Claudius Crozet’s Blue Ridge Tunnel, just one of the wonders to explore in our region. — Photo by Bob Kirchman
My Regional Map. — Bob Kirchman
Printable 11” x 17” Map [click to view]
Remember when filling stations passed out free paper maps. Here’s our regional map for travel and exploration. Spring is coming, and I remember road trips in mom’s VW microbus. We’d go to places like Gettysburg and climb into sniper’s nests from Civil War days. We must have explored every cavern in Virginia.
It was the days of Howard Johnson’s, two lane highways, wild mountain blackberry sundaes at Big Meadows up on Skyline Drive. The mountains and valleys just beckoned us out into the wide world and hidden waters. It was a great time to grow up in America.
Many of those wonders are still there. They still call to the adventuresome heart.
I remember the first time I stepped on the Appalachian Trail. I was eleven. We stepped onto it just behind the lodge at Big Meadows. I promptly proceeded to lose my balance and tumble down the path, getting some of its dirt in my knees. From that time on, the wild places have literally been a part of me.
So, now it’s your turn. A beautiful part of the world beckons! EXPLORE!
Cherry blossoms in Washington, DC. — Photo by Bob Kirchman
Raven’s Roost on the Blue Ridge Parkway. — Photo by Bob Kirchman
A black bear (Ursus Americanus) in Shenandoah National Park. — Photo by Bob Kirchman