We will be camping the later part of May in Kentucky, Western Virginia and the Shenandoah Vally, and Western North Carolina. We hope to get to Gettysburg and have already been to the Smokies. Our family really likes to hike and see historical places - we love the countryside! We generally have an idea where we are going and jump in the car and go, but I would appreciate any favorite places y'all suggest. We HATE tourist traps!!!!

We have a unique opportunity to get away from the homestead this year and want to make the best of it! Thanks to all in advance! Jeri

-- Jeri Boerger (mboerger@itol.com), April 22, 2002

Answers

I suggest McCormick Farm just south of Staunton Virginia off I81 home of Cyrus McCormick invented the grain reaper and started International Harvester Corp.Also in that area Crab Tree falls off route 56,its 5 falls in succession and real nice place with a trout farm at the top of the Mt.Also if you like antique tractors you'd be welcome to look at my Cockshutt,Allis Chalmers,Oliver and MM collection.

-- Gary (burnett_gary@msn.com), April 22, 2002.

Just after you pass the McCormick museum on 81 there is a another museum called "The AMerican Frontier Museum." It is a really good replica of the working farms and their people that helped to make us what we are today. There are representations of a German, a Scot/English, An English and American homesteads. Very good, and you can call ahead and get a discount if you homeschool. Were in Wes. VA will you be?

-- Lynelle SOwestVA (X2ldp@aol.com), April 22, 2002.

I lived in Staunton Va for about a year and the Frontier Museum is wonderful. I would take my kids there alot!!!

-- Teresa (Mo) (c3ranch@socket.net), April 22, 2002.

I'm originally from Front Royal VA in the Shenadoah Valley. If you like to hike, there are several trails off the Skyline Drive. You can probably get a map at the entrance station or at the visitors center at Dickey Ridge. If you have the time, there are several canoe companies that rent canoes to go down the Shenandoah River.

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), April 22, 2002.

If you are going to WNC and GSMNP check out the Cattaloochee settlement section of the park. It will show you what the park looked like before our govenment stole the land from the local people. Exit 20 off of I-40. It is a very quiet section of the park with no traffic or motorhomes. Natural tunnel state park in Virginia is also a nice place to go and far from being a tourist trap.

-- Emil in TN (eprisco@usit.net), April 22, 2002.

Lynelle, We will be going thru Cumberland Gap and checking out the Clinch Mountain area. We love Bluegrass music and want to see the areas that the Carter Family, the Stanley Brothers, and Jim and Jesse McReynolds were from.

Gary, my oldest son is a big tractor enthusiast! This will be right up his alley!!

Emil, we camped and hiked at Cataloochee last year and loved it. Too bad the government forced them off their land. I would have liked to see the places being farmed and lived in - it is so sad. We live in a 1870 cedar log home and appreciated the workmanship of those homesteads - my husband had me photograph most of the fireplaces so he can build another one someday!!

-- Jeri (mboerger@itol.com), April 22, 2002.

Gettysburg is one of my favorite places for a DRIVE. Stay on the roads around the battlefields and away from the main part of town. Awesome experience. Never gets old.

As for the Shenandoah Valley - - They have some BIG caves there. Shenandoah Caverns, Luray Caverns. Over in the Greenbrier Valley of WVa there is Organ Cave, and the renowned Greenbrier Hotel where the early pioneers used the sulphur springs for all that ailed them. I'm talking sightseeing only - - unless you are filthy RICH. Very expensive stay.

Don't forget the SKYLINE Drive if you have time to take the longer route through the VALLEY!

Natural bridge down near Roanoke seems to attract a lot of tourists, and there are all kinds of pioneer and civil war sites all up and down the valley if that is an interest.

-- Judy (JMcFerrin@AOL.com), April 22, 2002.

There is Red Hill (Patrick Henry's Home) Appomattox Court House--Monticello ( Jefferson's Home and tomb). Madison's home. Fredricksburg, The White House of the Confederacy in Richmond. Lee's tomb in Lexington. All within three hours of Roanoke. Then there is the Appalachian Trail and Dragon's Tooth ( a 4 mile uphill climb ) and near there is a real person. The home and farm of the infamous Joel Rosen. Come on by

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 22, 2002.

Apomatox National Park in Apomatox, Va. On 24. It is quiet and educational.

-- julie (jbritt@ceva.net), April 23, 2002.

Are you interested in seeing the Amish and Mennonite settlements? There are many in Ky. We were there several weeks ago..we love pulling over and watching them work the fields. Lots of Civil war areas in Ky also.

-- (msjazt@aol.com), April 23, 2002.

I would recommend riding the Potomac Eagle Rail Trip. It is north of Romney, WV. The train rides a rail along the North Fork of the South Branch of Potomac River. It runs through a very isolated portion of the river. There are many sightings of eagles on this trip. I have made this trip twice and enjoyed it both times. I have never made it during the fall but would love to go sometime. The train runs only on the weekends this time of the year, so keep this in mind if you are thinking of making the trip. This is one sight well worth the trip.

-- tammy (tlharriswv@cs.com), April 23, 2002.