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October & November 2020 Hikes

December’s Wild Edible: Shagbark Hickory Nuts and Bark

Some effort is required to eat shagbark hickory nuts, but it’s a worthwhile enterprise as the nutmeat inside features a delightfully sweet aroma.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: American Redstart

This sweetly-songed wood warbler is (along with the Black-and-white Warbler) one of the most distinct in the Blue Ridge.

November’s Wild Edible: Persimmons

My wife Elaine and I regard our region’s native wild persimmon as, hands down, our favorite fall fruit and also as the source for our favorite kinds of homemade bread and cookies any time of the year.

The Good Mountain Mutt – Happy, Healthy Holidays

Dogs don’t understand that you’re tense because you promised to make five pies. But with a little planning and understanding, we can help our dogs get through the holidays without incident.

Current Issue

Lunch time on Brushy Mountain with McAfee Knob visible across the valley.

October & November 2020 Hikes

9ee26044-34d6-11eb-9ce2-1244d5f7c7c6-1._Hickory_nuts

December’s Wild Edible: Shagbark Hickory Nuts and Bark

Some effort is required to eat shagbark hickory nuts, but it’s a worthwhile enterprise as the nutmeat inside features a delightfully sweet aroma.
ead9beb2-1fae-11eb-9e2a-1244d5f7c7c6-American-Redstart-1-by-Michael-Todd

Birds of the Blue Ridge: American Redstart

This sweetly-songed wood warbler is (along with the Black-and-white Warbler) one of the most distinct in the Blue Ridge.
497c049c-1d21-11eb-b619-1244d5f7c7c6-1._Wild_native_persimmons

November’s Wild Edible: Persimmons

My wife Elaine and I regard our region’s native wild persimmon as, hands down, our favorite fall fruit and also as the source for our favorite kinds of homemade bread and cookies any time of the year.
Memphis is dressed for Christmas

The Good Mountain Mutt – Happy, Healthy Holidays

Dogs don’t understand that you’re tense because you promised to make five pies. But with a little planning and understanding, we can help our dogs get through the holidays without incident.
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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

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