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2025

Sitting across from the Harvester, Rocky Mount’s LOVE sign tells the region’s story simply and beautifully.

Rocky Mount, Virginia: ‘You May Think You Know Us, But We’re Something Else’

Nestled between the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont and sitting halfway between Roanoke and Martinsville, Rocky Mount claims its unique dual identities beautifully.
About 2,000 Southern bog turtles remain.

Help for Hellbender? Tiny Bog Turtle Imperiled Too

Biologists look for help to protect several mountain species.
“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.
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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