Wednesday, November 5, 2008
New Feature!
The Rivers & Trails Blog now has a new feature. At the bottom of each post is a small envelope shape. By clicking on the envelope you can quickly email a story from the blog to your friends. Try it out! It's a great way to invite friends to join you on a DRBA outing!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Community Tree Planting
Sunday, November 9 from 2-4 p.m.
Richard P. Gravely, Jr., Nature Preserve
2525 Eggleston Falls, Rd., Ridgeway
Join area Girl Scouts, the Martinsville-Henry County Master Gardeners, and the Dan River Basin Association as we plant trees to spruce up the parking lot area of the Gravely Nature Preserve and provide winter food sources for birds and wildlife.
Event sponsored by:
Anne Carter Gravely
Prillaman Landscaping
Call Jennifer Doss, DRBA Project Manager, at 276-634-2545 for more information.
Richard P. Gravely, Jr., Nature Preserve
2525 Eggleston Falls, Rd., Ridgeway
Join area Girl Scouts, the Martinsville-Henry County Master Gardeners, and the Dan River Basin Association as we plant trees to spruce up the parking lot area of the Gravely Nature Preserve and provide winter food sources for birds and wildlife.
Event sponsored by:
Anne Carter Gravely
Prillaman Landscaping
Call Jennifer Doss, DRBA Project Manager, at 276-634-2545 for more information.
Friday, October 31, 2008
October Hike on Bull Mountain
BULL MOUNTAIN
October 19, 2008
On a blustery fall day in mid October, Dan River Basin members gathered at the home of Wayne and Betty Kirkpatrick for the monthly “DRBA third Saturday outing.” The Kirkpatrick’s have a beautiful farm in the rolling hills of Patrick County in Stuart, VA, where they graciously hosted this Saturday’s event.
We gathered at the farm, piled into a few vehicles, then made the short drive over the base of Bull Mountain. We would be starting at an elevation of around 1400 feet and hiking to the fire tower on the summit at 3200 feet.
The hike was going to take us along the access road that gradually gained elevation as it wound its way around the flanks of the mountain through hardwood hammocks and evergreens, with occasional vistas through the foliage.
Just ¼ mile up the trail, we were gazing out at familiar peaks of the Blue Ridge mountains from VA and on down into North Carolina. Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountian were the most obvious peaks that could be identified, both North Carolina Blue Ridge mountain landmarks.
It didn’t take long for the group to start spreading out along the trail into smaller groups hiking at their own pace.
This propeller stands as a silent testament to that fateful day, engraved with the names of the crew. On the way home, Wayne also took us around the east side where we viewed a memorial cross high on the ridge, erected as a memorial to the Hendrickson racing family plane crash in 2005. 
Bull Mountain is also known for its vein of staurolite crystals, better known as fairystones or fairy crosses, that run the length of the mountain range. Although we did not spend much time hunting fairystones, just observing the rocks along the trail you could see staurolite crystals exposed in the matrix rock at certain elevations.
Exploring the northeast flank of the mountain just beyond the tower, the hickory trees seemed to be the dominate tree, and they lit the forest with yellow fire.
Although clouds continued to hover low in the sky, the rich brush strokes from Autumn’s palette could not be diminished. As we headed back down the mountain, the changes in the colors seemed to glow even brighter.
Had the light changed just enough or had the mountain air intoxicated us and heightened our senses to a point where only now could we fully appreciate the vibrant canvas of Fall’s display?
October 19, 2008
On a blustery fall day in mid October, Dan River Basin members gathered at the home of Wayne and Betty Kirkpatrick for the monthly “DRBA third Saturday outing.” The Kirkpatrick’s have a beautiful farm in the rolling hills of Patrick County in Stuart, VA, where they graciously hosted this Saturday’s event.
We gathered at the farm, piled into a few vehicles, then made the short drive over the base of Bull Mountain. We would be starting at an elevation of around 1400 feet and hiking to the fire tower on the summit at 3200 feet.
The hike was going to take us along the access road that gradually gained elevation as it wound its way around the flanks of the mountain through hardwood hammocks and evergreens, with occasional vistas through the foliage.
Just ¼ mile up the trail, we were gazing out at familiar peaks of the Blue Ridge mountains from VA and on down into North Carolina. Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountian were the most obvious peaks that could be identified, both North Carolina Blue Ridge mountain landmarks.
It didn’t take long for the group to start spreading out along the trail into smaller groups hiking at their own pace.
The fall colors were just before peak, and we were treated to fabulous colors from the many hardwoods along the ridge. The deep crimson reds of the sourwood trees and the brilliant yellows of the hickories stood out against the green backdrop of thick rhododendrons.
The Closed Gentian was still hanging onto its wildflower purple as a reminder that summer is gone but not forgotten.
The Bull Mountain range towers above the rolling hills of Patrick County and it sometimes becomes shrouded in fog. That’s when the mountain can turn deadly for unlucky air travelers. On a side trail near the top, we took a detour to visit the Memorial to the airmen of a B-24 on a training mission that crashed on the mountain back in 1944.
This propeller stands as a silent testament to that fateful day, engraved with the names of the crew. On the way home, Wayne also took us around the east side where we viewed a memorial cross high on the ridge, erected as a memorial to the Hendrickson racing family plane crash in 2005. 
Bull Mountain is also known for its vein of staurolite crystals, better known as fairystones or fairy crosses, that run the length of the mountain range. Although we did not spend much time hunting fairystones, just observing the rocks along the trail you could see staurolite crystals exposed in the matrix rock at certain elevations.
Arriving at the summit, we all took a break and had some lunch at the Bull Mountain Fire Tower.
Exploring the northeast flank of the mountain just beyond the tower, the hickory trees seemed to be the dominate tree, and they lit the forest with yellow fire.
Although clouds continued to hover low in the sky, the rich brush strokes from Autumn’s palette could not be diminished. As we headed back down the mountain, the changes in the colors seemed to glow even brighter. 
Had the light changed just enough or had the mountain air intoxicated us and heightened our senses to a point where only now could we fully appreciate the vibrant canvas of Fall’s display?
Article and Photos by Brian Williams
Edited by Vicky Thomas
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Day on Bull Mountain
On a blustery fall day in mid October, Dan River Basin members gathered at the home of Wayne and Betty Kirkpatrick for the monthly "DRBA third Saturday outing." The Kirkpatrick's have a beautiful farm in the rolling hills of Patrick County in Stuart, VA, where they graciously hosted this Saturday's event.
We gathered at the farm, piled into a few vehicles, then made the short drive over the base of Bull Mountain. We would be starting at an elevation of around 1400 feet and hiking to the fire tower on the summit at 3200 feet.
It was an easy hike along the access road and we gradually gained elevation as we wound our way around the flanks of the mountain through hardwood hammocks and evergreens, with occasional vistas through the foliage.
Just ¼ mile up the trail, we were gazing out at familiar peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains from VA and on down into North Carolina. Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountian were the most obvious peaks that could be identified, both North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountain landmarks.
It didn't take long for the group to start spreading out along the trail into smaller groups, all hiking at thier own pace.
The fall colors were just beginning to peak and we were treated to fabulous shades of gold and red from the many hardwoods along the ridge. The deep crimson red of the sourwood trees and the brilliant yellow of the hickories stood out against a lush green backdrop of thick rhododendrons.
The Closed Gentian was still hanging onto its wildflower purple as a reminder that summer is gone but not forgotten.
The Bull Mountain range towers above the rolling hills of Patrick County and it sometimes becomes shrouded in fog. That's when the mountain can turn deadly for unlucky air travelers. On a side trail near the top, we took a detour to visit the Memorial to the airmen of a B-24 on a training mission that crashed on the mountain back in 1944.
This propeller stands as silent testament to that fateful day, engraved with the names of the crew. On the way home, Wayne also took us around the east side where we viewed a memorial cross high on the ridge, erected as a memorial to the Hendrickson racing family plane crash in 2005.
Bull Mountain is also known for it's vein of staurolite crystals, better known as Fairystones or Fairy crosses. The vein runs the length of the mountain range and although we did not spend much time hunting Fairystones, just observing the rocks along the trail you could see staurolite crystals exposed in the matrix rock at certain elevations. 
Arriving at the summit, we all took a break and had some lunch at the Bull Mountain Fire Tower. Exploring the northeast flank of the mountain just beyond the tower, the hickory's seemed to be the dominate tree, and the forest seemed to glow with yellow fire.
Although clouds continued to cover the bluebird sky, the rich brush strokes from Autumn's palette could not be diminished. As we headed back down the mountain, the scene had changed, and the colors seemed to glow even brighter. Had the light changed just enough or had the mountain air intoxicated us and heightened our senses to a point where only now could we fully appreciate the vibrant canvas of fall's display.
Article and pictures by: Brian Williams
Edited and posted by: Vicky Thomas
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Future of Martinsville & Henry County
Throughout our community, local government, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), Activate, Friends of Philpott, and other groups are working together to create trails and bike lanes that will provide connectivity and enhance the quality of life here. With the future completion of 20 miles of trail around Philpott Lake and 45 miles of trail along the Smith River, we are on the way to creating a recreational destination!
Having long trail systems allows places for residents to walk near their homes, allows for alternative forms of transportation such as biking or walking to work, and creates opportunities for events such as bike touring, adventure racing, and charity walks/rides.
Three DRBA members recently experienced a taste of bike touring as they embarked on a 320 mile journey that took them from Washington DC to Pittsburgh. Along the way they camped in campgrounds, visited tourist attractions, and supported businesses.
Read their adventure, and image the possibilities here!
September 20-27th, three DRBA members, Ellen Jessee, Emma Parcel, and Mignon Smith joined Adventure Cycling to bike 320 miles on the C&O Canal Towpath Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage Rail Trail.
We started with a tour of the National mall in DC...
Passed by Canal Locks, Lock Houses, and Dams...
Camped by the river...
Toured Fort Frederick...
Visited Cumberland MD...
Biked 22 miles uphill on the Great Allegheny Passage...
Visited Ohiopyle State Park...
Enjoyed rivers and peaceful wooded trails, til it was time to load our bikes on the Budget Truck and ourselves on the bus for the return trip to DC.
Introduction by Jennifer Doss
Photos by Emma Parcel
Captions by Ellen Jessee
Captions by Ellen Jessee
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Paddling Survey
Attention Fellow Paddlers!
The Dan River Basin Association is conducting a short (10 question) survey about boating on the Smith River in Henry County Virginia. The results of this survey will assist in the planning and funding of future river access points, as well as the enhancement of existing access points.
Click HERE to proceed to the survey.
Please forward this link to all your friends that paddle the Smith River!
Thank you for your time, and happy paddling!
Jennifer Doss, Rivers & Trails Project Manager
Dan River Basin Association
Dan River Basin Association
Monday, October 20, 2008
It's Growing!
For many in the Martinsville and Henry County area, a walk along the Fieldale Trail is part of their daily routine. Soon walkers, joggers, and cyclists will have even more trail to enjoy with the new extension of the Fieldale Trail! Thanks to funding from The Dominion Foundation, the existing trail will be extended by one mile downstream along the Smith River towards Kohler.
On Sunday, volunteers gathered to begin work on the trail by clearing the trail corridor of limbs, rocks, logs and other obstructions. This work is neccesary before larger equipment can come in to construct the trail surface. The trail will be completed by early spring 2009, although several sections will be open to the public within the next few months.
Special thanks to all who helped on our first day of work: Jim Frith, Joe & Ellen Jessee, Danny & Martha Smith, Darrin Doss, Eldridge Turner, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Susan Kanode!
Two more volunteer workdays have been planned for Wednesday, October 22nd and Saturday, November 2nd. To register for one of these workdays or for more information on the Fieldale Trail, contact DRBA Project Manager Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org.
Article and photos by Jennifer Doss
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