Naming the Best of the Blue Ridge Shenandoah Valley
Posted by Nancy Craun on Wed, Nov 30, 2011 @ 02:59 PM
The Blue Ridge Shenandoah Valley is many things to many people. Depending on your hobbies and interests, you can find a great trail for hiking and birding, a river for water rafting, a mountain rock to sit and contemplate the past, present, or the future or just the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At the same time, one can walk down the sidewalk of our small towns and villages with the excitement of going into a unique coffee shop or gallery. One can also lay on the grass at a country fair or festival enjoying cotton candy or a corn dog or be at a steeplechase hunt watching the speed and beauty of a steeplechase race.
As one of our first events, the owner of Go Blue Ridge Travel, Nancy Craun decided to highlight what was really "The Best in the Blue Ridge". It is amazing how one can live in an area but not really know the area. Having been born and raised in Virginia, I am ashamed to say I have never been to Monticello or Mt Vernon, but I have been to The Great Wall in China, the grasslands of Mongolia, glaciers of Alaska, the calmness of a sunset on the Baltic Sea, and the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea. As I drive down some of the roads here in the Blue Ridge Shenandoah Valley, I realize I have much to learn about this area I call home, a region I was born, raise, and now earn my living.
Go Blue Ridge Travel has asked its fans and friends to give us their opinion of The Best of the Best in the Blue Ridge.
Taking a look first at one of the fastest growing industries in our region, Go Blue Ridge Travel's first week's choice was our Vineyards. Although concentrated heavily in Loudoun County, vineyards are everywhere in our region. It is difficult to drive down a country road or Interstate 81 and 66 and not see road signs for this vineyard and that. We congratulate Breaux Vineyards for winning first place as "The Best Vineyard" in the Blue Ridge.
Next we moved to another tourism draw, the Best Water Sports in the Blue Ridge. I know I have enjoyed the lazy pleasure of floating in a tube down the lazy Potomac or Shenandoah River on a hot sunny day feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and the coolness of the water. What surprised me was to learn that Front Royal has put a claim on being the "Canoe Capital of the World" Since I live in Jefferson County with the Potomac River separating us from the state of Maryland is a beacon to the city dwellers who come here every weekend for the fun of river rafting and tubing.
However, first place for the Best Watersports went to Massanutten Resort - a real surprise here in the Blue Ridge Shenandoah Valley. 
We are all acquainted with timeshares, but not in our back yard, particularly the largest growing timeshare in the United States and to my surprise - 70% employee owned. Massanutten's Waterpark, Arcade, Mini Golf and other kids activities came in first place for both Best Waterpark and Best Activities for Kids. Other popular Kids Activities sites included Old McDonald's Farm, White Oak Lavendar Farm, and Ridgefield's Farm are all great examples of how our farmers have become part of the tourist industry - with what is called agri-tourism. My hat is off to these farms, since I was spent my summers on my grandparents farm in Rockingham County and would not trade that experience for anything in the world.
If you have not voted, then our last week is our most exciting --- "Best Kept Secret". Do you have a restaurant, or a bed and breakfast or a hiking trail or a private romantic spot you would like to share? Win an overnight stay at The George Washington Hotel or Historic Rosemont Manor 1811. We will open up the voting by letting you simply write on the wall of Go BRT.com Add a picture so we can see why this is so special to you. Can hardly wait to see what you post! I will let you know some other Best of the Best in Part Two - Naming the Best of the Blue Ridge Shenandoah Valley.