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January 2025

“Reaching the quarter-way sign in southwest Virginia was a huge milestone,” says Nikki Bettis (left). “We felt like we’d finally found our groove.”

Family Strong on the AT

In the face of personal, family and business challenges, Nikki Bettis gathered her 13 children, convinced them to walk the Maine-to-Georgia Appalachian Trail and then went out and did it.
The greenway is nearly level throughout its 8 miles.

Granite City Greenway

Mount Airy, North Carolina’s 8-mile riverside trail is a delight in many contexts, including fishing and jumping in.
The Greatest Day Hiker of Them All takes the jump at Arnold Valley Pool, June 16 (the family gave her a standing O).

20th Year of the Hiking Oddity: A Few New Spots and Lots of Family Along*

Most of our every-weekend hikes were local to our home in Roanoke, Virginia, and repeats of ones we’ve done many times, but there were a few new things along the way.
While seats were the primary treasure from the Empire Theatre, the Barter people also brought back chandeliers, artwork and lights.

Curios: The Great Barter Pilfer

One weekend in May, 1953, a group of southwest Virginia thespian “thieves” raided a New York theater and came back with the goods.
skywatch

January/February Skywatch: The Bright Lights of Winter’s Sky

Winter skies are known by skywatchers for its many bright, beautiful stars, more so than for any other season.
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Behind Blue Ridge Country

Even More Sweet Virginia Breezes

Casually cruising to Claytor Lake in southwest Virginia, I felt like I had come home – back to where it

April 12, 2018

CALENDAR OF EVENTS