Sharron-Mays Memorial Grove

Last week we held a memorial to honor the late Olen Sharron and Warren Mays. Olen and Warren were both big advocates in helping treat our hemlocks at Mt. Lake. We received many donations in their honor and decided to create a memorial. Back in July, we picked out a sandstone boulder from the lakebed that was smooth from years of water erosion. Ralph Johnson from McCoy's Funeral Home in Blacksburg came to pick the stone up and took it to his engraving shop. As you can see, he is an amazing artist! We placed the stone at the north end of the lake along the Indian Trail where the hemlock grove is vibrant and healthy, thanks to Olen and Warren's dedication to protecting the hemlocks.

The Sharron and May's family and friends came up for the memorial. Becky Sharron stands proudly next to the stone.

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Lake Update

The lake levels have dropped slightly this October but during the entire 2009 season, the levels stayed somewhat constant. Below is a comparison between October 2008 and 2009. What a difference!

October 2009

October 2008

I found this praying mantis earlier this week and thought I would share this photo with you..what an interesting creature!

Mantises are masters of camouflage and most species make use of protective coloration to blend in with the foliage, both to avoid predators themselves, and to better snare their victims. Various species have adapted to not only blend with the foliage, but to mimic it, appearing as either living or withered leaves, sticks, tree bark, blades of grass, flowers, or even stones.

Day Hikes Along the Appalachian Trail Elderhostel

14 participants showed up for our "Day Hikes Along the Appalachian Trail" Elderhostel program earlier this week. We hiked McAfee's Knob and the Wind Rock-War Spur Loop. Below are a couple photos from the program. Enjoy!

McAfee's Knob in the fog


War Spur Overlook

War Spur Connector Trail


Wind Rock Overlook

To see more photos from the program, check out our FACEBOOK page!

Women's Wellness Weekend

On September 11-13, we hosted our first Women's Wellness Weekend. We had 8 women sign up and they participated in yoga, hiking and canoeing along the New. Below are a couple pictures from the weekend!

Instructional session on canoeing. No one flipped!

Grace on top of Bald Knob



Bonfire and smores!

To see more pics from the program, visit our Facebook page!

Virginia Living Article on Giles County

New River Elderhostel

We just finished up last week with our 'New River Outdoor Adventure' Elderhostel. We had a total of 24 participants all the way from Washington state to New York. We spent the week on the New River learning the basics of canoeing, rafting, rapid swimming, falling out of boats and much more. Monday and Tuesday were spent on the New from Eggleston to Bluff City. On Wednesday we hiked to the lakebed, Old Golf Course and Bald Knob. The most exciting part of the trip was to the New River Gorge on Thursday, despite the tailpipe falling off the bus! Below are a few pictures from the week.

Eggleston Cliffs
Don swimming the rapids at lunch



Steve teaching basic paddling strokes

Kayaking and canoeing below Eggleston


Our venture to the lakebed


Old Golf Course overlook

Prepared for rafting!

Jeff & Meryl

Jess relaxing in the water

Getting their game faces on for the class 5 rapids




Lunch break



New River Bridge

To see more pictures, check out our Facebook page!

Day Hikes along the Appalachian Trail

We hosted our 1st 5 night 'Day Hikes Along the Appalachian Trail' Elderhostel last week. We had a total of 24 participants from all over the country! Below are a few photos from the program.

On our first hike, Susan's sole came right off her shoe! We were about 3 miles away from the hotel at the Bear Cliffs overlook. A little first aid gauze, tape, and zip ties and we fixed her shoe right up until she could purchase another pair.


Faye dipping her feet into Dismal Falls.

Bruce & Jan posing for a picture.

It decided to pour rain on our War Spur hike. This group was ultra-prepared, rain or shine.

We headed to McAfee's Knob for our final hike.

Stories, Songs and Walks Elderhostel

Last week we held our Stories, Songs and Walks Appalachian Elderhostel. We had a total of 23 participants and learned about Appalachian poetry, oral history, ballads, music and the flora and fauna of the Appalachian Mountains. One evening, we ventured out to Wind Rock to watch the sunset. Below are a few pictures from the program.

Hiking along Old Turnpike trail

Hazel Beeler describing the differences between rhododendron and mountain laurel

Rick Mullins viewing the sunset

Group shot at Wind Rock

Our next Elderhostel is 'Day Hikes Along the Appalachian Trail' on July 26-31. We are offering a shorter version of this same program on October 4-7 - visit Elderhostel.org
and type in program #16937.

Rhododendron in Full Bloom

Come up for a hike around the Indian Trail, the rhododendron is in full bloom! I ventured down yesterday to try and capture some shots.



The lake level is continuing to stay at the same level as the past month. The extended boat dock almost reaches the edge of the shore.

Sunset over the lake

While working late tonight, I witnessed a beautiful sunset over the lake. I was also able to capture some hummingbirds drinking from the feeders.



It's hard to capture a clear photo ...how can i when they beat their wings 53 times per second!
View from the Lakeview building