Posts Tagged ‘hiking’

12 Reasons to Visit Virginia in 2012

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

“The country is not mountanous not yet low but such pleasant plaine hils and fertile valleyes, one prettily crossing an other, and watered so conveniently with their sweete brookes and christall springs, as if art itself had devised them.” –Captain John Smith, “A Map of Virginia”

Why should you visit (or re-visit) Virginia? The reasons could quickly conglomerate into a great novel that would require hours of your time to read. Since neither you nor your humble blogger has the time to compose and study a novel of such great proportions, enjoy another of our increasingly well-loved BBAV lists.

12 Reasons to Visit Virginia in 2012:

  1. The historical sites. Virginia has Jamestown/Yorktown, Monticello, Montpelier, and a vast number of other sites that explore our rich history.
  2. The wineries, vineyards, and breweries.
  3. The amusement parks and theme parks.
  4. The state parks and hiking trails.
  5. The museums and exhibits.
  6. The theatres. (Did you know that Virginia boasts the only replica of Shakespeare’s Blackfriar Theatre? Yep, we do, and along that that theatre, there are many, many more scattered about the Commonwealth.)
  7. The scenic drives.
  8. The mountains.
  9. The family-friendly activities.
  10. The beaches.
  11. The shopping centers, malls, outlets, downtown boutiques, and locally-owned shops.
  12. The Bed and Breakfasts. What kind of association would we be if we didn’t highlight the wonderful businesses that comprise our organization? Virginia has some truly wonderful, individually unique bed and breakfasts, and no trip to and around Virginia would be complete without staying at one of them.

 

Hiking Around Virginia

Friday, July 29th, 2011

“I believe that the ascent of mountains forms an essential chapter in the complete duty of man, and that it is wrong to leave any district without setting foot on its highest peak.” — Sir Leslie Stephen

 There are many reasons that people choose to go hiking. Some appreciate the physical challenge, while others enjoy the quiet escape of nature, the ethereal beauty that transcends man-made creation. Others (like me) like to pretend they are elves, nimbly crossing the forests and mountains of Middle Earth. (What? You don’t like to pretend you’re an elf?) Whatever your reasons for hiking, Virginia provides some absolutely beautiful trails for hikers of all levels—day-long hikes, easy walks next to lakes and rivers, trails for biking and horseback riding, treks through national parks, and trails that overlook waterfalls. No matter the area of Virginia in which you find yourself, there will be a hiking trail close by.

Because it would be nearly impossible to list every single trail in a single blog entry, I shall highlight a few options in different areas of our lovely commonwealth:

 

The Cascades, Pembroke, Va- This trail offers waterfalls and creeks, so you can cool off after your trek. You have the option of doing a 4-mile round trip to the lower falls, or an 8-mile round trip to Barney’s Wall.

© Rui M.

 

Prince William Forest Park, Triangle, Va- This park is full of various circuit hikes, depending on which direction you would like to take. It’s an easy hike, and is a great opportunity to bring your canine companions with you.

© FergusonFoundation.org

 

Peaks of Otter, Bedford, Va- This is a wonderful hike, because it offers trails for all different fitness levels. If you’re looking for a good challenge, Flat Top and Sharp Top can take up to three or four hours to complete. Or if you’re feeling especially ambitious, you can combine the two for a nice long, 9.8 mile hike.

© http://www.flickr.com/photos/labimposter

 

If you’d like a list of twenty of the most popular hikes in Virginia, look no further than here. Also, after a good, adrenaline-pumping hike, you should have a nice, comforting Bed and Breakfast to come back to…….so, aren’t you glad we have a list of B&Bs for you to peruse?

A Secret “Sweet Spot” for Lovers in Virginia’s Beautiful Shenandoah Valley: A TripAdvisor’s 5 Star Award for Excellence

Saturday, July 16th, 2011

“Virginia is for Lovers” is a promise fulfilled at Historic Downtown Harrisonburg’s Stonewall Jackson Inn ~ Bed and Breakfast!  Get out your “Bucket List,”  here is “must” places to visit!!   Two well- known, premier travel directories agree!  TripAdvisor has just awarded the coveted 2011 “Certificate of Excellence” to this Inn for again having a solid 5 star rating from their subscribers for the second year in a row. BedandBreakfast.com has also awarded the Inn “Best B&B in the Mid-Atlantic Region” and lists it in the elite Diamond Collection of the World’s Best B&B’s.

 

The really good news is that this Inn  is located in the hospitality-plus “Friendly City” of Harrisonburg, right in the center of the Shenandoah Valley. The City’s lively Downtown  Historical District  is also the Fine Dining & Entertainment Center of the Valley.  But that’s not all.  It offers museums, galleries, shops, stage theater and music, Farmers Market, outdoor festivals & activities.  In the center of the District in a beautifully restored pre-Civil War home,  you will find a  docent staffed  visitor’s welcome center with a gift shop and  a beautiful Tea Room that serves many different kinds of tea along with homemade goodies. Harrisonburg is not only the Valley’s choice destination for a very romantic B&B & fine dining Getaway,  but it is also a “base camp” for outdoor adventure.    There are easy day trips to experience Civil War and Frontier History, Outdoor Recreation and Entertainment, Shopping & Antiquing, Biking, Hiking, Wine Tasting, and much more.  Check out www.HarrisonburgTourism.com and www.VisitShenandoah.org if you are looking for some ideas.

 

The Stonewall Jackson’s mission and promise of a “A Night’s Delight ~ A Breakfast to Remember” is a tall order, but the Inn’s friendly hospitality team is up to the task.  They literally love their jobs of “making guests happy”.  Galina, a “wannabe” interning Innkeeper from Belarus tells the guests “It is like working in a Disneyworld Bed & Breakfast”.  The team leader, Master Innkeeper and owner,  Dr. Wayne Engel, is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at James Madison University.  He and his son started the Inn twelve years ago “just to have fun”.  The ambiance is one of warm Southern Hospitality in a Civil War Era restored mansion , with all of today’s amenities & technological comforts.  The Stonewall Jackson Inn is Certified “Virginia Green” carries a 3 Diamond AAA and an “Exceptional” rating by the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia www.InnVirgina.com. Visit the website for more information and details of “The Stonewall Jackson Experience” in the “Friendly City” of Harrisonburg.

Dr. Wayne Engel, © 2011 http://www.stonewalljacksoninn.com/

Visit www.StonewallJacksonInn.com, write Wayne@StonewallJacksonInn.com, or call 800.445.5330

Dr. Wayne Engel, Owner/Innkeeper

Stonewall Jackson Inn

547 East Market Street, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801

 

Occoneechee State Park

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

Occoneechee State Park is located just outside of Clarksville, in Southern Virginia. It’s a wonderful area, and one that is frequently visited by guests of Clarksville VA Bed and Breakfasts.

OC Buggs Island Lake

Buggs Island Lake, near Clarksville VA Bed and Breakfasts.

What can one do in Occoneechee State Park?

  • Hike nearly 20 miles along the shores of the lake and through forests.
  • Go Horseback riding.
  • Bike on trails and roads.
  • Fish.
  • Boat

In addition to these outdoor activities, guests of Clarksville VA Bed and Breakfasts may find it interesting to learn about the history of Occoneechi Indians, who lived on a nearby island until 1676, and the Occoneechee Plantation, built in 1839.

Clarksville VA Bed and Breakfasts are about an hour north of Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They are a wonderful destination for a weekend getaway. Lodge in comfort and style while taking advantage of a wonderful resource: Occoneechee State Park.

The Shenandoah National Park

Sunday, July 25th, 2010
Sunset at Appalachian Trail

Sunset on the Appalachian Trail

The great Wagon Road was once a principal travel route for early American settlers heading south from Philadelphia. A portion of it traverses the length of the Shenandoah Valley, where Virginia bed and breakfasts have been welcoming travelers for centuries.

Today, the Shenandoah Valley welcomes visitors from around the world, many of whom travel here to visit the nearby Shenandoah National Park. Less than two hours from the nation’s capital, the Shenandoah National Park offers scenic drives and a plethora of outdoor activities. It’s impossible to experience all the park has to offer in just one day. They best way to experience it is to take up residence at a Virginia bed and breakfast near the Shenandoah National Park for a while, and take your time exploring it.

Over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail runs through the Shenandoah National Park, along with hundreds of miles of other trails. It’s possible to enjoy a short, easy hike to a pretty waterfall or scenic overlook, or a long, strenuous hike deep into the back woods; know your capability, and bring lots of water and snacks with you. In addition to hiking, it’s possible to explore the park on horseback or bicycle. Innkeepers at bed and breakfasts Virginia near the park are a wonderful resource – ask them how they most enjoy the Shenandoah National Park.