Archive for the ‘75th anniversary’ Category

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Rededication of Shenandoah National Park

Monday, April 4th, 2011
On Saturday, June 25, 2011, is the formal Rededication of Shenandoah National Park in Luray, Virginia.

The rededication will celebrate Shenandoah’s 75th Anniversary that will include a full day of activities, beginning with a Rededication Ceremony at 10:00 a.m.

If you're interested in attending this historic event, please note that the ceremony seating will be limited, and a free ticket will be needed to attend. To request up to 6 tickets, write to:

Shenandoah National Park
3655 US Highway 211 East
Luray, VA 22835.

For more information on Shenandoah's 75th Anniversary, please click here.


Official REI Coupons & Rebates page.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest Celebrates 75 Years

Saturday, February 26th, 2011
This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the dedication of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, a living memorial to writer/poet Joyce Kilmer, best known for the poem, “Trees.” Kilmer was killed in action during World War I while serving in France on July 30, 1918.

In 1934, the Bozeman Bulger Post of the VFW petitioned the U.S. government to find a suitable area to serve as a monument to Kilmer. An isolated pocket of old-growth hardwood forest within the Nantahala National Forest’s Cheoah Ranger District in western North Carolina was selected. On July 30, 1936, ceremonies were conducted to honor Kilmer and dedicate the Memorial Forest to his memory. The 3,800-acre Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is now a part of the 14,000 acre Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness.

The Partners of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the natural and heritage resources of the wilderness, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, are planning a 75th Anniversary celebration.

A rededication ceremony will be held at Rattler Ford campground, outside of Robbinsville, North Carolina, on July 30, 2011. This celebration will include a 5K road race through a portion of the Nantahala National Forest, exhibits highlighting the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage, guided tours of the Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail, and speakers highlighting both Joyce Kilmer’s life and the U.S. Forest Service’s stewardship of wilderness.

Several other activities are also planned for the 75th Anniversary, including a poetry contest sponsored by the Stecoah Valley Center and events sponsored by Graham County Travel and Tourism. Additional information on the celebration will be posted on the NC National Forests website.

Trees:

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in 75th anniversary, Joyce Kilmer, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, trees | Comments Off

Shenandoah Historical Timeline

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
On July 3rd, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Shenandoah as a national park in a ceremony at Big Meadows. This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the park.

Just as the Great Smoky Mountains did last year, Shenandoah National Park has published a special website for its 75th Anniversary. Since launching the site the park has been steadily adding content, such as upcoming events. And, just recently, they added a park timeline.

Right now the timeline content isn't as rich as that of the Smokies site, but it could very well be that they intend to add more as time goes by. For those that wish to learn a little more about the Park's history, this is a pretty good starting point. It's an easy way to find out some of Shenandoah's most important moments, such as when a large chunk of the Park was declared a Wilderness Area.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in 75th anniversary, Shenandoah National Park | Comments Off

Shenandoah National Park Begins 75th Anniversary Celebration

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
Shenandoah National Park will launch a year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of its establishment with a ceremony at McCormick Gap Overlook at milepost 102 on Skyline Drive at 2:00 p.m. on November 5, 2010.

Park Superintendent Martha Bogle will receive the "mantle of celebration" from Phil Francis, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, whose 75th anniversary celebration took place in 2010. Due to limited space along Skyline Drive, parking for the event will be at Afton Mountain on Route 250, and shuttles will provide transportation to the ceremony at the McCormick Gap Overlook. Shuttle service will begin at 12:30.

The program will feature remarks by Alisa Bailey, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, followed by "A Journey Through the Decades," a program marking the milestones of achievements and honoring Shenandoah's partners. Among the participants will be Matthew Mesher, great-great grandson of President Herbert Hoover, whose Rapidan Camp retreat lies within what is now the boundary of Shenandoah National Park; Robert Jacobsen, former Shenandoah National Park superintendent; and Mike Breeden, descendent of former residents of the land from which the park was created. Hammered dulcimer player, Madeline MacNeil will provide entertainment at the overlook from 1:00 until 2:00.

In announcing the event, Superintendent Bogle remarked, "We are excited about the beginning of this year-long celebration of Shenandoah National Park. We look forward to remembering the vision and dedication of the park's early supporters, the sacrifice of the residents and landowners, and inspiring a new generation of park stewards."

A rededication of Shenandoah will occur on June 25, 2011.

For more information about the 75th Anniversary, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in 75th anniversary, Martha Bogle, Shenandoah National Park | Comments Off

Top 10 Stops along the BRP near Asheville

Saturday, May 1st, 2010
For the Blue Ridge Parkway's 75th Anniversary, the RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide has selected the "Top 10 Places to See Along the Parkway" in the Asheville area.

Beginning north and traveling south, here is their list:

1) Grandfather Mountain: Drive to the top and enjoy beautiful vistas from a rocky summit and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, plus see impressive environmental habitats. Milepost 305

2) Linn Cove Viaduct: This 1243-foot concrete segmental bridge snakes around the slopes of Grandfather Mountain. After driving across, stop at the Visitor Center to read about the construction and hike underneath it. Milepost 304

3) Linville Falls: See five viewpoints of the most photographed waterfall in North Carolina via two trails that begin at the Visitors' Center. Milepost 316

4) Mt. Mitchell: Drive to the summit of the highest point east of the Rockies, and take a short paved trail to the observation deck for panoramic mountain views. Milepost 355

5) Craggy Gardens: Park at the visitor center here for great views to the east and to the west. Enjoy the crisp air, summer rhododendron, and easy to moderate hiking trails. Milepost 364

6) Folk Art Center: Discover the finest in traditional and contemporary craft of the Southern Appalachians with a wonderful craft shop and exhibitions in three galleries. Milepost 382

7) Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center: Learn about the entire 469 miles and 75-year history of the Parkway with high-tech interactive exhibits that includes a 22-foot interactive I-Wall map. Milepost 384

8) North Carolina Arboretum: Stroll through a variety of gardens, on peaceful hiking trails, or ride Segways. And don't miss the wonderful bonsai exhibit. Milepost 393

9) Pisgah Inn: Stop for lunch and enjoy the views from 5,000 feet at the only restaurant on this section of the Parkway. Milepost 408

10) Graveyard Fields: This very popular hiking spot features two waterfalls in a mile-high valley filled with wildflowers and surrounded by Blue Ridge Mountains with 6,000-foot peaks. Milepost 419

For more information on many of the hiking opportunities along the Blue Ridge Parkway, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Posted in 75th anniversary, Asheville, Top 10 Stops, blue ridge parkway | Comments Off

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