Blue Ridge Outdoors July 2017 by Summit Publishing

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July 2017 DEPARTMENTS

10 FLASHPOINT Can the Atlantic Coast Pipeline be stopped? Attorneys and activists await FERC’s final decision this month. 17 THE DIRT The widow versus the pipeline • Mirna Valerio is shattering every possible stereotype about runners, African-Americans, and the South • Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument threatened 34 THE GOODS Pro photographer Derek DiLuzio picks his top travel gear. 74 TRAIL MIX Steel Wheels musicians share their favorite Blue Ridge biking routes. COVER PHOTO BY

FEATURES 23 COAL COUNTRY’S SECRETS A fossilized human bone uncovered in Kentucky leads a wildlife biologist to investigate why the past is so present in Appalachia. Photo courtesy of Bill Crabtree Jr., Virginia Tourism Corp.

8 QUICK HITS Hungry bear honks horn • Ocoee whitewater releases saved • The recreation economy generates $887 billion

STEVE YOCOM

25 HAVE CAR, WILL TRAVEL Road trips aren’t just for families anymore. The following roadlifers are artists, athletes, and master tinkerers, and their adventuremobiles range from DIY buildouts to top-of-theline off-roading rigs. 59 THE NEXT GREAT MOUNTAINS TOWNS Will Staunton or Spruce Pine be the next Asheville or Roanoke? Add these undiscovered destinations to your summer road trip itineraries. 67 HUMANS OF THE A.T. Photographer Caroline Leland captures 12 of this year’s thru-hikers in words and images.

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CONTRIBUTORS

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ED ITOR I N C H I E F

LEAH WOODY

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FIRST ROAD TRIP?

WILL HARLAN

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07.17

MEGAN JORDAN

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Editorial & Production JEDD FERRIS

HANNAH COOPER My dad took me and three older brothers from Colorado to Mexico. They told me that while I was sleeping, they had hit several people and they were all duct taped under the car. I cried through Arizona.

S EN I O R E D ITOR

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PAIGELEE CHANCELLOR

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RACHEL WOOLWORTH, GRAHAM AVERILL, LAURA INGLES, WADE MICKLEY, DAVE STALLARD, JEFF KINNEY C O P Y E D ITO RS

RACHEL WOOLWORTH, ROBERT MCGEE Advertising & Business SE N I OR AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E

MARTHA EVANS

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MELISSA GESSLER

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STILL CRAZY After 30 Years! 1987

KATIE HARTWELL My first true road trip was when I was 18. I drove from Virginia Beach to Colorado with my brother. We were in a Geo Metro without A/C in the middle of summer, and I still can't believe we didn't kill each other.

2017

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Join us as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary providing great chairs and gear to people all over the world...from the mountains to the seas, and everywhere in between! #MYFIRSTTIME

LEAH WOODY When I was about 10, we packed up the car and when we got to the end of the driveway at our home in Virginia my parents flipped a coin for North or South. We ended up eating lobsters in Maine 2 days later. DANIELLE TAYLOR After college, my dog and I spent a month exploring out West. We camped or slept in the back of the pickup every night, and the trip gave me a much fuller perspective on the spectacular country I call home.

2017 ROAD TOUR

ROBERT MCGEE Big Bend National Park during my childhood in Texas. My mother told really scary stories she made up late at night. I'm still tired from not being able to sleep.

FIND US THIS MONTH AT:

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JULY 7-9 • COPPER MOUNTAIN, COLORADO

STEVEN MCBRIDE Picture this—6 people in late 1970’s Ford LTD departing from North Carolina for a 16+ day road trip through New England and Canada, pre electronics and cell phones. Lived. JESS DADDIO My extended family lives just far enough away to rarely visit but not far enough away to justify flying. By the time I was 13, I'd vowed to never drive to Alabama again, though of course, on the eve of my 18th birthday, road tripping to Florida seemed completely reasonable.

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STEVEN YOCOM I injured myself on a jump while snowboarding at Tahoe. Since I couldn't ride, I set off for Yosemite. That trip changed my life and sparked a serious love for the outdoors. J U LY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

QUICK HITS

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SHORTS BLUE RIDGE BRIEFS BY JEDD FERRIS RUNNER JOURNEYS ACROSS AMERICA FOR VETERANS

In early May, 57-yearold Alan Barlow set off on a cross-country run from the coastal town of Cannon Beach, Oregon, towards Virginia Beach, Va. Bartow undertook the 3,400-mile feat with the goal of raising $50,000 for the nonprofit organization Building Homes for Heroes, which provides mortgagefree new homes and renovations to veterans. In a pre-run statement Bartow said: “Many small actions over time create change, and I am hopeful my small contribution with this run across the United States brings more awareness to the needs of our nation’s veterans and the outstanding work of Building Homes for Heroes.” Bartow, a retiree who lives in Concord, New Hampshire, attempted an unsupported run across America in 2015, but he called it quits after finishing 952 miles in 39 days, succumbing to exhaustion and “poor route decisions.” Follow his current run at AlansJourney2017.com

TENNESSEE TEACHER CYCLES CROSS COUNTRY TO GETS KIDS ON BIKES

Immediately following the school year, biology teacher Noah Naseri set off on a two-month cycling trip across the country, starting in Yorktown, Va., with the goal of riding all the way to San Francisco. Naseri, who teaches at Chuckey-Doak High School near Johnson City, Tenn., is riding to raise funds to start a high school mountain bike team in the Tri-Cities. Naseri, who plans to reach the Bay Area by the end of the month, told the Johnson City Press he hopes to raise just under 8

illustration by WADE MICKLEY

$7,000 to pay for bikes, jerseys, and licensing fees for student bikers. Before he even started pedaling, the local biking community rallied to help him raise nearly half of that amount. Once he returns home, Naseri wants to have a team ready to compete this fall. Support the cause RideForKids2017.weebly.com

NEW DEAL KEEPS RAFTS FLOATING ON THE OCOEE

Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River is big business in Tennessee— contributing 600 jobs and $3.57 million to the state every year, while also generating $44 million in economic activity in the area around the river. But a dispute between the industry and the Tennessee Valley Authority nearly put the future of running rapids in jeopardy. The TVA had long been claiming it needed to raise the price it charged outfitters to divert water from its dam to keep the Ocoee whitewater stretches running—in order to make up for lost power production revenues— and was planning to do so in 2019. River outfitters argued that increased charges would likely put them out of business. Fortunately, after state and federal government intervention, a deal has been reached: the state will pay the TVA for power shortfalls and provide oversight of commercial river guides.

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U LY 2 017

The outfitters will then pay the state 10 percent of the cost of a river trip. HUNGRY BEAR HONKS HORN

A young black bear looking for food managed to open a car door and climb into the vehicle at a residential home in Roanoke, Va. The owners

were startled at 5 a.m. on May 12 when the bear, stuck, started honking the car’s horn. After authorities were called, a police officer opened the car’s back door and the 200-pound bear ran out of the vehicle and into the woods. This was just one of multiple bear sightings in Roanoke this past spring. Last month, a bear was spotted in a tree downtown, and soon after, a bear seen lingering around the Virginia Transportation Museum had to be tranquilized and removed.

BY THE NUMBERS ECONOMICS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION In late April, the Outdoor Industry Association released the Outdoor Recreation Economy report, a comprehensive study of outdoor recreation’s impact on consumer spending and employment. The organization analyzed the impact of 10 activity categories that make up the outdoor recreation economy, including camping, snow sports, water sports, wheel sports, and trail sports, which includes hiking and backpacking, climbing and running more than three miles. Below are some key numbers from the report:

$887 Billion

331 Million

Consumer spending generated by the outdoor recreation economy annually.

Number of people who visit national parks every year.

$65.3 Billion

145 Million

Federal tax revenue generated by the outdoor recreation economy annually.

Number of Americans who participate in outdoor recreation every year.

$59.2 Billion State and local tax revenue generated by the outdoor recreation economy annually.

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7.6 Million American jobs created by the outdoor recreation economy.

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Nellysford, VA | Mills River, NC

FLASHPOINT

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KEYSTONE OF THE EAST CAN THE ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE BE STOPPED? BY LAURA INGLES

IT’S THE KEYSTONE OF THE EAST.

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a proposed 600-mile natural gas pipeline with a route stretching from Lewis County, West Virginia to Northampton County, North Carolina. It’s a collaborative venture between five of the largest utilities in the Mid-Atlantic—Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, Virginia Natural Gas and Public Service Company of North Carolina. Since Dominion Energy is the partner with the leading ownership percentage, Dominion is responsible for constructing and operating the pipeline. Supporters of the pipeline say it will boost the economy and meet a growing demand for natural gas energy. Opponents say it will violate the Clean Water Act and private property rights, threaten drinking water supplies, and put natural resources at risk. The pipeline also is a massive investment in a fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when renewables are on the rise. The opposition is vocal and ready to file appeals if the project is approved. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will release an environmental impact report in July, which could determine whether the pipeline can proceed. Environmental groups are already poised to take legal action.

FLIP-FLOP

Initially, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) planned to conduct a thorough environmental review of the pipeline through the Commonwealth. An April 6 press release from the Virginia 10

THE ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE WILL CROSS THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL AND CUT A 13-MILE SWATH THROUGH GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST.

Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced that the state agency would facilitate a site-specific regulatory review for the pipeline which would include detailed plans for each of the hundreds of water crossings in compliance with the Clean Water Act. Then in May, DEQ reversed course and announced that they would not be performing a review of the pipeline’s impact. DEQ will instead rely on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to examine stream crossings. The review will be more narrowly limited than what was originally promised, and the Army Corps of Engineers “generally authorizes pipeline projects under a previously issued blanket nationwide permit without analysis of individual stream crossings or the cumulative effects of multiple stream crossings.” “The DEQ allowed the public to operate under the assumption that it was going to step up and do its job properly,” says Rick Webb, program director of the Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition. Webb doesn't believe the pipeline can be designed and constructed in compliance with regulations outlined by the Clean Water Act. “I think what's happening is a manifestation of Dominion's resistance to providing detailed plans. An agency cannot make an informed decision unless it reviews detailed plans.”

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U LY 2 017

"We've looked at every single water body crossing, we have specified which method we're going to use to cross it,” responded Dominion spokesperson Aaron Ruby. “But sitespecific plans are not typically part of the environmental review process for a project like this.” On June 6, the Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition filed suit against the DEQ in state circuit court. DPMC is asking the court to rule that the DEQ issued a certification for construction of the ACP in state waters without legal authority to do so and without ensuring the protection of water quality.

OUT OF COMMISSION

Ultimately the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determines whether the project will move on to the construction phase. “FERC is an agency that has a history of approving projects that get presented to it,” said Southern Environmental Law Center attorney Greg Buppert. “The best case scenario is FERC listens to the issues we've raised and decides not to approve this pipeline, but no one working on this project is naive enough to think that will happen.” FERC is composed of five members: two Republicans, two Democrats, and a chair who represents the President's political party, though spokesperson Tamara Young says

the commission operates and makes decisions entirely outside of politics. “I know sometimes folks claim that we rubber-stamp projects. But I would challenge anyone to find an order that demonstrates that,” Young said. “While the commission may approve a number of projects, which is the whole reason behind the Natural Gas Act, no project goes out the way it comes in.” Regardless of its reputation, the commission hasn't been doing much of anything lately—FERC must achieve a quorum in order to vote on an issue, and Young said FERC hasn't been able to make any decisions since former chairman Norman Bay left in February. In May of this year, President Donald Trump appointed Neil Chatterjee, a senior energy adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Rob Powelson, a Pennsylvania regulator, to take positions on the commission that will expire in 2021 and 2020, respectively. According to Young, the confirmation of FERC members can take upwards of six months. But if all goes according to plan, FERC will release its Environmental Impact Statement in July, which gives other federal agencies until October 19 to make their decisions and thus putting Dominion on track to begin construction this fall. “We do read and pay attention to what the public states,” Young said. “We want to hear what the public has to say about our proposals, and it does make an impact. Sometimes a better proposed route is created because of the public comments.”

SPEAK FOR THE TREES?

FERC’s Environmental Impact Statement will outline the impact that the proposed project would have on forest lands as well as on non-federal lands. The U.S. Forest Service can play an important role in determining whether the pipeline can pass through

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FLASHPOINT

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its lands. As proposed, the pipeline would cross the George Washington National Forest in Bath, Highland and Augusta counties in Virginia and the Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. According to Forest Service Staff Officer JoBeth Brown, should the commission allow the project to proceed, the Forest Service will use the EIS to determine whether to authorize construction and operation of the pipeline on its lands.

ON THE BATTLEFIELD

John Hutchinson of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District hopes that a federally mandated consultation process will ultimately be the end of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effect of a construction project on historic properties; the process involves

identifying historic properties, assessing the adverse effects and creating solutions to those adverse effects. The pipeline's proposed route cuts through the McDowell Battlefield in Highland County Virginia, along with several other historic resources within the district. Hutchinson believes the Section 106 process will bring to light enough areas of concern to prevent the pipeline from being built. As far as he's concerned, Dominion may be following “the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law.” According to Julie Langan of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR), an agency that plays a role in the Section 106 consultation, the identification stage is well underway. The route has been adjusted more than once to avoid historic properties, but she's less convinced that any properties on the list will be grounds for Dominion to pull the plug on the project. “My expectation is that there's still going to be some properties that are going to be affected that there's not

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U LY 2 017

any way to mitigate,” she said. Dominion has hired independent contractors to conduct a study of impact on historic resources, and the VDHR will offer mitigation guidance.

GROWING DEMAND?

Dominion spokesperson Aaron Ruby cited a “growing need for natural gas” in the region as the primary driving force behind the pipeline, and said the existing infrastructure simply cannot accommodate the demand. “There's no way for existing pipelines that currently serve Virginia and North Carolina to meet that huge, growing need,” Ruby said. SELC's Greg Buppert doesn't agree. “Dominion is doubling down on natural gas at a time that doesn't make sense,” Buppert said, noting that renewable energy is becoming increasingly affordable. “The answer is not a $6 billion investment in a pipeline that will lock our region into gas.” Instead, Buppert would like to see Dominion use existing infrastructure

to meet what he predicts will be a short-term need for gas while “at the same time not discouraging investment in renewables.” “What we know is that existing infrastructure and pipelines are not operating at capacity,” he said. “According to analysis that we've done, we think there's capacity in the region to meet the demand at least through the year 2030. In other words, we don't need this pipeline right now.” According to Buppert, the SELC has conducted extensive analyses comparing Dominion's electricity demand models with projections by an independent consultant—PJM Interconnection—and what they've uncovered is a significant discrepancy. PJM projects the likely electricity demand to be about 2.2 natural gas power plants less than Dominion's projections. That amount comprises the entire additional demand Dominion is claiming for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline “If that's not a real demand, I think

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FLASHPOINT

WAYS TO STOP THE PIPELINE

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ATTACK FERC

FERC has a priority conflict. It regulates the same industry that reimburses its operating costs through annual charges and fees, and because it’s mandated to ensure the lights stay on, it’s a partner to the industry it regulates. FERC has authorized the arrest of uncooperative landowners, the taking of property to facilitate exports, and the permitting of pipelines through permanently protected conservation areas and near schools and across state and national park lands. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network is leading a collaboration to take legal action against FERC. “Fracked gas pipelines are soon to be obsolete,” says the Delaware Riverkeeper Network’s Maya van Rossum. “Investing in their construction and allowing all the devastation that they require is a bad decision.” there's good evidence Dominion is inflating its numbers,” Buppert said. “If that's not a real demand, we don't need this pipeline in Virginia.” The SELC has also taken a look at the North Carolina numbers projected by Duke Energy, and Buppert said they've come up with more of the same. “The combination of overestimates by Duke and Dominion raises serious questions about the public necessity for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.” As for the SELC's next move? That depends heavily on what transpires in the coming months, but Buppert has little confidence in FERC and its process. “We're raising important issues, and I think these issues will be resolved in an inadequate way by the commission that will be vulnerable to a legal challenge,” he said. “Of course we'll be monitoring the docket to see what goes on and responding when it's necessary or appropriate to address issues. We're definitely not going to take our eye off the ball.” 14

RESORT TORT

Dominion's proposed route for the pipeline will cross less than 100 feet from the entrance to Wintergreen Resort, a four-season mountain resort and the single largest employer in Nelson County. Friends of Wintergreen was established about 18 months ago in response to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline proposal. “We're all quite alarmed on a number of levels,” says Friends of Wintergreen chairman Jon Ansell. “It would completely violate what Wintergreen is all about.” That alarm is rooted in three primary damaging aspects that the organization believes the pipeline will have on the Wintergreen area: economic, safety and environmental. The development of a 150-room hotel and conference center at Wintergreen and another hotel in nearby Nellysford have been “delayed indefinitely because it's just not viable given the impact of the pipeline.” Ansell said the two projects combined would have brought $75 million in

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U LY 2 017

DEFEND NEPA

Every agency in the executive branch of the federal government must follow the provisions of NEPA. It requires environmental reviews, disclosure of environmental impacts to the public, and public involvement in all decisions, especially involving federal lands. The act recognizes “the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and new investment to Nelson County, plus 250 permanent jobs. In contrast, the pipeline is projected to create 39 permanent jobs in Virginia, none of which would be in Nelson County. “We've already commissioned a study and seen that property values in the area have gone down by 10 percent since the pipeline was announced,” said Ansell, adding that that amounts to about $10 million in property taxes. “Now translate that to tax revenues in Nelson County and it's anywhere from $250,000 to a million

development of man.” It makes for informed decision-making, transparency, and accountability. Still, campaigns against NEPA are relentless and increasing. Although recision has failed, opponents have introduced 60 bills attacking NEPA in the past four years and are still trying to narrow its scope. They want time limits, removal of greenhouse gas considerations, fewer alternative options, and less environmental review and public input.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Divest from fossil fuels. Make sure your investments aren’t exploiting the planet and its people. Join organizations across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic in opposing the 50 pipelines planned for the region, including Wild Virginia, Sierra Club, Frack Free NC, Appalachian Voices, APPPL, NC Warn, Friends of Nelson County, and Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition. They are scheduling rallies, protests, and pipeline hikes across the region.

SUPPORT LEGAL ACTION

Organizations like Southern Environmental Law Center and Delaware Riverkeeper Network are spearheading legal challenges to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The courts may be the last and best chance to stop the pipeline. —Ruth Heil

in lost tax revenue every year because of this pipeline.” In terms of safety, Ansell said the proximity of the pipeline to the resort's entrance is a “huge concern.” With upwards of 2,000 people on the property at any given time and only one way back down the mountain, he said, a 42-inch pipeline with a blast radius of one-fifth of a mile would be nothing short of disastrous in case of an explosion. On the environmental side, Ansell said the biggest concerns are landslide

risk and erosion. Much of the land the pipeline would cross is composed of karsts, formations with extensive underground drainage systems, caves and cavern systems. This type of geological landscape is inherently unstable, according to Friends of Wintergreen, thus making it prone to landslides and sinkholes, even without the addition of an underground pipeline. Even without the karsts, they say pipeline construction on mountain slopes as steep as those in the Blue Ridge is precarious at best. The organization also cites potential damage to nearby surface water and underground aquifers, forestland, wildlife habitat and recreational areas as environmental concerns. “All of these point to the fact that this is really not a good place to put it,” Ansell said, noting that most of the organization's proposed routes, which consist mostly of colocation, would add between three and seven miles to the pipeline. “We just think these choices are much better, especially when a forprofit company is going to make profits

THE ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE IS THE LARGEST OF 50 FRACKED GAS PIPELINES PROPOSED FOR THE EAST.

LAT

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at the expense of the livelihood of others in Nelson County.” If you ask Dominion, though, the proposed 600-mile route has already addressed all the pertinent environmental issues. “Before choosing that route we evaluated more than 6,000 miles of potential routes and a lot of those were excluded very early on because of unacceptable levels of environmental impacts, unacceptable impacts to historic and cultural resources, unsuitable terrain for construction and a variety of other constraints,” Ruby said. Even after narrowing it down to a 550-mile route, Ruby said Dominion made adjustments totaling 250 miles over the course of two years to avoid environmentally sensitive areas, incorporate agency feedback, and address individual landowner concerns. “By any measure it has been a thorough and exhaustive process,” Ruby said. “We've left no stone unturned and we've addressed all the important environmental and safety measures that have been raised.”

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THE DIRT

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FACING DOWN DOMINION 84-YEAR-OLD WIDOW FIGHTS FOR HER FAMILY LAND BY NANCY SORRELLS

he grey and green lichen and moss-covered walls of stone meander through the forest like silent sentinels of history. To 84-year-old Hazel Palmer, these centuries-old rock walls embody her struggle against Dominion Energy, the utility that Palmer says will destroy the essence of her family’s mountain land with its natural gas pipeline. Her 125-acre property on the western slopes of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Augusta County has been in Hazel’s family since 1880. Palmer has refused to negotiate with Dominion for an easement on their property. “It doesn’t matter what they offer,” says Palmer. “I just want to keep the land the way it is.” The diminutive, silver-haired great grandmother is soft-spoken. But she has an inner strength that is as tough as those stone walls. Despite being in her eighties, she still rides a fourwheeler up to the top of the mountain to visit the spot marked with a tiny cross where her husband Joe lost his life in a logging accident, and she can scramble down the slopes and over the rock walls as easily as those many years younger. As a child, Palmer lived on the property in the house with her grandparents. “We raised chickens, cows, and pigs. We were self-sufficient. Even after I moved to Lynchburg with my family, I always said that I had a place to go back to if the world got too bad,” she explained. Little did she imagine that the bad of the world would come to her. The first letter from Dominion arrived in February of 2015. She couldn’t believe what she read. “I was devastated,” said Palmer. The

HAZEL PALMER STANDS NEXT TO ONE OF THE STONE WALLS THAT MEANDERS THROUGH THE FOREST ON HER FAMILY’S MOUNTAIN LAND. SURVEY TAPE: DESPITE THE FACT THAT DOMINION SUCCESSFULLY SUED TO SURVEY HER LAND, HAZEL PALMER TOOK HER APPEAL TO THE VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT. NANCY SORRELLS

letter explained Dominion’s plans for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline slated to run 600 miles from fracking wells in West Virginia to Hampton Roads, Va., and into North Carolina. Dominion claims that the pipeline is needed to supply gas-fired power plants, but Palmer doesn’t buy it. There are already plenty of existing pipelines running well below capacity, she says. And no company has ever attempted to build a pipeline of this size through the steep, rugged terrain in West Virginia and western Virginia, including the slopes of the Blue Ridge Parkway where Hazel’s land is situated. The proposed route would clearcut a 125-foot swath diagonally across all three tracts of Palmer’s land to a point just beneath the Blue Ridge Parkway. A trench would be dug for the pipe, and excess dirt and rock excavated from the trench would be hauled back across their property. From Palmer’s property, the company plans to conduct a risky horizontal directional drilling project nearly a mile under the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail. One side of the tunnel will be on the eastern side of the mountain in Nelson County, and the other will be on Hazel’s property at an area that will be leveled

and graded. The company also wants to take over the driveway belonging to her daughter, who also lives on the property, and turn the four-wheeler paths through the mountains into access roads. “It will be like having a four-lane highway through our property. No trees will be allowed to grow back on the 75-foot easement, so it will cause erosion and flooding in heavy rains and thunderstorms,” says Palmer. And the rock walls? Dominion’s construction documents show the pipeline path going through at least one wall. After she received Dominion’s letter, Palmer refused to let Dominion’s surveyors on her property. In Virginia, however, the General Assembly passed a law in 2004 that allows public utilities to survey private property without permission. Dominion sued Palmer for access to her property, and last year, the Augusta County judge ruled in favor of Dominion. Today, a walk up the mountainside reveals pink and orange survey tape fluttering in the forest. But Palmer appealed the case. The Virginia Supreme Court agreed recently to hear the appeal. This time her legal team argued that the

company—Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC—is not a Virginia public utility. Rather, it is a private corporation created in Delaware and therefore should not be allowed to operate under Virginia law. A ruling on the appeal is pending. “I feel like doing what is necessary to fight for my constitutional rights,” says Palmer. “Just don’t try to take something away from me that’s mine.” Palmer is a woman of quiet but resolute religious faith, and she knows well the Biblical story of David and Goliath. Says the 84-year-old Palmer, “I am not afraid to fight.”

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THE DIRT

0 7. 17

FAT GIRL RUNNING MIRNA VALERIO CHALLENGES EVERY POSSIBLE STEREOTYPE ABOUT WEIGHT, AFRICAN-AMERICANS, AND THE SOUTH IN HER NEW MEMOIR BY MASON ADAMS

“T

ikki Tikki Tembo” recounts a folktale in which a boy falls into a well and is rescued by an old man with a ladder who “step over step, step over step” goes into the well, retrieves the boy, and then “step over step, step over step” carries him back out. It turns out that “step over step, step over step” also makes a great mantra for distance runners, according to trailblazing ultramarathoner Mirna Valerio. “It gets me through a lot,” Valerio says. “I don’t necessarily think of that folktale when I’m saying it, but it helps. One foot in front of the other. Step over step.” The mantra accounts for Valerio’s relentless pace on runs and in life. She’s not the fastest, as she’s the first to admit, but the refusal to give up has powered her rise as an athlete, a social media phenomenon, and as of this fall, the author of a muchanticipated memoir. Valerio is a teacher at north Georgia high school. A decade ago, a medical scare inspired her to start running. She signed up for a bunch of races, and in 2012, she ran her first trail marathon. Since then, she’s gone on to run in a series of increasingly longer races, documenting her experiences as “an active larger girl in a thinner world” on her blog, Fat Girl Running. Media outlets started paying attention, and over the last few years Valerio’s profile has grown to the point that, although she shrugs off that term, she’s become something of a trail-running celebrity. “Things have been kind of crazy, in a really really good way,” Valerio

says. “My son is over it, though. He’s 14 years old. I’m like, hey, CNN’s going to be here, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s cool.” These days, she’s training for August’s TransRockies Run, a 6-day trek that covers 120 miles and 20,000 feet of climbing between Buena Vista and Beaver Creek, Colorado. She’s picked up a few sponsors, including Skirtsports, Swiftwick, and Merrell. As a brand ambassador for Merrell, she has also participated in a string of Tough Mudder events in which she charged through 10 miles of obstacles, including crawling through live electric wires. Getting shocked three times in one race “makes you realize how awesome electricity is and makes you wonder how it has the capacity to blow a 245 pound human being over like a dried-out, dead flower,” Valerio wrote on her blog about the experience. Valerio’s appeal—to both sponsors and the more than 12,000 people who follow her on Instagram and other social media—is not surprising: she has refused to let stereotypes about

her race or body shape dissuade her from getting out and taking to the trails, and her unwaveringly positive attitude encourages the idea that, hey, anyone can do this with the right frame of mind. “This is really an extension of what I do as a teacher, which is demonstrating and being a role model,” Valerio says. “I talk about diversity, about implicit bias and sexism and racism. All of that is implicit in what I do in my public life.” Although her story speaks to anyone who’s ever felt discouraged from running (every runner ever, really), it also speaks to a more specific group—African Americans who have felt uncomfortable and even fearful entering the woods, especially in a former state of the Confederacy like Georgia, where Valerio lives.

“Historically, African Americans weren’t always welcomed, and in some respects still aren’t welcomed, in hiking and backpacking,” Valerio says. “When I see someone on the trail who’s black or Latino, I’m like, ‘Hey! How are you? Good to see you!’ We both know what I mean by that ‘good to see you,’ because there’s not enough other people. “It’s still not as welcoming a place as others—not just the woods in themselves, but the whole outdoor culture is not necessarily welcoming. I also get comments from black people: ‘Well, you know we don’t run in the woods. Because the last time we ran in the woods, we got hung.’ Stuff like that, from close friends! That is so collectively in the memory of African Americans. That’s sad and hurtful that people are carrying this baggage with them.” Organizations like Outdoor Afro actively work to change that conversation and experience, and Valerio has made it a part of her mission too. And while she didn’t consciously consider the rich heritage of African American memoirs as she wrote her own, it nonetheless informed the process. It’s not a coincidence, for example, that Valerio signed with Dystel & Goderich Literary Management—the New York City firm that represented Barack Obama on his first book. Valerio’s memoir, A Beautiful Work in Progress, is set to be published by Grand Harbor Press on October 1. With it, she hopes to take her message to an entirely new audience. “I wanted to frame my own narrative,” Valerio says. “My goal in writing it is to show rather than tell people that somebody in my body can do something like this. I wanted to show people that if you want to run in whatever body you have, you can do it. It might be slow, it might be painful, but you can do it. And you are entitled to exercise out in public as you are.”

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THE DIRT

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MONUMENTAL TRAGEDY IS KATAHDIN WOODS AND WATERS NATIONAL MONUMENT ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK? BY JEFF KINNEY

he Department of the Interior is considering removing protections for 27 national monuments covering 11 million acres of land and 760 million acres of ocean. Bears Ears National Monument in Utah has been the headline-grabbing national monument at the center of the debate, and last month, Interior Secretary Zinke recommended substantially shrinking Bears Ears. Another one of the monuments under threat—and the only one in the East that’s currently on the list—is Katahdin Woods and Waters, an 87,600-acre swath of forest in Maine’s North Woods at the terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The monument protects 30 miles of pristine rivers and streams, important wildlife habitat, spruce-fir forests, and unbroken shorelines. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument also protects territory used by Penobscot and Wabanaki Native American tribes. Yet some groups want national monument protections removed from this landscape. Ann Mitchell, president of the Maine Woods Coalition, a logging industry organization, argues that the federal government is using private rights-ofway (which she admits came with the land that comprises the monument) to allow access to the monument, even though the roads were “intended” for logging. She also says there’s “nothing distinctive” about the KWW, that unnamed people she knows were “barred” from public hearings and otherwise not allowed to express their opposition to it, and that the monument is costing the

timber industry money. “Maine has had open access to the timberlands for hundreds of years. It’s a unique situation up here,” she says “We don’t need the federal government taking over.” Maine Governor Paul LePage is also vociferously opposed to the monument, fearing it could lead to the creation of a national park and limit extractive uses of the land. “There is no need for this intrusive land grab from the federal government,” he said. “Make no mistake, the creation of another national park will diminish the ability of Mainers to use the land and Great Ponds in Northern Maine for the traditional activities they have enjoyed for nearly 200 years.” Opponents have also griped about a lack of public participation in national monument designation, but the truth appears to be just the opposite. There actually was a robust public vetting process that lasted for more than five years. This included the largest public meeting on a conservation issue ever held in Maine, convened in May 2016 and hosted by Sen. Angus King (I-ME) and thenDirector of the National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. Nearly 1400 people attended. “The suggestion that there wasn’t enough local input is ludicrous,”

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says Cathy Johnson of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “There was nothing short of tireless public input and engagement in this process.” More than 72 percent of Maine residents say they support the monument. As for the purported danger to the state’s logging industry, this too seems like mostly hand-waving. “The land that makes up the monument was sold to us by logging companies,” says Lucas St. Claire of the Elliotsville Plantation, the Portland-based nonprofit foundation that transferred the land to the Department of the Interior. “If they needed it so badly, why would they sell it? It was very clear what our objectives were prior to the sale.” And if the logging trucks are slightly inconvenienced by tourists, St. Claire pointed out that those people bring money, and lots of it; pulp and paper currently contribute 4.1 percent to Maine’s gross state product, while tourism contributes nearly 21 percent. “There is not one shred of evidence that even a single timber-related job has been lost as a result of the establishment of the monument,” Johnson says. On the other hand, myriad recreation-oriented businesses in the area stand to lose a lot. Take, for example, Three Rivers, which offers whitewater rafting, canoeing,

kayaking, skydiving and other outdoor activities at four different locations in the area of the KWW. “Business has already begun to improve since the monument was created, and real-estate values are increasing,” says owner Joseph Cristopher. “The paper industry has left this area, and this is our best opportunity for a turn-around. It also represents a massive ecological improvement going from timber harvest to conservation.” The ill effects of revoking the monument could even extend tangentially beyond America’s borders. That’s because access to Maine’s part of the International Appalachian Trail, which runs from Mount Katahdin in Maine all the way to the northern-easternmost point of the Appalachian Mountains in Canada, would be imperiled. “The land would still be federally owned, but we’d have to start all over at square one” to route the IAT, says Don Hudson, a founding member of ITA and president of the IAT Maine Chapter. Although no president has reversed a national monument designation, President Trump has broken the mold before. So anything’s possible, and much is at stake. Meanwhile, Johnson and others would like to see the monument become a national park with even higher levels of environmental protection and greater recreational opportunities to benefit local economies. That binary choice—whether to use federal land for lesser shortterm economic gain from resource extraction, or preserve it for its natural beauty and greater long-term economic potential from recreation and tourism—is, of course, at the heart of many land-management decisions in the United States. St. Claire believes the pro-logging and drilling folks in his state simply don’t appreciate what nature has provided, and thus are all too eager to sell it off to the highest bidder. In other words, literally and figuratively, they can’t see the forest for the trees.

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FINDING

COAL COUNTRY'S

SECRETS BY WALLY SMITH

he bones arrived on a Friday afternoon. As a wildlife biologist, it's not uncommon for people to bring me oddities they find here in the Virginia woods. I'll get a turtle shell from time to time, maybe a deer skull or a fossil imprint frozen in a lump of coal. But something was different about the handful of bone fragments a local student brought us after hiking an old railbed above the Powell River. It only took a few minutes for us to figure out why they seemed so strange: they were from a human leg. Certain things happen when you discover human remains. The police are called. Evidence is collected. Questions are asked. Was this a murder victim? How long had the bones been there? No one seemed to know, so we waited while investigators pieced together their history. Artifacts are a core part of our identity in Appalachia. I teach at a small college in the southwest Virginia coalfields, and I'm often asked why those of us in coal country focus so

much on the past. It's a common refrain. J.D. Vance’s bestselling Hillbilly Elegy recently touched off a national discussion about our region being stuck in a regressive cycle of poverty and dependency. Even the 2016 presidential election seemed to be a referendum on whether Appalachia should look forward or inward to its roots. Media profiles have been dissecting us ever since. When I get those kinds of questions, I often point back to that handful of bones. We can't avoid the past here because it's everywhere, hiding unnoticed above a riverbank or in plain sight in the ragged scar of a surface mine. The scattered remains of those mines, in fact, are about all my county is known for outside of the mountains. Read a piece on coal country in the New York Times or Washington Post, and chances are it will be accompanied by a panoramic image of the guts of a surface mine from here in Wise County. When photographers turn their lens on our people, they'll find the most povertystricken neighborhood or visit the free health clinic we host each summer,

where folks file into stalls at the county fairground to get teeth pulled and their vision checked. But rarely mentioned in those articles is what lies beyond the poverty and outside of a mine. Hidden behind the camera in those jarring images of mountaintop removal often isn't more coal extraction but tens of thousands of acres of national forest. Long-forgotten trails trace faintly into shadowed coves that hold secrets, some of them cloaked in virgin timber. And those same people so often caricatured in photo essays and stump speeches are working to enhance our outdoor assets into a sustainable alternative for an industry in its death throes. When you're born and raised in coal country, though, one-sided perceptions take a toll. My students often complain about having nothing to do in this part of the mountains. For many, their degree is a path out of an area that seems too far gone for any real hope. With so much emphasis on our region’s problems, it can be difficult to see past them. So, we take a hike. I'll walk them

up those overgrown trails to see hemlocks some three centuries old. We'll sample wild brook trout from a mountain stream or climb to a lookout tower to not only look at distant surface mines but also peer into the high country of North Carolina and Tennessee. We don't get into the woods to forget or minimize our region's issues; we go there to explore the treasures we still have and what's at stake if they're lost. "I’ve driven by this trailhead a thousand times and never thought about stopping," one of those students told me after a local field trip this spring. “I'll be coming here a lot more now." Few of us are naive enough to think that simply getting onto the trail could save the coalfields. But our hope is that in helping people realize what we still have here, we can each find something out in those woods, whether that means developing a new regional identity or just discovering a missing part of ourselves. Or, perhaps, stumbling across an odd group of bones. It took several months for the investigation into the remains we received to reach a conclusion. The bone fragments were old—ancient, in fact—dating back at least five hundred years to when a Native American man came to rest on a lonely sandstone ledge above the Powell River. A rail line was built just a few yards away after coal was discovered several centuries later. That rail line eventually closed as the industry boomed and faded away, leaving the remains of two eras lying side-by-side in a forgotten part of the mountains that most of our youth have never known. This spring, work began to convert that abandoned railbed into a trail that will be used to attract hikers, mountain bikers, and perhaps one more round of rebirth to these hills. Will it work? It might take a generation to find out, but in the meantime we'll do what we know best: we'll look to where we've been to see if we can figure out where we’re going. In a place that’s been built on uncertainty, transitions are more familiar than they seem.

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HAVE CAR, WILL TRAVEL Four Adventuremobiles and Their Nomads by JESS DADDIO

Road trips aren’t just for families anymore. The following roadlifers are artists, athletes, and master tinkerers. Some are on the road full-time, others only seasonally. Their adventuremobiles come in all shapes and sizes, from DIY build-outs-on-a-budget to top-of-the-line off-roading rigs. Check out their #roadlife journeys and tips for some summer road trip inspiration.

MEET ROXY AND BEN—OUR 2017 LIVE OUTSIDE AND PLAY ROAD TEAM AND RESIDENT VANLIFERS! FOLLOW ALONG WITH THEIR JOURNEY AT BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

GREG VON DOERSTEN

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ANDY WICKSTROM

The Airstream

ANDY + JESS WICKSTROM @EGGTRAVELS For the better part of a decade, life for the Wickstroms was good. Having relocated to Chicago in 2003, the couple worked hard to acquire decent paying jobs, buy a condo, make friends. Their creative careers, by all appearances, were thriving. Jess organized art exhibitions and managed the gallery store at the Lillstreet Art Center, while Andy blossomed alongside a growing coffee company, Intelligentsia, to become its lead designer and multimedia content curator. But all of that city culture needed a little balance, which is 26

exactly what Jess and Andy found in climbing. Nearly every weekend, the Wickstroms piled their gear into the car to make the 7 ½-hour journey one-way to Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. Less than 48 hours later, forearms pumped and fingertips raw, they would load up again for the long trip home. It was an exhausting cycle, but the sense of fulfillment gained after a weekend of climbing made all of those tedious hours behind the wheel worth it. At least, for a little while. “We started longing to have more time outside,” Andy says. “We were kinda feeling burnt out on the drive and wanted to have more freedom. That’s when we started devising a plan with regards to how we would leave the city and what we would do

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U LY 2 017

about work.” Their first thought? Move to Colorado. After all, many of their Chicago-based climbing friends had already settled there, so they would have a fairly established community. But after visiting in 2014 and even scouting a few apartments, Jess and Andy nixed that idea and came up with a better one—take a road trip. “We realized we didn’t want to sign a lease and jump back into work full-time and start the cycle all over,” Andy says. “We started brainstorming ways we could somehow connect adventure with design and helping people, and that’s how we came up with the DesignEgg (designegg.org) project. We wanted to have a purpose on the road and not just a selfish climbing lifestyle.” Between 2014 and 2016, Andy and Jess did just that. After successfully meeting their Kickstarter fundraising goal, the couple bought and renovated a fiberglass Scamp trailer, dubbed it the “DesignEgg,” rented out their condo, and hit the road. Their project attracted the attention of Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit arts service organization. Between Kickstarter donations and the support of Fractured Atlas, Jess and Andy provided over $40,000 of creative services to 29 nonprofit organizations, artists, and entrepreneurs. And, of course, they climbed, from Kentucky to California and everywhere in between. The Wickstroms have since sold their Chicago condo and upgraded the Scamp to a 1969 Airstream, or “Silver Egg,” which serves as both home base and mobile headquarters for their design firm Silver Egg Studios (silver-egg.org). They operate entirely on solar power and coffee. In the colder months, they’re usually posted up in El Paso, Texas, for the warm weather and stellar bouldering, but come fall, it’s back to the Red.

Jess + Andy’s #ROADLIFE Tips PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE.

There’s a reason this is the first principal of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Hitting the road without some

semblance of a plan, however loose, is a recipe for disaster. “Since we’re climbers, our trajectory is roughly based on the climbing season,” Andy says, “but ultimately, wherever we go, even if we like the climbing in one area, if we can’t check our email or place calls, it’s out. Power, food and water, and cell service. If we have those three things, we feel like we’re effective both as employees of our business and as climbers.” MEASURE YOUR POWER NEEDS BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD.

If you’re trying to work remotely like Andy and Jess, plugging into the car’s cigarette outlet or paying for an expensive electric hookup might not cut it for the long term. Silver Egg Studios runs on a Renogy rooftop solar system, but the Wickstroms initially used GoalZero solar panels to offset their energy usage. The key to maximizing your solar power, says Andy, is to invest in roof brackets that allow you to tilt the panels. MAKE WALMARTS, STARBUCKS, AND PUBLIC LAND YOUR FRIENDS.

“Walmarts make really great campsites for your in-transit periods,” says Andy. “They’re right off the highway, they’re everywhere, and they’re free.” The only downside, he adds, is that Walmarts aren’t necessarily the most scenic or conducive to a good night’s sleep. Still, it’s a great place to grab a few hours of shuteye, however fitful. Starbucks are equally accessible with regards to caffeine and WiFi. For backdoor access to recreation at an extremely affordable rate (i.e. free), Andy says all roadlifers should be sure to take advantage of BLM and National Forest land. INCORPORATE SIDE TRIPS.

Whether it’s finding day hikes or hot springs, visiting art museums or good restaurants, mix it up and get a taste of the local flavor. “We kinda get burned out on the culture of climbing here and there,” says Andy. “It’s nice to recharge by talking with people who have other interests.”

BlueRidgeOutdoors

GoOutAndPlay

BlueRidgeOutdoors

JASON SPECHT COMES PREPARED FOR ANY OBSTACLE—NATURAL, MECHANICAL, OR OTHERWISE— AND YOU SHOULD TOO. MOUNTAIN STATE OVERLAND

The Toyota Tacoma JASON SPECHT @MSOVERLAND

Before the road life thing was hip, Jason Specht and his high school buddies were camping out of their trucks on the weekends. Other youthful pastimes like going to the movies or shopping at the mall held little interest with Specht’s crew—if it didn’t involve fishing, dirt roads, and camping, they wanted no part of it. But still, car camping was a weekend thing, a hobby more or less. The idea that camping in the woods with your vehicle could be a marketable concept never crossed Specht’s mind until the year 2013. It was a West Virginia Mountaineers football weekend, and Specht and his friends were posted up with their trucks, some fly rods, a radio for the game, and a deep fryer for the eventual celebratory turkey. The spring rains had washed away any

hope of catching fish, so Specht and his buddies huddled under tents, munching on turkey meat and reminiscing about old times. “Somebody brought up overlanding, which is this concept of roughing it but with car camping that focused on gravel travel and country roads and rural America, and we thought, we have been doing this all of our lives,” Specht says, “why not plan some more trips, I have a camera, and we could just start documenting our adventures?” So they did it. Now, four years later, Mountain State Overland maintains an established adventure travel YouTube video series with over 18,000 subscribers and 45,000 followers on Instagram. Each episode highlights road trips and adventuremobiles up and down the Appalachian chain, oftentimes interweaving the team’s personal interests in renewable energy practices and users. New for Mountain State Overland this year is its overlanding guide service. Specht doesn’t live on the road full-time, though he racks up quite a few trips in his souped-up 2013 Toyota Tacoma. He’s worked through a number of truck build-outs, from

crafting his own full-size bed and drawer system to upgrading the suspension system and adding a hardshell rooftop tent. He says the goal of Mountain State Overland, first and foremost, is to put to rest the “unobtainium” so often associated with the world of overlanding and show viewers the beauty, and affordability, in a DIY mindset. “Those half-million dollar global expedition vehicles are cool, but they’re not practical,” says Specht. “People can buy a 10-year-old 4Runner and create opportunities for travel and adventure here in our backyard. That’s so much more obtainable.”

Jason’s #ROADLIFE Tips GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY.

The fun in road life, whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-timer, is dialing your system. It’s an endless process with constant tweaking and refining. In essence, road life is art. “The more you build, the more you craft whatever’s associated with your van or truck, the more you can connect with the lifestyle,” says Specht. “If you just went out and bought everything from a box store and had somebody put it on your truck, you’re totally not catching the big picture. You’re not identifying with the culture.” INVEST IN TIRES.

For all of Specht’s preaching about DIY, there are a few things he simply cannot build, namely suspension systems and a set of tires. The latter, he argues, are worth the extra attention. “The tires are probably the single most important thing on a vehicle,” says Specht. Know the terrain, and the weather conditions, of where you plan on traveling and find a set of tires to fit those needs. DON’T BUILD IT TILL YOU NEED IT.

Especially in the world of overlanding, Specht has witnessed far too many bug-eyed, gearheads splurging on all of the latest and greatest equipment for their vehicles. But if you don’t need all of that gear,

he argues, haven’t you missed the freedom of simplicity that’s inherent to road life? “As I was going on trips, I’d come back and realize what I need to do to make my experience better,” Specht says. “Don’t go out and buy it or build it until you realize you need it, and then continue to perfect the process indefinitely.” MAKE THE JOURNEY THE DESTINATION.

Roadlifers are often stereotyped as bums and vagabonds, but Specht knows the economic impact travelers can have on small mountain communities. During a recent threeday, 350-mile guided trip, Specht pulled over the convoy in Hillsboro, W.Va., to stock up on fuel. “We rolled in there with seven trucks that all needed a full tank of gas, and that lady at the gas station didn’t know what to do with herself,” says Specht. “They don’t accept credit cards at the pump, they keep transactions in a notepad, and I’m used to that, but everyone else isn’t. They get to live and breathe and smell the culture, and that alone is having a positive impact on the gas station attendant and her lifestyle and everyone else who isn’t used to having a credit card insert. A $1500 bumper and traction pads don’t do anything for you. It’s the fun stuff that happens in between.”

The Vanagon

BROOKE GERMAN + NICK DERRICK @THISVANAGONLIFE Love at first sight might very well be cliché, but for Brooke and Nick, the saying is absolutely true. At least when it came to their 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon. By most standards, the couple’s first sighting of the van should have sent them running in the opposite direction—it had a blown motor and countless forklift dents from its former junkyard home. But Brooke and Nick saw past all of that. Maybe because Nick knows

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a thing or two about automotive paint and bodywork. With the help of Asheville Vee Dub, Nick and Brooke spruced up the van, replaced the engine, built a cabinet system, and eventually added off-road suspension and tires. The couple lived on the road full-time for over four months, traveling from their home in Asheville, N.C., to California and back, where they then lived out of the van on Ocracoke Island during the off-season while fixing up some family property. Transient musicians and artistadventurers at heart, #vanlife suited the couple. Nick was already accustomed to living on the road from a cross-country motorcycle trip he took just months before he met Brooke in 2010. Brooke had never lived on the road per se, but she was used to making the seasonal flop between the Southeast and Park City, Utah, for ski season, so the idea had always appealed to her. Still, that’s not to say the four months they spent on the road were without some teachable moments. “I think there’s this really romantic idea of van life, and in a way, it is romantic, but there are a lot of hardships, too,” Brooke says. “It’s a balance of give and take that’s all worth it when you wake up to the most epic view ever or start a dialogue with people you might not otherwise.” Recently, the couple has come into the possession of a Volkswagen Westphalia, which they intend to take parts and pieces from to continue the Vanagon’s improvements. Among the list of upgrades are a pop-up camper top, a water tank, and a refrigerator. Though Nick and Brooke are back in Asheville for the time being, they’re still scheming road trips both big and large. “When we were in Asheville before, we were getting lost in our careers and we knew that before we got more lost, we just really wanted to experience living on the go,” Brooke says. “Now that we’re stationary and have an actual home, our van is our

All Out Blaze 2 BROOKE GERMAN OF @THISVANAGONLIFE

EXC LUS IVELY AT MERRELL .C O M AND THES E PARTIC IPATING RETAILERS

STEVE YOCOM

vessel for nature, our mobile vacation home. It meets the needs we have and it’s a fun way to get creative.”

Brooke + Nick’s #ROADLIFE Tips BE PREPARED TO LEARN.

Maybe you’re attracted to the DIY nature of living on the road specifically because you have a background in carpentry, automotive repair, or mechanics. Maybe you’re interested in roadlife because it’s a step way outside your comfort zone. Whatever the reason, and whatever your skillset, be prepared to learn regardless. “If you’re going to buy a Vanagon, particularly a Volkswagen, it can be a little bit of a rough road. You definitely need to buy one that’s decently in shape if you don’t want to work on it, which can be upwards of $10,000,” says Nick. “If you’re going to have a van and you’re trying to outfit it by yourself, it’s always going to be a project. You’re always going to change stuff. There’s never really an end, but that’s kinda the joy of it, too.” TAKE IT FOR A TEST RUN.

There’s nothing worse than setting off on your long-anticipated road trip only to arrive at camp and realize you forgot to get batteries for your camp lights or fuel for the stove. “Go camping a lot before you decide to

set off for an extended period of time, because there are so many things you just won’t think of until you really hit the road,” says Brooke. “After a week or two of people thru hiking on the Appalachian Trail, they send back a box of stuff, and we did the same thing.”

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SIMPLIFY YOUR SETUP.

Once you’ve hit the road, you’ll quickly realize what gear you need to have and what gear you don’t. Living out of a vehicle, whether it’s a Honda Element or a Ford Transit, forces you to downsize, and the more you simplify, the easier roadlife will be. “It took us a long time to figure this out, but you should minimalize your set up time,” says Nick. “The faster you can setup and be comfortable, fast as in 10-15 minutes, is crucial if you ask me.”

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CONNECT WITH THE CULTURE.

Living out of a vehicle, whether it’s a Volkswagen Vanagon or a minivan, is not only widely accepted, but downright hot. Everybody and their moms are living on the road, it seems. Facebook is a great place to start connecting with these likeminded wanderers. Nick and Brooke utilized the Facebook group Vanagon Owners for sourcing information about the build-out process in particular. “It’s

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Gear Journal - JULY 2017

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The days are long and the adventures longer now that we are out West. The adult playground that is the entire state of Colorado never ceases to exceed our expectations: We’ve been hiking, biking, backpacking and enjoying the afternoon rain showers. (What better way to replace regular showers?) Now, check out some of the gear that keeps us moving and grooving in the Wild West.

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amazing because you have a whole community of people who have either experienced your specific problem themselves or who can at least help answer the question,” says Brooke.

The Sprinter Van SARAH WOOD @SARAHNWOODY

Between 2012 and 2016, Sarah Wood was on the road. A lot. As Executive Director for the adventure film festival 5Point Film Fest, Wood frequented airplanes and friends’ couches more than her home in Carbondale, Colo. It seems like a pretty rad job, and it is, but the dayto-day reality of that type of on-thego work doesn’t always lend itself to the cool activities it promotes. “I was on the road over 200 days a year, and it really didn’t make sense for me to keep an expensive little studio apartment,” Wood says. “Plus, there were lots of opportunities I missed on the road because I couldn’t always take my bike or my skis. In a way, I was sacrificing some of my personal health and satisfaction. The work-life balance was really out of whack for me because when I was traveling, I couldn’t participate in these outdoor communities like I wanted to.” It was her dad that came up with

the solution—buy a van and ditch the apartment. Wood had already been thinking about the idea, so it didn’t take much for her to make the leap. Not long after making the decision, she found a partially built-out 2006 Dodge Sprinter in Denver, and within a week, she had the keys to her new mobile home. The van was already insulated and came complete with solar power, but the bed was too big, especially if Wood was going to store her bike inside (one of her top priorities, of course). A Jane-of-all-trades, Wood herself replaced the flooring, cut the bed down in size, and installed a sweet six-speaker sound system (having previously worked in the music industry, this was a nonnegotiable splurge), all for less than $2300. “I grew up in a handyman’s home. My dad was constantly pulling me in on projects around the house, so I’m familiar with how to use power tools,” Wood says. “That part wasn’t intimidating. The intimidating part was making the decision on the final layout, because once I’m in it, I don’t have time to mess around.” After two weeks of mostly trialand-error design, Vanna White, as Wood’s Sprinter came to be called, was complete. From October 2015 through September 2016, Wood traveled throughout North America, from Asheville to Squamish and

Banff, racking up over 30,000 miles in her new rig. She mostly traveled solo, unless you count her two-wheel steed as a copilot, and while many have a hard time envisioning such an immense amount of alone time, Wood says that was her saving grace. “I know that’s not for everybody, but when you can turn off after a hard day of meetings or driving or phone calls and constant interaction, for me, I needed that space to myself,” Wood says. “I had no lack of offers for spare bedrooms and couches, and my network has since become much larger because of the vanlife lifestyle and working through the outdoor industry, but I operate best with a pretty healthy dose of solitude.” After the 2016 season of 5Point Film Fest, Wood took a job with Industry Nine in Asheville, where she now works as an Instigation Engineer for the bicycle components manufacturer. Vanna White still gets plenty of action, and sometimes Wood will hit the road for a few days a week, just for the hell of it.

Sarah’s #ROADLIFE Tips DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP.

Even if you’re like Sarah and have plenty of experience in the way of carpentry or machinery, making a van, or any vehicle for that matter, livable is a different beast. “None of my lines were straight, but they’re close enough. For me, I was really stoked about the challenge of figuring this out, but I was under a deadline, too,” says Wood. “I didn’t have a lot of time to think through all of the little things,” like roadlife hacks that seasoned vanlifers might already know. BRING A BIKE.

This is especially true for the longterm roadlifers who plan to be on the go for more than a week. If your mode of transportation is also your home, it can be a little cumbersome to move it once you’ve set up camp. For Wood especially, having her bike allowed her to break up the long trek from coast to coast. “I would line up my route from point A to

point B so that my drive included a trail somewhere in the middle of the day,” says Wood. “Like Kansas, for example, has this really cool 20+-mile singletrack system right off I-70. It’s literally 20 minutes off the highway and I’d hit it every time. That made traveling way more digestible and keeps your head in a good space.” PAY ATTENTION TO TIME ZONES.

If you’re crossing through multiple states, be aware of when you leave and when you predict you’ll be passing through an urban area. Wood always made note of major cities along her route and tried to avoid rush hour in those areas. “If I’m going east especially, I get up an hour earlier because I know I’m losing time,” adds Wood. USE WHATEVER CAR YOU’VE GOT.

If you’re feeling all inspired to go out and drop 10 grand on a Sprinter van, pump the brakes. Take a few weekend trips in whatever vehicle you have and get comfortable with the idea of living out of whatever you can fit in your trunk, first. “If you have space, you’ll fill it,” says Wood. “I’m definitely not a clutter person, but when you start getting rid of things you don’t need because you don’t have the space for it, you realize that there’s always something you can free yourself of. I can live incredibly comfortable without 75 percent of the things I own, and that was great to feel and actually learn about myself on the road.”

5 Favorite Road Trips YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE IN A BUILT-OUT SPRINTER VAN IN ORDER TO GET A TASTE OF #ROADLIFE. HIT THE ROAD THIS SUMMER WITH THESE FIVE WEEKEND ITINERARIES FOR OUR #ROADLIFE EXPERTS’ FAVORITE ADVENTURE BASECAMPS.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA BASECAMP:

Brevard, N.C.

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Mountain biking, hiking, swimming hole hunting CAMPING: Avery Creek Road and Forest Service Road 5000 (first-come, first-serve, but free); Davidson River Campground ($22 per night); The Bike Farm ($20 per night). Sharing a border with Pisgah National Forest, Pilot Cove's much anticipated campground will soon allow visitors to camp right at the front step of Brevard's expansive trail system. This play-and-stay lodging facility will feel like paradise for vanlifers, with luxury cabins, bikewash stations, and two miles of guest-use-only singletrack on its 64-acre property. (pilotcove.com) SARAH WOOD’S FAVORITE RIDES: For classic technical Pisgah fun, Club Gap climb to Avery Creek descent or the Bennett Gap Loop. A more intermediate-friendly introduction to Pisgah riding can be found in the North Mills Recreation Area. Spencer Gap and Fletcher Creek still have some technical sections but sprinkled among ample miles of flow trail. EXTRACURRICULARS: Fishing or floating the Davidson River, riding or hiking in DuPont State Forest, dipping beneath curtains of water in the Land of Waterfalls EATS: Caffeine buzz at Quotations Coffee Cafe ($$); soups and sammies at Blue Ridge Bakery ($$); grab-andgo food at Food Matters Market ($$); Sunday brunch at The Phoenix ($$); calf-sized burritos at Pescados ($); authentic Thai food at Pad Thai ($$); local brews and bike beta/gear at The Hub and Pisgah Tavern ($$); beer and good company at Cedar Mountain Canteen ($$) ACTIVITIES:

EASTERN KENTUCKY Beattyville, Ky. Activities: Climbing, hiking CAMPING: Lago Linda Hide-A-Way ($6 per person, per night + $2 for electricity per site, per night); Miguels Pizza ($2-5 per night) ANDY WICKSTROM'S FAVORITE CLIMBS: Park at Muir Valley and pay $10 per car to climb. This is a nonprofit climbing and nature preserve in the Red River BASECAMP:

Gorge, so know that money is going to a good cause. There are over 400 climbs here, ranging from beginner friendly sport routes to expert trad lines. Check out Great Wall, Johnny's Wall, and Bruisebrothers for beginner routes and The Solarium, Midnight Surf, or Sanctuary for more experienced climbers. Grab the Kentucky classic beverage Ale-8-One at the parking lot soda machine on your way out. EXTRACURRICULARS: Tasting Kentucky Bourbon at Town Branch Distillery in Lexington, exploring the Red River Gorge’s natural arches like Turtle Back Arch and Indian Arch, hiking the Sheltowee Trace Trail EATS: Breakfast tacos and grassfed burgers at Red River Rockhouse ($$); beer and pizza at Miguels ($$); locally brewed beer at C&S Carryout ($$— Andy recommends Country Boy Brewing’s Cliff Jumper IPA or Amos Moses Brown Ale)

COASTAL CAROLINA Ocracoke Island, N.C. Surfing, cycling, fishing CAMPING: Ocracoke Campground ($28 per night) BASECAMP: ACTIVITIES:

BROOKE GERMAN’S + NICK DERRICK’S OCRACOKE

Hit the waves either north of Ocracoke Village or down South Point Road. Surfers will need a permit to drive their vehicle ($50 for 10 consecutive days, available at one of three nearby visitor centers) on South Point Road, but the swells are totally worth it. Afterwards, take a spin around the island by bike. Springer’s Point is a must-see stop on the island. The 120-acre nature preserve is steeped in maritime history, but is most well known for Teach’s Hole, the location of the infamous pirate Blackbeard’s last stand. Catch the Morris Marina Ferry to see Portsmouth Island, a 13-mile barrier island just to the south of Ocracoke that is mostly undeveloped, save for a few National Park Service cabins on its southern end. Explore its wild shoreline and fish to your heart’s content. Spend the day or the entire OASIS:

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weekend camped out on one of the Outer Banks’ few isolated and largely untouched islands. EXTRACURRICULARS: Deep sea fishing in the Gulf Stream, touring the island’s 19th century British cemeteries, digging for clams at low tide, posting up on the porch of Zillie’s Island Pantry with a bottle of wine EATS: Breakfast burritos and fresh fish tacos at Eduardo’s Taco Stand ($); island-brewed beer at 1718 Brewing Ocracoke (opening July 2017); smoothies and coffee at Ocracoke Coffee Company ($$); wood-fired pizza and live music at Dajio ($$); sweet and savory carb fix at Graceful Bakery ($$)

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA BASECAMP:

W.Va.

ACTIVITIES:

hiking

Marlinton and Fayetteville, Biking, fishing, paddling,

Greenbrier River Trail primitive camping (free); Watoga State Park ($22 per night); American Alpine Club-New River Gorge Campground ($20 per night for AAC members, $30 for non-member) CAMPING:

JASON SPECHT’S MULTISPORT ITINERARY:

Head into West Virginia near Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and follow the winding roads to Watoga State Park. Bike, hike, or fish along the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail. Jack Horner's Corner in Seebert, W.Va., has a rental fleet of bikes and can help set shuttle for river floats or bike rides along the Greenbrier. Continue west through Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park and soak in the impressive sights atop Beech Ridge wind farm as you head southwest toward the New River Gorge. History buffs should make a stop at the Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park, constructed out of salvaged mill parts dating back to the late 1800s. EXTRACURRICULARS: Touring Virginia’s oldest covered bridge, Humpback Bridge, in Covington, Va., rafting the New River Gorge, biking or hiking the Arrowhead Trails, sport climbing above the pristine waters of

Summersville Lake Lunch at A&B Bakery, Covington, Va. ($); gourmet sandwiches at Secret Sandwich Society, Fayetteville, W.Va. ($$); locally sourced dinner at The Station, Fayetteville, W.Va. ($$$)

EATS:

CENTRAL VIRGINIA BASECAMP: ACTIVITIES:

biking

Lexington, Va. Hiking, fishing, floating,

Close proximity to town and adventure at Glen Maury Park ($18 per night); camp and float alongside the James River with Wilderness Canoe Company ($35 per night) CAMPING:

JESS DADDIO’S LEXINGTON LIKE A LOCAL:

Scramble up and over the boulderfield at Devil’s Marbleyard. The threemile out-and-back hike is great but the views of the Shenandoah Valley are even better. Take a tour of the underground otherworld that is the Caverns at Natural Bridge. If water levels are cooperative, fish and float the James or Maury Rivers. Both of these waterways offer more smallmouth bass, catfish, and bluegill than you could ever hope to catch in a day. No visit to Lexington is complete, though, without a twowheeled tour around the bucolic countryside. Just outside of town are rolling, quiet roads perfectly suited for riders of every ability level. EXTRACURRICULARS: Scenic driving along Route 39 through Goshen Pass (though biking or paddling it is better), llama trekking at Applewood Inn, peaceful strolling through Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden, bluegrass pickin’ at the Lime Kiln Theater. EATS: Classic American diner breakfast at Niko’s Grille ($); deli-style lunches with a vegetarian-friendly twist at Kind Roots ($$) and Blue Phoenix Café & Market ($$); farm fare dinner at The Red Hen ($$$); beers, wafflewiches, and open mic night at Brew Ridge Taps ($$); local suds at Blue Lab Brewing Company ($$) and Devils Backbone Outpost ($$); vino of the Valley at Rockbridge Vineyard ($$)

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THE GOODS

0 7. 17

ON THE ROAD AGAIN PRO PHOTOGRAPHER DEREK DILUZIO PICKS HIS TOP TRAVEL GEAR BY GRAHAM AVERILL

f you’re not planning a solid road trip this summer, stop what you’re doing now and check your pulse; you might be dead inside. The road trip is an integral part of outdoor culture: a rite of passage for the young and an annual ritual for the experienced. While most of us feel like we have our road trip gear dialed in, few people have spent as much time curating their kit as Derek DiLuzio, a professional photographer who shoots everything from powder skiing in the Rockies to fly fishing in the Southern Appalachians. DiLuzio is on the road shooting for a variety of magazines at least four months out of the year, and he knows exactly what to pack to get the job done in style. “There’s a lot of unpredictability when you’re shooting pictures, so you have to be ready for anything,” DiLuzio says. GOAL ZERO SHERPA 100 ($299) I need power for my laptop and cameras. This battery pack comes with a solar panel, so I can charge it off my truck engine or off the sun. It’ll run my computer, charge my camera and power some lights. And it’s small too, so you can put it in a backpack if you need to. MORE GEAR OSPREY MOMENTUM 32 BICYCLE COMMUTER PACK ($140) The mesh-covered shoulder straps and back panel provide ventilated comfort, especially on long, hot, sweaty commutes in the South. Laptops stay protected in a dedicated top-sleeve, and there are plenty of zippered pockets and storage compartments in this versatile 32-liter pack. 34

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ORION COOLER ($499) It’s a 65-liter, really big cooler that will keep ice for about a week. It's such a relief not to have to buy ice every day. I can truly establish a base camp and not worry about keeping food cold. SYLVAN SPORT GO ($9,995) This is a game-changer for me. I can’t tell you how luxurious it is to be able to stand up and change, or sit at a table and work or eat. I can drop it anywhere, and it can be a home base for camping or just a place for wardrobe changes. It feels so civilized after camping on the ground for so many years. BOARDWORKS SHUBU SPORT ($899) This board folds into a backpack, and it's incredibly stiff after you blow it up. It handles river rapids and even ocean surf really well.

ROAD SHOWER 2 ($300) It's basically a five-gallon, solar heated water tank that you can pressurize with air. It's great for washing off the bikes or board, or just taking a shower after a ride. CATAN ($20) If my wife is traveling with me, we always bring board games because we’re incredibly competitive. The card game version of Catan is our go-to night time diversion. My wife taught me everything I know about Catan, but I’m absolutely the champ.

BMC SPEEDFOX 02 TRAILCREW ($5,900) The Speedfox is an efficient way to explore the forest and look for different shooting locations. It's a mix of carbon and aluminum with a Fox Float fork and XT components.

KAMMOCK THYLACINE SLEEPING BAG ($329) It’s two bags in one: on its own, the Thylacine Down is a 20°F rated sleep system. Combined with the zip-in Thylacine Liner, you can sleep comfortably at or above 0°F. Lightweight and durable, the bag can be tailored directly to the body with simple cinch straps.

ONSIGHT HALF NELSON 2 MINIMALIST BIKE PACK ($45) For cycling commuters or mountain bikers on an all-day ride, the Half Nelson pack holds all your essentials: hydration bladder, pump, tools, food, and a light jacket. All the main fabrics, mesh, zippers, and buckles in the Half Nelson minimalist bike pack are produced from recycled plastic water bottles.

Find out why at Virginia.org/Outdoors

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ENTER TO WIN A ROAD TRIP TO LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS FOR TWO AT THE HAMPTON INN LEXINGTON—RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT. BOXED TRAIL LUNCH FROM THE SOUTHERN INN AND IN ROOM SNACKS. HALF DAY PADDLE TRIP WITH TWIN RIVER OUTFITTERS. BEER TASTING AT OUR NEWEST LOCAL BREWERY— GREAT VALLEY FARM BREWERY. PLUS RECEIVE TWO COMMEMORATIVE GLASSES. 2 TICKETS TO GLEN MAURY PARK OUTDOOR MUSIC EVENT.

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ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY Get Outside in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Our scenic mountain towns are built on southern hospitality, history and culture. They are filled with great food, downtown shopping, music and awesome energy. Fill your day with biking, hiking, and paddling, and then recharge with a great meal, local spirits and meaningful time with friends and family.

Go Outside and Play Downtown Lexington is home to locally-owned boutiques and gift shops, farm-to-table dining, and elegantly refashioned historic accommodations. And all of downtown is a walkable delight!

The newest brewery to hit the craft beer scene is Great Valley Farm Brewery. Is it a farm or a brewery? It’s both! While specializing in the Belgian Farmhouse tradition, the brewery will offer something different—small batches of high-quality beers using hops, fruits, and herbs, from their own on-site farm.

LEXINGTONVIRGINIA.COM | ROCKBRIDGEOUTDOORS.COM | 540-463-3777

LexingtonVa

Rockbridge County is home to beautiful, scenic hiking trails. Explore the Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway Trails, Boston Knob, nearby Panther Falls and more. There are also city walking trails in Lexington and Buena Vista, offering less strenuous options closer to downtown. LexingtonVa

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ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS The Alleghany Highlands of Virginia offer charming downtowns, beautiful mountain views and pristine mountain lakes that play host to some of the best outdoor adventures around. The Gran Fondo on July 22 offers cyclists a mountain climb that is not for the faint of heart! Lake Moomaw is the setting for the One Mile Swim on August 5. Whether you’re up for a challenge or a leisurely family outing, you will find it here!

Go Outside and Play Two scenic rivers and two mountain lakes combine to form the Alleghany Highlands Blueway. You can kayak or canoe rivers with fun class I and II rapids or leisurely explore miles of lake shore. No matter which river or lake you visit, the fishing is always great!

The Alleghany Highlands is made up of over 50% national forest with over 100 miles of trails that accommodate every skill level.

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No visit to the Alleghany Highlands is complete without stopping to admire the Historic Humpback Bridge (the last of its kind in the United States) and the Falling Spring Falls, a stunning 80’ waterfall that is one of the most visited places in the Alleghany Highlands.

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destination adventure 2017

BATH COUNTY In the beautiful mountains west of the Shenandoah Valley is an enchanted place that has welcomed visitors for centuries and is where dreams really can come true. The County of Bath is an unspoiled paradise where outdoor enthusiasts love to play. The opportunities to hike, bike, fish, and ride are endless, and—like the mountain views—go on forever. Make your dreams come true. Plan your get away at DiscoverBath.com.

Go Outside and Play Famous for its mineral springs, outdoor recreation, and cultural arts, the County of Bath is a captivating four season destination.

When making plans to visit the area, you will have a variety of sporting and recreational activities to enjoy, including golf, hiking, biking, camping, boating, or just plain relaxing. DISCOVERBATH.COM | 540-839-7202

The County of Bath is home to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests as well as Douthat State Park and Lake Moomaw—offering the outdoor enthusiast a vast playground. County of Bath

CountyofBath

You can see a variety of wildlife such as deer, bear, and wild turkey. Stunning mountain vistas, dark starlit skies, clear, cold streams, and a wide range of recreational opportunities await. CountyofBath

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WYTHEVILLE

Wytheville and Wythe County offer an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities for everyone! Surrounded by public lands, there are more than 240 miles of trails, over 20 miles of river frontage on the New River, trophy trout fishing, hunting, and scenic views. Mountain bike enthusiasts can enjoy an array of challenge trails while families can enjoy biking the New River Trail State Park rail trail. Come explore Wytheville for nature, outdoor recreation, solitude, shopping, and history. VISITWYTHEVILLE.COM | 877-347-8307 VisitWytheville

eat

Log House Restaurant—Located in Downtown Wytheville, the Log House Restaurant is fine dining in an eighteenth-century atmosphere. The Log House is a log cabin that was built in 1776, then transformed into a popular dining experience. Skeeter’s—This downtown restaurant is best known for the millions of “Skeeterdogs” (hotdogs) that have been sold since the business opened in 1920.

Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre—A state-of-the-art, German-themed dinner theatre, featuring Broadwaycaliber musical performances, served with a fourcourse meal.

play

stay

Music Jams—Local jam sessions can be found throughout the year in Wytheville and Wythe and Bland Counties.

Trinkle Mansion Bed & Breakfast—This historic B&B offers four elegant guests rooms each with private baths plus a garden cottage to provide the perfect setting for a romantic celebration, small wedding or tranquil retreat from everyday life. Bolling Wilson Hotel—A unique upscale boutique hotel just steps away from Main Street. The Downtown Wytheville hotel offers 30 luxurious guest rooms and breakfast delivered to your room each morning.

VisitWytheville

Go Outside and Play Crystal Springs Recreation Area is an 1,800-acre recreation area with 12+ miles of hiking and mountain biking loop trails. Features a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail, bike wash station, picnic areas, and primitive camping. New River—This northwest flowing river starts in North Carolina and quickly makes its way into Virginia and West Virginia on its way to the Ohio River. New River Trail State Park is a 57-mile rail trail that parallels the New River and offers camping, canoeing, kayaking, biking, and horseback riding. Rural Retreat Lake—This 90-acre impoundment is just south of the town of Rural Retreat. Rural Retreat Lake Park offers camping, picnic shelters, playground, disc golf, fishing, hiking, biking and a swimming pool.

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destination adventure 2017

BEDFORD Bedford, Virginia is for Outdoor Lovers! Add Bedford to your “must do” list! A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, Bedford offers an abundance of choices for your next adventure. To the north, explore miles of scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. When you’re ready for a change of scenery, head south where 500+ miles of shoreline await. Virginia’s second largest freshwater lake, Smith Mountain Lake, offers over 20,000 acres of playground for boaters, fishermen, swimmers, skiers, sailors, and water enthusiasts of all ages.

Go Outside and Play The majestic Peaks of Otter at Milepost 86 offers hiking, camping, picnic areas, a restaurant and lodge, and more. Make the short trek down the mountain into the town of Bedford and discover the many local restaurants and the town’s first brewery! VISITBEDFORD.COM | 1-877-HI-PEAKS

Located just outside of town is Bedford’s 250 acre Falling Creek Park with disc golf, mountain bike trails, and a worldclass skate park. VisitBedfordVA

VisitBedfordVA

Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers swimming, boat rentals, a boat ramp and a universally accessible fishing pier. Families can also enjoy picnicking, a visitor center, special programs, camping, miles of trails, and cabins with boat docks. Bedford offers something for everyone! VisitBedfordVA

destination adventure 2017

DOWNTOWN BLACKSBURG Nestled atop a plateau between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains, in the heart of southwest Virginia’s New River Valley, Downtown Blacksburg offers visitors a host of cultural opportunities, including regional music, arts, craft, and cuisine. Blacksburg serves as a launchpad for almost any outdoor experience ranging from tame to extreme and for any age. Whether you bike any of our numerous trails or rock climb at the river, we have adventures waiting for you!

Go Outside and Play The historic Lyric Theatre is the heart of downtown Blacksburg and the place to enjoy critically acclaimed films, exciting live music, lectures and programs for children. The Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation, located in the home of Alexander Black—the town’s founder—houses art, artifacts, and curated exhibits.

Virginia Tech’s Moss Arts Center presents renowned artists from around the globe and from close to home. The Center houses a state of the art performance hall, art galleries, an experimental venue, and research studios.

DOWNTOWNBLACKSBURG.COM/PLANYOURTRIP | 540-951-0454

Downtown Blacksburg offers a wide array of unique boutiques and locally owned restaurants to explore. Hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, need we say more? This town is surrounded by outdoor beauty and every adventure imaginable.

DowntownBlacksburg

DTBlacksburg

DowntownBlacksburg

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HEART OF APPALACHIA Whether you’re going to be on two legs or four wheels—now you can experience true adventure! Enjoy epic elevation changes along our curvy back roads with amazing natural wonders, wildlife, overlooks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and more while traversing the westernmost tip of Virginia. So slap on your sunscreen, lace up your hiking shoes, and strap on your GoPro! With so much to explore, you’ll want to come back again and again!

Go Outside and Play Our Appalachian Backroads wind through some of the most majestic vistas in the Eastern U.S. Enjoy expanded routes (over 1,500 miles of cruising adventure) and breathtaking overlooks with photo ops galore. See historic towns and landmarks.

There is plenty to do in the Heart of Appalachia, from biking, camping, hiking, fishing, bouldering, paddling, caving, and more! We have plenty of outfitters to meet your equipment needs.

APPALACHIANBACKROADS.COM | HEARTOFAPPALACHIA.COM

Heart of Appalachia

We are the gateway to the Back of the Dragon—the premier riding road in the nation! With thirtytwo miles, over three hundred curves, and crossing three mountains, this road offers the most spectacular views you can find in the Appalachians, plus knee-dragging curves, switchbacks, and elevation changes. IHeartAppy

IHeartAppy

destination adventure 2017

DAMASCUS Damascus is known best as Trail Town USA, where seven nationally known trails intersect within our borders, but we are so much more! We are a place of stunning natural beauty, where the hills of the Appalachians and the murmuring of our creeks inspire you, whether your calling is outdoor adventure, or simply living in an authentic small town. Damascus is a place where you can be super-active, or where you reconnect to nature, rejuvenate, and find your inner peace.

Go Outside and Play The Virginia Creeper Trail is one of the country’s most famous biking trails. The Creeper stretches 34 miles from Whitetop Mountain down to Abingdon, Virginia, passing straight through downtown Damascus along the way. VISITDAMASCUS.ORG | 276-475-3831

Damascus lies at the intersection of seven local, state and national trails and is adjacent to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (which boasts 400 miles of trails) and several other public lands, so there are many nearby loop trails to be explored. DamascusVAEvents

DamascusVirginia

There are hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails near Damascus for those who want to challenge themselves. The most prominent of these is the Iron Mountain Trail, which runs straight through town. Don’t miss the annual Iron Mountain Bike Race, which combines both cross country and downhill.

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destination adventure 2017

SOUTHWEST Tucked in the mountains of Southwest Virginia is a vibrant culture of music, craft, and stunning natural beauty. It’s a region of spectacular views and rich natural resources. Rooted deep in history, this culture is Authentic. Distinctive. Alive. Time spent in the region adds up to something much more than a simple getaway. A different side of Virginia. And a great place to visit for a week’s vacation—or to make a home for a lifetime. MYSWVA.ORG MySWVA

MySWVA

Southwest.Virginia

BARTER THEATRE

THE BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC MUSEUM

A PERFECT PAUSE ON ANY ADVENTURE

Laugh, scream, gasp, and lose yourself in a world of adventure, comedy, romance, and suspense. Escape to Barter Theatre and experience world-class entertainment. Let your imagination run wild and discover thrills like you never have before, watching stories unfold at the nation’s longest running professional theatre. Visit bartertheatre.com or call 276.628.3991 for tickets and to see what’s on stage now.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings by the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest V. Stoneman, and others—recordings that shaped the sounds and practices of early commercial country music. Discover how this rich musical heritage lives on today, and how music from our region continues to influence music around the world.

Franklin County proudly features three craft breweries showcasing live music: Chaos Mountain with its tasting room serving up to 16 small batch brews, the modern Hammer & Forge with up to 10 craft beers on tap, and Sunken City, a 25-barrel, four-vessel brew house with a tasting room, pub, store, and beer garden.

BARTERTHEATRE.COM

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Go Outside and Play If you seek new adventures, Southwest Virginia has opportunities that abound. Hike Southwest Virginia’s 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail, navigate a new fork of rapids, or camp at one of Virginia’s nationally renowned State Parks. The action in Southwest Virginia is unparalleled and endless, passive or high adrenaline. It’s a place for new memories and lifetime experiences: accessible wilderness, extreme adventure, and pastoral recreation, all rolled into one. With countless adventures, eight anchor recreation destinations serve as focal points for Southwest Virginia’s recreation: The Appalachian Trail: a 2,000mile hiking trail, one of the two most celebrated hiking trails in the world, with its greatest mileage in Virginia.

The Clinch River: One of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the United States, with nationally significant geological landmarks and a burgeoning 60-mile waterway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway: America’s Favorite Drive and the most visited national park in the United States with unbelievable views, wineries, and musical communities.

The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail: America’s first frontier and gateway to western migration. The 300,000 who traveled through Cumberland Gap founded communities in Kentucky, Missouri, the Midwest, and beyond.

Breaks Interstate Park: “The Grand Canyon of the South,” with 4,600 acres in Virginia and Kentucky and world class whitewater and over 25 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and birdwatching.

High Knob Recreation Area: one of the largest land masses in the U.S., with magnificent multi-state views from its observation tower, horse trails, and incredible hiking, biking, and water sports.

The Mount Rogers Recreation Area: 200,000 acres of populated wilderness with 11 campgrounds and over 500 miles of trails. It is the home of the two highest mountains in Virginia, Mount Rogers and Whitetop. The New River: The second oldest river in the world with magnificent water sports and fishing opportunities and a 57-mile biking trail.

FLAG ROCK RECREATION AREA

VIRGINIA’S CROOKED ROAD

HISTORIC REX THEATER

Chances are you might not know about the City of Norton or the outdoor adventures that abound in its thousand-acre Flag Rock Recreation Area. Establish base camp in its 18-site campground. Enjoy views of downtown Norton from a 3,200foot overlook. Explore lush hardwood forests while hiking, biking, or running Flag Rock Area Trails. Scale sandstone cliffs spanning the park. Fish or kayak its 10-acre reservoir.

Come stretch out on Virginia’s Crooked Road! Marion is in the center of SWVA—and home of “Song of the Mountains,” the Official Television Series of Virginia! The historic Lincoln Theatre, unique eateries, and shops, are all within an easy stroll. Stay at our General Francis Marion, a lovingly restored Art Deco hotel, dine downtown, and enjoy America’s Coolest Hometown!

The inspiring charm of downtown Galax resonates every Friday night with Bluegrass and Old Time Music at the Historic Rex Theater. Couple this with music festivals in June, August, and September, a BBQ Festival in July, unique shops, and outdoor adventures on our trails and rivers and you will have a fantastic vacation for the entire family.

EXPLORENORTONVA.COM

MARIONVA.ORG

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destination adventure 2017

PATRICK COUNTY Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Patrick County is a jewel of a destination, offering activities for the whole family. Stop for a picnic at a covered bridge or along the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the county’s unique wineries, mosey around Fairy Stone State Park, ride some of our mountain bike trails, or settle in and enjoy the 5-Star luxury Primland Resort has to offer. Come get lost and find yourself. Experience the Simple Life in Patrick County, Virginia.

Go Outside and Play Drive and picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway, listen to traditional mountain music along the Crooked Road Music Trail, tour our wineries—Stanburn and Villa Appalaccia—or visit local artisan studios. VISITPATRICKCOUNTY.ORG | 276-694-6094

Enjoy the day at Gordon Trent Golf Course, Fairy Stone State Park, fishing our rivers, or enjoying one of our eight annual festivals. Visit our local museum, Jack’s Creek Covered Bridge, the Reynolds Homestead, and the birthplace of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. PatrickCountyTourism

After a long day, relax in luxury at Primland Resort or settle in at one of our cabins, locally owned bed and breakfasts, or campgrounds.

VisitPatrick

destination adventure 2017

STAUNTON Big time culture. Small town cool. With a dash of charm and wizardry, Staunton’s stunning historic downtown transforms into the enchanted village of Hogsmeade. Local businesses reinvent themselves offering Harry Potter-themed shopping, dining, and hands-on activities for all ages. Mark your calendars now—the Queen City Potter Party is September 22-24!

Go Outside and Play Renowned for having one of the “Best Main Streets in America,” Staunton is a gorgeous mash-up of stunning architectural styles. Downtown’s brick-lined streets are perfect for walking and the local shops are full of fascinating finds. Don’t miss the phenomenal entertainment presented by the American Shakespeare Center— they “do it with the lights on” 51 weeks a year.

VISITSTAUNTON.COM | 540- 332-3865

Staunton is the perfect home base to explore the award-winning craft breweries along the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail and to hike or bike in and around Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Summer music festivals include Red Wing Roots Music Festival, the Shenandoah Valley Blues & Brews Festival, and the Staunton Music Festival.

StauntonVa

Staunton

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destination adventure 2017

LOCKN’ FESTIVAL AUGUST 24 - 27, 2017

Lockn’ Music Festival in Arrington, Virginia features four days of non-stop music on three stages featuring Phil Lesh with Bob Weir, Widespread Panic, John Fogerty, The Avett Brothers, String Cheese Incident, Margo Price, Gov’t Mule, John Butler Trio, Brandi Carlisle and others. Enjoy glamping, tent camping, award-winning breweries, and local and regional cuisine. Buy tickets online now!

Go Outside and Play Participate in daily yoga or go rafting down the Tye River with WaterLockn.

Eat carefully curated local and regional cuisine, and enjoy the best breweries, cidery, and wineries of Nelson County.

Play and stay with a variety of camping options from glamping to tent and RV camping, and off-site lodging options throughout the region. LOCKNFESTIVAL.COM

Visit a variety of gorgeous craft vendors.

LocknFestival

Three stages of nonstop music starting in the morning, including Grateful Grass with Keller Williams and The Marcus King Band to late night Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Garcia’s Forest and more. Explore miles of biking and hiking trails throughout the festival grounds with guided rides led by Red Bull Professional Athletes.

LocknFestival

destination adventure 2017

WAYNESBORO Nestled against the mountains where the Blue Ridge Parkway meets the Skyline Drive, Waynesboro calls to the outdoor enthusiast. The South River, home to the Waynesboro Water Trail and trophy-sized trout, gently winds through town. Hundreds of nearby trails offer a day in the woods. Quench your thirst at Basic City Beer Company and head into historic downtown for a bite to eat or to catch a performance at the renovated Wayne Theatre.

Go Outside and Play Paddle the Waynesboro Water Trail—a gentle four-mile stretch of the South River winds right through downtown Waynesboro. Hike the Appalachian Trail—hop on the AT at Rockfish Gap, just four miles from Waynesboro, and hike any distance. VISITWAYNESBORO.NET | 540-942-6512

Ascend Humpback Rocks—test your muscles and earn a payoff view of the Shenandoah Valley.

Rock climb near Wintergreen—local rock-climbing guides can arrange a personalized rock encounter at various locations in the Blue Ridge.

Fly fish the South River—the trophy-sized trout draw anglers from all over the country.

Stroll the Greenway—Waynesboro’s Greenway along the South River offers a flat, paved path for walkers and cyclists.

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destination adventure 2017

HARRISONBURG Outdoor recreation and sports enthusiasts won’t find a better spot to scratch their itch for adventure than Harrisonburg. Conveniently located in the epicenter of the Shenandoah Valley’s vast playground of hiking, biking, climbing, paddling, hunting, fishing, and sporting activities of all types and all skill levels, Harrisonburg avidly embraces the outdoorsy, healthy lifestyle. Enjoy our bikeable and walkable urban landscape. Come find out why being Outdoors is Better in the ‘Burg.

Go Outside and Play Grab gear at Mossy Creek Fly Fishing Shop and head to Lake Shenandoah. There is access to 1,000 miles of public trout water and endless warm water opportunities.

Rent a bike from Shenandoah Bicycle Company and take on the diverse mix of peaceful county trails, bike-friendly city streets, winding single tracks, and challenging mountain bike courses the area has to offer. VISITHARRISONBURGVA.COM | 540-432-8935

HarrisonburgTourism

On the edge of the City take the hiking trail to Hone Quarry. The trail is rocky and steep, but only about 1/2 mile long, and leads you to a rock ledge overlook. Hit the links at Heritage Oaks Golf Course. Golfers of all abilities will enjoy playing this course. VisitHburgVA

VisitHarrisonburgVa

destination adventure 2017

MADISON Come to Madison for the hiking—Old Rag Mountain and White Oak Canyon Falls are two of Shenandoah National Park’s favorite hikes—history, artisans, scenery, the fishing, the 25th Annual Taste of the Mountains, Graves Mountain Lodge’s Music and Apple Harvest Festivals, Bald Top Brewing Co., our many wineries, or your destination wedding! Stay in a B&B, cabin, camper, RV, lodge, vacation rental house, tent or even a yurt! We have it all away from it all!

Go Outside and Play Madison’s wineries all offer beautiful views and outdoor activities. Bald Top Brewing Co. has an outdoor event stage and beer garden along with some walking trails and outdoor fun. MADISONVA.COM | 540-948-4455

Hoover Ridge offers shaded walking trails for less treacherous hikes. Equestrians will enjoy the extensive trail systems offered by Graves Mountain Stables or Shenandoah National Park. Cyclists enjoy riding the scenic country roads. SeeMadisonVA

SeeMadisonVA

Fishermen enjoy some of the best fishing anywhere along the Rapidan, the Hughes, the Robinson, and the Rose Rivers. Visitors can even fish at Rose River Farm while staying in a luxurious yurt or stay at Graves Mountain Lodge and fish in their trout pond. Yoder’s Country Market offers a great respite for families along with an outside petting zoo.

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destination adventure 2017

SHENANDOAH COUNTY Shenandoah County, Virginia is a haven for outdoor recreation and unrivaled spirits with six charming towns along U.S. Route 11 just 90 miles west of the nation’s capital in the Shenandoah Valley. Located between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, Shenandoah County offers an essential hub of places to eat, drink, shop, and stay after a full day of river and mountain adventures.

Go Outside and Play Shenandoah County has plenty to offer the outdoor enthusiast whether by air, on the ground, or along the river. Take your car or bicycle along our scenic country roads for pastoral views of farmland and mountains.

Hike, bike or horseback-ride along more than 178 miles of trails through George Washington National Forest. You’ll find trails with outstanding views to suit every skill level from expert to wheelchair accessible.

VISITSHENANDOAHCOUNTY.COM | 888-367-3965

Visit Shenandoah

Enjoy the slow and lazy bends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River by canoe, kayak or tube. Wade in and cast a line for trout, small mouth bass, sunfish and more. Get a bird’s eye view of the valley with zipline adventures, skydiving, or hang gliding. VisitShenCoVA

ShenandoahTravel

AUTUMNFEST

WOODSTOCK BREWHOUSE

SHENANDOAH SPIRITS TRAIL

Featuring the Kansas City Barbecue Society’s championship competition with more than 45 regional barbecue teams and a “People’s Choice” competition for the best flavors! Come for the barbecue and stay for the craft beers and wine, craft and vintage artisans, Shenandoah Downs Harness Racing, log splitting competition, corn hole tournaments, a CruiseIn and more! October 14 at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock.

One-of-a-kind beers crafted in the one-andonly Shenandoah Valley! Experience craft beer brewed on site in our 1920s era building in downtown Woodstock, located just steps from the historic Shenandoah County Courthouse. Stop by for a pint or a flight while in the area enjoying all the outdoor activities that Woodstock has to offer!

Take a scenic drive along the country roads and scenic byways to 14 vineyards, nine craft breweries, two cideries and two distilleries that make up the Shenandoah Spirits Trail. Embrace the agricultural roots that set the Northern Shenandoah Valley apart from other trails with many establishments sourcing their ingredients locally and always offering a friendly environment for sipping and enjoying.

SHENANDOAHCOUNTYCHAMBER.COM/AUTUMNFEST

WOODSTOCKBREWHOUSE.COM

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destination adventure 2017

HAMPTON Vibrant Hampton, a seaside city with exciting attractions and heritage sites, lures visitors with its familyfriendly offerings and outdoor adventure. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Civil War landmarks and historic fortresses like Fort Monroe National Monument, African American heritage sites, the NASA legacy of space exploration at the Virginia Air & Space Center or the seafaring legends founded on four centuries of Chesapeake Bay living, the destination appeals to visitors of all ages and interests. VISITHAMPTON.COM | 757-727-1102 | 800-800-2202 VisitHamptonVA

This_Is_Hampton

VisitHamptonVA

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Tour the grounds of Fort Monroe National Monument by Segway. Home to a moat, Old Point Comfort Lighthouse, and quarters where President Lincoln once stayed, the fort is also easily explored on foot or by bike, and it is also available for rent. The Deadrise, located at Fort Monroe National Monument, is a culinary gem, serving up fresh seafood and local delicacies like Smoke Oyster Pate, Fresh Fish Tacos, and more. Go where the fish are with Captain Howard Wainwright and his crew aboard The Ocean Eagle, a 65-foot, 70-passenger headboat. Rod, reel, and bait are included.

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The Miss Hampton II and Graham & Rollins has launched a series of evening seafood cruises out of downtown Hampton. Each Crabtown Cruise, approximately two hours in length, offers fresh steamed seafood (starting at $24.99), themed entertainment, a full cash bar, and more. Hampton Watersports, located at Buckroe Beach and other waterfront locations, offers a wide range of watercraft rentals in the summer, including jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, and more. Ideal for observing wildlife, kayaking, hiking, and fishing, Grandview Nature Preserve, a 578-acre preserve and estuary on the Chesapeake Bay, includes two and a half miles of tranquil bay-front beach.

Take a dip in one of four Chesapeake Bay beaches, all perfect for swimming, sunning, and relaxing.

Hamptonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location on the Chesapeake Bay makes it the perfect place to take advantage of a day at the beach. Paradise Ocean Club at Fort Monroe offers private cabana rentals, a swimming pool, tiki bar, and private beach.

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Sandy Bottom Nature Park, a 456-acre recreational facility featuring two lakes, wetlands areas, trails for hiking and biking, fishing, and non-motorized boating, offers yurts for overnight stays in the park

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destination adventure 2017

WINCHESTER In addition to being the Northern gateway to Virginia’s incomparable Shenandoah Valley, Winchester has now evolved into the cultural and economic hub of the entire region. Numerous new craft breweries and countless al fresco dining spots on the vibrant Old Town walking mall juxtapose limestone buildings once frequented by a young George Washington. Echoes of Patsy Cline still abound here, and unique, authentic experiences await young and old in search of leisure or adventure. VISITWINCHESTERVA.COM | 540-542-1326 VisitWinchesterVA

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Winchester has the greatest concentration of al fresco (outdoor) dining restaurants in the entire Shenandoah Valley. Nearly every restaurant on the Old Town Walking Mall is a great choice! Unique dining experiences are plentiful. Try Sweet NOLA’s for authentic, locally-sourced New Orleans specialties and live music, Bonnie Blue for outstanding BBQ and a funky cool setting, or Regions 117 for lakeside views and fresh local fare.

VisitorsCenter

VisitWinchesterVA

Go Outside and Play Hike the Tuscarora Trail (blazed in blue), an official bypass route of the Appalachian Trail, along many miles of beautiful ridgeline just west of Winchester. Take short hikes to Eagle Rock for easterly vistas of the Shenandoah Valley and Pinnacle Ridge for westerly. Bike and hike the George Washington National Forest, with many access points just Southwest of Winchester. Map out a day on the Shenandoah Spirits Trail, a comprehensive list of all the breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

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Both Mountain Trails Outfitters and Element Sports offer expert advice on the countless, oftenhidden local and regional hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking opportunities. And they’ve got the highly specialized gear at great prices to maximize your adventures.

The Winchester area offers over 34 hotel properties of every kind. More unique stays include the Wayside Inn (open since 1797—the oldest continuously operating Inn in the U.S.!), the George Washington—a Wyndham Grand Hotel ( just steps from the Old Town walking mall), the uber-relaxing Inn at Vaucluse Spring and the Japanese style Pembroke Springs Retreat B&B.

Relax, roll down the windows, turn off the GPS, and explore the countryside around Winchester. You’ll discover great small towns, farm markets, orchards, artisans, and incredibly friendly folks!

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PRINCE WILLIAM MANASSAS

Discover an outdoor adventurer’s dream destination just 30 miles outside of the nation’s capital. Home to more than 25,000 acres of open green space and located near historic Civil War Battlefields, adventurists may hike, rappel, run, boat, bike, canoe, fish, kayak and paddleboard all in one destination. Prince William County and Manassas, Virginia offer families, history enthusiasts, craft beverage lovers and outdoor explorers hundreds of trails, stunning waterfront and scenic mountain views that will immerse you, your friends and family into a scenic outdoor utopia. DISCOVERPWM.COM | 800-432-1792 DiscoverPWM

DiscoverPWM

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Unwind and relax at one of the many craft breweries, wineries or distilleries and devour authentic dining choices near I-95 and I-66.

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Rent a kayak in Historic Occoquan and look for varieties of ducks, eagles, osprey and herons prior to shopping and dining your way through history. Hike the many trails as you learn where over 30,000 soldiers died, were lost, or wounded at Manassas National Battlefield Park during the first and second battles of Bull Run.

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Ride your bikes, camp, and explore the largest natural area in the Washington, D.C. region at Prince William Forest Park (a National Park).

Outdoor enthusiasts can relax knowing that shopping is an easy ‘feet’ at Cabela’s, REI, IKEA, Duluth Trading Company, Virginia Gateway, Manassas Mall, and Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. A shopping visit isn’t complete in Prince William and Manassas without taking some time to shop Virginia’s largest outlet mall, Potomac Mills. Explore America’s history at a historic Civil War Hospital at Ben Lomond Historic Site, Bristoe Station Battlefield, National Museum of the Marine Corps, the Freedom Museum, and the Manassas Museum.

Fish along the Potomac River at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge, then put on your swim gear to enjoy a huge lazy river at Splash Down Waterpark in Manassas. Climb up to 50+ feet in an indoor climbing center at Vertical Rock Center or explore the Occoquan Bay & Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge.

Experience a summer like no other at the largest outdoor music venue in the greater Washington, DC region at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow.

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Explore an outdoor adventurers playground 30 miles from the Nation’s Capital. Over 4,000 hotel rooms, camping sites, and romantic bed and breakfasts are available throughout the destination. To book a Northern Virginia outdoor getaway, visit DiscoverPWM.com.

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destination adventure 2017

QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY Queen Anne’s County Invites you to one of Maryland’s best kept secrets. Located just 40 miles from Washington D.C., it is a place where captivating sunsets illuminate the rural landscape, the maritime industry thrives, the seafood is fresh, and the waterfront views are endless. Queen Anne’s offers a relaxing environment in which one may find peace of mind. Discover the tranquility of Maryland’s Eastern Shore—because catching up is more important than keeping up. VISITQUEENANNES.COM | 410-604-2100 VisitQueenAnne’s

VisitQueenAnnes

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Our restaurants offer delectable cuisine with a flavorful infusion of southern charm and local zest! It is no secret that our seafood entree options are abundant and the Maryland Blue Crab is our mascot! Indulge in crab feast with extra Old Bay Seasoning! If seafood is not your preference, don’t fret! Our menus provide a plethora of savory options.

The bay makes for an awesome playground! Whether you are crabbing, fishing, boating, water-skiing, or stand-up paddle boarding, it is not hard to find an opportunity to have fun on the water. Experience over two dozen beautiful parks and beaches that offer immaculate views and unique vantages for observing an incredible variety of wildlife.

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Stay in a desirable waterfront location, quaint bed and breakfast, historic inn, or have an elite boutique hotel experience. Whether you are planning a friend’s trip or a romantic getaway… we guarantee great locations with incredible views!

Go Outside and Play Bike! Our land is home to nearly eight bicycle routes ranging from 5 to 59 miles. Stroll! Enjoy one of our two scenic public pedestrian trails. Allow the bay breeze to tickle your nose as you explore nature alongside the Corsica and Chester Rivers. Paddle! Explore the unique wetlands and woodland areas of our Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) a 510-acre nature preserve, by kayak or canoe. Explore! Tuckahoe Park offers 20 miles of scenic hiking, biking and equestrian trails, flat water canoeing, hunting, picnicking, as well as a recycled tire playground for children. Activities include canoe trips and Challenge Courses and Zip Lining Adventure.

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HAGERSTOWN Imagine careening down the Antietam Creek in a kayak or maneuvering the whitewater rapids on the Potomac River. Located in a scenic area steeped in Civil War history, Hagerstown, in Washington County, Maryland, has all that, as well as a wide variety of options for water sports enthusiasts. Whether it’s whitewater rafting, tubing, kayaking, or canoeing, you can experience it all right here on the rivers and waterways of Washington County, Maryland. Don’t let these moments pass you by.

Go Outside and Play Bike along our 183 miles of the C&O Canal, or ride in a canal boat at the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport. Paint the town red in our Arts & Entertainment District in Hagerstown!

VISITHAGERSTOWN.COM | 888-257-2600

River trips are available via River & Trail Outfitters, including a riverside picnic, winery visit, and river guides.

Visit our Potomac river outfitters for serene rafting, kayaking, or some whitewater thrills. Taste some award winning wines along the Antietam Highlands Wine Trail amidst scenic vistas that will take your breath away.

Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau

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destination adventure 2017

ST. MARY’S COUNTY This Chesapeake Bay destination is brimming with history, outdoor fun, vibrant culture, and an active population with a high-tech ethos and a drive to live healthy, eat well, and play hard. Cradled by 500 miles of peninsular shoreline along the Potomac, Patuxent, and Chesapeake Bay, outdoor enthusiasts will find five state parks, numerous water trails, abundant opportunities to charter fish, camp, paddle, sail, and hike—and of course, fabulous local seafood, wine, and farm-to-table offerings to savor.

Go Outside and Play Rent a kayak or SUP from Patuxent Adventure Center or BluHaven Piers and paddle McIntosh Run in Leonardtown or any of the other water trails on the many creeks, tidal inlets, or open waters around the peninsula. VISITSTMARYSMD.COM | 800-327-9023

Visit The Tackle Box in Lexington Park for some fishing gear (and tips on the best fishing!) before heading to St. Mary’s River State Park for great bass fishing. For a bigger adventure, call a local charter captain for some trophy rockfish angling out on the open Bay.

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The rural roads through farmland and along scenic waterscapes make cycling St. Mary’s County a joy. Try various cycle routes that suit a variety of levels of ability that both expert and novice cyclists will enjoy.

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destination adventure 2017

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER VALLEY In the Susquehanna River Valley, the river connects you to one delight after another. What’s around the next bend? You’ll find out—eventually. From hiking, mountain biking, or any other outdoor adventure you may choose, to spending a day visiting wildlife sanctuaries and amusement parks with the family, you can find it in Central Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River Valley. The only question left to ask is… Where is your fun? VISITCENTRALPA.ORG | 800-525-7320 SusquehannaRiverValley

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SusquehannaRiverValley

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The Fence Drive-In was established in the 1950s and still operates as a Car Hop Restaurant from mid-April until early October.

Go Outside and Play

Skeeter’s Pit BBQ will have your mouth watering from Signature Ribs to our Famous Pulled-Pork Barbeque, Chicken, Brisket, cold beer, and more.

Hop on your bike and hit the trails! Central Pennsylvania’s terrain offers bicycling for all riders from novice to expert.

Canoe Susquehanna, LLC will help you enjoy a recreational kayak trip on the scenic Susquehanna River. We provide everything you will need for a memorable adventure.

Fantasy Island Campground—Beautiful, friendly, and clean campground with 100 full hook-up sites located on the Susquehanna River near Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Williamsport South/Nittany Mountain KOA— Family friendly campground tucked into the rolling hills of the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley. River Edge RV Camp & Marina—Located on the clean, clear west branch of the Susquehanna River. Riverside Campground—Located on the beautiful Susquehanna River, 9 miles south of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Fish on! Penns Creek, a tributary to the Susquehanna River was voted one of ”America’s Top 100 Trout Steams” and continues to be publicized due to its great fishing. Take on the terrain at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, a 6,500 acre family oriented off-highway vehicle recreation park

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RAYSTOWN LAKE REGION The Raystown Lake Region of Pennsylvania is your best kind of get-out-of-doorsy place. Bring your boots, kayak, fishing pole, mountain bike, and camp chair to really get the most out of your time here. The Raystown Lake shoreline is UNDEVELOPED— pristine wilderness scenery is here and waiting for you. There is more than 135,000 acres of public land in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Connect on social media or contact us to plan your “Raycation” today.

Go Outside and Play Raystown Lake is the largest lake entirely within Pennsylvania. Get a houseboat and vacation on the water!

The Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake are ranked as top single track mountain bike trails in North America. Don’t miss the Raystown Mountain Bike Skills Park.

Enjoy plenty of places to stay, with more than 2,000 campsites, lots of cabins, B&Bs, and more!

There are many caves to tour, state parks, rails-to-trails, museums, shops, diners, and more to explore.

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Hundreds of miles of hiking trails—including the 2016 PA Trail of the Year: the Standing Stone Trail with its unique Thousand Steps section up Jacks Mountain. Easily accessible from many major metro areas: http://bit.ly/FindRaystownPA

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JACKSON COUNTY Tucked in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Jackson County is the ideal location for your next getaway. Mere minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is home to the WNC Fly Fishing Trail—the only trail of its kind in the nation. Whether jumping on a steam engine train at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad or rafting the Nantahala river or visiting Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, the county is centrally located for a dream vacation.

Go Outside and Play The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Sylva is nestled between the Cherokee Indian Reservation and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The hotel is right in the middle of all the hiking, waterfall, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, and biking destinations in the area. Round out a great day by relaxing in the heated indoor pool or hot tub. Fuel your journey with a full hot breakfast and signature cinnamon rolls each morning. HIX: HOLIDAYINNEXPRESS.COM | 828-631-1111

A true hidden gem with scenic views is Best Western Plus River Escape Inn & Suites in Dillsboro. The hotel’s backyard is the picturesque Tuckasegee River. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of the river from your riverside balcony or patio. With a River Walk and fire pits, your time spent relaxing is just as beautiful as your time on the trails.

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ELLIJAY

The perfect basecamp for your north Georgia mountain adventure awaits in Ellijay and East Ellijay. Hike the Appalachian Trail or the Benton Mackaye, bike the Pinhoti Trail, or paddleboard Carter’s Lake. After a long day on the trail spend some time exploring downtown Ellijay’s quaint shops, local restaurants and pubs, and our soon to be opened Playhouse. Then call it a night in a quiet mountain cabin, an ENO hung beside a creek, or in a geodesic dome with the stars above. EXPLORETHEELLIJAYS.COM | 706-635-7400 TheEllijays

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Sit outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of downtown while munching on a Nutella and peanut butter panini with a side of apple slaw at Back Porch Bistro. Nothing says southern comfort food like fried chicken. Everyone has their favorite and their secret recipe, but we promise you will keep coming back for more after you taste Lucy’s Fried Chicken.

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Go Outside and Play Try to wrap your arms around the state record poplar tree on the Bear Creek Trail. Wet a line in Carter’s Lake and try for the state record striped bass. Feed the alpacas at Elatse’ Yi after a night spent in a vintage airstream.

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Expedition: Bigfoot in Cherry Log, just north of Ellijay, is the southeast’s only museum dedicated to the hunt for Sasquatch. Do you believe? You just might after your visit or a night time Bigfoot hike.

stay

Take in the breathtaking views of Three Bears Bluff in Cherry Log. This cabin is right in the middle of outdoor adventure, only a half mile from the Benton MacKaye Trail. Your family will have fun exploring Mountain Waters Lodge with Mountain Oasis Cabin Rentals. This cabin has a creek running through the front yard. It is also located near the Bear Creek and Pinhoti Trails.

Sip a glass of wine beside the Ellijay River at Ellijay River Vineyards. Take a dip in the highest lake in Georgia, Lake Consasauga.

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THE PEACEFUL SIDE OF THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

TOWNSEND The Peaceful Side of the Smoky Mountains offers adventure for families, adrenaline junkies, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to connect with nature. Explore our mountains streams, trails and caves while enjoying the comfort and convenience of home. You will find that you’re going to need a longer stay! SMOKYMOUNTAINS.ORG | 800-525-6834 PeacefulSide

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Go Outside and Play Rent a tube or kayak and let the Little River take you on a ride the natural way. Enjoy the natural beauty and the fun of a day on the river.

eat

Taste some wonderful Smoky Mountain wine at Cades Cove Cellars. You will fall in love with their award winning wines. cadescovecellars.com

Enjoy over 900 miles of hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is a hike for every skill level and age. You can boast you hiked the Appalachian Trail—we have 71 miles of the trail in our park. Make sure to visit Tuckaleechee Caverns when in town. It is the greatest site under the Smokies. (TuckaleecheeCaverns.com) Biking is a must do when in the Peaceful Side… either on our great greenway trails or road cycling down our scenic rural roads, we have it all. No bike. No problem. Rent a bike from Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center.

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro will awaken every taste bud on your palette. This causal, upscale gathering place is a must do when in Townsend. dancingbearlodge.com

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stay

Cades Cove, located in the Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park is a beautiful, sheltered valley with a mixture of forest, meadow, and an outdoor museum of pioneer life in the 1800s. You can ride the loop in your car, on your bike, or hop on a guided tour provided by The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. This is also a great way to see lots of wildlife. gsmheritagecenter.org

The Peaceful Side of the Smokies has all types of accommodations from cabins, family-owned lodges and motels, to award winning B&Bs. Visit smokymountains.org for a complete list that fits your vacation needs.

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MERCER There are only a few short months of summer. Make the best of those days by embracing the outdoors in our part of the Mountain State. Explore old favorites like hiking, mountain biking, and fishing, as well as some new adventures like off-road riding through the hills on the Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trails. We are far enough south to feel the warmth of the sun, and still feel a cool mountain breeze as you drive through our winding roads. VISITMERCERCOUNTY.COM | 304-325-8438 VisitMercerCounty

eat

Big Whiskey BBQ Company: Open Tuesday through Saturday, the Big Whiskey BBQ Company takes macaroni and cheese to a whole other level. Enjoy good eats, cold brews, and a great atmosphere. Lynn’s Drive-In: Get a West Virginia foot-long hot dog (loaded with chili, mustard, chopped onions, and cole slaw) at Lynn’s Drive-In, one of the few remaining drive-ins in the state.

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Go Outside and Play Experience Bluefield City Park’s hiking and biking trails and take a ride on the Ridge Runner Train. Bring the kids to Glenwood Recreational Park and enjoy paddle boats, tennis courts, biking trails, and a walk around the 55-acre lake. Cool off in the Princeton City Park’s Olympic size pool with waterslide.

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Camp Creek State Park: Enjoy tent, trailer, horse and rider campsites, fishing, picnicking, playgrounds, and other amenities. There are also 35-plus miles of trails open to equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers. Hatfield McCoy Trails: The Pocahontas Trail, in Mercer County, is part of a managed ATV trail system with 500-plus miles of trails. Load up your ATVs, family, and friends, and head out to Bramwell for fun on the trails.

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The Bluefield Inn: Stay at the Bluefield Inn, a bed and breakfast/boutique hotel with six rooms, each with their own private bathroom. Enjoy a complimentary, full breakfast before heading out to explore Mercer County.

Climb the stone staircase at Pinnacle Rock State Park and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view. Pack a picnic lunch and head over to Brush Creek Preserve and Falls and enjoy the scenic waterfall while having lunch.

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THE NEXT GREAT MOUNTAIN TOWNS ADD THESE 4 UNDISCOVERED DESTINATIONS TO YOUR SUMMER ROAD TRIP PLANS.

THE LOW-TRAFFIC COUNTRY ROADS OUTSIDE OF STAUNTON, VA., ARE A ROAD CYCLISTS' DREAM COME TRUE. JESS DADDIO

by JESS DADDIO HAVE YOU EVER DISCOVERED A BAND BEFORE

it hit the big time? It can be a conflicting find. Should you tell all and spread the word, or tuck the artist away in the recesses of your playlist, your own little secret? Stumbling upon the next Asheville is kinda the same. Lucky for you, we’re not in the business of keeping secrets. Steer away from the throngs of tourists this summer and discover the adventure in these four mountain towns. With thriving art scenes, backdoor adventures, and nightlife culture to boot, the only thing missing here is you. What are you waiting for?

Staunton, Virginia

POPULATION: 24,350 Cradled by the Blue Ridge

Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west, the city of Staunton is a literal crossroads of adventure. Its downtown district is quaint and quiet with rolling hills that seamlessly fade to farmland in a matter of miles, which makes it even more surprising that the city is just minutes from the I-81/I-64 interchange. It’s precisely that proximity to lowtraffic, country roads that attracted Black Dog Bikes owner James Burris to settle in Staunton back in 2004. At the time, says Burris, Staunton was mostly known for its art scene and historical attractions like the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse and the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia. While the city’s rich history in both arenas had certainly provided

a solid foundation, Burris saw potential elsewhere—namely, a lot of cyclists and no bike shop. “I stayed because it was easy to get into the mountains,” says Burris. “It’s funny that places like Asheville are known for their outdoor recreation because when you go there, you sit in traffic. You’re in a city. In Staunton, we’re close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, but it’s totally a small town.” Now, Burris’ bike shop is at the heart of Staunton’s outdoor community. Group road rides leave from the shop every Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm, and a women’s only ride meets at Queen City Brewing Company on Wednesdays. Each ride brings out 15 cyclists or more,

and with bike-specific events like the Lee Warren Queen City Century and the Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival bringing in out-oftown cyclists from near and far, the momentum only continues to grow.

pLAY: Road biking outside of Staunton is a lot like how we imagine touring around Europe’s countryside would be—sprawling farmscapes nestled against a backdrop of rolling blue ridgelines. Short of a few farm trucks and Sunday drivers, you’ll mostly have the roads to yourself. Check out shenandoahbike.org for some suggested routes in the area. Mountain bikers can get a quick singletrack fix at Montgomery Hall Park before embarking on another adventure like hiking to Elliot Knob, the highest point in Augusta County,

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July 22, 2017 | The Gran Fondo Alleghany offers cyclists beautiful mountain views and a serious King of the Mountain competition. The Gran, Medio and Piccolo routes provide something unique for everyone. Our stunning mountain views help make us Uniquely Alleghany!

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or fishing for rainbow and brown trout on the Maury River. Cap off the evening with late night jams at Byers Street Bistro or free jazz performances every Thursday night from July through August at Gypsy Hill Park.

Stay: Downtown Staunton is loaded with bed and breakfasts like the Frederick House (rates starting at $140 per night) and The Bard’s Nest ($145 per night). Visitors can find more rustic accommodations at the Staunton/Walnut Hills KOA (rates starting at $22 per night) or the Shenandoah Valley Campground (rates starting at $36 per night). Camping on Elliot Knob’s grassy summit is highly recommended and has the most affordable rate around town—free. Eat: Start the day off right with a

cup of coffee from Blue Mountain Coffees. For a casual lunch, head over to Cranberry’s Grocery and Eatery, where you can even stock up on all of your health foods and products. Newtown Baking is another laidback lunch spot, and from Wednesday thru Saturday the bakery opens for dinner hours and serves up some savory wood-fired pizzas (order the #1, just do it). For a multicourse meal with a remarkably chill vibe, make a reservation at The Shack, where Chef Ian Boden is cranking out some incredible locally sourced and inspired dishes. Visiting craft beer and wine lovers will not be disappointed in Staunton. The city alone has six craft breweries and six vineyards within a 30-mile radius of town.

Johnstown, Pennsylvania POPULATION: 24,402

Back in the late 1800s, Johnstown was a hub of activity. As the country’s leading producer of steel, the city helped lay the way for westward expansion. The majority of steel rails that constituted the country’s first railroad tracks were forged right in Johnstown (the first railroad tunnel,

THERE ARE OVER 90 MILES OF CLASS II+ WHITEWATER WITHIN A 30-MINUTE DRIVE OF DOWNTOWN JOHNSTOWN, INCLUDING THE STONYCREEK RIVER, SITE OF THE ANNUAL STONYCREEK RENDEZVOUS. DEVON HILL

Staple Bend Tunnel, still stands just four miles outside of town). Now, of course, only steel mills and outbuildings remain from the city’s industry legacy. But thanks to a new collaborative initiative called LIFT Johnstown, the city is working to harness that storied past and weave it with the threads of a more progressive future, one that embraces the arts, entrepreneurship, and of course, outdoor recreation. “There are a number of things I love about Johnstown,” says Johnstown native and LIFT Johnstown coordinator Brad Clemenson. “It’s a small enough city that we joke about rush minute instead of rush hour. The cost of living is very reasonable, the cultural and arts organizations and music venues are fun, but the thing I like most about it is all of the outdoor recreation and beauty that surrounds us. If you go out of Johnstown in any direction, you are going to go through or over some pretty big mountains.” Engulfed by the Laurel Highlands to the west and the Allegheny Mountains to the east, Johnstown is undoubtedly a “mountain” town. Look at any aerial image of the city and you’ll see a vibrant downtown (recognized as a national historic district) fronted on all sides by lush

green mountains and bisected by the Conemaugh River. Historically, the largest tourist turnout to Johnstown is Thunder in the Valley, an annual motorcycle rally that brings thousands of riders into town. But in the spring, the city is flooded with enthusiasts of a different sort—whitewater paddlers. The annual Stonycreek Rendezvous, organized by the Benscreek Canoe Club, celebrates the whitewater releases on the Stonycreek River, a fabulous class III run that flows into the Conemaugh. With an intown play park and more than 90 miles of class II+ whitewater within a 30-minute driving distance of town, paddlers are no stranger to Johnstown, and you shouldn’t be either.

pLAY: History buff? You’ve come

to the right place. Take a quick ride along the Staple Bend Tunnel Trail to see the country’s first railroad tunnel. Along the way you’ll see remnants of the Allegheny Portage Railroad, central Pennsylvania’s first mountain-traversing railroad. Step up the pedaling on any number of mountain bike trails located within a 45-minute drive of Johnstown. The intermediateadvanced rider hungry for technical

rock gardens and gorgeous western Pennsylvania ridgetop riding should check out Forbes State Forest. While certainly not easy, the road riding around Johnstown is also exceptional, and out-of-towners should take a look at the routes available on the Laurel Highlands On & Off Road Bicycling Association, or LHORBA’s, website at lhorba.org. Paddlers can go to benscreekcanoeclub.com to see a listing of the 2017 Quemahoning scheduled whitewater releases for the Stonycreek. Though the bulk of the paddling season is in the spring, wet fall weather can keep the reservoir levels high enough for continued releases well into October.

Stay: For reservoir-side camping, head to the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area. Rates are an affordable $15 per night for tent sites, though campers can rent out cabins and RV sites for $10-20 more. The Meadowbrook School Bed & Breakfast is a nice alternative to car camping and at $85 per night (cash or check only) provides all of the at-home comforts you need without breaking the bank. Eat: Named after the historic Johnstown Flood of 1889, the Flood

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City Café is a relaxed place to grab coffee and breakfast before you head out for the day. With fresh bread and homemade soups available in the afternoon, it’s not a bad spot to stop for lunch either. For a truly unique dining experience, head up Johnstown’s infamous Inclined Plane, an 869.5-foot funicular, or vertical railroad, that was originally used to transport people, horses, and wagons to the hilltop community of Westmont. Visitors can still ride the incline to the top, where Asiagos Tuscan Italian is located. Johnstown’s ethnic history is deepseated and extremely diverse, which makes the Italian restaurant more authentic than you might initially think. Plus, when was the last time you dined high up on a mountain overlooking a city? It’s probably been a minute. Post-dinner tunes and brews can be found at Press Bistro conveniently located right downtown.

Clayton, Georgia

POPULATION: 2,234 In the northeastern corner of Georgia is the quintessential southern town of Clayton. It’s charming and idyllic, yet pulsing with fresh new energy. Only an hour and a half from the urban centers of Atlanta and Asheville, Clayton is where you go to slow down. The county seat of Rabun County, Clayton is literally more forest than it is town—over 60 percent of the county at large is national forest and state park land while another 20 percent is owned by Georgia Power. That, says Wander North Georgia founder Josh Brown, is what makes Clayton one of the Southeast’s best basecamps for recreation. Brown has been making weekend trips to Clayton for well over a decade. Finally, he decided to make the move full-time and has a brick-and-mortar shop on Main Street that sells locally and regionally made crafts. “There is such an interesting dynamic in town,” says Brown. “I’d say about 99 percent of the population

here go back five or six generations and have been living here for 200 years. There’s this huge foundation of history from those generations, but it’s not antagonistic. The locals don’t hate the tourists and the tourists don’t call the locals redneck hillbillies. Clayton blends both worlds really nicely. It’s one of those unique places where people come, they fall in love with it, and they come back over and over again. The visitors even start to feel like locals.”

PLAY: Families with small children, or even passersby in need of a quick hike to stretch the legs, should be sure to make a stop at Hemlock Falls in Moccasin Creek State Park. At only two miles round-trip, this relatively flat trail leads to an impressively picturesque waterfall. Bring a rod and head upstream to try your hand at catching the creek’s resident native brook and rainbow trout population. Keep up the water-themed adventures by hiring a river outfitter to show you down the Chattooga River (for the best rapidpacked action, hit up section IV). Southeastern Expeditions will make the most of your seven-hour trip for $105 during the week, $129 on the weekend, lunch included. Another classic Southeastern whitewater gem, the Tallulah Gorge, flows nearby, and while the paddling on this river is much more advanced, the 20+ miles of hiking trails through the state park will let you get a taste of the action. At day’s end, head up to Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia’s highest state park. The park’s signature bluffs are visible from downtown Clayton. When the summer afternoon thunderstorms hit, head to Wander North Georgia, a hip place to shop, hang, and dig for off-the-beaten-path trail recommendations. There’s an indoor bocce ball court in the back of the store, complete with astroturf, darts, corn hole, and a big screen tele. What’s not to love about that?

CLAYTON'S PROXIMITY TO TALLULAH GORGE IS JUST ONE OF THE REASONS THIS SMALL MOUNTAIN TOWN IS AN IDEAL ADVENTURE BASECAMP JOSH BROWN + WANDER NORTH GEORGIA

Stay: Pitch a tent at Black Rock Mountain State Park for $32 per night. This is the closest camping to downtown Clayton and will keep you at the heart of the action. Some more luxurious accommodations can be found on Airbnb—for $135 per night you can rent a totally renovated 1880’s cabin in the Wolffork Valley of Rabun Gap, or, for about $100 more, you can stay in the complete opposite, a new-age “Tree House” located in the Mountain House [modern] compound designed by Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects. The White Birch Inn in downtown Clayton also

has six cabin-style rooms starting at $165 per night.

Eat: Clayton’s small-town vibe certainly has a big-city feel to its eating options. Get your caffeine fix for the day at White Birch Provisions, where you can also resupply your bread, wine, cigar, and pastry needs (I mean, you are on vacation, right?). Breakfast is at Sunday Diner, a downhome family-run joint that will make you feel like family, even if it’s your first time visiting. Fortify and its sister restaurant Fortify Pi are

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dishing out some top-of-the-line food that is locally sourced and exquisitely crafted. If it’s a nice day out, Universal Joint is the place to be. With a large outdoor patio, live Friday and Saturday night music, and some 15 beers on tap, it’s no wonder that this place has been a hit among locals and tourists alike. Got a game you can’t miss? Head over to Clarks’ On Main, a sports-bar-done-right with 35 beers on tap, 25 TV screens, and a Cheers vibe that’ll have you coming back time and again.

Spruce Pine, North Carolina POPULATION: 2,123

In the early 1900s, Spruce Pine was considered the Toe River Valley’s biggest town, thanks in large part to the vastly expanding railroad and mining industries of the time. Both of those industries have since dwindled to naught, and that’s left Spruce Pine’s residents the opportunity to reinvent their identity. At the heart of this next chapter is the great outdoors. Located amid thousands of acres of western North Carolina’s most treasured public lands, Spruce Pine is the closest major town to three of the region’s iconic mountains— Mount Mitchell, Roan Mountain, and Grandfather Mountain. Its proximity to these Southeastern gems, coupled with in-town river access, has the potential to make Spruce Pine North Carolina’s next best mountain town. At least, that’s what Spruce Pine native Starli McDowell, Executive Director of the Toe River Valley Watch, thinks. “Spruce Pine is all about that hometown, small, country feel with friendly people,” says McDowell. “We’re right at the center of all of these mountains, and the water that flows off of those mountains feeds the rivers and streams. We’re blessed with abundant clean water and good mountain people.” McDowell was instrumental in the 2009 removal of the Spruce Pine dam on the Toe River, which

opened access for paddlers through downtown Spruce Pine. Now, the river is free-flowing, and one of the few free-flowing rivers in the state. She’s currently working on a threephase greenway that will increase pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to Spruce Pine. When complete in 2018, the greenway will connect downtown Spruce Pine to the Blue Ridge Parkway and will be recognized as an official section of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail which honors the Revolutionary soldiers who fought the British at King’s Mountain. FOR BACKDOOR ACCESS TO MOUNT MITCHELL, GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, AND ROAN MOUNTAIN, SPRUCE PINE IS THE PLACE TO BE.

PLAY: Float the Toe River. Thanks

to the hard work of McDowell and the Toe River Valley Watch, there’s an extremely in-depth online resource for paddling the Toe River Canoe Trail. Check out toerivervalley.org for more information on put-ins, camping, water levels, and more. Though mostly flat, the river does have some really fun class II+ rapids and flows for 20 miles unimpeded to the mouth of the Nolichucky Gorge, another classic river in the Southeast. Take advantage of Spruce Pine’s backdoor access to some of the most rugged terrain in the Southeast by hitting the trails on Roan Mountain. Appalachian Trail thru hikers treasure Roan for its miles of open, canopy-free trail that traverse a stunning grassy bald. Bring a camera if you go—hiking amid a 360-degree theater of endless blue ridgelines lends itself to countless photo opps. If you’re visiting during apple season, head up on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Historic Orchard at Altapass. The you-pick orchard features walking trails and over 40 different heirloom apple varieties, making it a perfect blend of history and recreation. At day’s end, Spruce Pine’s Riverside Park offers a mellow, paved, half-mile-long trail that parallels the Toe River. Keep an eye out for the river’s winged residents like the spotted and solitary sandpipers, great blue herons, and belted kingfishers.

HALLEY BURLESON

STAY: For quiet camping that

puts you front and center to all of the adventure and scenery that defines the Blue Ridge Parkway, look no further than Springmaid Mountain. Tent sites start at $25 per night and come complete with a picnic table and fire ring with grill. If you’re in the market for a lodging option with a roof, Springmaid also has a handful of one- to five-bedroom cabins for rent starting at $85 per night. Campers can enjoy kayaking, fishing, or even horseback riding right on-site, too.

Eat: No visit to Spruce Pine is complete

without breakfast at the town’s two favorite breakfast spots, DT’s Blue Ridge Java and Fox and the Fig. For the full breakfast menu, head to DT’s. If it’s a quick coffee and maybe a cup of yogurt and homemade granola, try the Fox and the Fig. Later in the day, hit up Chef Nate Allen’s Knife & Fork for craft cocktails and a sophisticated, seasonally inspired meal. We can’t recommend anything here, because the menu changes almost daily, but we’ve heard the apple brandy beef is divine. The Tropical Grill is a much more casual dining option but a tried and true local go-to.

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Yo u are Sh en an doah’s mo st imp o r tant p ar tne r. Find o ut ho w yo u ca n he lp prote ct Sh en an doah Nat i onal Par k’s wild life and wild land s at SNP Tru st.org .

The Shenandoah National Park Trust is the philanthropic partner of Shenandoah National Park and an oﬃcial partner of the National Park Service. photo by Ken Rowland

HUMANS OF THE A.T. Meet our Dirty Dozen—12 of this year's Appalachian Trail thruhikers—hoping to complete a 2,195 mile journey this summer. BY CAROLINE LELAND

MATTHEW LUKENS OCCUPATION: EPISCOPAL PRIEST HOME: BIRMINGHAM, ALA. AGE: 30

JOSEPH ROBINSON TRAIL NAME: GENERAL HENDRIX HOME: JEKYLL ISLAND, GA. AGE: 24

“I’m learning, in a sense, off the grid. It’s let me get more in touch with my personal side. I feel like every day, ever since I’ve gotten out here on the trail, I’ve gotten stronger. My spirit has just excelled. It’s really one of those things, you have to let go of something in order to achieve something else. I gave up my condo that I had on Jekyll, I sold my Volvo, and I left a lot of good people. But this is my shamanic journey to finally get in tune with myself. Being outdoors is my element. I don’t like the cities. I don’t like heavily populated areas. I just like to live. I’m not really looking for anything in particular because I know Mother Nature’s got my back. I’m in existence right now, just living. The older you do get, the more they’re going to try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep living.”

PELLE OBERG HOME: VILLEGROVE, ILL. AGE: 24

“I wanted to spend some time alone and be outside. And the ability to handle emotion: You go through a whole roller coaster of emotions in a period of four hours. You go from wanting to quit at the next road, call your parents to pick you up—to thinking, ‘I can make it all the way. I’m really enjoying this.’ Learning how to manage your emotions is something that I want.”

“I grew up doing Scouts and so hiking’s been in my life for a while. A friend and I were supposed to do the trail—we went to college in Virginia and the trail comes pretty close to where we went to college. We were gonna go the day after graduation. But then a job fell into my lap. And everything in my career for the last eight years I can trace to that job, so I don’t regret it, but I spent that whole summer at a desk thinking, 'In another life I was outdoors right now.' Last February, I looked around at my life and thought, 'I have the time and the money to do the trail. Not many opportunities like this are gonna come up again.' I’d already done the planning. It was amazing just the first five days how happy being out in the woods with a pack makes me. I just love it out here. I’m probably taking a little bit of time to kind of evaluate what my next steps might be professionally, but that’s kind of ancillary to just being here.” J U LY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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ALEXIS NEWBY

TRAIL NAME: HEAT WAVE OCCUPATION: WILDERNESS EXPEDITION THERAPY HOME: LAFAYETTE, IN. AGE: 29

CHARLOTTE ROBINSON

TRAIL NAME: TEACH OCCUPATION: WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST HOME: ROCKVILLE, MD. AGE: 28 “I’m trying to do this whole thing without planning ahead. I’m trying to find a sense of, like, ‘it’s going to be okay’ even if I don’t have like a crazy plan laid out for myself. And even if the plan changes, that’s okay too. Because unlike real life, I feel like anything that comes up, I have everything I need on my back. It’s really comforting.”

HEE JONG YANG AND HANEUL LEE AGES: 32, 30 HOME: SOUTH KOREA

“It’s our honeymoon, so we are walking together.” “I asked her to hike with me.”

“I think there’s a healing power in nature, for sure. I think I’m a nicer, better person when I spend more time outside. There’s so many unexpected things that you find when you’re hiking. I found this on the PCT and so far I’ve found it here: Hikers, and the people surrounding the hiking community just kind of restores my faith in people. It’s just, it’s all good. People are friendly, they’re caring, and you’ll never go without. The trail always provides whatever you might need. Or even the things you think you don’t need but you do. The last trail I did, I hoped to find direction and purpose and stuff, and, uh, I didn’t. I just found a love of hiking. I’m just out here again, the same idea, right? It’s to find something I wanna do after this, something maybe a little more permanent or lasting. That would be the hope. Experience has shown that it won’t happen. But I’ll have a great time in the meantime.” J U LY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

JOSEPH KOONTZ TRAIL NAME: THE HARE HOME: RALEIGH, N.C. AGE: 31

KIMBERLY KELLY TRAIL NAME: MAMA BEAR HOME: DETROIT, MI AGE: 27

DAN WORDEN

TRAIL NAME: DAN IN REAL LIFE DOG'S NAME: ARIZONA HOME: GREENVILLE, S.C. AGE: 50 “About six years ago I saw a Nat Geo special about the A.T., and ever since then it’s been calling me. I’m just out for a little hike in the woods. I’m trying to get out of the matrix for a little bit. It’s so easy to go to work, to come home, get up, and go to work. You get in that rut. That’s not living. I want to get off the couch and enjoy real life.” 70

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U LY 2 017

“I was supposed to do the hike last year, and then my grandmother who raised me passed away really suddenly and so I couldn’t do it. She always wanted me to live for myself more. So I started the trail on April 15, on her birthday, this year. I feel like since my grandma passed away—it’s been over a year now—I kinda let go of a lot of my self-discipline and self-care and all that, and I got really distracted with work and more unhealthy coping skills. I soak up people so easily, like their energy; I feel like it influences me in a lot of ways. I feel like I’m in a place now where I get to listen to my surroundings, not people.”

“My mom brought me out. She just went through chemo for leukemia, and this was like a bucket list thing. With two weeks’ notice, she decided to bring me, and I’m really glad she did. She actually helped me by bringing me out here. When I come out of this, I know I’ll be a better person. I feel like I’ve already become a better person, just doing this. Physically, mentally, emotionally… just being around my mom’s been good for me, and just being around nature. I feel like I got lost the last six years. I mean, really it’s her illness: I thought she was going to die, so then I kind of gave up on myself. I got bogged down by that whole cliché of ‘How can bad things happen to good people?’ But then my mom recovered, and I thought, ‘Wait a second. Why am I messed up?’ Not only did she recover, but now she’s helping me recover. I will probably go back and finish college, or at least go back to working a legitimate job. This hike will help me figure it out.” BlueRidgeOutdoors

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J U LY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

DANIEL ZUBE

TRAIL NAME: SCREECH OCCUPATION: MECHANICAL ENGINEER HOME: NEW HAMPSHIRE AGE: 34 “I write haiku-like poems while I hike: Appalachian Trail Inches wide but miles long Connecting people To themselves and each other As life hastens us, it waits

JACOB CASAVANT

CASEY PENCE

“I didn’t want to wait until I had a mortgage or a family to do the things I actually wanted to do in life. I’m getting all the big accomplishments out of the way first, and then I’ll do college and all the boring shit. I wanna hike the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail and maybe Everest. There’s more going on out here than back home. I’m just trying to see really what my ability is. I feel like nobody tests themselves anymore, and I wanna know exactly what my limits are.”

“I think I already know myself, and that’s why I’m doing this. I’m not trying to find myself. It’s really just a reinforcement of my own power. In my life prior, I had never really done anything I could fail at. I had just done things I was good at. I’m not good at this, so it’s actually something I’m doing to really push myself. I quit my job, saved up. So I’ll kind of be starting from scratch once I’m done, but I have everyone’s support back home. I’m not too worried about it.”

TRAIL NAME: MOBIE HOME: WINCHENDON, MASS. AGE: 19

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U LY 2 017

OCCUPATION: PRESCHOOL TEACHER HOME: PORTAGE, MI AGE: 24

Thru-hiker hostel "Rest" is a relative term Wash, dry, plan, food prep People who just won't shut up Snoring orchestra bunk house We evolved to walk Not to sit, drive, stare, or swipe Efficiency gain? Relative to time, perhaps There's more to time than numbers Distracted hiker Typing poems into phone Smack head on low branch BlueRidgeOutdoors

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TRAIL MIX

Pickin' and Spinnin' BY JEDD FERRIS

IN BETWEEN GIGS, THE STEEL WHEELS

musicians pedal the best biking routes in the Blue Ridge.

he road gets long for hardtouring bands like the Steel Wheels, the popular Virginia-based string outfit currently on a summer jaunt in support of new record Wild As We Came Here. Members of the nimble-fingered quartet, which formed more than a decade ago, often break up the monotony of travel by biking in and around the towns where they play shows. The avid cyclists hail from Harrisonburg, a well-known biking town, and they’ve even done some short tours on two wheels, pulling their instruments on bike trailers. This month the band will host its annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival (July 14-16; redwingroots.com), which will also feature sets from Steve Earle, Lake Street Dive, and Mandolin Orange. At the festival, located in the Shenandoah Valley near the band’s hometown in Mt. Solon, Va., members will be leading group rides with attendees before the music starts. Before the event, singer and guitarist Trent Wagler and bassist Brian Dickel shared details on some of their favorite rides in the region. TRENT WAGLER ON THE ROAD

PILOT MOUNTAIN

(PILOT MOUNTAIN, N.C.) 41 MILES 4,053 FT. ELEVATION

“There is nothing like an extremely prominent mountain on the cycling itinerary to get your blood flowing. Pilot Mountain is one of the best, peering over the rolling North Carolina mountains with an unmistakable rocky outcropping. When we rode this as a band, we rolled out with a group ride from 74

the local community center, taking a pretty direct route to the state park where the climb starts. “It's a beauty. The road winds up a little over two miles, averaging a nine-percent grade to the top where we regrouped with some high-fives and pointed our wheels back down the hill. The rest of the ride is a picturesque tour of rolling hills. Since the mountain is an up and back, this ride is suitable for beginner to intermediate riders.” SHENANDOAH MTN. / REDDISH KNOB (HARRISONBURG, VA .—SUGAR GROVE, W.VA .) 78 MILES 7,161FT. ELEVATION

“This ride includes two of the best road climbs reachable from Harrisonburg in less than 80 miles. A morning leave time usually yields a calm route, but on weekends or later in the day this road can be busy with cars. Mile 20 brings you to Shenandoah Mountain, a good time to test your legs, but be sure you don't spend all your energy here. The descent into West Virginia off the backside of Shenandoah has some switchbacks, but it's a fun descent with nice pavement. Once you get to the bottom of the hill, you've entered Brandywine, W.Va., one of the only towns on this route, so make sure

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / J U LY 2 017

you’re set with food and water. This part of West Virginia always feels a little further away from everything, in a peaceful way. “When you make it to Reddish Knob Rd., you've come to the start of the real climb for the day. There is a temptation at the state line to stop rather than endure the final two miles to the very top of Reddish Knob, but that is foolish. There isn't a better 360-degree view of the mountains of Virginia/West Virginia anywhere. The route back to town has a few patches of gravel road to mix it up, and one more local favorite called Mole Hill to round out a truly wonderful ride.” BRIAN DICKEL’S FAT TIRE FAVORITE

NORTH RIVER / LITTLE BALD / CHESTNUT RIDGE

(STOKESVILLE, VA .) 27 MILES 4,200 FT. ELEVATION

“When you park at the Wild Oak Trail parking lot near Stokesville, the hardest part is choosing which epic backcountry singletrack trail you want to ride. Thanks to the amazing work of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and Shenandoah Mountain Touring, the list grows longer every year. One of my favorites—taking the long way up to the Chestnut

Ridge descent via the North River Trail. It's a much easier route than the traditional slog up Horse Trough Hollow, but it does come at a price of adding considerable length to reach the ridgeline. “North River is not one you want to attempt during the wet season, as there are numerous stream crossings that can get deep when the water is really flowing. You gain the majority of the elevation in the first 18 miles, essentially entirely uphill, but at a more moderate rate of steepness than most Virginia backcountry routes. "The payoff is the insanely good Chestnut Ridge that makes up a part of the Wild Oak Trail. Chestnut is six miles of fast ridge descending with a couple punchy uphills to make you remember that your legs are rubber from the previous climbs. The beautiful part about riding in this area is if you feel like your day isn’t quite done, you only need to pedal a few miles down the road to add on the classic Lookout Mountain Loop or Trimble Mountain.” GET DETAILS ON ONE MORE OF THE BAND’S

favorite mountain bike rides, as well as GPS routes of all rides at BlueRidgeOutdoors.com

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