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Kurt’s Hikes: Jan-May, 2023

One highlight of the walks of the first five months of the year was a semi-surprise for The Day Hiker when, upon our arrival at the base of the Star Trail up Roanoke Mountain, pretty much the whole dang family (all but the Raleigh family)

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Blue Grosbeak

While widespread, these retiring birds are often heard before they are seen.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Great Blue Heron

The statuesque pose of our continent’s largest heron is a familiar site along many bodies of water.

Waterfall Wednesday: Falling Spring Falls – A Beautiful Waterfall in Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands

Nestled along the side of Route 220, just five miles north of Covington, Virginia, lies Falling Spring Falls, a stunning 80-foot waterfall that is easily accessible and even handicap accessible.

June’s Wild Edible: Wineberries

The scarlet red glistening jewels are especially dazzling on an early summer morning before the morning dew disappears.

Current Issue

March 5: On the way up the Star Trail.

Kurt’s Hikes: Jan-May, 2023

One highlight of the walks of the first five months of the year was a semi-surprise for The Day Hiker when, upon our arrival at the base of the Star Trail up Roanoke Mountain, pretty much the whole dang family (all but the Raleigh family) was there.
Blue Grosbeak, male

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Blue Grosbeak

While widespread, these retiring birds are often heard before they are seen.
c44fa69a-fa2f-11ed-a411-12163087a831-Great-Blue-Heron---photo-by-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Great Blue Heron

The statuesque pose of our continent’s largest heron is a familiar site along many bodies of water.
af5e0f78-f332-11ed-9a18-12163087a831-JTM_8207

Waterfall Wednesday: Falling Spring Falls – A Beautiful Waterfall in Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands

Nestled along the side of Route 220, just five miles north of Covington, Virginia, lies Falling Spring Falls, a stunning 80-foot waterfall that is easily accessible and even handicap accessible.
Wineberries with the morning dew glistening on them.

June’s Wild Edible: Wineberries

The scarlet red glistening jewels are especially dazzling on an early summer morning before the morning dew disappears.
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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