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CURRENT Features

For the Love of Night Skies

Former Girl Scout Lora Callahan spent 120 hours leading an effort to make James River State Park Virginia’s second International Dark Sky Park. It became such last spring.

Big Guy, Big Animals: A Lifetime of Care for Creatures

Wildlife biologist Justin McVey loves working with critters—the larger, the better.

Photo Essay: Loving on the Cold

Hey, let’s not short the cold season, hard as it may be to step outside into it. Our contributing photographers certainly brave the elements, and are back with the beautiful proof.

‘Mona Lisa of the Mountains?’ The Stone Face of the New River Gorge

The enigmatic face was likely carved into soapstone in the 1950s by a coal miner.

Photo Essay: Fall Gives Way

It’s that first afternoon that feels like snow. That westerly breeze that leaves no doubt a new season is about to arrive. Our contributing photographers were there to capture it.

Current Issue

Founding Troop #217 was Lora Callahan's first big project.

For the Love of Night Skies

Former Girl Scout Lora Callahan spent 120 hours leading an effort to make James River State Park Virginia’s second International Dark Sky Park. It became such last spring.
Justin McVey, here at work with cubs as part of an N.C. State/N.C. Wildlife Commission project, talks about bears: “They’re super-adaptable and really smart. If there’s a bear in a habitat with a lot of people, it learns where the food sources are and how to get into a trash can readily.”

Big Guy, Big Animals: A Lifetime of Care for Creatures

Wildlife biologist Justin McVey loves working with critters—the larger, the better.
First light paints the mountains near a wind-shaped oak on Max Patch in North Carolina.

Photo Essay: Loving on the Cold

Hey, let’s not short the cold season, hard as it may be to step outside into it. Our contributing photographers certainly brave the elements, and are back with the beautiful proof.
The mysterious carving is on National Park Service land near the New River Gorge.

‘Mona Lisa of the Mountains?’ The Stone Face of the New River Gorge

The enigmatic face was likely carved into soapstone in the 1950s by a coal miner.
The last light of sunset illuminates a sparkling layer of rime ice on Spy Rock near Montebello on Virginia’s Appalachian Trail.

Photo Essay: Fall Gives Way

It’s that first afternoon that feels like snow. That westerly breeze that leaves no doubt a new season is about to arrive. Our contributing photographers were there to capture it.
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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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