Are you looking for some fun things to do outside this weekend?
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7 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND FROM VIRGINIA STATE PARKS
#1) Bus Tour Explores Area Coal Camps – Saturday April 18, 2015
The Adventures in History: Coal Camp Bus Tour, offered by theSouthwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, brings to life the history of coal mining and those who have worked in the industry. Participants will take a ride into the past with regional historian Dr. Lawrence Fleenor and discover a fascinating topic in regional history that offers a close view of areas important to mining in Southwest Virginia. The Coal Camp Bus Tour is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The tour will depart the park and travel on a comfortable bus to area coal camps of Stonega, Derby, Keokee, Imboden, Exeter, and Dunbar. The tour fee is $25 per person, and participants may bring their own lunch or pre-purchase a boxed lunch from the park for an additional $5. Seating is limited.
For more information about Adventures in History: Coal Camp Bus Tour, or to register, please call theclick here.
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#2) Bouldering at Grayson Highlands State Park – Saturday and Sunday April 18-19, 2015
Grayson Highlands State Park is a hotspot for the sport of bouldering. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. Instead, climbers only use a small rock face area and use a crash pad on the ground for safety. Grayson Highlands is home to 1,000 boulder problems, or paths, that have been established by famed climber and author, Aaron Parlier.
Try your own hand and foot at this adventurous sport. The park has two trails with excellent boulder fields for all skill levels. Listening Rock Trail is a 1.4 mile loop trail with the most easily accessible boulder areas. Split Rock Trail is a .3 mile trail established in 2013 specifically as a bouldering trail.
The "Grayson Highlands Bouldering" guide, written by Aaron Parlier, can be purchased in the park office, where there are also crash pads for rent for the small fee of $5.00 per day. This is a self-guided event at one of Virginia's most beautiful parks, Grayson Highlands. We recommend you call ahead to check the weather forecast as it can be change without much notice at this altitude in the highlands (276) 579-7092, and for directions click here.
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#3) Run Bum Tours: Grayson Highlands Full/Half Trail Marathon – Saturday April 18, 2015
Are you ready for Virginia's highest marathon?Grayson Highlands State Park is known for its rugged hiking trails and the directors of this race made sure to include almost ALL of them. Sean Blanton and Jason Green from Run Bum Tours have put together the first and only trail race in Grayson Highlands. This epic run will take you through dense spruce fir forests, across rocky ridges, alongside cascading streams and waterfalls, and even through the balds where you can find the wild ponies. Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
DO EPIC. BE EPIC. LIVE EPICALLY
To register for the half or full marathon and for more information, please visit the Run Bum Toursclick here.
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#4) Old Dominion Iron Chefs' Dutch Oven Gathering – Saturday April 18, 2015
Come to click here.
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#5) Earth Week at Bear Creek Lake – Saturday and Sunday April 18-19, 2015
Saturday April 18 at 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. join in a free Recycle Hike to see how the earth recycles itself. How long does litter last when carelessly discarded? Meet at the Cumberland Multi-use Trail Parking Lot. The walk will be over moderate terrain, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Sunday April 19 at 10:00 a.m. bring an empty, rinsed two- liter plastic bottle with cap, half-gallon cardboard juice or milk container, or a plastic gallon milk jug to the Acorn Loop picnic shelter and together we'll recycle it into a bird feeder, a box or another useful item. Or dip into our "trash to treasure" box and turn junk into art using our supplies and your imagination. Meet at the Acorn Campground Shelter. At other times during the week, or all year around, enjoy our self-guided activities such as GPS Adventures, the Channel Cat Interpretive Loop Trail, or our Park Packs. Please call theclick here.
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#6) One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Art Contest – Saturday April 18, 2015
Celebrate Earth Day and Art at click here.
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#7) Adventures on the James Games Triathlon – Saturday April 18, 2015
This is the first annual Adventure Triathlon to be held at details here. Devils Backbone Brewing Company is our sponsor and will be on hand with activities for the whole family, as well as one of their award winning beers. Other activities for kids and family members not racing include a Geocaching program at 11:00 a.m., and then there will be FREE wagon rides starting at 12:30 p.m. and running every hour and fifteen minutes.
Food will be for sale by the Friends of James River State Park, and Devils Backbone will have cornhole boards for all to enjoy. Come out and join us for a day in the park, and enjoy the race if you're brave enough to enter it! There will be some free activities, but the race has an entry fee… food and beer will be sold as well. Location – Canoe Landing. For more information please call (434) 933-4395, and for directions click here.
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EMERGENCY LAST MINUTE IDEA!
Virginia Bluebells are Blooming – showing all weekend long
Bring your camera and your carefree attitude to click here.
This park is on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and has more than 1,600 acres along 5.2 miles of shoreline. The park opened in June 1999. In addition to meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. A large riverside picnic area, picnic shelters, trails, river access and a car-top boat launch make this a popular destination for families, anglers and canoeists.
We encourage you to visit events database for a fun and adventurous event near you. We recommend you always call ahead to confirm the events listed are still underway.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU OUTSIDE AT A VIRGINIA STATE PARK