Recreation News....

FINDING FALL FOLIAGE ON

THE COUNTRY ROADS OF VIRGINIA

"On the whole, I find nothing anywhere else. . .which Virginia need envy." --Thomas Jefferson

Virginia is definitely for lovers of fall foliage. It's also for lovers of great country roads. Combining fall foliage and country roads makes for an ideal October weekend getaway.

I was born and raised in Virginia and have lived in the state for all but four years of time spent in the Army. My Army time gave me a wanderlust that led to a career of travel. I'm a travel writer and photographer by trade and roam the world in search of a good story. But there's nothing better than roaming my own state on a country road.

Preparing Country Roads of Virginia renewed my immense love for everything this state has to offer. I drove more than 4,000 miles in search of perfect country road drives and found many that are ideal for fall foliage viewing.

I've chosen a variety of routes to expose readers to the variety of experiences the state offers. Thus, you'll find a country road to pursue almost any special love you want to pursue.

The interstate system allows you to get to country roads from the Washington, D.C. area quickly. That means you'll have more time to pursue my recommendations and many of your own discoveries. Allow the time to linger by staying a night or more.

My research and travels for this book put me in contact with some great resources that can help other country roads lovers. I highly recommend contacting tourism organizations for information and tips to make your own drives even more enjoyable.

Many of the roads I chose to include are part of the Virginia Byways system. You'll see many blue "Virginia Byways" signs, indicated by a red cardinal, the state bird. The byways program recognizes certain roads for the historic or scenic interest and Virginia has lots of history and scenery to see.

Virginia is steeped in history and much can be learned from the historical markers you'll see all over the state. These signs have been going up since 1926 and there are now thousands of them. I took along an excellent book, called A Guidebook to Virginia's Historical Markers (University Press of Virginia, Box 3608, University Station, Charlottesville, VA 22903, 804-924-6064) which allowed us to avoid pulling over to read every single sign.

The state park system (as well as several national parks) is prevalent along many country roads. Virginia has done an excellent job in promoting and preserving the variety of parks throughout the state. For more information about the state parks, contact the Department of Conservation and Recreation at 203 Governor St., Ste. 302, Richmond, VA 23219, 804-786-1712.

THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Whether it's for a weekend or a longer stay, the Shenandoah Valley offers the perfect fall season auto exploration opportunity. The location and road system make the drive a big part of the fun.

The convenience of the Shenandoah Valley is what attracts thousands of visitors annually. It is easily-reached by interstate, via I-81, I-64, and I-66 and is within a one-day drive for half the population of the U.S. Once there, the drive stretches north-to-south 200 miles, from West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle to Roanoke, Virginia.

Made famous by song and history, Shenandoah is an Indian word, meaning "daughter of the stars." This picturesque area is flanked by wooded hills and mountains, ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The "valley" is generally 10 to 20 miles wide and features many small towns and lots of rolling farmland.

I-81 runs the entire length of the beautiful Valley, making it convenient for quick stops at points of interest. But historic Route 11 features a slow-paced drive, with much more to see and explore along the way. The entire length of the Shenandoah Valley also features smaller roads, leading to many friendly towns and tourist attractions.

This is certainly a country road for leisurely driving and lingering. There's incredible scenery year-round, historical sites, world-famous caverns, renowned wineries, antique shopping, and a full array of tourism services. Accommodations range from quaint B&Bs to large resorts. Drivers can use one place in the Shenandoah Valley as a base for exploration or easily cover the entire length for a complete overview.

Highlights of this drive include: stunning scenery in the valley and up in the mountains; Civil War history; quaint B&Bs and local lodging options; wineries; excellent dining possibilities; and small towns. The Shenandoah Valley is an ideal D.C. fall getaway.

THE SKYLINE DRIVE

The Skyline Drive is one of the nation's most beautiful and interesting stretches of road, yet it's so close to the nation's capital. It's the perfect place for fall foliage viewing this fall.

The past of the Skyline Drive is as fascinating as its present state. The two-lane road runs astride a beautiful part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah National Park, which form the eastern section of the Appalachian Mountains stretching from Georgia to Pennsylvania.

Most of the rocks that form the mountains are part of volcanic formations more than one billion years old. The area has been inhabited by humans for about 9,000 years, with primitive food gatherers and Indians as early residents.

After the Shenandoah Valley was settled, farmers moved into the mountains for more farmland. Slowly, but surely, the soil, forests, and wildlife started to disappear.

Congress authorized the establishment of the Shenandoah National Park in 1926 to save the land. More than half of area's people had already left the mountains and the remaining residents either sold their land or were relocated with government help. The state bought almost 260 square miles of land and donated it to the federal government.

In a massive undertaking, recreational facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Skyline Drive was completed in 1939. The entire area was allowed to return to its original natural beauty and now more than 95% of the park is covered by forests.

The Skyline Drive offers the perfect way to explore this natural beauty. It runs from the north entrance at Front Royal for 105 miles to the south Rockfish entrance. The speed limit is a leisurely 35 miles-per-hour and there are excellent signs, concrete mile markers, and rock fence guardrails all along the drive.

Lots of wildlife has returned to the area, including deer, bear, bobcat, turkey, and many other animals. It's possible you'll see a snake or a bear, but it's more likely you'll see some of 100 species of trees, 200 species of birds, deer, and many smaller animals.

This country road drive is beautiful during any season, but the fall foliage season is the most popular period for visitors. The fall colors attract lots of leaf-peepers, so it's best to plan a drive during the week, if possible. The colors typically reach their peak in mid-October, but a quick phone call always helps.

Highlights of this drive include: beautiful overlooks; hiking trails; horseback riding; the Appalachian Trail; Dickey Ridge Visitor Center; Skyland; Hawksbill Mountain summit; Big Meadows; Loft Mountain; and staying in cabins or camping. The Skyline Drive is the perfect country road.

THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Though a bit further from D.C. than the Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway still offers one of the ultimate country road drives. It meets all of the prerequisites in resounding fashion: only two lanes of traffic; historical interest; friendly and interesting people; great scenery; and good food and accommodations possibilities. What more could you ask of a country road fall?

Since its inception, the Blue Ridge Parkway has been called America's favorite drive. It was authorized in the 1930s as a Depression-era public works project, but was a half-century in the making. It was the nation's first (and ultimately the longest) rural parkway. It connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (the Skyline Drive) with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Virginia's portion features about 215 miles of pure country road pleasure.

Highlights of the Blue Ridge Parkway include: incredible views; leisurely driving and pull-offs; Peaks of Otter; and Mabry Mill. The low speed limit and many scenic stops make the Blue Ridge Parkway ideal for several short segment drives or for one long weekend jaunt. It's an ideal way to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains this fall.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES

My country road explorations in Virginia revealed many other drives that are ideal for the fall foliage season. Just pick a drive that fits your fall schedule.

One of my favorite resorts in the Old Dominion is The Homestead and I devoted an entire chapter to getting there in Country Roads of Virginia. The road from Staunton to Hot Springs offers ideal leaf-peeping and your reward is a stay at the venerable Homestead.

Southwest Virginia is a real secret to many people in the Mid-Atlantic. From quaint towns like Abingdon to big mountains, Southwest Virginia is an ideal base for fall season country road driving.

Closer to home, I found that the rolling hills around Middleburg provided a colorful backdrop every fall. Though the elevations may not be quite as high, the views are still quite stunning.

Wherever you go in Virginia this fall, you're sure to find perfect fall colors. Just make sure you use a country road to get there.

RESOURCES

The Virginia Division of Tourism (1021 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219, 804-786-2051 or 800-548-9797) is an incredible resource for country road travel in the Old Dominion.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209, 804-786-0481) helps promote the state's great agricultural products and wine production. Contact them about the Virginia's Finest program for agricultural product promotion and for information about Virginia's wines and wineries.

I highly recommend staying in the B&Bs, small inns, and other local accommodations options throughout the state. There are many excellent books about B&Bs, as well as several organizations. Call 800-BNB-1293 for a free publication about Virginia's B&Bs and country inns.

For information about the Shenandoah Valley, contact the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association at 703-740-3132.

For information about the Skyline Drive, contact the Shenandoah National Park at 703-999-2266.

For information about the Blue Ridge Parkway, call 703-982-6213.

For information about The Homestead, call 703-839-5500 or 800-336-5771 (out of state) or 800-542-5734 (in Virginia).

For information about Southwest Virginia, contact the Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau at 703-676-2282.

For information about the Middleburg area, contact the Pink Box Visitor Center at 703-687-8888.

Lynn Seldon is a full-time freelance travel writer and photographer. His work appears in many national publications. His most recent books, Country Roads of Virginia, Country Roads of Maryland and Delaware, and Virginia Outdoor Activities Guide, are published by Country Roads Press (800-820-9179).