The mountains were calling

I had a million things to do today. I should have gotten my work done. But I couldn’t get my mind off a friend in Richmond who is going through some serious health issues and is back in the hospital.... (photos, continue reading here)

Photos ... Skyline Drive in late November 2014

The Friday before Thanksgiving … we took the day to play in Shenandoah National Park. It was sunny but a very cold 22 degrees with some wind and few visitors. I wrote about our day with photos.... (continue reading here)

Shenandoah National Park’s hunting season night closure

Shenandoah National Park implements this policy each fall during hunting season.... (continue reading here)

Massanutten Lodge ... Skyland home of early 20th century renaissance woman Addie Hunter Pollock

This Skyland Resort mountain summer home called "Massanutten Lodge" (see Skyland Resort ... Shenandoah National Park) was owned by Addie Hunter, a Washington, DC, divorcee who later married Skyland developer George Pollock "when she was almost 40 years old," the lady ranger-interpreter told us. When they married, she said, he had financial issues and she was wealthy but, well, almost 40. Theirs was an interesting relationship that eventually floundered but is part of the overall history of Skyland.

Continue reading, more photos, here.

Photos: Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park

Skyland Resort stands at the highest point along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. While up there last week, I took photos of the resort's buildings and views, and included a bit of history about this beautiful escape from the city. Read more at Skyland Resort ... Shenandoah National Park.

Snowy Blue Ridge Mountains

Skyline Drive. February 1, 2014.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
February 1, 2014

Photos: Skyline Drive, a snowy ribbon along Blue Ridge Mountains

See also:
- Shenandoah deer
- Exploring a wintry Skyline Drive on the first day of February

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
Shenandoah National Park, Va.
February 1, 2014

America the Beautiful quarter to feature Shenandoah National Park

If you see a quarter this year with the familiar-looking Stoney Man overlook, it's one of the "America the Beautiful" series that features Virginia's Shenandoah National Park to be released later this year.

Reporter Jonathan Shacat with the Shenandoah Valley-Herald noted:

Pamela McInnis, superintendent of Warren County Public Schools, said the Park Service has reserved Skyline High School in Front Royal on April 4 for a ceremony marking the release of the coin. McInnis said the school division is excited to host the event.

“I think it’s a great idea since Skyline High School is located very close to the northern entrance to the Skyline Drive,” she said.

Beck-Herzog said the event will feature an unveiling of the coin, speakers and educational information about the U.S. Mint. Also, people will be able to purchase up to $100 worth of uncirculated Shenandoah National Park quarters in $10 rolls.

“We want all of our neighbors to celebrate that our region will have additional recognition because the Shenandoah quarter is out there,” she said. “We hope that people will want to come and visit our region.”

Started in 2010, the "America the Beautiful" series will eventually consist of 56 quarters.

Shenandoah deer

 Along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park on the first day of February 2014. Deer were everywhere and reluctant to move aside.

 This deer behind the wall was looking at the deer at the far end of the wall ...

 ... while the deer to the far right looked at this one. Both watching and waiting for us to move along. Both looking back and forth at each other. And for some reason they reminded me of some Muppet character ... don't even ask. It was hilarious and we laughed as they stared at us. I could just imagine what they were thinking ... "There's snow on the ground and the Drive is supposed to be closed so why is there a car here?"

They were, indeed, beautiful and stood out against the stark white background as the warmer temps gave a brief respite from winter.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
February 1, 2014

Exploring a wintry Skyline Drive on the first day of February

 Heed the sign. Skyline Drive reopened for the weekend after being closed for a while due to snow and ice. While most of it was clear, there were definitely areas in shady curves that were covered. Easy going took care of it on this first day of February 2014. It's unusual for the National Park Service to plow the Drive so we took advantage of the break in the harsh winter weather and the cleared road to check it out.

 Winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains ... Shenandoah National Park did not disappoint.

 This flock of wild turkeys was crossing the road ahead of us. Half of them had already disappeared into the woods by the time I took this picture.

 Countless deer were on the road and looked at us almost as if they were perturbed at the disturbance of their solitude when vehicles were not normally in the Park.

 I love the winter woods where the views never quit and you can see the mountain terrain ... rocks and boulders, trees, laurel, streams, the Appalachian Trail as it meanders the ridges, old road beds, and forgotten stone walls.

 These mountain laurel bushes will be a riot of color in June, and I'll be back to again take photos of their beautiful pink flowers.

 Footprints in the snow ... memories.

 There were a number of hikers enjoying the warm winter day.

Critter count: 2 dozen wild turkeys, almost that many deer, 2 squirrels, and 1 opossum.

Byrd Visitor Center located at Big Meadows (Mile Post 51) is open weekends. However, we stayed on the south end of the Drive. No one was at the Afton Mountain entrance station when we arrived at mid-morning but he was there when we left in the afternoon. Pit toilets were available at Dundo picnic area, and the overlooks were plowed as well as the trail parking lots. The temperature at mid-day hit 40 degrees with bright sunshine, clear skies, and slightly blustery conditions. While many concentrate on Super Bowl Sunday, some may want to take advantage of a day in the mountains.

The Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed at the Afton entrance.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
February 1, 2014

Afton Mountain's popcorn man

King's Gourmet Popcorn on Afton Mountain

"If you build it they will come." Or, perhaps more appropriately, they will stop and buy.

Ron King has found a market for snacks on Afton Mountain with King's Gourmet Popcorn located at the juncture of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, I-64, and Rt. 250. With views into the Rockfish and Shenandoah valleys, millions of tourists pass that way annually.

Once an oasis for hungry travelers, the past 15 years have not been kind to Afton. The Inn at Afton formerly known as the Holiday Inn, the Howard Johnson Restaurant, service station, and everything else have fallen into disarray. Only the Inn remains open. The sight of burned-out buildings and graffiti is not what most would expect while traveling the scenic mountain ridges.

That's why King's bright yellow vendor trailer, decorated now for fall with brightly colored chrysanthemums, hay bales, and orange pumpkins, is a welcome sight for hikers, travelers, and locals alike. He is filling a need, as evidenced by his steady customer base and ever-growing menu selections.

Eighteen months ago he started with a tarp and kettle korn pot, cooking the salty-sweet goodness on site while servicing curious customers. That fall he was joined by the apple man.

Then King's Gourmet Popcorn began branching out, offering bottled water and icy cold soft drinks followed by a wider variety of flavored popcorn and then pork rinds. That was followed by the bright yellow vendor trailer that replaced the tarp and kettle. He added picnic tables, hotdogs, coffee, ice cream, walking sticks, and tee shirts. A Facebook page was established that now sports 600 followers and comes in handy when late afternoon storms cause early closings, conveniently announced online. There's even a small neon "Open" sign that flashes when he's on site.

In short, King's Gourmet Popcorn is now a fixture on Afton Mountain, sought after by travelers who have become familiar with his offerings. My husband stops almost every time we're in the vicinity, grabbing his favorite bag of kettle korn before heading north on the Drive or south on the Parkway, and even sometimes as we head east on I-64 toward Richmond.

Ron King is becoming a tradition. But he's not finished. Plans are to add more food selections, mail order, and additional flavors. Many would be happy if he proved to be the seed that began the rebirth and rebuilding of Afton Mountain.

An interesting article by Waynesboro reporter Roger Gonazlez shares more about King Gourmet Popcorn and Ron King in The News Virginian.

If you go:

Kings Gourmet Popcorn
Afton Mountain, I-64, Exit 99 (look for the bright yellow vending trailer)
Open: 7 days a week
Follow on Facebook
Website: King's Gourmet Popcorn

Afton Mountain overlooks (from top to bottom) Skyline Drive, I-64, and Rt. 250.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
October 11, 2013