2 weeks Ago
When our friends floated the idea of an end-of-summer getaway to the Shenandoah Valley, we immediately agreed. On a beautiful week following Labor Day, it was time to get reacquainted with this rustic, historical part of Virginia. The other couple had access to a condominium in the Massanutten Resort, conveniently placed on a mountaintop in the middle of the valley.
Nearby is an entrance to the Shenandoah National Park that includes the Skyline Drive, one of the most scenic drives in America. Opened in 1935, the park encompasses nearly 200,000 acres along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Skyline Drive offers a peaceful, slow-paced experience, as commercial trucks are not allowed in the park.
Massanutten was going through its annual transformation from summer to fall, shutting down the numerous outdoor pools as our week progressed. In several months, the resort will become a popular ski resort with multiple runs throughout the mountain. There are two golf courses, several indoor recreation centers, tennis and pickleball courts, hiking trails, and a water park available for guests.
In late October, viewing the mountain fall foliage becomes a popular activity. Interstate 81 cuts through the center of the Shenandoah Valley. The valley is 140 miles long and dotted with numerous small cities and towns, each with a rich history to offer tourists.
There are plenty of activities for the serious or casual hiker, those interested in Civil War history, foodies, and those who like spending hours in regional antique malls. The Shenandoah Valley contains a number of geologically significant limestone caves. The most famous are the Luray Caverns, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.
The Appalachian Trail winds through the region, including a long stretch within Shenandoah National Park. Maps available online highlight hiking trails that range from a short stroll in the woods to long excursions. Canoes and kayaks offer a refreshing way to experience the beauty of the valley on the James, Maury, Middle and Shenandoah rivers.
Black bears are common, and there seemed to be as many white-tailed deer as tourists. At the time of the American Revolution, the Shenandoah Valley was still considered the American frontier. According to Wikipedia, “The Great Wagon Road,” later known as the Valley Pike, “became the major thoroughfare for immigrants moving by wagons from Pennsylvania and northern Virginia into the backcountry of the Southern states.
” The Shenandoah Valley was a major theater of the Civil War, with hundreds of skirmishes and engagements, including 20 battles. The valley’s strategic location and economic importance made it a target for both Union and Confederate armies. For the Confederacy, the area was the backdoor for raids into Maryland, Washington D.
C., and Pennsylvania. Because of its strategic location, it was also the route for northern campaigns to attack the Confederate capital in Richmond, Va.
In the northern section of the valley, “the region’s settlers were deeply divided over their loyalties which led to bitter partisan fighting.” In 1996, Congress designated eight counties in the valley as a National Battlefield Site. The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District preserves and interprets the region’s 11 more significant Civil War battlefields and related historic sites.
The Virginia Museum of the Civil War is located in the small town of New Market. It is connected to the New Market battlefield which commemorates hostilities that took place on May 15, 1864. The museum also honors students as young as 15 years-old from the Virginia Military Institute who fought in the battle.
An Emmy-winning short film, “Field of Lost Shoes” is shown every hour to explain the battle and the role of the cadets. The 300-acre battlefield with walking trails features an historic farmstead with original structures and scenic overlooks of the Shenandoah River. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is located in Winchester, Va.
The main attraction is the Glen Burnie House that founder James Wood settled in 1735. In the 1950s, the 214-acre property was renovated and transformed into a beautiful estate surrounded by six acres of formal gardens. The home is furnished with a large collection of decorative arts.
The complex became a public museum in 1997. The town of Staunton, Va., offers the visitor historic sites, many dining options and unique shops.
Staunton is the birthplace of our 28th president, Woodrow Wilson. His childhood home is the current location of Wilson’s presidential library and museum. Staunton is also the home of Virginia’s Scenic Railway.
It offers two excursions through the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. I have only touched upon the many attractions in the Shenandoah Valley. One of our favorite pastimes was exploring the many backcountry roads and finding a lavender farm, antique establishment, or barbecue joint.
Reading a book and taking a nap in the cool mountain air was a high point for me. Gary Stout is a Washington attorney..
