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Best Biking and Inline Skating in Virginia

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The best biking and inline skating destinations in Virginia

Biking, hiking and inline skating are a fantastic way to enjoy time in the great outdoors, a fun activity that all the family can share and a good way to keep fit. More and more people are heading to Virginia to enjoy these activities, and if you want to know why, read on.

Why Virginia?

Framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, Virginia has a surprising variety of beautiful landscapes. Its rich forests are teeming with wildlife and it is home to several magnificent rivers. The coastal territory also presents a wide variety of fascinating places to explore.

The Huckleberry Trail

Built where the old Cambria to Blacksburg railroad used to run, the Huckleberry Trail has long been known for the abundance of huckleberries and blueberries that can be found beside it, so cyclists and skaters might find themselves stopping off from time to time to enjoy a good snack. It is just under six miles long and paved all the way, making it well suited to beginners and family groups. Wooden mile markers help you check your progress as you go.

The Washington and Old Dominion Trail

With a full 45 miles of high quality paved or asphalt trail, the Washington and Old Dominion Trail is one of the best choices for bikers and skaters who want a long distance challenge. It is built along the path of the now abandoned Washington and Old Dominion railroad and it traverses some of the most beautiful countryside in the state, taking in woods and fields and passing by old settlements. Splitting off from it is the Bluemont Junction Trail, a pleasingly shaded place to ride on hot summer days.

The Lower Cascade Falls

There are actually two hiking trails at Cascade Falls, but the lower one is generally considered the best, running alongside the creek bed and offering some stunning views, and when you reach the end you can stand under the waterfall itself to cool off. It is great for hikers young and old at only four miles long, but the uneven terrain means it is still a comparatively tough option, so you will need appropriate hiking gear to make the most of this photographer’s paradise.

Cape Henry Trail

At 7.5 miles in length, this well tended trail takes you right across First Landing State Park, where you can spot deer, foxes and all sorts of waterfowl, including ospreys. Despite varied terrain with sand, gravel, asphalt and crushed stone underfoot, it might sound challenging, but it is actually well suited to skaters and it will also appeal to bike riders who want a relaxing ride in beautiful surroundings. There is a small fee for use.

Go equipped

To take on Virginia’s challenging trails, you will need good walking boots, a sturdy mountain bike or a good brand of rollerblade inline skates, capable of navigating the many bumps along the way and coping with the occasional steep incline. You should also take at least a basic survival kit: a first aid kit, a knife, a torch, a lighter, a bottle of water and some high energy rations such as dried fruit or cereal bars.

Virginia is a thrilling place to explore and these great trails make it easy to find your way around the best bits.

First major snow of our season with 9 inches of powder.

Unlike our neighbors to the north we have had very little snow this season and it was a true pleasure to watch it fall yesterday. Rochelle and I put on our boots and hiked to the road and I did take some great pictures. I will add one shortly. Soft light powder with no wind. Unlike the blast from this past weekend. Cold I can deal with, Snow I Love, Wind is the worst. Dreaming of warm sunny beaches in Mexico with a cold Corona.

Golfing in Roanoke: planning your trip to the tee

 

The stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the beauty of the changing seasons, along with undulating greens and rolling fairways combine to create a unique golfing experience in the Roanoke Valley. Golfers at all levels of ability can pack their clubs, balls and elbow sleeve and head out to practice their sport here in ideal surroundings. There are numerous tailored packages available to get the most out of the semi-private and public courses. Whether planning a family vacation or a group outing, both aspiring and seasoned players can get the latest info through Golf Digest and customize their perfect package.

Planning the trip

Proper packing is an essential part of every golfing trip in order to avoid a raft of hassles and annoyances that will seriously put you off your game.

  • Use microfiber clothing, for instance, which is specially designed for golf travelers. It’s resistant to wrinkling, lightweight for transport and dries quickly if a shower catches you out.
  • You should also use quality outerwear as the weather can be inclement at times and getting caught in high crosswinds without the proper level of protection is asking for trouble.
  • Take the right number of balls appropriate to your level. If your handicap is high you’ll need more balls so take a long, honest look at your game to assess the number of balls to pack.
  • It’s always a good idea to pack a box of snacks like peanut butter crackers and Granola bars for the energy factor whilst out on the course.

Tips for beginners

Golf has a reputation for being elitist but this is changing fast and the sport is much more accessible than it used to be. The experience of heading off under the gaze of veterans can be daunting, so here are a few tips to help out.

  • Take a few lessons – teaching yourself will only encourage bad habits.
  • Work on your putting – putts account for half the strokes in a round but are not often practiced.
  • Work out on a driving range – these places are great for advice and instruction, and you can happily lose all the balls you want.
  • Don’t feel pressured – let other players overtake you if you need to concentrate on your game more. Remember that even the top pros started out as beginners.

Pete Dye Rivercourse

One of the best courses in southwest Virginia is the Virginia Tech Pete Dye Rivercourse, between Radford and Blacksburg. This is an 18-hole course that offers golfers a fun and challenging five sets of tees, covering all ability levels. As an added bonus, there are splendid and invigorating panoramic views from every hole along the 2.5 miles of New River.

The River, as it’s fondly known, also has putting and chipping greens, a driving range on its practice facility and a full teaching center as well as a pro shop for buying and hiring equipment. Golf Digest voted this course one of the “Best Places to Play” in the whole of the US.

 

Area Day Trips

Day Trips from Dublin: The Blue Ridge Parkway

If you are interested in a day away from Rockwood Manor and driving around the beautiful countryside of the Appalachian area of the US, then traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the greatest drives in America, with wonderful scenic views and chances for hiking, picnicking and visiting some of the natural treasures of the eastern United States.

History

Work on the parkway started in 1935 during the Roosevelt presidency. As part of the New Deal, it provided work for the men in the North Carolinian and Virginian hinterlands during the depression years. However, work wasn’t completed for 52 years until the Linn Cove Viaduct near Grandfather Mountain was opened in 1987. This piece of road finally connected two of the great national parks of America: the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park almost 500 miles away in North Carolina. Along the route you can see some of the most spectacular natural views in the US. National parkland lines the road on each side so the views of the peaks and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains are unspoiled.

Getting There

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile road that stretches through Virginia and North Carolina. Mile 0 is at the Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro in Virginia, which is about 2 hours north-eastof Dublin. But if you are setting out for a drive from Rockwood Manor then the easiest place to join the road is at Fancy Gap, about a 45 minute drive south of Dublin. Take I-81 South, then join I-77 South and take exit 8 heading towards Fancy Gap. From there, depending on how much time you have, you can either take the shorter drive north in Virginia, or head south and over the border into North Carolina.

If you are in rush to get anywhere, the Blue Ridge Parkway is definitely not the route you should take. The road is just a single lane in each direction and though there are passing places at the viewing points along the road, the speed limit on the road is low so you shouldn’t be charging along. The limit is 45 mile per hour along most of the road, with that falling to just 25 miles per hour in some of the more congested sections.  The point of the Blue Ridge Parkway is to enjoy the journey and the spectacular views, not to get to a destination.

Image 2: Blue Ridge Mountains

Scenery

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a wonderful drive all year round. If you go in the spring or summer, you’ll see the abundant greens over the hills, whereas if you visit in the fall you can see the trees and plants slowly changing to their autumnal reds and oranges. Winter can be an opportunity to see some snow settle on the higher peaks, but the pass can get treacherous during the colder months and don’t be surprised to see some of the parkway closed due to snow and ice. The Park Service do signpost any detours thoroughly though, helping you back onto the main roads until it is safe to join the Parkway again. If you do find yourself on the parkway any time after October beware of icy conditions and prepare your car thoroughly before you set out, making sure the tires are in good condition, you have enough gas to complete your journey, you have supplies available in case you get stuck and you have coverage in the case of an accident. Make sure you check out the tips and travel tools from the park service to ensure you have a safe journey.

The flora and ecology changes as you reach higher elevations. At the lower levels you will see oak, hickory and tulip trees, while the upper reaches of the road are lined with fir and spruces more suited to the difficult climate. Trees near the peaks will often be distorted from years of wind and ice. Smaller flowers such as Rhododendrons and Dogwoods are visible during the spring and summer through all levels of the road, and can be seen retreating as the cold weather moves in.

Image 3: Black Balsam Knob in the Fall

Places to Visit

If you do want to stop anywhere along the way then there are hiking trails and picnic spots signposted throughout the roadway, but a map to guide you to the most memorable spots is a necessity. Some of the best sites along the road are Mount Mitchell (Mile 355), the tallest peak in the Eastern United States, the waterfalls such as Glassmine (361), Crabtree (339) and Looking Glass (417) which dot the lower levels of the road, and some of the idyllic rural manmade structures such as Mabry Mill (176) and Brinegar Cabin (238). The Parkway does not have a direct interchange with any interstates but all the major cities and areas along the route are also signposted. In Virginia, Waynesboro, Galax and Roanoke are the major towns that sit nearby the road. In North Carolina, the road passes by Asheville and the famous Biltmore Estate and vineyards if you wanted to pick up a bottled memento of your trip.

Rockwood Manor is honored to be a part of the Virginia Tech/Maryland Football Raffle in support of the Angel Fund.

While remembering the tragic event at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007 and supporting the Angel fund ~ We are honored to have been included in this thoughtful offer donated by a former 1986 Virginia Tech Alumnus. This offer included 2 tickets to the November 2013 VT/MD Football game, one night at Rockwood Manor B&B and $50 cash meal/gas allowance.

This kind offer was made courtesty of Wilson Asphalt Mainenace LC.

The Angel Fund is a positive influence in our community and others, as their mission is to help young people that battle issues in every day life. Their goal is to help give solutions and support with the difficulties young people face daily. More importantly they bring awareness to communities and schools, desiring to create safe environment for young people.

You will be moved by the many areas that are touched by the Angel Fund. We encourage you to learn more by visiting their website and reading their newsletters at  http://www.angelfundva.org

 

 

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