was perfect.</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/AVvXsEjNqHsLEK7mNWdEfn8-26RyAjPUmN_yh2bmD0f9m4BUUBurgtFkyxP3SX7w-LJGAe-EqTTzKREpPTpA7cYMOdqFVezNMobPnD1dKlxwGAg-GOPRy2StWjM8xfnEGCJu0en0Kw9LLN0FAFe0/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/AVvXsEjNqHsLEK7mNWdEfn8-26RyAjPUmN_yh2bmD0f9m4BUUBurgtFkyxP3SX7w-LJGAe-EqTTzKREpPTpA7cYMOdqFVezNMobPnD1dKlxwGAg-GOPRy2StWjM8xfnEGCJu0en0Kw9LLN0FAFe0/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://usparks.about.com/od/shenandoa1/qt/Dark-Hollow-Falls.htm">Dark Hollow Falls</a> was a favorite trail with my family while growing up when our destination was the falls and coolness deep in the forest on warm summer days.</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/AVvXsEiVnssRtp6hbdR3QS_zSpGT7r_WcdvNLJY6gLISmaoCoSMhWxgGYiqyxBiQBjElLrlBJFmjKzkAMw4FNQElOvzkLSVEM5BmWu6XG8oqE1ST-VRKFJmTGX2geiV0JWx9-suOHue3ibA2QG2W/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnssRtp6hbdR3QS_zSpGT7r_WcdvNLJY6gLISmaoCoSMhWxgGYiqyxBiQBjElLrlBJFmjKzkAMw4FNQElOvzkLSVEM5BmWu6XG8oqE1ST-VRKFJmTGX2geiV0JWx9-suOHue3ibA2QG2W/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From the Byrd Visitor Center, there's a great view of the big meadow. Follow the seasons from the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/common/commonspot/customcf/webcam/dsp_webcam_image.cfm?webCamURL=http://www.nps.gov/webcams-shen/bvc_800.jpg&refreshRate=60&title=7C9B93D2819B8E7B53C42E&width=800&height=450&altText=7C9B93D2819B8E7B53C42EC7BA1CBF7C479FE93BDBA8DEA19AEF3083AB03C97FDBE8D78E9689DB3CC99D030094DE9B948851B05D505CFF898652A7D0F947B5998906999393B88EC6929DCAA69697869517BE98BD9FDEE9AF9AA8A9A47082AE9D&description=7C9B93D2819B8E7B53C42EC7BA1CBF7C479FF57489EE83F0B1BD1D97F925905BD6BBE8938A928F10DED33400888A9289C756B65C5C15C281D375A089AD7CE19E9547D8C9AFB18388BD92DAA09891C7B7569A90A09A93A5D9A3BBBCA632CB99DA4119F670F0DFDA9085EF5607&256919">webcam at this location</a>.</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/AVvXsEi4GSXuPjeFz-dnaRYJiLaHqh97mZp8pXmnYSjQ_M-hr9exFroWfNe5GmrjWPYHfDpSKBnWKPbcgswOBlqXkbNqbxA6NJfOAPGakk5J0bsW7PVY0ve-iA_yJRK-rgzD7jlwhQ8j1mLtiEAG/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GSXuPjeFz-dnaRYJiLaHqh97mZp8pXmnYSjQ_M-hr9exFroWfNe5GmrjWPYHfDpSKBnWKPbcgswOBlqXkbNqbxA6NJfOAPGakk5J0bsW7PVY0ve-iA_yJRK-rgzD7jlwhQ8j1mLtiEAG/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Busy butterflies.</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/AVvXsEhQfnG-fqkQm36RWGGZpSSZeCpK8OFEzoi8AQj8CoiEZqYmXcrMXUshejVJTGlkv6AIwYE0haUKT4fc4GF7q8p6sYZ-PgDGSika6BFd6PIXWyf3zspdji-JbZD9aZz1IvfDxd2DSDssysaS/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/AVvXsEhQfnG-fqkQm36RWGGZpSSZeCpK8OFEzoi8AQj8CoiEZqYmXcrMXUshejVJTGlkv6AIwYE0haUKT4fc4GF7q8p6sYZ-PgDGSika6BFd6PIXWyf3zspdji-JbZD9aZz1IvfDxd2DSDssysaS/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Water in a rock ... this intrigued me as a kid.</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/AVvXsEiLlwrjAG3o_0vgoGr_MQOvWi9InUrXq55itN_21eIeSJiJVWfT6xErmZJ63F5okWmQ30oAmyKZMbRhd4p3ft4wFgWZ18RwAhoK2qU3KJMfrZPx7WfPEzDD7XjnOAdPeGWP6wOJ5OSznZrK/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlwrjAG3o_0vgoGr_MQOvWi9InUrXq55itN_21eIeSJiJVWfT6xErmZJ63F5okWmQ30oAmyKZMbRhd4p3ft4wFgWZ18RwAhoK2qU3KJMfrZPx7WfPEzDD7XjnOAdPeGWP6wOJ5OSznZrK/s400/14.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alone on a trail in the quiet woods.</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/AVvXsEgpAoE1apWVo-bYqCw7hqxoQukBUuq5TW7kT4qhvxnYmzMp-Tui6fjVdOPo0ydeFfHGHIRbi2Xg8CaZbWzrZi7MbCUPP1dCpwQK4e1JjEk8XxLRJRK_M-dvSdClESEZ7KtiSW88NKVI5jJ4/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAoE1apWVo-bYqCw7hqxoQukBUuq5TW7kT4qhvxnYmzMp-Tui6fjVdOPo0ydeFfHGHIRbi2Xg8CaZbWzrZi7MbCUPP1dCpwQK4e1JjEk8XxLRJRK_M-dvSdClESEZ7KtiSW88NKVI5jJ4/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goshenandoah.com/Big-Meadows-Lodge.aspx">Big Meadows Lodge </a>where my parents honeymooned as young twenty-somethings. I never tire of its rustic wood-and-stone architecture, views from the terrace, walking its hallways, and thinking of my parents when they were just kids. My dad absolutely loved these mountains and passed along that love to me. They began taking me camping at Big Meadows when I was one, making many, many happy memories of spending time in Shenandoah National Park.</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/AVvXsEiYFQGxGy1JgsJtA-zNP2KcVEOpB-nDv6iZERajHck70qTX6HdXhthGvQvQPx1zVVPMEiq0bpZnfPcHBDTLqjzutZ0UCf_TPCHaTZKvYQ9jER_HWJUZDnmafwoQ08tW6cmhgiY-OtZGGMTx/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFQGxGy1JgsJtA-zNP2KcVEOpB-nDv6iZERajHck70qTX6HdXhthGvQvQPx1zVVPMEiq0bpZnfPcHBDTLqjzutZ0UCf_TPCHaTZKvYQ9jER_HWJUZDnmafwoQ08tW6cmhgiY-OtZGGMTx/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sign says it all. The running joke was always that, as campers headed to the evening amphitheater program, the resident bears headed to the campground. How do you scare away a bear from the camp site? Bang on a pot with a big spoon. We never had any problems but definitely didn't take chances ... no food in tents, and coolers were kept safely in vehicles. Fun times!</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park<br />July 26, 2013

Big Meadows Blue Ridge Mountains Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Wildlife Summer escape to Big Meadows

Shenandoah National Park ... this black bear crossed the Skyline Drive in front of us on Friday, stopped to look, and then disappeared into ...

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