The Shenandoah Valley
The historic and very beautiful Shaenandoh valley stretches some
200 miles from the small town of Harper's Ferry in West Virginia
to Roanoke and Salem in the state of Virginia. The steep slopes
of the valley floor rise majestically skywards to provide the
base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is of course the home of
the Shenandoah River and because of its strategic location has
provided the site for many a battle both in the War of
Independence and the Civil War.
The impressive Shenandoah National Park, perhaps, dominates the
valley. These lands were presented by the State of Virginia to
the US Federal Government in 1935 and were officially opened by
then US President Franklin Roosevelt the following year.
To the east of the valley lies the world famous Sky Line Drive,
which allows you to drive comfortably along a spectacular
highway to view this region of unsurpassed natural beauty.
Around you ,
lies acre upon acre of rolling woodland. The deciduous
forest is best seen during the fall months when leaves turn from
natural green to glistening russet red. The autumn "color fest"
begins as early as mid-September and lasts until the first week
or so of November.
For the more adventurous and perhaps those lithe of life and
limb the area provides a hiker's paradise. Hiking is really the
best way of catching sight of the plethora of wildlife that
inhabits the region. Firstly, this is a must see for bird
watchers as more than 200 species both and migratory can be
viewed in the area of the Shendaoh Valley. There are of course
other animals, too. These range from the large Black Bear to
both red and gray foxes and the white tailed deer. The deer
favor more open spaces and can often be seen from the road as
one wends along the Skyline Drive.
Another treat for Summer Visitors is the Shendoah Music festival
located in the rustic village of Orkney Springs. Forty-two years
ago some local residents got together to bring well know
musicians and orchestras to their remote rural community. The
festival has grown in stature and popularity ever since. The
concert venue is the old Orkney Springs Hotel, which served as a
spar, and health retreat throughout the years until it was taken
over by the Episcopalian Church. Last year concerts took place
over10 week-ends, acting as a magnet for music lovers from the
region itself and much further afield.
This area, perhaps, not one of the better known vacation haunts,
has much to offer the visitor. Maybe it's time you gave it a
glance when the time comes to decide where to go for a simple
week-end or something much longer. Interested in this subject?
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