Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 … Two Lane Adventures Continue!

Today we took some more time to explore the area. We visited the Big Levels Wildlife Management Area in Southeastern Augusta County. This area of Virginia is referred to as "Big Levels". It is a rough series of connected flat-topped mountains west of and somewhat isolated from the Blue Ridge Mountains. As their name suggests, the mountain summits are generally flat or gently rolling, eventually giving way to steep or moderately-sloped ridges with thick vegetation, barren rock outcrops, and dense thickets until reaching more moderate terrain below. 

The local wildlife conservation movement during the early 1900s was initiated by private conservation groups, like Waynesboro Game and Fish Protective Association, Augusta County Fish and Game Association to preserve and manage depleted or extirpated native wildlife populations. Creation of government agencies like the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries, the US Forest Service, and the US Biological Survey resulted in preservation of wildlife habitat and professional wildlife management. A cooperative agreement in 1924 between the state of Virginia and the US Government eventually led to the establishment of the 1,700 acre Big Levels State Game Refuge in 1930. Since the 1950s Big Levels has been managed similar to other national forest lands and not as a refuge. The refuge was originally established as both a demonstration area and an experimental area where wildlife problems could be researched cooperatively by State, Federal and private agencies.

We also learned about a movement to make Kelley Mountain a National Scenic Area. At just under 13,000 acres, the area ranges in elevation from 1600' at the Coal Road to 3440' at the summit of Flint Mountain. The area is generally typical of the Blue Ridge province, but the unusual feature is the Big Levels. This plateau averages 3000' and is a remnant of the Summit Peneplain dating before the Blue Ridge upthrust. It is almost perfectly flat in some areas and is densely vegetated. Wild turkey and whitetail deer are particularly abundant with a smaller population of black bear. The Virginia Division of Conservation and Recreation indicate a number of endangered or threatened species, and the area has a high priority for protection. In the past, most of the area has been logged, and the mining of iron ore and manganese was also once a principal commercial use.

Today the area is primarily managed for recreation and watershed protection. Recreational uses include hiking, fishing, camping, recreational vehicle use, mountain biking, and hunting. Hunting is particularly popular during deer season. Mountain biking is very popular in the area; local clubs from Charlottesville and Harrisonburg maintain many of the trails. Its proximity to Sherando Lake and the Blue Ridge Parkway makes National Scenic Area designation appropriate. This status would protect the biological richness and beauty of this unique area while allowing mountain biking and vehicular access to continue.

We made a trip into Waynesboro for a lap top battery at Batteries Plus and we found this unique memorial in Constitution Park in Waynesboro and I had to learn more! The memorial commemorates the Blue Ridge Soap Box Classic, held annually. The All-American Soap Box Derby, is a youth gravity racing program for boys and girls ages 7 - 20 years old. The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since its beginning in 1934. The simple goals are to promote families working together, to teach children basic skills of workmanship along with the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project to completion. Across the United States and around the world, family time is spent together building Soap Box Derby cars. Lifelong bonds are developed as the “derby experience” is shared. 

The idea of the Soap Box Derby grew out of a photographic assignment of Dayton, Ohio, newsman Myron Scott. He came across a group of boys racing their homemade cars in the summer of 1933, and was so impressed with the event that he acquired a copyright and went in search of a corporate sponsor to establish a national program. Chevrolet liked Scott's proposal and agreed to sponsor the first official All-American Soap Box Derby in Dayton in 1934. The following year, the race moved to Akron, Ohio because of its central location and hilly terrain. The first race in Akron was run on Tallmadge Avenue. In 1936, Chevrolet and Akron civic leaders-including legendary journalist John S. Knight-recognized the need for a permanent track site for the youth gravity racing classic. That year, through the efforts of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Derby Downs in the southeast section of Akron, became a reality. During its 75-year history, the derby had also been cancelled during the World War II years of 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945. The All-American Soap Box Derby Championship was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The racing returned in 2021.

In downtown Waynesboro, we also spotted this mural on the retaining wall at the Fire Department. The Firefighter and Rescue Worker tribute mural was completed by David Wayne, a retired Sheriff's Officer, as part of the 2021 Virginia Street Arts Festival. Wait there is a Street Art Festival here?

Yes, there is! Waynesboro plays host to the annual Virginia Street Arts Festival. They have invited artists to turn several buildings into works of art. There is a huge mural was painted on the building right next to the Wayne Theatre. It was created by artist Nils Westergard during the 2018 VA Street Arts Festival. "Poochie" looks up pensively toward the sky and has many colorful flowers in her hair. Another variation of Poochie can be found in Los Angelos, CA. Did I mention that the Malpass Brothers were going to be playing at the Waynesboro Theater? Too bad it is after we move further north!

On our way out of town, we found a bigger mural! "Kaiya" was completed on the old Cassco Ice Plant building in October of 2019 in less than one week as a part of the VA Street Arts Festival. At seven stories and over 100 feet tall, this mural is the largest that artist Nils Westergard has ever completed. It was also voted #1 on the Top 100 Urban Art 2019 list by Streetart360. There are more murals, but we needed to head back to meet Sheryl & Gary on the road that leads back into the campground.

 

The Mount Torry Furnace is located on the road to the campground. Ruins of the Mount Torry Furnace also known as Virginia Furnace. This is a historic iron furnace located at Sherando. It was an iron furnace constructed in 1804 by Robert Long. While it was a cold-blast furnace at first, it was converted to hot-blast in 1853. Though it was retired in 1855, it was reopened to produce iron for the Confederacy during the Civil War. In 1864, the furnace was destroyed by Brigadier General Alfred Duffie, though it was rebuilt the following year. The Mount Torry Furnace operated until 1884, when it was closed permanently. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

After they got settled, we enjoyed dinner at Applebee’s and a quiet evening of fellowship and a trip up to see the lower Sherando Lake.

Stay tuned for our next stop on our two lane adventure!