Stargazing on Sharptop Mountain

 By Andrew Conklin 

The Blue Ridge area of Virginia has some impressive mountains to climb. Sharptop, the tallest mountain in the Blue Ridge area has a rewarding hike to the summit that suites beginner to intermediate climbers. At the summit of Sharp Top, there is a stone cabin that hikers may stay in with permission of the Blue Ridge Rangers department. The mountain’s summit is far enough away from extreme light pollution, and has big rocks to lay down on and star gaze with your friends and even your family! Up there you will be amazed of the quality and brightness of the stars. It is great for taking long exposures with your camera and tripod for some memorable pictures of your night out on Sharp Top Mountain.

Packing for a Weekend Adventure

By Vanessa Park

So, you have decided to take an Excursion trip.  You have read our Lynchburg issue and have decided you would really like to see Sharp Top and experience Lynchburg's beautiful fall colors.  Your significant other is ready for a weekend away, you have made a fresh batch of our Best Ever Fall Trail Mix and you are looking forward to a weekend away outside.  But, other than clothes and toiletries, what should you pack?  Here, I will give packing tips for both those of you who will camp out and those of you who prefer the comfort of a hotel.

No matter where you are staying in Lynchburg, you will want to bring rain gear.  Lynchburg is beautiful, but known for having the occasional rainy day.  Secondly, be sure to use an online map service (such as Map Quest) to map out your route and to print directions for the places you know you want to go, this could include trails, restaurants and the locations of different events on our calendar. As you are planning what you will do, make a list of gear you might need (appropriate shoes for hiking, water bottles, sunscreen, etc.) and then use the list to pack your backpacks.  A packing list can save you from forgetting things and, in the end, save you valuable time and money on your weekend adventure!  If you plan on taking pictures, be sure to grab your camera and some extra batteries, just in case! Last, but certainly not least, grab the issue of Excursion Magazine featuring the place you're going.  Flip through it again in the car, and you may find something else you want to do or somewhere else you want to go! 

Did the Monacans Have a Secret Cave?

By Michael Johnson

A National Cave Research Association (NCRA) field director, Maureen Sanford, recently announced a previously unknown cave that was found in Monacan Park, off of US route 130 in Amherst County, VA.  This discovery was totally unexpected because the park had long been mapped.  Also, nothing in Monacan lore speaks of their using caves. 

This cave was stumbled upon by an area hiker, Randy Marsh, whose dog began chasing squirrels up a little stream that runs into the river.  The entrance was now exposed because of heavy rains in the area that dislodged a boulder.  Marsh immediately contacted NCRA, who sent Sanford to confirm the find.

The cave entrance had escaped detection not only because of the rock cliff, but the boulder itself was covered by thick brush and thicket.  Even Google Earth was not able to map it.  The NCRA now has laser-based measuring devices that are able to give dead-accurate measurements without over-estimation.  There results show a 60-by-300 feet cave.

Sanford is now exploring the cave with a team of Liberty University researchers, including undergrads.  If past history holds true, the cave should be mapped and accessible to cave explorers within the next 12 months.  This new cave offers irresistible inquiry into whether there are Monacan artifacts or even cave art.

A Look Ahead

By Vanessa Park

As you probably know, each month Excursion Magazine focuses on a different area in our region.  For the Fall 2012 issue, we showed you the best of outdoor activities in Lynchburg, Virginia.  In our Winter 2013 issue, we will focus on the city of Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding area.

The issue will contain features on winter activities in Asheville like the best places to ice skate, as well as maps for little sightseeing day trips you can easily take in the surrounding area.  Because this issue will be coming out in January, we also plan to have a feature on how to keep that New Year's resolution by exercising, with tips for ways you can keep your workout outside as well as ways to spice up your usual run routine.

Remember, if you took a trip to Lynchburg and tried some of our suggested activities, you can submit your photos to be considered for our new expanded Letters to the Editor section! Just email photos, your name, and a statement that it is ok for us to use them to excursionmag@gmail.com by December 10, 2012.

Our staff has been working so hard on the Asheville issue and we can't wait for you to see it!

Seeing the Forest- For a Tree

By Michael Johnson

During the months of November and December, many National Forests allow citizens to cut and remove a tree for the Christmas holiday.  Most require a permit, which must be obtained early to avoid being part of a lottery, and all require permission.  A tag is issued with the permit that must be attached to the tree. 

Cutting areas are well defined and usually not near roads.  To find a suitable tree, one should allow a full day for the search and retrieval.  Other necessities include transportation, preferably a truck.  A bow saw or a chainsaw is needed for the task.  Finally, one needs a tie-down to secure and bring the tree home.  Safety must be practiced at all phases.

The Wilson National Forrest located 45 minutes from Lynchburg is a favorite spot.  Families have annually cut in this area.  A suitable tree may take a while to find.  Finding and getting the tree from its site to your transportation involves a scenic hike.  Remember don’t get a tree too big to haul to your truck.  This search adds much to the enjoyment of the holiday season and begins it on the right note.

Autumn is Awesome

This is another post by Excursion staff member Kelly Teufel.  Here, she shares her thoughts on Fall in Virginia and the city of Lynchburg. 

By Kelly Teufel

My experience of autumn in Lynchburg has been awesome. I am from West Palm Beach, Florida so I am used to beaches and 80-degree weather during fall. Excursion sent me to visit Lynchburg for a week and experience the area with our readers.

In Florida there are not any seasons it is just hot all the time. So the change was definitely needed and now, after living in Virginia for four years, I love seasons. Autumn is my favorite probably just because of what it brings and the holidays it leads to. In Florida its weird to carve pumpkins and drink hot chocolate. I just love that in Virginia, we have the opportunity to do the simple things like apple picking, pumpkin patches, festivals and hiking. 

When I think about these things I think of fall. I enjoy being outside and when you are outdoors in autumn the cool air is so wonderfully refreshing. I believe Virginia has made me want to keep living in a place where there is more than one season. Virginia has one of the best falls I have ever experienced.

Refueling in Lynchburg

By Vanessa Park

So, you've decided to take our advice and make a weekend trip to Lynchburg.  You know what to put in your backpack, which trails you want to hike, what events you want to go to and even where you will spend the night.  But all that activity can really take it out of you.  At the end of a long day though, you'll need to refuel.  These are our favorite restaurants and coffee shops in the Lynchburg area.  

The Muse- 1208 Main Street
If you talk to enough coffee-loving Lynchburg locals, you'll hear that The Muse is the place to be in Lynchburg.  But The Muse is more than a great coffee shop, their sandwiches, wraps and soups are local favorites.  Open 7-10 on week days and 8-11 on weekends, the muse is convenient, good eating in Lynchburg. 

Market at Main- 904 Main Street
For brunch and breakfast, there's no better choice than Market at Main.  It's a great place to learn more about the city while enjoying a great meal in a fun downtown environment. 

The White Hart Cafe- 1509 Enterprise Drive
Lynchburg's White Hart Cafe is one of Lynchburg's most popular coffee houses and lunch spots.  If you're looking for a great cup of Coffee, the White Hart may be just the place for you- they roast their beans in house.  But the cafe isn't just about coffee, Lynchburg locals love the entire White Hart menu. 

Waterstone Pizza- 1309 Jefferson Street
Waterstone Pizza is one of Lynchburg's most popular restaurants. Offering great pizza and salads, Waterstone is not your average pizza joint, but loved by locals nonetheless.  A visit to Waterstone is a great way to see more of Downtown Lynchburg. 

We hope you get to try at least one of these Lynchburg hot spots!  Let us know what you think and be sure to share your favorite Lynchburg restaurants with us in the comments section!

More on Devil's Marble Yard

The fall issue of Excursion included a feature on trails in the Lynchburg area.  Here, Kelly Teufel, an Excursion staff member shares with you her personal experience at Devil's Marble Yard in Lynchburg,

I went to Devil's Marble Yard Trail, recommended in the last issue of Excursion Magazine.  I went with a bunch of friends and my siblings.  I was an experience I will never forget. 

We started our journey at 1 p.m. on a Sunday. We started walking through the trail and crossed over some baby brooks. We went in autumn so the leaves were falling and the scenery was beautiful. The leaves were red, orange and yellow and it was about 65 degrees and absolutely beautiful. At the end of our trail we saw the large boulders of rock. It was a tad intimidating because we couldn’t see the top of the mountain so we didn’t know when it would end. So we started our hike and climbed up the mountain. 

We stopped half way up for a water break and to eat lunch. The view from that point was beautiful, but we knew that the top would be ever more spectacular. We chatted and decided we wanted to rush through lunch so we could get to the top. So we started to climb again and when we reached the top we turned around and saw the most beautiful view. We saw birds flying into the valley. We took a bunch of photos to capture the moment. 

We waited for the sun to set between two mountain peaks and it was breathtaking. After the sun was almost completely down we climbed down and headed back to town. I would highly recommend this trail for your next adventure.