December Sunday adventures through historic Virginia

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and $5 admission … great time to visit the home of America’s third President! We decided it would be the start of our colonial loop through a tiny part of our historic Virginia because, after all, that’s what history nerds do. Right?

Reeves is new Majority Whip for Virginia State Senate

By Lynn R. Mitchell

It was announced by Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (R-James City) during the annual Senate Finance Committee in Staunton this past weekend that Senator Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) was named Senate Majority Whip for the Senate of Virginia.

Coy Barefoot and the site where Hannah was found

Photo by Coy Barefoot

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Many were touched by Hannah Graham’s disappearance. Some knew her. Others knew someone who knew her — that is my connection through my first-year UVa student niece who had known Hannah since attending French Academy with her at Washington and Lee University in 2012. Many had children and felt the anguish Hannah’s parents were going through. The community closed ranks, embracing the family, and worked together in a way that is not often seen. Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo never let go of his tenacity nor his promise to Hannah’s parents to find her, and with the help of thousands of volunteers, he was able to keep that promise although, sadly, not in the way he would have liked.

Many reporters and some bloggers have followed along but one who has stood out because of the information he was able to provide that wasn’t necessarily found in the regular news feeds was Coy Barefoot, a Charlottesville resident who wears many hats including writer, history professor at UVa, radio personality, and more. But most importantly, as seen in his words below, he wears the “Dad” hat.

Parents remember Hannah, thank all who helped during search, ask for privacy to grieve their loss

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Hannah Graham’s parents issued a statement Friday after news reports confirmed that human remains found in rural Albemarle County were those of the missing University of Virginia student:

Albermarle law enforcement statement on Hannah Graham investigation

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Hannah Graham’s remains were found in Albemarle County just outside Charlottesville. That jurisdiction is now moving forward with the death investigation, issuing the following statement about their status:

On Saturday, October 18th human remains were discovered in southern Albemarle County. The remains were sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond for examination and positive identification. The Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed that these are the remains of Hannah Graham, 18, of Fairfax, Va.

Keep searching to #BringHannahHome

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The search for Hannah Graham continues with the latest bombshell news from Virginia State Police linking forensic evidence between Jesse Matthew and Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington who was murdered five years ago (see Forensic evidence links Hannah Graham suspect to murdered Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington). Prayers continue for her family and friends at this difficult time. #BringHannahHome

Meadow Run Mill & General Store and Michie Tavern

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Carter Mountain Orchard offers Virginia apples, pumpkins, and views

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Last night’s low temperature west of Staunton was 39 degrees so today seemed perfect to visit Carter Mountain outside Charlottesville. The mountaintop orchard offers not only apples, pumpkins, gourds, and country store goods but it also provides one of the most outstanding long-range views in central Virginia — east toward Richmond and west toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. Below is the city of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia. A cool breeze blew as SWAC Husband and my Richmond sister and I drove up the long, winding road for the latest chapter of our autumn adventures.

Pumpkins! Carter’s Mountain had plenty of these bright orange signs of fall available in all sizes from tiny decorative to pie size to jack-o-lantern size.

Stand up paddle boarding at Beaver Creek Reservoir, Charlottesville

By Kurt Michael

Reach forward, stab the paddle blade into the water, pull through, and then rotate the paddle back out. Rhythm and pacing are everything, and the repetitive motion almost became hypnotic as my paddle board glided silently across the lake. In the distance were two mountains that rose out of the water and looked down on me.  In their presence, I was reminded how small I am in the midst of God’s creation. I
continued to paddle across Beaver Creek Reservoir (See Map).