Outside Header
Weekend Update - OUTSIDE!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
pete's pics
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Get Hiking - Each week a new hike will be added to the list as we compile the Top 10 Hikes in the Roanoke Pete Eshelman imageRegion. Click on the name and you will be able to download directions, a map, and some tips:
  1. McAfee Knob section of Appalachian Trail
  2. Dragon's Tooth section of Appalachian Trail
  3. Chestnut Ridge off the Blue Ridge Parkway
  4. Star Trail on Mill Mountain
Kids or No Kids, Mill Mountain is the place to be this weekend! - At a little over 1700', Mill Mountain provides incredible views of Roanoke, the valley, and the mountains beyond. Pack a picnic lunch, drive to the top, and make a day out of it!
  • Hiking & Biking Trails Galore - the Star Trail is a great trail and the map also shows all the other trails you can easily access from the parking lot at the top. Stop by the Mill Mountain Discovery Center for more details
  • Playground for the kids
  • Free Bike Demo Day (Sunday 1 to 4pm) - just bring helmet and ID
  • Mill Mountain Zoo (be sure to ride the Zoo Choo)
  • Star CamThere is a web cam mounted to the Star and beneath it are instructions on how you can call your family/friends so they can see you on the Star Cam
  • Finish the day with a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway
I realize you may be getting tired of me telling you to Take A River Trip, but the rivers around here are just too good to pass up! The James and New Rivers both have outfitters that can set you up with everything you need for a great day on the water.  James River - Twin River Outfitters and Riders Up Outfitters.   New River  Tangent Outfitters and New River Outdoor Company.

Got an idea? Send it to pete@roanoke.org

Get OUTSIDE!

Pete
win a weekend adventure package for 8
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Between now and the September 30 Get Outside Expo & Radical Reels Film Festival we will Outside Headershowcase some of the outdoor organizations you can meet at the expo as well as the prizes they have donated. To be eligible for the prizes you need to have completed the survey located on RoanokeOutside.com.

Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing has donated a weekend adventure package which includes:
  • 2 nights lodging
  • All meals
  • 1.5 days of group adventure activities of your choice
  • Activities are broken into 1/2 day periods (ex. 1/2 day canoeing, 1/2 day caving, & 1/2 day climbing)
  • For up to 8 people. Additional people may be added for a fee
Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing is an outdoor adventure center located 40 minutes from Roanoke in Craig County. Originally started as a summer camp it has evolved into a year-round program. They specialize in groups (8-100+ people) but also do customized trips for couples and families. From a beginner, fully outfitted camping trip to a week-long retreat, they have you covered. All equipment is provided and no experience is needed!

Ideal for: group outings, employee appreciation, team building, weddings, reunions, school trips, retreats, conferences, day excursions, and more.

Activities offered: challenge courses, 900 zip line, climbing wall, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, caving, rock climbing, hiking, outdoor education, camping, backpacking, and more.
Riders Up Outfitters Offers 10% off to Roanoke Outside members
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you haven't visited Alleghany County in a while now is the time!
Outside Header
Riders Up Outfitters, located in Clifton Forge, is a full service river outfitters and store serving the James, Jackson, and Cowpasture Rivers.
  • Canoe & Kayak rentals
  • Shuttle service
  • Guided Fly Fishing Trips on public and private water
  • Outdoor Store
Roanoke Outside Members get a 10% Discount on any trip booked by this Friday (Aug. 28). The actual trip can occur anytime this fall but you must book by Friday.  Just mention that your learned about them from Roanoke Outside.
National public lands day - sponsors needed
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

public lands dayNational Public Lands Day (Sept. 26) is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. In 2008, 120,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants, and planted over 1.6 million trees.

Roanoke City Parks & Recreation is organizing a volunteer workday at Carvins Cove to celebrate the event and they are looking for local individuals and businesses to help sponsor the day's events. If you are interested email me (pete@roanoke.org) and I'll put you in touch with the the right people.

This is a great opportunity to support Carvins Cove (2nd largest municipal park in the U.S.) and our public lands in general.  The day will consist of hands-on trail improvements and nature-based activities for parents and children brought to you by KIVA (Kids in the Valley Adventuring). All participants receive a t-shirt that will include sponsors name/logo.
Upcoming events to keep your eye on
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
  • Weekly happy hour float with Riders Up Outfitters on the James River
  • Weekly bike rides throughout Roanoke & NRV Valleys
  • Smith River Festival 9/4 to 7
  • Blue Ridge Mtn. Sports labor day sale 9/4-7
  • Veer The Movie (Taubman Museum) 9/11Carvins Cove Hay Rock pictures
  • Conservation Celebration (Western VA Land Trust) 9/13
  • Hoop Hole Hike (Roanoke Count Parks & rec) 9/17
  • Marine Corp 5K Mud Run September 19
  • Trail Running Rampage at Douthat State Park 9/19
  • Gauley Fest - worlds largest whitewater gathering 9/19
  • World Carfree Day 9/22
  • The Artie Levin Memorial Ride to benefit MS Society 9/26-27
  • Big Lick Triathlon at Smith Mountain Lake 9/26
  • Middle Mountain Mama Mtn. Bike Race at Douthat State Park 9/26
  • National Public Lands Day at Carvins Cove 9/26
  • Virginia 10-Miler 9/26
  • Radical Reels Film Festival & GET OUTSIDE Expo 9/30
  • Poor Mountain Hill Climb 10/4
  • Kid Bike Race (Bike Blast) 10/4
  • Into The Darkness 4 Mile Trail Run (at night) 10/24
  • Blacksburg Brew Do 10/24
  • Rowdy Dog Mtn. Bike Race 10/25
  • Drumstick Dash 1/26
  • Blue Ridge Marathon (full & half) April 24, 2010
Things you'll find on the Roanoke Outside Blog
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vibram five Fingers - Win a Weekend Adventure Package for 8 - National Public Lands Day -
Tough times should not stop innovation in transportation - Riders Up Outfitters says "Don't Forget About Us" - Outdoor Businesses Paddling Toward Prosperity - GEAR REVIEWS
Best of the outdoors Ballot
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Header
  Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine just launched its "Best of the Outdoors Ballot!" This is your chance to get the Roanoke  
  Region of Virginia the recognition it deserves! Vote for your favorite swimming hole, best bike trail, favorite section of the
  AT, and more - VOTE NOW!
Want to meet other outdoor folks? Need a Group to hike, BIKE, or Paddle with?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are a few outdoor social groups that allow you to meet other people and get outside!
  • Meetup Roanoke Outdoor & Social Group this group seeks to bring together people from around Roanoke and the New River Valley who are interested in outdoor activities. They attract a wide variety of people with varying interests and experience levels and provide a mix of activities (hiking, backpacking, biking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, caving, etc.) that can be enjoyed by all. Events range from hikes to whitewater rafting to social mixers.
  • Roanoke Cycling Organization, Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, and New River Bike Association are three great cycling groups to check out.
  • The Creek Freaks is a local paddling club that does events throughout the year
  • KIVA (Kids In the Valley Adventuring) is a group that helps families and kids connect with nature
  • Roanoke Sunday Hiking Group (on Facebook only - request to join the group).This is a group formed by "people who don't have free time on Saturdays. We seek to create a group of friends who want to explore the world around us. Whether it is walking in the woods, cooking out, or visiting something new and exciting, we seek to do something other than just lay around on Sundays."
Virginia 10-miler Early Registration Deadline
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Outside Header  The organizers of the Virginia 10-miler asked us to remind you runners that the deadline for early
  registration is September 1.

  Get Running!
Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011
540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org