Behind Blue Ridge Country

CURRENT Behind Blue Ridge Country

Elaine Ingram admires a purebred American chestnut clinging to survival on the Ingram’s land in Craig County. Such trees are rare.

December’s Wild Edible: The American Chestnut

What was one this region's most predominant tree has now become merely an afterthought.
64d2ed34-69a3-11ed-ac14-12274efc5439-Snowy-Owl---photo-by-Michael-Todd

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Snowy Owl

While they are Arctic birds, recent years have shown an uptick in irruptions – irregular migrations outside the normal geographic range of a given species.
58386c80-69a2-11ed-84ff-12274efc5439-Dark-eyed-Junco---photo-by-Michael-Todd

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Dark-eyed Junco

Our little sharply dressed messengers of winter have arrived – the “snowbirds!" Or, as others call them, Dark-eyed Juncos.
The Lexington Tree Lighting

Experience a Christmas Card Perfect Holiday in Lexington, Virginia!

The list of reasons to visit Rockbridge County gets longer as the days get shorter.
3b647574-65f4-11ed-b230-12274efc5439-Barred-Owl---photo-by-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Barred Owl

These brown-eyed beauties are highly vocal and will even call during the daytime.

Departments

At Coopers Rock State Forest, new Stargazer cabins invite guests to look up through skylights and telescopes.
Country Roads

Even Closer to Almost Heaven

New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.

©Duncan Seaman
Country Roads

A Mountain Tradition Turns 90 

Visitors flock to Galax, Virginia, each summer for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, a days-long celebration of Appalachian music.

Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS