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Autumn moves at her own pace, and she creeps in slowly this year. The leaves are peaking late this trip around the Sun.

The timing and intensity of fall leaf change is a recipe so complex and full of moving pieces and factors its a little different every time, kind of like a cook who uses a pinch of this and a bit of that and every batch is it’s own slightly unique version. I find beauty in that variability.

View from the cabin porch at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
Rocking chairs and relaxation at a park cabin

October has been warmer than usual this year. And October is wrapping up on a beautiful note. I went down to southwest Virginia to explore a place I’d never been and observe autumn in her beatific ways.

Natural Tunnel State Park is a good mix of our Commonwealth’s natural beauty and history. I was able to marvel at the patient molding hands of water and erosion over eons creating natural formations of wonder as well as pay respect to pioneers and their travails and lifestyles.

Atop the Natural Tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
A short hike takes you atop the Natural Tunnel

Inside the rim of Natural Tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
Stock Creek Trail leads to the northern opening of Natural Tunnel

A cold clear night gave the perfect opportunity to stargaze from the cabin porch, easily making out the dense busy strip of our galaxy viewed head on known as the Milky Way in addition to countless stars. A few sporadic shooting stars tore across the sky in addition to the Orionid meteor shower before the moon rose illuminating the night sky after midnight. It was a pleasure to soak up the often overlooked or dampened natural resource of a dark sky before warming up by the fireplace inside. 

I like to wake up early when the autumn air is crisp and cool as a new day yawns and sunrise paints soft colors before the sun rises high and life gets busier.

Sunrise and fog at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
Trees peeking through the morning fog at sunrise

Fog in the valley at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
Fog blanketing the valley for a short sweet hour at sunrise

Sunrise through a leaf at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
Sunrise through a leaf on the Lover's Leap trail

Lover's Leap at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
Lover's Leap holds a story of geology as well as romance

A chair lift ride at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
A chair lift provides a fun alternative route to the bottom of the 10-story tall Natural Tunnel 

The beauty of autumn overwhelms our senses and for many people is a favorite time of year to get outside and hike before the winter settles in. The forest transforms into so many explosions of color that change with elevation and tree composition.

Red maple leaf on a fungus at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
A red maple leaf reveals its name against the contrast of a white mushroom

Purchase Ridge overlook at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
Purchase Ridge overlook reveals the fall colors and Natural Tunnel in the distance

Leaf venation at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
Some species of trees reveal leaf venation as chlorophyll production stops

The Frontier Harvest Festival was occurring during my stay at the park at the Wilderness Road Historic Area, giving an interesting look into the past when pioneers settled into this area. 

Sunrise at the Blockhouse at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
The Blockhouse is an example of a strategic stronghold from long ago

Interpreter at the Blockhouse at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
A park interpreter in the Blockhouse gives a unique perspective of life centuries ago

Demonstrating tanning of hides at Natural Tunnel State Park, Virginia
A family learns how deer hides were preserved and tanned in pioneer times

It was informative and reflective to step back from the luxuries of modern times and ponder on the struggles and challenges of everyday life and survival in the late 1700's. The demonstrators were full of knowledge and stories that made me laugh, smile, and appreciate the changes in lifestyles over time. Natural Tunnel State Park was a great getaway and an amazing stay, one more natural and cultural resource of our grand Commonwealth and Virginia State Parks system. 

 

Editor's Note: Learn more about overnight accommodations at Natural Tunnel State Park here, for recreation, directions and other information when visiting this beautiful Virginia State Park click here.

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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