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Blue Ridge Parkway Overlook at Groundhog Mountain, Meadows of Dan, VA
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Howdy, and welcome to the April 2024 edition of the Blue Ridge Tales newsletter. I hope you enjoy my selections for the month.
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The Melungeons: Lost Tribes, Hidden Heritage
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Legend has it that in 1654, a group of weary English explorers stumbled upon a sight that defied explanation: a village nestled among the ancient oaks, its log cabins revealing arched windows, yards boasting fenced gardens punctuated by outbuildings. They were shocked: There should not have been any European settlements this far west. Who were these people? Where were the …
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Whispers Along the New River Trail
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Stepping onto the New River Trail today, I can't help but feel like I'm walking through layers of time, each step tracing the echoes of a bygone era transformed into the present's treasure. My curiosity sparks as I pass by the N&W Railroad caboose at the southern (Galax) trailhead. On my right, Chestnut Creek is running high and fast on …
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John Chiswell Climbed into a Hole and Became a Legend
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Along a freeway passage where traffic travels north on I-81 while simultaneously going south on I-77 lies the exit for Ft. Chiswell, VA. One might expect to find some semblance of a colonial fort there, considering that Virginia is a state rich in historical sites. But there isn't one. Instead, this crossroads hides its frontier past under a cloak of …
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The Enigma of the Brown Mountain Lights
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Gazing upon the star-laden sky on a clear night, one expects tranquility. But an anomaly disrupts the sky's serenity in the foothills of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. Eerie lights dance on the peak of Brown Mountain, captivating and confounding observers. Their origin is a beguiling mystery that continues to baffle scientists and folklore enthusiasts alike. Some stories claim the …
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The American Chestnut: Fall and Salvation
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When European settlers came to the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of every four trees in the forest was an American Chestnut. This giant stood tall amidst the lush greenery of the Blue Ridge, its wood and sweet nuts a boon for both wildlife and humans. From mice, squirrels, turkey, deer, and bears to people and livestock, the bountiful yields of …
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Well, that's it for this edition. I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like me to cover a particular topic, drop me a line at the address below. And don't forget to "like" our Facebook page.
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Copyright Wayne Jordan 2024 All rights reserved
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