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Things to Do and See On the Farm Hiking There are a number of trails on the farm that we can suggest, or you can just wander. One of the former owners built what he called his Meditation Tower,just a short walk from the cottages. Fishing There are four ponds. Three are stocked with bass, crappie, bluegills, and catfish. The fourth is for koi and goldfish (no fishing in this one). Bonnie Brook The stream originates from springs on the farm and gives children a great chance to build dams, catch minnows and crayfish, or just splash around. You don't have to show them how; it comes naturally. Gardens We think our gardens are quite nice. Please enjoy them as much as we do. All of the most interesting plants are labeled. Birdwatching We have a great variety, from hawks to indigo buntings, woodpeckers to bluebirds. Horseshoes An old-fashioned sport. Tennis We have an all-weather court for the use of our guests. In the Area Antiquing There are some really good shops in Harrisonburg and Staunton, as well as many along Route 11 between Staunton and New Market. Some of the small towns in the area also have nice shops. Auctions There are almost always several auctions to choose from, starting Thursday night through Saturday. Biking Hundreds of miles of back roads in Rockingham County are good for cycling. We can recommend a few routes to get you started. Canoeing Over the past several years this sport has really grown in the Valley. There are several excellent rental services for the Shenandoah River at Elkton and Luray. Caverns The area boasts some remarkable caverns open to the public. Fishing There is fishing here on the farm, in the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, at Shenandoah Lake, Silver Lake and in some streams in the Shenandoah National Park. Horseback Riding Nearby; information furnished upon request. Livestock Auctions If you've never been, livestock auctions are a lot of fun to watch. We have two in Harrisonburg, with sales every Thursday and Saturday. Movies There are two movie compexes in Harrisonburg, one at Valley Mall and the other a new 14-plex (it's wonderful) on University Boulevard. Skiing Two ski resorts are within a convenient distance of the farm: Massanutten, on the adjoining property, and Bryce Mountain, about an hour away. Swimming There are three public pools close by--Swift Run, Grand Caverns Park, and Natural Chimney's Park. Theatre On any given weekend there is usually a play or a musical either at James Madison University, Bridgewater College, or Eastern Mennonite University. The Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, a world-renowned Shakespeare ensemble, is headquartered in Staunton at the Elizabethan style Blackfriar's Theatre. In the Region Shenandoah National Park Famous for its beauty; you can choose from hundreds of hiking trails for the beginner to the expert, including the Appalacian Trail, or drive the Skyline Drive to historic Big Meadows or Skyland. Massanutten Good skiing and hiking; next door. Monticello Thomas Jefferson's historic home is just south of equally historic Charlottesville, only 45 minutes away. New Market Battlefield Site of the 1864 Confederate victory in which the teenaged cadets from Virginia Military Institute saw combat, the New Market Battlefield offers a comprehensive look at the Civil War, focusing especially on the Shenandoah Valley. The American Museum of Frontier Culture This award-winning museum in Staunton teaches through living history exhibits what life was like for early American frontier farmers who brought their own styles of farming from their native lands. The museum features different European-style American farmsteads, including German, Irish and English. Woodrow Wilson's Home The boyhood home of the 28th President of the United States, now a museum in Staunton, 30 minutes away. Grand Caverns Park A regional park with caverns, swimming and tennis, close to the farm. Natural Chimney's Park Another popular regional park that features unique geologic structures. Natural Bridge This curiosity, which was surveyed by George Washington, is near Lexington, about an hour's drive away, and well worth the trip. Blue Ridge Parkway Crests the Blue Ridge south of Afton, where the Skyline Drive ends. West Virginia Day Trip Ask us--we'll be happy to help you plan one. Seneca Rocks A spectacular National park site in West Virginia, featuring beautiful scenery all the way up and back, and rock climbing for the novice and expert. Return to Main Page