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 mountain top
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 becomes a
popular ski resort with multiple runs throughout the mountain. There are two
golf courses, several indoor recreation centers, tennis/pickle ball 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 which makes it readily
accessible to visitors from Washington via Interstates 79/ 68. 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
(1861–1865), with hundreds of skirmishes and engagements, including twenty
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. 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 eleven 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 (VMI)
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.
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 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.
This commentary has only touched upon the many attractions in
the Shenandoah Valley. One of our favorite pastimes was exploring the many back-
country roads and finding a lavender farm, antique establishment, or barbecue
joint around the corner. Reading a book and taking a nap in the cool mountain
air was a highpoint for me.
300-acre
battlefield park with walking trails
300-acre battlefield park with walking trails
Historic
farmstead with original structures several buildings to explore
Two
scenic overlooks of the Shenandoah River
0300-acre battlefield park with walking trails
Historic
farmstead with original structures several buildings to explore
Two
scenic overlooks of the Shenandoah River
-acre battlefield park with walking trails
Historic
farmstead with original structures several buildings to explore
Two
scenic overlooks of the Shenandoah River
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