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February’s Wild Edible: Wild Asparagus

Sometime this month or in early March in these mountains, the wild asparagus will begin to emerge from the soil in such nondescript places as ditches, roadsides and uncultivated fields.

Kurt’s Hikes: June-December 2023

You look at seven months of hikes to close the 19th year of Gail and me walking every weekend and you start to see some patterns, most striking of which is the hikes are creeping toward shorter.

Waterfall Wednesday: Cumberland Falls – The Niagara Falls of the South

Residing in Southeastern Kentucky sits one of the most naturally beautiful waterfalls in the Blue Ridge region known as the "Niagara of the South," Cumberland Falls.

February’s Wild Edible: Maple Syrup

In the Blue Ridge Mountain region, certainly two of the counties that are most known for producing maple syrup are Highland County, Virginia and Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

January’s Wild Edible: Hairy Bittercress

A close relative of watercress, bittercress is one of the first wild edibles to make their yearly appearance in the Blue Ridge.

Current Issue

Bruce Ingram with asparagus. Asparagus appear in late winter in this region, but the best time to find patches of asparagus is when the green fronds appear much later in the spring.

February’s Wild Edible: Wild Asparagus

Sometime this month or in early March in these mountains, the wild asparagus will begin to emerge from the soil in such nondescript places as ditches, roadsides and uncultivated fields.
Gail stands atop Texas’s Palo Duro Canyon, October 4.

Kurt’s Hikes: June-December 2023

You look at seven months of hikes to close the 19th year of Gail and me walking every weekend and you start to see some patterns, most striking of which is the hikes are creeping toward shorter.
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Waterfall Wednesday: Cumberland Falls – The Niagara Falls of the South

Residing in Southeastern Kentucky sits one of the most naturally beautiful waterfalls in the Blue Ridge region known as the "Niagara of the South," Cumberland Falls.
Bob Sheets gathering sugar maple syrup

February’s Wild Edible: Maple Syrup

In the Blue Ridge Mountain region, certainly two of the counties that are most known for producing maple syrup are Highland County, Virginia and Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
64cf82ca-8d47-11ee-8d53-12163087a831-Hairy-Bittercress

January’s Wild Edible: Hairy Bittercress

A close relative of watercress, bittercress is one of the first wild edibles to make their yearly appearance in the Blue Ridge.
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Departments

Smith Mountain Lake Virginia is a hidden gem within the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful area features boating, sailing, hiking, shopping, fishing, and much more.
From The Editor

Sarah Smiles: The Lake Effect

Growing up, many of my weekends were spent at my late step-grandmother’s house on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

June 26, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS