Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021 - 37

MUCH MORE TO SEE IN VIRGINIA...

)) Virginia
Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area
Ride the highest elevation road in the
state in this 200,000-acre protected
wilderness area. Or explore the 500 miles
of trails, including a hike on 60 miles
of the Appalachia Trail and a ride on
horseback for 67 miles of the Virginia
Highland Horse Trail. From the New River
in the east to the summit at 5,729 feet,
biodiversity is rich. In particular, the High
Country is renowned for its meadows,
spruce and fir forests, rocky outcroppings
and wild ponies. fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/
recarea/?recid=77722

Beagle Ridge Herb Farm
Spend the day in this mountain valley
haven of specialized gardens spread across
160 acres in Wytheville. The beauty and
aromas abound at the Lavender walk,
water garden, Cottage garden, Tea garden,
ABOVE: Witness wild ponies at Mt. Rogers.
BELOW: Take a " growing " class at Beagle
Ridge Gardens and Herb Farm.
RIGHT: Tap into deliciousness on the Virginia
Maple Syrup Trail, Highland County.
BEAGLE RIDGE HERB FARM

)) Natural Chimneys Park and Campground, Mt. Solon. Plan an overnight
stay to marvel at the seven, 120-foot
rock " chimneys " (that reveal 500 million
years of geological history) during the
day, and stargaze the night sky after
dark.
)) Museum of the Shenandoah Valley,
Winchester. Learn about local heritage
inside, and explore 90 acres (including
a seven-acre garden of roses, perennials,
vegetables, and water features) outside
via three miles of trails.
)) Jackson River Scenic Trail, Covington. Take the whole family for a
day-hike on this old railroad bed trail (of
crushed smooth gravel) adjacent to the
river; wheelchair accessible.
)) Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, Harrisonburg. Visit diverse habitats of 100+-yearold forest trees, perennial, herb and
wildflower gardens, wetland habitats,
a greenhouse and nursery, and relax at
the pavilion and tree terrace.
)) Rich Hole Wilderness Trail, Lexington. For a rocky steep challenge, hike or
bike this 5.9-mile trail to the summit of
Brushy Mountain; and bring a camera!
)) Museum of Geosciences, Blacksburg.
View the largest display of Virginia
minerals in the state with over 14,000
items including gemstones, fossils and
geophysical instruments.
)) Fenwick Mines Trails, Craig County.
Enjoy a leisurely walk through hardwood forests and beside swamp and
marsh habitats for wildlife and wildflower viewing on two trails.
)) Big Walker Mountain Lookout Tower,
Wytheville. Brave the 100-foot-observation tower for a bird's-eye view of the
mountains.
)) Woodpecker Ridge Nature Center,
Troutville. Get the binoculars ready
to scan for dozens of bird species in
hardwood forests, open fields, ponds,
evergreen stands and from the hawkwatch platform.
)) Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge.
Famous for hundreds of years, plan a
stop at this 215-foot naturally carved
limestone gorge that is listed as One
of the Seven Natural Wonders of the
Modern World.
)) John C. Wells Planetarium and Meteorite Collection, Harrisonburg. Journey
where no one has gone (yet) in a total
immersion, advanced digital technology
experience for a " real " view of the cosmos; and see the collection of unusual
meteorites in the lobby.
)) Mill Mountain Park, Roanoke. Plan
a weekend around this 900-acre urban

locale that includes 10 miles of trails,
scenic overlooks, a wildflower garden,
Discovery Center and the Mill Mountain
Zoo.
)) Highland County. For a panorama of
high ridges and wide valleys, visit this
location-one of the least populated
counties in the eastern U.S.; and pick
up some local maple syrup while you're
there.
BACK CREEK FARMS

)) Back of the Dragon, Tazewell. Hug
the ribbon curves (400 of them!) on
32 miles of two-lane mountain road
famous amongst riding enthusiasts for
the thrills and the views.
)) Trail Circuit - Cobbler Mountain/
Muddy Run/Jackson River Gorge, Hidden
Valley. Experience the geological diversity with a hike up mountains, across
suspension bridges, beside wetlands
and through gorges.
)) Science Museum of Western Virginia,
Roanoke. Stop in and gain knowledge
about physics, geology, weather and
the human body in this accessible-for-all
facility, which also hosts a native pollinator butterfly garden.
)) Dehart Botanical Gardens, Stuart.
At this 172-acre nature preserve, where
holistic eco-sustainability is the mission,
enjoy a mountain-waterfall loop trail to
watch for over 400 species of plants and
wildlife.
)) Breaks Interstate Park, Breaks. Plan
a trip to see the canyon geology five
miles long, 1,600 feet deep, shared with
Kentucky and representative of the Appalachian Plateau in this location.
)) P. Buckley Moss Gallery, Waynesboro. Enjoy the creativity of this artist's
vision and inspiration derived from the
imagery, both natural and cultural, of
the Shenandoah Valley.
)) Devil's Marbleyard, Natural Bridge
Station. For the ultimate in " bouldering "
in nature, check out the 500-millionyear-old Antietam Quartzite rock slide
with rocks as large as cars and 30-foot
crevasses.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021