It should be a beautiful spring weekend in the Shenandoah Valley with daytime temps in the 50s and sunny; overnight lows in the 20s. If you are heading this way, there are some activities going on.
The Highland Maple Festival is in its second and final weekend. Food, sheep, maple syrup, tapping maple trees, people, mountains, mountain air ... it's a great experience. If you stop in McDowell, be sure to go by the Ruritan building for exhibits and food ... and look for Churchville attorney Francis Chester who will be with his daughter at their Cestari-Chester Farm booth featuring many of the wool products they produce at the wool mill in Churchville. He will be there Saturday and Sunday.
The Green Valley Book Fair runs every day through March 29, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thousands of books at 60-90% off retail prices. I-81, exit 240, turn east and follow signs. Mt. Crawford (between Harrisonburg and Staunton).
If you're at Mt. Crawford, you might as well stop by the Dayton Farmers Market on Rt. 42 in Dayton, about 10-15 minutes from the book fair. Great food, crafts, yummy big soft pretzels, homemade baked goods, homemade candy, gift items, home decorations, bulk food. All around interesting place and, if someone in your group does not want to shop, there are tables to relax, have a soda, eat a pretzel, and people watch. If you're lucky you will see a horse-and-buggy on the roadway or hitched at the market.
Of course there's always Shenandoah National Park, the Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Alleghany Mountains for hiking, picnicking, or just taking in the scenery.
As you top Shenandoah Mountain on Rt. 250 heading toward Monterey, the Confederate Breastworks offers an interpretive leg-stretcher trail, an overlook that has a breathtaking view of the Highland mountains, and a primitive restroom.
There is always something to do in the Valley....
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