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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The German farm

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjky4KH-LFElVYQsP9dmrvmgYwNK8m_skz7Utb-EgDIZRqMdvs3E2ztmAHWLULNR3DoCfYI4VH2EizZaUD9peohaTNQ5Uld1UpI6SIvjl_vbf31RxCtMFVEFyW7VHCmHMUBV4DboC5rDaoT/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/AVvXsEjky4KH-LFElVYQsP9dmrvmgYwNK8m_skz7Utb-EgDIZRqMdvs3E2ztmAHWLULNR3DoCfYI4VH2EizZaUD9peohaTNQ5Uld1UpI6SIvjl_vbf31RxCtMFVEFyW7VHCmHMUBV4DboC5rDaoT/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKScT7uM3I5L35VEkAnG6SyyR1cpXlBle_gmsxtLMVZ0mF5m6sspBdskekgvFdkQGTTpbdNrgh4xHIvvnNNorUigKZfEWuj9joZZFPk772A-lV5XOaoAAMrqZCYl2sbOO1vmQnlsnKfBXx/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKScT7uM3I5L35VEkAnG6SyyR1cpXlBle_gmsxtLMVZ0mF5m6sspBdskekgvFdkQGTTpbdNrgh4xHIvvnNNorUigKZfEWuj9joZZFPk772A-lV5XOaoAAMrqZCYl2sbOO1vmQnlsnKfBXx/s640/2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRMYk0TFEr3jhHTgKCxDrcaBYLZZ-n4etgGUZcQqug1Qxi-w1sc6mF5zJSAtJ3aL1uIQYiNFVBbOOau1H6fVYrk3bTRtwj7vxFuqcwJ594Z0d7HuZqK5p25OmSzN401azyo6X-b-Y0d0c/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRMYk0TFEr3jhHTgKCxDrcaBYLZZ-n4etgGUZcQqug1Qxi-w1sc6mF5zJSAtJ3aL1uIQYiNFVBbOOau1H6fVYrk3bTRtwj7vxFuqcwJ594Z0d7HuZqK5p25OmSzN401azyo6X-b-Y0d0c/s400/25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU24LmPI-pB8jlvMiNPz3IpfJXFmZat-BhcszixtzKeD4c3gfxNA6zADhjdnXPMoYzelia96xEhx267SK_G3tjPB7S3mmToybmhG6mfgsqs2LelgN1TBwP6AIHlyLld21CjoxwlaaJbg3/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU24LmPI-pB8jlvMiNPz3IpfJXFmZat-BhcszixtzKeD4c3gfxNA6zADhjdnXPMoYzelia96xEhx267SK_G3tjPB7S3mmToybmhG6mfgsqs2LelgN1TBwP6AIHlyLld21CjoxwlaaJbg3/s400/27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sights today at the <a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/">Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia</a>.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />July 25, 2013

Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia German farm Shenandoah Valley Staunton tourism Virginia Is For Lovers The German farm

Sights today at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia . Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell July 25, 2013

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Grove Park Inn on Sunset Mountain in Asheville

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUWmP_hTCj5SrXF2Gp0Ac1J-KRiCWEztZJtzvj4ecbtulWjGdi2lRsC076DtokcXyiSI2mjj5uMmwgopZxqVTKYa_SzgufC_4hQQaMWJOC18bH1-Y8h5Nxp0eLVHMjQA5tIWLUyotEIIW/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUWmP_hTCj5SrXF2Gp0Ac1J-KRiCWEztZJtzvj4ecbtulWjGdi2lRsC076DtokcXyiSI2mjj5uMmwgopZxqVTKYa_SzgufC_4hQQaMWJOC18bH1-Y8h5Nxp0eLVHMjQA5tIWLUyotEIIW/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The historic <a href="http://www.groveparkinn.com/">Grove Park Inn</a> on Sunset Mountain in Asheville, NC, is celebrating its 100th year anniversary.<br /><br />It was during the 1880s that Edwin W. Grove, owner and founder of Grove’s Pharmacy and Paris Medicine Company of St. Louis, Missouri, began spending his summers in Asheville. A frequent sufferer of bronchitis, Grove’s doctor had advised that the mountain climate might prove soothing and beneficial. He came to love the area after spending more and more of his time in Asheville and became quite involved in the growth and development of the small city.<br /><br />Grove dreamed of building a resort hotel as early as 1909, but it wasn’t until 1912 that his dream began to take shape. Workers from all over the South converged on a grassy mountain slope overlooking the city and the construction of The Grove Park Inn was under way. Hundreds of mules, wagons, pulleys and ropes were used to move the massive granite stones mined from Sunset Mountain, some weighing as much as 10,000 pounds, into place. In an engineering marvel, it only took eleven months and 29 days to complete. <br /><br />Since that time, thousands of visitors have passed through the resort’s majestic lobby, drawing inspiration from the numerous quotes by authors, famous and unknown, that adorn its distinctive stone architecture. <br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7r2h-geP2ZrInE25ddNv_5rkjNDfXGAP-K8DWtu_v1LIhB_dyITy2g76evMjqt5P479V6aQqthrc8givuVEzvyrd6SvM2bGuErJCHy8s_o1L_8rwAMxh5hVTvYD-f8k0nTHGWFHJ_r5C/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/AVvXsEhy7r2h-geP2ZrInE25ddNv_5rkjNDfXGAP-K8DWtu_v1LIhB_dyITy2g76evMjqt5P479V6aQqthrc8givuVEzvyrd6SvM2bGuErJCHy8s_o1L_8rwAMxh5hVTvYD-f8k0nTHGWFHJ_r5C/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the front terrace.<br /><br />With its distinctive undulating red clay tile roof and original Roycroft furnishings and fixtures, The Grove Park Inn captures the essence of the Arts and Crafts movement. Throughout its massive lobby, words of inspiration from noted authors and anonymous sources are etched in stone.<br /><br />The pure mountain air, impeccable service, and unparalleled cuisine have attracted visitors by the score. At the end of the 20th century, The Grove Park Inn underwent a major renovation, adding a 40,000-square foot spa and expanding its outstanding sports complex.<br /><br />The grand opening of the Grove Park Inn in 1913 featured a keynote address by well-known orator William Jennings Bryan.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8X2aVu5NHASrCl0nWWdA6EUR0ee2uvqyGrpiGqez9_ac9ZU1et1jYRHZ_y-Cvl01h7NekiARY1mLIGmRESZ9NDqzFJYa3AkuQ7GfUmxeLca4Cs8FOLsA2Phpn_iqrOAWc3mIfgvuVuxSp/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/AVvXsEi8X2aVu5NHASrCl0nWWdA6EUR0ee2uvqyGrpiGqez9_ac9ZU1et1jYRHZ_y-Cvl01h7NekiARY1mLIGmRESZ9NDqzFJYa3AkuQ7GfUmxeLca4Cs8FOLsA2Phpn_iqrOAWc3mIfgvuVuxSp/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ten U.S. presidents have stayed at the hotel: Calvin Coolidge, Woodrow Wilson, William Howard Taft, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCaAxHXMrIV5P8wHjVZ1KaJwR-q1xEKBqhMTlqt_8h67TDgQKIuv5EoORbC8BJHfbj-wMuLehHIHgj0g_33Edas75M6VSq9-skdUbj_wQmX04bQ1godoeJWY36M8LH3k6ehrS5G94hCHg/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCaAxHXMrIV5P8wHjVZ1KaJwR-q1xEKBqhMTlqt_8h67TDgQKIuv5EoORbC8BJHfbj-wMuLehHIHgj0g_33Edas75M6VSq9-skdUbj_wQmX04bQ1godoeJWY36M8LH3k6ehrS5G94hCHg/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Exiled Philippine government leaders were housed in a guest cottage on the property during World War II.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC3xq-DBRX5_XVW70vObYxaPHh4w3uffAHafHpEb4J6haBD6FgkIy7Mw2HVGcT0YWVdOupLn5I4AhUtsNfDioccJVzNzlyjEIJNxzbwcUwoRJ6XYB2E0z5eAfw8Zc2o7Bwk1zGKe2PkWr/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC3xq-DBRX5_XVW70vObYxaPHh4w3uffAHafHpEb4J6haBD6FgkIy7Mw2HVGcT0YWVdOupLn5I4AhUtsNfDioccJVzNzlyjEIJNxzbwcUwoRJ6XYB2E0z5eAfw8Zc2o7Bwk1zGKe2PkWr/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">SWAC Daughter taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.</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/AVvXsEijhupUWFRmntzLEA6PlYZquQaaHq_olidwRdMzPmWGuq2jk4vbN8NLRgEMyxSkFzEGfxFNaBdaoF74WrYCTa3jJ1rSgADNW_Xe-I2TxShWdn7fex1CHJQSQHtCtpiUbrekGvdhgwMp3SG2/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhupUWFRmntzLEA6PlYZquQaaHq_olidwRdMzPmWGuq2jk4vbN8NLRgEMyxSkFzEGfxFNaBdaoF74WrYCTa3jJ1rSgADNW_Xe-I2TxShWdn7fex1CHJQSQHtCtpiUbrekGvdhgwMp3SG2/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Asheville's skyline</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/AVvXsEiSL6mq_CdE7G63UITyyXl0TZ18Xj4hxAQfNLEaimDANJdZbLPmW1akbaLEnldQL1iUPN_DGePZtq_hqZCpBe0zMkOiKxEKoVSYI23_jtC36174JKRZfUoA3MaECAuqCIHviaEECisrH2QY/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/AVvXsEiSL6mq_CdE7G63UITyyXl0TZ18Xj4hxAQfNLEaimDANJdZbLPmW1akbaLEnldQL1iUPN_DGePZtq_hqZCpBe0zMkOiKxEKoVSYI23_jtC36174JKRZfUoA3MaECAuqCIHviaEECisrH2QY/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Spa at the Grove Park Inn</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/AVvXsEhlWxiKJ6bJF_Rcsm81Q3VSSEz7UyVP2BdxWPiW2Wn4NPrThSNBGCCQF_tVs6PDCIwJ8OWjufKAn4PEGcGAEKuYvwP_2HKLPbTd6kuEPG7hvbPq3WnBBSIAiFNzPqTcVccvuNiX8Zr1QmEb/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/AVvXsEhlWxiKJ6bJF_Rcsm81Q3VSSEz7UyVP2BdxWPiW2Wn4NPrThSNBGCCQF_tVs6PDCIwJ8OWjufKAn4PEGcGAEKuYvwP_2HKLPbTd6kuEPG7hvbPq3WnBBSIAiFNzPqTcVccvuNiX8Zr1QmEb/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_uS_6JXnT_-nWzyA7SCv5oC5-DK9o4NmoiqGj1KEgGWJ1uIiINdD7YUg3fShoq9ZkIMSSkj5VVXp_INXWh-r2Yur_2n5GZwKPXcIXqcid_2n0c6Gl9RbW45XAKINYf0-pSNX1OENs5bD/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_uS_6JXnT_-nWzyA7SCv5oC5-DK9o4NmoiqGj1KEgGWJ1uIiINdD7YUg3fShoq9ZkIMSSkj5VVXp_INXWh-r2Yur_2n5GZwKPXcIXqcid_2n0c6Gl9RbW45XAKINYf0-pSNX1OENs5bD/s400/12.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Never tire of gazing at the layers of North Carolina mountains.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENGH1YA0IaZZx0k6eJOZnMl-CJcrzIi8-9Vmi0GAtGiWXB059D5Irxce-a1JPqhnjmh067oK31-3EepQen6mqR7DMN_r062sPmje28yqRLBGKGUHHKWhHegda_KjmAHTKiiHMqYLbEe4P/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/AVvXsEgENGH1YA0IaZZx0k6eJOZnMl-CJcrzIi8-9Vmi0GAtGiWXB059D5Irxce-a1JPqhnjmh067oK31-3EepQen6mqR7DMN_r062sPmje28yqRLBGKGUHHKWhHegda_KjmAHTKiiHMqYLbEe4P/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/AVvXsEjzbmPZNqRvEI_I8aWbMOjC4SigPfk3GHKkI2_01Vb3AZCslZ4UjgYmCszZ1pyL1Fw1XF1k20emysv57T-cny1KAcAZs0a2sH3wTDa-KSnMfxQKrNaHH-q8Suhwsh1_w_zYX3TVtZz4eopK/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbmPZNqRvEI_I8aWbMOjC4SigPfk3GHKkI2_01Vb3AZCslZ4UjgYmCszZ1pyL1Fw1XF1k20emysv57T-cny1KAcAZs0a2sH3wTDa-KSnMfxQKrNaHH-q8Suhwsh1_w_zYX3TVtZz4eopK/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The hotel has hosted numerous celebrities over the years including William Jennings Bryan (who spoke at the hotel's opening), Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Elbert Hubbard, John D. Rockefeller, Gen. John J. Pershing, Dean Smith, Jerry Seinfeld, John Waters, David & Amy Sedaris, Mischa Barton, Mike Huckabee, former NC Governor Bev Perdue, Sanjay Gupta, Trey Anastasio, Charles Schwab, Enrico Caruso, Harry Houdini, Al Jolson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Bobby Jones, Wiley Post, Will Rogers, Bill Tilden, Billy Graham, William Shatner, Don Cheadle, Vijay Kansupada, and many others.<br /><br />F. Scott Fitzgerald stayed at the hotel for two years to write while his wife was in an asylum in Asheville. The rooms in which he stayed, Suites 441 to 443, are available for guests. One is furnished exactly as it was during his stay in the 1930s. Rooms in which famous people stayed are marked by plaques on the door saying who stayed there and when.<br /><br />On February 3, 1930, William Howard Taft resigned from the US Supreme Court in the Great Hall Lobby.<br /><br />In 1999, gospel artist Bill Gaither recorded "Mountain Homecoming" in his series of Gaither Homecoming videos and CDs in the Great Hall lobby, including artists Gloria Gaither, Mark Lowry, Larry Gatlin, the Bishops, Stephen Hill, Joy Gardner, and Ben Isaacs.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Grove Park Inn<br />July 24, 2013

Asheville Grove Park Inn North Carolina mountains Sunset Mountain tourism Grove Park Inn on Sunset Mountain in Asheville

The historic Grove Park Inn on Sunset Mountain in Asheville, NC, is celebrating its 100th year anniversary. It was during the 1880s that Ed...

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Grove Park Inn

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DVwOrImPEgjkKC6MKdbn-HTBNDMrzOoEqvzhmuTBbx7ilVnnvGm5QmzUWG8wb1QhPz_s1eJ8FVaUGgO9TxQTNYNlF3tekzG-z1bxAtay7G9f6G_ttCPt4q9MPD-Aot7Qrs_Di1xWFx0E/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DVwOrImPEgjkKC6MKdbn-HTBNDMrzOoEqvzhmuTBbx7ilVnnvGm5QmzUWG8wb1QhPz_s1eJ8FVaUGgO9TxQTNYNlF3tekzG-z1bxAtay7G9f6G_ttCPt4q9MPD-Aot7Qrs_Di1xWFx0E/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/AVvXsEjlWBwsiJT1wLiN4eGvq-tNptjfHaAv4Hhl2VYh8tMRkDpjlLKz2Z3nAfuAGtanuaCjGEH1o4ibramWdzvlPM2LNVs06SmPNZeM2bI_r55zKeqZEKjflZ1XBOHeHCfjyeKOGS5YYkj7wFeJ/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/AVvXsEjlWBwsiJT1wLiN4eGvq-tNptjfHaAv4Hhl2VYh8tMRkDpjlLKz2Z3nAfuAGtanuaCjGEH1o4ibramWdzvlPM2LNVs06SmPNZeM2bI_r55zKeqZEKjflZ1XBOHeHCfjyeKOGS5YYkj7wFeJ/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Grove Park Inn<br />Asheville, NC<br />July 23, 2013

Asheville Blue Ridge Mountains Grove Park Inn North Carolina tourism Grove Park Inn

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell Grove Park Inn Asheville, NC July 23, 2013

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Ahhhh

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4I_FSvDPIVvnjAiLZU12dqxSisQqbK6N3w_VwY5f77qYVetojlswyTpNmhK0tEjrjH8ejNpcv6Z42ezL9DQGRkhBukexjFehy333l13reSLe9zh2EYaG1TvF9SJexZ-VObvhhIDhNh31/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/AVvXsEgz4I_FSvDPIVvnjAiLZU12dqxSisQqbK6N3w_VwY5f77qYVetojlswyTpNmhK0tEjrjH8ejNpcv6Z42ezL9DQGRkhBukexjFehy333l13reSLe9zh2EYaG1TvF9SJexZ-VObvhhIDhNh31/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefieM0nTVyeQ1ZKxj6GwL_Yt9u0manjZbKkZY30-H7H_CJzlNVaRMMj0cWAEAcNy1HyCrRrKAtWoHbJkAh5nsOqVuFf5_QTeuD2ysFX7kSiPa_KCAxulJQbBuhdUjwUVL834CZMbY9i5r/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefieM0nTVyeQ1ZKxj6GwL_Yt9u0manjZbKkZY30-H7H_CJzlNVaRMMj0cWAEAcNy1HyCrRrKAtWoHbJkAh5nsOqVuFf5_QTeuD2ysFX7kSiPa_KCAxulJQbBuhdUjwUVL834CZMbY9i5r/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/AVvXsEjBMHTh-bEJAgPqHNpwWWCgcVshwa_0sab47RWfEWxclmUo98XmjDZi1heXRwUUPP4IPCgd2Yfb65ZhmG4w_482hGWGOYdKsLB9j0cKtlsYlLhZXyITPPinMojXBnPlxgK-yk2Q3kykq2J8/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/AVvXsEjBMHTh-bEJAgPqHNpwWWCgcVshwa_0sab47RWfEWxclmUo98XmjDZi1heXRwUUPP4IPCgd2Yfb65ZhmG4w_482hGWGOYdKsLB9j0cKtlsYlLhZXyITPPinMojXBnPlxgK-yk2Q3kykq2J8/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/AVvXsEia8EngkRyxaa0TC6-ovi6StCFWWtdcPrrIDSFt-H94edOVD61jp8AfRy2GoCCQnvlhBHMvhCGoOMhqewHy0i6-lXtEQy8EuoKhzTfmxktgWfEXUXxb84NK9yMDjV_sbvUQR93xbOt8CoTW/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8EngkRyxaa0TC6-ovi6StCFWWtdcPrrIDSFt-H94edOVD61jp8AfRy2GoCCQnvlhBHMvhCGoOMhqewHy0i6-lXtEQy8EuoKhzTfmxktgWfEXUXxb84NK9yMDjV_sbvUQR93xbOt8CoTW/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Florida's Panhandle<br />May 2013

family Florida Panhandle Gulf of Mexico tourism Ahhhh

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell Florida's Panhandle May 2013

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Sunday night ... 'I will lift up mine eyes'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKPLZ2usBuDCCCYplKZWf2VVY9KdiomrqS-TOBMkgGw5AveeeN35paX2MBKJalrPlF3hyBfVzljTVVW5eKixWLe8ktzwi0ExsQuQtRMMGQ5m7m4PljLGSNXRBj8KfTqR-pEmV5-vEZ1AS/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/AVvXsEiVKPLZ2usBuDCCCYplKZWf2VVY9KdiomrqS-TOBMkgGw5AveeeN35paX2MBKJalrPlF3hyBfVzljTVVW5eKixWLe8ktzwi0ExsQuQtRMMGQ5m7m4PljLGSNXRBj8KfTqR-pEmV5-vEZ1AS/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."</div><div style="text-align: center;">--Psalm 121:1</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/AVvXsEjokCiTGKuMQgJZmFfGZ_QvuP1Oc7wzBks6ONnLkJonUcGzL2IJPl68s_0KaaqUTGkZyNmqSRsccb7Y-K14ZYvjuwIN9ZIanfGgGy17B-KMpnuG_0E3FTOEhVjo9rE6iXD1AsIm0Thrd_09/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokCiTGKuMQgJZmFfGZ_QvuP1Oc7wzBks6ONnLkJonUcGzL2IJPl68s_0KaaqUTGkZyNmqSRsccb7Y-K14ZYvjuwIN9ZIanfGgGy17B-KMpnuG_0E3FTOEhVjo9rE6iXD1AsIm0Thrd_09/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him."</div><div style="text-align: center;">--Psalm 95:4</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/AVvXsEiG9BUlsX0F3FKec5sq7pdkWV64-u5UobkcIRhC3fum4rVBiLn863JIp9RW_6X_0sE6XaCNRl1DqxaPIizNoh03sn3F-MLJa5_QheOjGoJkkxpqYklXbX9T_nW1A_CPPs4XvXZtQgrFAnBi/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/AVvXsEiG9BUlsX0F3FKec5sq7pdkWV64-u5UobkcIRhC3fum4rVBiLn863JIp9RW_6X_0sE6XaCNRl1DqxaPIizNoh03sn3F-MLJa5_QheOjGoJkkxpqYklXbX9T_nW1A_CPPs4XvXZtQgrFAnBi/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  "In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, 'Flee like a bird to your mountain?' "</div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Psalm 11:1</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/AVvXsEhOCsXGeoqA8jbJBGFHbZ-9gnNMrxTKdvBBYA2YE8DjZQnmmytYjfvI6RXxSGznyEixKqL025OxV-JNsB6bUkYOjAeQBVd-uF-xU0jMtXlGTESkUFgy5_KPIVwS_FFM__XS8LykTre_eUkO/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/AVvXsEhOCsXGeoqA8jbJBGFHbZ-9gnNMrxTKdvBBYA2YE8DjZQnmmytYjfvI6RXxSGznyEixKqL025OxV-JNsB6bUkYOjAeQBVd-uF-xU0jMtXlGTESkUFgy5_KPIVwS_FFM__XS8LykTre_eUkO/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy."</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">-- Psalm 98.8</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEixx95xhSZDsh1RLRcECQgqhJ7fzwr7EazlS6M6GDxFIx_W-NwMCBCe9I6C-PlYfJXtIzUR-NCTEM-1Jdta6krCA607I8f48V6hyphenhyphenU6xGEV5GMGUJ8kB44CJTr2NMchBGg7FQOUJPw0x2/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/AVvXsEiVEixx95xhSZDsh1RLRcECQgqhJ7fzwr7EazlS6M6GDxFIx_W-NwMCBCe9I6C-PlYfJXtIzUR-NCTEM-1Jdta6krCA607I8f48V6hyphenhyphenU6xGEV5GMGUJ8kB44CJTr2NMchBGg7FQOUJPw0x2/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Mark 11:23-24</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/AVvXsEilG-syfBy-lteXVhtLgSukx03-k13HUWV5C7EaiBe5gm_g4KvpS1gDGCoBNsUNPuIq_6sA1j2qgMfNTxQuhkDpPYuCwXFZ-onw6IIzJcpo3vOPUzd6oq2jniFfgnN1fFBtUNqAXuqEWlJi/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/AVvXsEilG-syfBy-lteXVhtLgSukx03-k13HUWV5C7EaiBe5gm_g4KvpS1gDGCoBNsUNPuIq_6sA1j2qgMfNTxQuhkDpPYuCwXFZ-onw6IIzJcpo3vOPUzd6oq2jniFfgnN1fFBtUNqAXuqEWlJi/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "'Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Matthew 17:20<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoLXrgUP7k2ChVOQk4L0GiNBbsgxM5-K0y49T-DplYYXc4Ok4iyAZ1NkW0pUp87AChA0DLsyAlAb6Fj9fYJQu5ZwrsfOiblSMrcLMcqkrVpecp9rTgYBoPPzX0GsrTA0xysDdXGc5yZ3A/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoLXrgUP7k2ChVOQk4L0GiNBbsgxM5-K0y49T-DplYYXc4Ok4iyAZ1NkW0pUp87AChA0DLsyAlAb6Fj9fYJQu5ZwrsfOiblSMrcLMcqkrVpecp9rTgYBoPPzX0GsrTA0xysDdXGc5yZ3A/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"The mountains shall bring peace to the people."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Psalms 65:6</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Augusta County, Virginia<br />July 8, 2013

Appalachian Mountains Augusta County fog Shenandoah Valley sunset tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Sunday night ... 'I will lift up mine eyes'

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." --Psalm 121:1  "In his hand are the depths of the eart...

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Thursdays in Staunton 2013: Shakin' at the Station Summer Concert Series

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh73KM3PPQTuOIuM8ttY3xGAHhBZV8Kxdx-q3FZ10XCzjSr3I3wuwzMCf3lF2pPPr1nuPCkUwES72-Cc7YS3NbZvzLl4Q8AhIVQtIm8vhcg6GldqB_AW7-mZHVt2jdZ48vb9HNzE9oVC3Q/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh73KM3PPQTuOIuM8ttY3xGAHhBZV8Kxdx-q3FZ10XCzjSr3I3wuwzMCf3lF2pPPr1nuPCkUwES72-Cc7YS3NbZvzLl4Q8AhIVQtIm8vhcg6GldqB_AW7-mZHVt2jdZ48vb9HNzE9oVC3Q/s400/23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thursday, June 20, 2013 ... Brian Patrick Band.<br />See the <a href="http://vaeagle.com/Shakin__at_the_Station.html">entire summer lineup here</a>.</div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />June 18, 2013

Central Shenandoah Valley ENTERTAINMENT Historic Wharf District Staunton tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Thursdays in Staunton 2013: Shakin' at the Station Summer Concert Series

Thursday, June 20, 2013 ... Brian Patrick Band. See the entire summer lineup here . Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell June 18, 2013

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

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkF3xcGM64XU88alaM5Rzm-oDD8wVFZr03xxeW6p-T-iRpkGnCH3-9F1QJt9TZTNt6NQLHVLvzWial0Ns3Lijmbj7PfvbzvJJipgfuk9LxxC0Cet4VDD7xWh9x02hdomdeyd6lEbPxadC/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkF3xcGM64XU88alaM5Rzm-oDD8wVFZr03xxeW6p-T-iRpkGnCH3-9F1QJt9TZTNt6NQLHVLvzWial0Ns3Lijmbj7PfvbzvJJipgfuk9LxxC0Cet4VDD7xWh9x02hdomdeyd6lEbPxadC/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday, June 14 ... spent the day along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park where the mountain laurel and a variety of wildflowers are in full bloom.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIigUHWuL3Li-i7q9gK1PymfLYYfU-mSxTSUt4j-Cs8ju4sNl9eXytw0uwIfwVK0z6eP-HIpHsfJyueNi4rV-xy8co4WpD556mtcUVsruUswXVmD4iqlyKOhTk9K53dW0jtk1xuc_tVipP/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIigUHWuL3Li-i7q9gK1PymfLYYfU-mSxTSUt4j-Cs8ju4sNl9eXytw0uwIfwVK0z6eP-HIpHsfJyueNi4rV-xy8co4WpD556mtcUVsruUswXVmD4iqlyKOhTk9K53dW0jtk1xuc_tVipP/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlf2xNe1dWs84TcBiAB6UGosonG-bLktdyvHTiaqk4eZw4DJ33BgvvugsrOGu4y_B1n-pzCcxrnV5WBdxIYWn5Fdc2cWaQb_eV7VUM5dYLjhVx4TlQSvMKVo0XzUD8EaiZcb9BrXpMYeP/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlf2xNe1dWs84TcBiAB6UGosonG-bLktdyvHTiaqk4eZw4DJ33BgvvugsrOGu4y_B1n-pzCcxrnV5WBdxIYWn5Fdc2cWaQb_eV7VUM5dYLjhVx4TlQSvMKVo0XzUD8EaiZcb9BrXpMYeP/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwjtFtVPeAWqB_jQtSDkdtQCdIvvAouuu6E-UUIl7_7g3Dw9SPcrD7JZfI6D18gsFUnaRlK78XMzmnvn1SNnoWwxv6sNnw371AlgIezobH2azycSg-y8G8uscQstqZPsN5FlqHT16gGzb/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwjtFtVPeAWqB_jQtSDkdtQCdIvvAouuu6E-UUIl7_7g3Dw9SPcrD7JZfI6D18gsFUnaRlK78XMzmnvn1SNnoWwxv6sNnw371AlgIezobH2azycSg-y8G8uscQstqZPsN5FlqHT16gGzb/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Camp site at Loft Mountain as campers began arriving. It will be a great weekend with cool temps, low humidity, and sunny weather.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYIynR86C_faWXS5j26nIvY_42Yw6XgChyhormT53SZGhB8WwiUM1fCHE1nuEvQIgxpfCP2O1a4EE5XqgmytyUftVIQ42FcUgN5JxmKYQ103ttrgH1DPDEzBru7Uatu1uRtAC3R88tLy1/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYIynR86C_faWXS5j26nIvY_42Yw6XgChyhormT53SZGhB8WwiUM1fCHE1nuEvQIgxpfCP2O1a4EE5XqgmytyUftVIQ42FcUgN5JxmKYQ103ttrgH1DPDEzBru7Uatu1uRtAC3R88tLy1/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xyeMguDaMLzHgKzDYLdPI9NRU6yYPtiSB0W4J6vBXkddQTvD5LAsKbqkvJuCYG15eZSUQkk_XMB5Nf6QHQG1FONTdGod3cm7y4kLMsqcO57v2o18Hq5wUNFzMG7B8QTijN2b6dvwfL33/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xyeMguDaMLzHgKzDYLdPI9NRU6yYPtiSB0W4J6vBXkddQTvD5LAsKbqkvJuCYG15eZSUQkk_XMB5Nf6QHQG1FONTdGod3cm7y4kLMsqcO57v2o18Hq5wUNFzMG7B8QTijN2b6dvwfL33/s640/5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qFEYxe19WHgNJeRN9V2THUG40J58MKvzj1DAqUSFbHF7RLx4pBi46Zxd8VOQvzOGDHvuxUJJVY7LooqBii-P9x_sON29vXhH439h01rtBuJnMk5zJF5-ClXVVULatudVgp5BXWUuhPlB/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qFEYxe19WHgNJeRN9V2THUG40J58MKvzj1DAqUSFbHF7RLx4pBi46Zxd8VOQvzOGDHvuxUJJVY7LooqBii-P9x_sON29vXhH439h01rtBuJnMk5zJF5-ClXVVULatudVgp5BXWUuhPlB/s640/6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABA6-vck3yGRxzrkoEj3K6MMapQqTvmSA-gt0nqteDpVWp-h4uBTfYa218gamFz7fgivB2bNs4gSDBSeRjAqeWyzkJDooUUAGiVy_pjvCCWaIJshnB4oy5hiVfK-M-9zVOQKuI6m5k0MF/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABA6-vck3yGRxzrkoEj3K6MMapQqTvmSA-gt0nqteDpVWp-h4uBTfYa218gamFz7fgivB2bNs4gSDBSeRjAqeWyzkJDooUUAGiVy_pjvCCWaIJshnB4oy5hiVfK-M-9zVOQKuI6m5k0MF/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFUjmfMABJWbf2SAC1sxVXKoq-hkLNlijsSFpDow8P7nC9YSZiIFqBUI4KDgAjmjT44dknHNmwn6qVe7q3cp6fUGUiJsTBCMIDWFslKGq28Q4EgLe51kYgSsUvOgBdR4Ef7SAkTH0Zs8P/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFUjmfMABJWbf2SAC1sxVXKoq-hkLNlijsSFpDow8P7nC9YSZiIFqBUI4KDgAjmjT44dknHNmwn6qVe7q3cp6fUGUiJsTBCMIDWFslKGq28Q4EgLe51kYgSsUvOgBdR4Ef7SAkTH0Zs8P/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking at Waynesboro in the Shenandoah Valley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu9yMocHpgDk1BlncAw8DS25LYA9KOR7wz717xjl1PjruADaF9LgOMB5DMYsUBRBJe5H9tI8K6gE1vIY7lvjo_AJPjsgRakXWGcrodbQMhxqeVsUg-cnoWy4wkKDCbMbHQ3XPEb8iLumT/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu9yMocHpgDk1BlncAw8DS25LYA9KOR7wz717xjl1PjruADaF9LgOMB5DMYsUBRBJe5H9tI8K6gE1vIY7lvjo_AJPjsgRakXWGcrodbQMhxqeVsUg-cnoWy4wkKDCbMbHQ3XPEb8iLumT/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7XhVFrHE7vh15uCOBCU3IOkJPdtytlHBRhVx8qwhb0g375L0OljVFDYkn0NbHB_UocYTlO-q-t8YqC6clYpyxi_WAMmghtJQblNDU4YaUBKOwHHa8f2anubzyn256YcWjW4SYQjIZXLg/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7XhVFrHE7vh15uCOBCU3IOkJPdtytlHBRhVx8qwhb0g375L0OljVFDYkn0NbHB_UocYTlO-q-t8YqC6clYpyxi_WAMmghtJQblNDU4YaUBKOwHHa8f2anubzyn256YcWjW4SYQjIZXLg/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Shenandoah National Park<br />June 14, 2013

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

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

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