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Kurt’s Hikes

CURRENT Kurt’s Hikes

Rock Scrambling and Luch with Grandson in Tow

With grandson Matthew in tow and occasionally in front, we used a pretty afternoon to take on this pretty easy hike.

Early Wildflowers on the AT

With its three distinct sections, this hike is a good one for nearly-spring when, especially in the lower section along the creeks, the early wildflowers are popping.

A Good Dog Comes Home

Kurt's family's dog Fluff, who disappeared on a hike back in November, has come home again! This is Kurt's column, published in the March/April issue of The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country's sister magazine.

A Blustery Roanoke Hike

On a rainy day we stayed close to home, and started out carrying umbrellas along the greenway beside the swollen, Werther's-colored Roanoke River as it sped along beside us, fed by small streams rushing into it with heavy rains of the night before.

Greatest Hiker, Worst ‘Shwacker

We picked this pretty-easy section of Appalachian Trail, in order to do some poking around at the former site of Camp Kewanzee, which was operated from 1926 to 1950, and had its 500-acre territory shrunk in 1939 when the parkway people came along.

Current Issue

The Dragon's Tooth formation hides Matthew pretty well.

Rock Scrambling and Luch with Grandson in Tow

With grandson Matthew in tow and occasionally in front, we used a pretty afternoon to take on this pretty easy hike.

Early Wildflowers on the AT

With its three distinct sections, this hike is a good one for nearly-spring when, especially in the lower section along the creeks, the early wildflowers are popping.
Ol’ Fluff has for 10 years been a loyal, obedient, kindly pet, with no real faults except for his penchant to answer, now and again, to the call of the wild.

A Good Dog Comes Home

Kurt's family's dog Fluff, who disappeared on a hike back in November, has come home again! This is Kurt's column, published in the March/April issue of The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country's sister magazine.
With strong rains only hours behind, the river far below the Mill Mountain overlook ran deep and muddy, but stayed within its banks. (Note the recently installed guide to area mountains at the overlook.)

A Blustery Roanoke Hike

On a rainy day we stayed close to home, and started out carrying umbrellas along the greenway beside the swollen, Werther's-colored Roanoke River as it sped along beside us, fed by small streams rushing into it with heavy rains of the night before.
Remains of the old swimming pool along the stream below the former Camp Kewanzee.

Greatest Hiker, Worst ‘Shwacker

We picked this pretty-easy section of Appalachian Trail, in order to do some poking around at the former site of Camp Kewanzee, which was operated from 1926 to 1950, and had its 500-acre territory shrunk in 1939 when the parkway people came along.
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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.

June 29, 2026
©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.

June 29, 2026
Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

June 29, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS