Blue Ridge Country

NEW - Historic Easement Protects SWVA Land, Opens It to the Public By Cat McCue ow.ly/pNJe50Z2rya Lovers of wildlife, woodlands, and waters will soon have a vast area to explore in Southwest Virginia.

There are just 2 WEEKS LEFT to nominate your favorites in our BEST OF THE MOUNTAINS Readers’ Choice Awards! 🏆vote.blueridgecountry.com🏆 Show your appreciation for the mountain businesses, places, people & experiences you love most before it’s too late. Thank you!

Revolutionary Roundup. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and celebrations of this feat can be found in countless corners of the United States—including the Southern Appalachians. ow.ly/7HYt50YZzMp

NEW - Kim DeLozier: Wildlife Biologist, Author, and Park Ranger blueridgecountry.com/departments/th…

My Beloved Scenic By Eula Golding Walters Before it became America’s Favorite Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway was a farm family’s front yard, playground, and memory lane. ow.ly/ZHcy50YWfoo

NEW - Among The Blooms: A Photo Essay Our contributing photographers wandered the mountains in late spring and early summer to capture critters big and small frolicking, nibbling, and buzzing about. blueridgecountry.com/photo-essays/a…

From the Best Events & Festivals, to the Best Stays and Plays; the Best of the Outdoors, to the Best in Food & Drink - we want YOUR help to identify and honor the very finest in the Blue Ridge mountains. Cast your votes today. Thank you! vote.blueridgecountry.com

The nomination round is now open in our Best of the Mountains Readers' Choice Awards! Cast your votes today to help us honor the very finest in the Blue Ridge mountains. Thank you! vote.blueridgecountry.com

ICYMI - The Mountain Q&A - Mia Hall: Executive Director of Penland School for Craft by Mary Leidig She came from Sweden to America as an international student, and now leads one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious art schools. ow.ly/LmNc50YEtmE

ICYMI - Discovering the West Virginia Giovanni by Fred and Jill Sauceman This flavorful sandwich is a product of the rich Italian heritage of the Mountain State. ow.ly/hQ1O50YEtls

ICYMI - Virginia Century Farm Home to New Distillery by Joe Tennis For nearly 200 years, Vernon and Toni Wright’s family has raised corn, cattle and quarter horses at Hill High. blueridgecountry.com/departments/co…

ICYMI - The Good Steward by Eric J. Wallace Veteran forester John Scrivani dedicated his career to restoring American chestnut trees — and helped lay the groundwork for the effort’s next generation. ow.ly/uQNy50YEtaZ

ICYMI - Ben Long Frescoes Saved By Joe Tennis Two thought-to-be-lost works by the acclaimed painter have been acquired by a church in Blowing Rock. blueridgecountry.com/departments/co…

ICYMI - Kentucky’s Bad Branch Falls: A (Fairly) Tame Trek Through the Forest by Leonard Adkins You’ll know the impressive 60-foot cascade is near when the path turns rugged. ow.ly/G8yQ50YEt80

NEW - Creature Feature: The New Normal by Nancy Henderson Where has all my backyard wildlife gone? ow.ly/wUJv50YEt73

ICYMI - How to Make a State Park by Ginny Neil The opening of Virginia’s newest state park marked the culmination of a community dream carefully nurtured for more than a decade. ow.ly/wa8n50YEt5Y

ICYMI - Spring Greens by Molly Dugger Brennan Hues of hope make their return. blueridgecountry.com/departments/mi…

ICYMI - From the Emeritus: Open Note to Kevin Nealon ‘Take a hike,’ indeed! By Kurt Rheinheimer ow.ly/i7NW50YEt3u

ICYMI - Sarah Smiles: The Great Garden Debate by Sarah Riddell These questions come up every year as winter starts to loosen its grip. blueridgecountry.com/departments/fr…

ICYMI - Greening the Blue Ridge Region by Angela Minor Innovative projects and initiatives are underway across the seven-state coverage area, all focused on protecting natural resources, strengthening communities and shaping a more sustainable future. blueridgecountry.com/travel/greenin…