A Four-Hour Tour

“Sit right back” and ride with me through rural WV. See for yourself just how “clean” the natural gas drilling process called “fracking” really is. We got a up-close, four-hour tour of this Wetzel County hydrofracturing operation (a large Chesapeake Energy project) two weeks ago by some local West Virginia residents, and want to share what we saw and heard.

To be informed about what’s going on with fracking, and everything that’s at stake, is the first step to slowing down the process until citizen interests are considered first - before corporate profits, and before the land in the United States (including WV and VA) is polluted possibly beyond repair – just like the Gulf.

With hydrofracking we’re really talking about hundreds of “ground zeros,” instead of one.

This article is an example of the power of electronic journalism. Whether you’re a child, a teen, or an adult, whatever your station in life, citizens can use technology and the Internet – blogs, videos, photos, writing, social networking, cell phones, electronic devices, etc. – to tell the stories that must be told, the stories of the people, of democracy and freedom.

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What You See Is What You Get

I had heard about the hydrofracking process, had researched it, and had written a number of articles on fracking, but what I saw when I visited the Wetzel County, WV site surprised me.  I left somber.

In the Northeast U.S., natural gas is generally found in the Marcelleus shale rock formation, which extends from New York – and as many people don’t realize, down into Virginia.

In Rockingham County, VA, Carrizo Oil & Gas (a Houston firm) has applied for the first application to hydrofrack in the state of Virginia – in tiny Bergton, to be exact.

Bergton is a rural area, outside of Harrisonburg, not far from James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University.

There are no Federal regulations against hydrofracking. Nor does Virginia have any – yet. So, the special use permit to drill a natural gas test well in Bergton is the first time hydrofracking has become a possibility in Virginia, and in the Shenandoah Valley. This is significant because once the “floodgates are open,” there will be no turning back. The water supply for the Valley, and by extension, Washington D.C., is at risk.

The situation is being studied and weighed by the local Rockingham County, VA,  Board of Supervisors (BOS) as you read this.

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Showing the Reality of Hydrofracking – Case Study: Wetzel County, West Virginia

Here’s what I learned about the process before I went on the tour… Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves the injection of between 3 to 8 million gallons of water, sand, and undisclosed chemicals at very high pressure down vertical pipes and then across into horizontal drilled wells as far down as 10,000 below the Earth’s surface.

The pressurized mixture causes the rock layer – in this case Marcellus shale – to crack. These fissures are held open by the sand particles so that natural gas from the shale can collect and then be pumped into holding tanks, or piped out directly to market.

The used-up fracking liquid is stored in open pits (below) and then either taken to a waste water treatment plant, or covered up by sand/dirt on site.

This is especially dangerous when a project is built on or by a floodplain.

During the process, about 200 large tanker trucks are needed to deliver the millions of gallons of water for the fracturing process for each single derrick/well.

Alternatively, although rarely disclosed in the permit and application, gas companies – can actually suck the water out of nearby streams to use for their own purposes.

What I was not prepared for was that with each step of the natural gas drilling process, there is machinery, construction, dust, invasion of the Earth’s crust – and yet another chopped-off hill – literally in every direction one looks.

There are water pipes along the side of almost every road, and up and down the hills.

There are compressor stations and storage tanks, dozens of heavy trucks, moving back and forth on small roads, and there are staging areas, where barrels of chemicals (with toxic signs on them) are just sitting outside on the ground (below).

The scale is big. It’s hard to show here. The “pads” that the derricks sit on, for example, can be as large as four or five acres. In Wetzel County, during the construction process, silt fences are not being used on any type of a regular basis. Thus, whatever is disturbed can spread to another area.

Here are some more pictures I snapped in Wetzel County, WV:

Not too far from Wheeling, the striking terrain of this remote West Virginia land (near Maud, WV on Route 7) used to be open, rolling, green-covered hills, with trees everywhere.

These are not your Old Grand Dad’s small oil derricks, ala Beverly Hillbillies style, dotting the landscape here and there, like fairy castles. No, hydrofracking is indeed an industrial undertaking.

Below are the small rural roads in Wetzel County that were never meant for dozens of 80,000 pound trucks rolling by, reducing some of the paved roads to dirt.

There is so much activity and wear & tear that the roads must be watered throughout the day just to control the dust it’s so thick (right).

The nearby streams in Wetzel County used to be freely flowing with clean water, and fish in them – and a habitat for other wildlife and plants (below).

Chesapeake Energy is taking hundreds of thousands of water a day from the local watershed to use in the fracking process. They siphon as much water from the streams as they need. Why is this permissible, when taking the water affects the whole region, not just the property that has been leased?

Quality of Life Must Trump Profiteering

Here’s the deal: The energy companies lay out their industrial operation like a grid, deciding where best to situate the wells to make the most money. If someone’s land is in that path, regardless of whether he/she has signed a lease, the oil company can still run pipes under his/her land.

That’s eminent domain in action; it takes power away from citizens, and places it into corporate hands – hands that most often have profit as a motivation, rather than quality of life.

You can see here how the water looks. It’s a red/rust color, about the consistency of chocolate milk.

One day, our “tour guide” said that he actually saw workers pulling out water from a stream as the minnows lay there dying. Many of the plants in the area are also gone. Barren land is what’s left behind.

Taking all of this water from the environment is happening even as some areas in the region have declared an emergency situation because of drought conditions.

There are other ramifications that affect the quality of life, too.

The Wetzel County residents used to be able to leave their homes at anytime without being delayed for hours because of the double-wide compressor machines that the large trucks trek up the country roads to the fracking sites three times a week. Now, citizen schedules must be built around Chesapeake’s corporate schedule.

These large trucks on the small roads also cause safety issues.

Our tour guide said that this past year EMT personnel had to use a Kybota to get an elderly woman from her home in order to take her to the hospital when the Chesapeake trucks were blocking the roads. Accidents, too, are common and have increased. A lifeline helicopter now circles above the area.

Know too…  Since 2005, the energy companies that run hydraulic fracturing operations have been exempt from compliance with The Clean Air Act and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

Right now, in essence, we’re living in an unregulated fracking free-for-all. That kind of “environment” has been demonstrated all too well in the Gulf of Mexico.

As one of the residents in Wetzel County, WV, remarked to me when we first arrived: “They do what they want.”

Here is what the residents told us. In Wetzel County, WV, before Chesapeake Energy came in, there were weight limit signs on the small roads and bridges near the soon-to-be fracking site , but a few days before their arrival, the locals said that these weight limit signs “miraculously disappeared.” There was a obstacle; it was eliminated.

Omission of pertinent information is also an issue. For example, a complete listing of the specific chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations are not made available to landowners, neighbors, local officials, or health care providers, nor is it required by any government entity.

There have been reports just this month in PA where energy companies have finally been pressured to release their list of 80-plus fracking chemicals. Why is it not required of these companies upfront – to state what they plan to inject into the ground? That’s only sensible and reasonable. (Cattle in PA have also been quarantined because of runoff fracking liquid.)

Fracking Divides People and Towns

Another observation: Perhaps, the most significant harm fracking brings to a community is a social one. Suffice it to say that division occurs when a fracking operation comes to town. The issue seems to intrinsically split the community into those who are financially benefiting from the drilling (and look the other way to the environmental harms), and those who have not leased land (or, who have decided to stand up for peoples’ health and the environment – on principle.)

If you’re interested, the technical aspects of how hydrofracking works are illustrated in this ABC News video.

Or, view this earlier article on the health effects of hydrofracking, as researched by Dr. Theo Colburn.

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The Regional Backdrop: Virginia is Next on the Radar Screen

Commentary: The Wetzel County, WV, Chesapeake Energy hydrofracking operation that you’ve just seen has been going on for four years now. It’s a great case study for us in Virginia, as we decide how we’ll handle our natural gas challenge.

We have a window of opportunity here in Virginia; for how long is unclear. We have a unique chance to make a difference for the Commonwealth, and also to set an example for the rest of the country as to what we’ll put up with, and what we won’t.

Will we act swiftly and decisively to hold energy companies accountable, or will allow big business interests and the clout of those who are making big bucks from the drilling to set the stage?

Here is a picture (right) of the Cowfer #1 natural gas (fracking) operation in Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania that Carrizo Oil & Gas built.

Here are other pictures of rural Bergton, VA, where a fracking operation is now being  proposed by Carrizo Oil & Gas:

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This is the first time any area of Virginia has had to deal with these fracking  issues. As part of their due diligence, members of the Rockingham County VA Board of Supervisors recently drove up to Wetzel County, WV, and took a similar tour of the Chesapeake Energy fracking operation. They also took video and still photos.

The people must know what is going on.

Let’s see which Virginia politician – local or otherwise - stands up first and sponsors legislation in the Virginia Assembly next session to regulate this first precedent-setting fracking operation in Virginia.

Whoever does take the lead will surely be lauded.

Proposed Bergton Drill Site is Next to the Watershed that Supplies D.C. with Drinking Water

It’s important to note that the Bergton drilling site is on a flood plain. And, it’s between two tributaries of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River (Rader Run and Bennett Run.) . Just this week, Governor McDonnell declared Rockingham County, Virginia, a disaster area due to current drought conditions.   After reading the Carrizo Oil & Gas application, the source of the millions of gallons of water needed for fracking in Bergton is a mystery. They only have budgeted $11,500 for “drilling and potable water” in the application.

We are all connected

If Carrizo does the same as Chesapeake Energy and siphons water from the local streams here in VA, the water situation will worsen. And, what will fracking so close to the watershed do to the water supply for the Valley – and by extension for the Washington DC area? Will we end up with water that looks and smells like Wetzel County’s  streams?

Without strong leadership soon, it’s likely that the Bergton, VA area will become much like the industrial scene that you’ve witnessed in the pictures from West Virginia.

The People Taking A Stand, Joining Together

Let’s hope that enough people get involved to have us learn from the experience of our neighbors in NY, PA, and WV. Virginia needs to enact a moratorium until regulations can be put into place to protect Virginia citizens, Virginia land, and our regional water supply. A natural gas severance tax of some sort would be advantageous for Virginia coffers, as well.

What can you do?

1) Watch for news on 7Bends.com about an upcoming citizen dialogue meeting to be held here in Virginia in the Fall. It will use the innovative Open Space Technology (OST) format which encourages open conversation among all of the people and parties involved, most prominently involving the citizens themselves.

2) Contact your elected officials today to ask what they plan to do about the situation. Be aware that there are 24 counties in Virginia that do have Marcellus shale, so your area could be next. The Bergton decision affects all Virginians.

What about the “Energy Independence” Argument?

Before I close this article, I want to lay the energy independence issue out on the table. The powerful energy industry – with its mega bucks, mega lobbyists, hefty community contributions and media buys – are touting natural gas drilling as “a clean source of energy” that will be one of nation’s answers to energy independence for the U.S.

Many Americans, when they first hear about “natural gas drilling,” react “Way to go! We want energy independence. We won’t have to rely on just coal, or on foreign suppliers.” That is a great aim. But, the reality is … to not object to the hydrofracking process – as it now exists in its unregulated state – is just not possible once you’ve witnessed it.

Without these regulations, it’s not a decision of the heart – or any type of logic – to want hydrofracking “in your own backyard.” That is, unless you’re one of the folks getting monthly checks, and you’ve abandoned your now-polluted piece of property, and bought a nice big house somewhere else. What about the land? What about your neighbors?

The race is on

As legislators try and play “catch up,” the natural gas drilling companies are racing “to get it while the getting is good” – that is, before the process is slowed down and handled responsibly.

A scene near Bergton now (pre-frack).

Imagine a sign reading: “Welcome visitors to the once beautiful Shenandoah Valley – that is, before hydrofracking.”

The streams, vegetation, water supply, and air for many thousands of people – just one degree of separation from the “ground zeros” that are being erected all across the countryside – are being threatened.

Responsible business is one thing; we welcome that. But, this unregulated, free-for-all is unacceptable. If Virginians do not take notice and enact regulations before the energy companies come into “frack” Virginia land, it will be difficult to stop the tide, as our neighboring states can definitely agree.

I always learned: leave whatever land or property you use better than the way you found it. We must make it so.

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“In general I esteem it a good maxim, that the best way to preserve the confidence of the people durably is to promote their true interest.”                 ~ George Washington

- In Wardensville, W. VA – Kacapon River Heights – Near Strasburg, VA. 90 min. D.C. area. 116 total acres. Prime development land. Level to rolling forest. Private. At road’s end. Alive with deer and wildlife. Ideal for hunting, private camp, cabins, homes, investment. Beautiful mountain views. Just 2 miles from Cacapon River to fish, canoe, swim. Two adjoining 58 parcels, each divided into 17 mini-forests of 2 to 5 acres, all platted and recorded for resale as individual lots. Adjacent lots selling for $25,000 – 30,000 each. Foreclosure property.

Accessible by private road. Half mile off of Rt. 259. Convenient to Winchester, VA. For sale “as is”.  Grab one or both sections for $2,750 per acre. Bank will finance this offer with 15 percent down. Make cash offer for all or both. Banks wants to close books.

- In Davis, W. VA – Blackwater Falls – Mt. Storm Lake – Canaan Valley ski area. Like Wyoming in W. VA. Bank foreclosure of prime development property in popular, scenic Potomac Highlands. 1,800 ft. on National  forest, offering tax-free use of a million-acre hunting, fishing wilderness region joining your land.  Approx. 450 ft. on native trout stream; 600 ft. on main highway – Rt. 32. All woods and clearings, overrun with deer. No steep land. Can be subdivided.

Ideal 4-season retreat near ski slopes and large mountain lake for sailing, motor boating, scuba diving. High elevation region with cool weather. Create your own ranch. Hold for investment. Lots in this development once priced up to $100K per acre. Look on your own, or call for directions. Appointments advised for those with serious interest. 80 percent financing possible. All cash offers considered.

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Whether for personal use or as an investment to provide for your family’s future, visit the B.K. Haynes web site to see all of the latest ranch and camp possibilities- outside the perimeter of the Washington DC area.  Or call B.K. Haynes, Accredited Land Consultant, at (540) 635-3169.

B.K. Haynes is located at 501 S.Royal Avenue, in Front Royal, VA 22630.

Land bargains since 1966 in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia’s Piedmont, the Blue Ridge, and the W.VA. Highlands

Email: bkhaynes ~at~ bkhaynes.com

P.S. And, don’t forget to check out B.K. Hayne’s new music CD and his Valley of the Stars radio information, on the web site (above), as well as the upcoming feature film that he wrote entitled, The Saddle Bum.

The Saddle Bum - a movie synopsis – based on the novel by Brad Haynes

Singer, author, song and screen writer, musical radio host, businessman, and movie producer, Brad Haynes, is a living legend in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley. Brad’s new movie is an adaptation of his romantic novel, The Saddle Bum — an intriguing story of lost love, set in the Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Two unlikely lovers find and lose each other, but never forget a torrid and soulful romance that will scorch their hearts and minds for 30 years, when they are finally reunited.

Shenandoah is one of 20 national parks kicking off “Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger.”  Led by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, the program provides tools and information to parents to make it easy to enjoy the outdoors and be active and healthy. It is part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s nationwide campaign to end childhood obesity within a generation.

“Young people inspire us; we want to help them be healthy and curious for
life. It starts with family fun. We want to help parents learn the skills
they need to enjoy the outdoors with their kids,” National Park Service
Director Jon Jarvis said.

Young people who complete at least one physical activity in pursuit of
their Junior Ranger badge receive a special sticker that designates them as
a Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger. The activities range from adventures
like hiking with a ranger to body surfing and canoeing.

“Shenandoah’s Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger program offers kids and
parents the chance to hike on park trails during a Ranger-led Junior Ranger
Program or on their own with one of three Ranger Explorer Guides. These
activities are not only great exercise, but also provide incredibly fun
ways to see and learn about the park,” Superintendent Martha Bogle said.

More than 1,600 visitors participated in Ranger-guided Junior Ranger
programs in 2009, which are enjoyed by children of all ages.  Ranger
Explorer guides, targeted for kids 13 and older, provide an opportunity to
experience hiking on Stony Man Mountain, in Shenandoah’s Wilderness and on the Appalachian Trail.

Information about Shenandoah’s Junior Ranger and Ranger Explorer programs can be found on this web page.

By summer’s end, 50 national parks will offer Let’s Move Outside Junior
Ranger programs. Before heading out, families can look at www.letsmove.gov/outside for more information about activities and participating parks. This website hub will link families to the great outdoors and give tips and ideas on how to best plan and enjoy an active adventure.

All total, The National Park Service provides 84 million acres to explore, so there are many places and ways to move outside.

Here’s an opportunity to get fit with your family this summer, and teach your kids hiking and camping skills at the same time.  Shenandoah National Park is hosting two “Hiking with Children” seminars scheduled for two Saturdays this summer, on June 19 and July 17 – from 10:00 a.m. to noon. These programs are designed for parents that want to get outdoors to hike with their children and have a worry-free experience.

- Have you always wanted to hike with your family but were concerned about being safe?

- Do you wonder about keeping your little ones entertained and engaged?

- Are you making the right decisions about what to wear and what to take with you should unexpected situations arise?

Author Jeff Alt presents “Hiking with Children”

Guest speaker and expert hiker Jeff Alt, author of the celebrated A Walk for Sunshine, will share his expertise with you and your family. You will learn firsthand how to share nature with children for a fun and safe outdoor adventure.

Jeff is the father of two young children and regularly takes his family on overnight hiking trips. He has hiked the 2,160 mile length of the Appalachian Trail on his own. During the summer of 2007, with his wife and extended family, Jeff carried his 21-month-old daughter on a 50-mile hike across a swath of Ireland.

At the “Hiking with Children” seminars, Jeff will provide tips on how families with children can experience nature together on the trails in Shenandoah National Park. Both programs include a short hike with Jeff and park rangers on one of the park’s trails.

The “Hiking with Children” program is free but reservations are requested. There is a $15-per-car entrance fee to the park, good for seven days. Saturday, June 19 is Shenandoah Neighbors’ Day and the park will waive entrance fees for those residents living in counties adjoining the park
including: Albemarle, Augusta, Greene, Madison, Page, Rappahannock,
Rockingham, and Warren.

To register for a seminar, go to the Shenandoah National Park website.

“Hiking with Children” is one of the Shenandoah National Park Resource Seminars designed for those who want to get to know their national park a little more personally. Seminars provide a more in-depth experience to learn from scientists, researchers, educators, and other experts about resource issues and recreational opportunities in Shenandoah National Park.

Basics of Family Camping seminar will also be offered

Future seminars include The Basics of Family Camping, July 10 -11, and our science-based air quality seminar, What’s Up with the Air? on Saturday, August 14, 2010.

The complete Resource Seminar schedule can be found on the park’s website.  Members of the Shenandoah National Park Association receive a 20% discount on seminars. The Shenandoah National Park Resource Seminars are co-sponsored by the Shenandoah National Park Association and ARAMARK, the park’s official concessioner.

For more information, contact the park’s Education Office at (540) 999-3500, ext. 3489.

Shenandoah Valley – Here is an excellent YouTube video on the natural gas drilling frenzy going on along the Marcellus shale (which includes West Virginia and the top portions of Virginia) – and the environmental hazards implicit in the process.  Your drinking water and food supply and health and rights to your private property are in jeopardy.

The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors are currently making the decision on whether to grant a request from a Texas company to drill near Bergton, Va. Likewise, the George Washington National Forest is also making a decision on whether to open up the forest areas to natural gas drilling.

What about drilling in your county? Have your county officials received oil drilling requests yet? How do you feel about drilling near or on your property,  and on Virginia forest land? Ask them. Get informed.

Without adequate state regulations, decisions are happening on the local level (usually by county). Citizens are not always invited into the discussions on these drilling decisions. They must demand participation and community dialogue.

The People Must Speak: Spreading the Word is Essential

It will be the citizens’ health and their land which will suffer the consequences of all of this drilling. Citizens must organize their response to this issue and get involved, otherwise the political/corporate machine that just barrels through making the decisions that best suit their pocketbooks and interests will prevail again.

The video states that there are now three new drilling operations beginning EACH DAY in the Marcellus shale region, and that the Marcellus shale region represents the 2nd largest deposit of natural gas in the U.S. No wonder big energy companies are all over it! There is big money to be made.  The larger consequences, however, must be brought into the light – out in the open.

Take Action at the County Level: Tell All of Your Friends

As a citizen, ask your local Board of Supervisors (or County Administrator) if they have received requests to drill, and the status of these negotiations. Demand that a series of Public Input Sessions be scheduled and widely publicized, and that all operations are conducted out in the open.

Some questions to ask:

Who will profit and who will lose?

Who knows about the drilling requests? Is it a only a few that will decide?

Who could have knowledge about what’s coming down the pike and buy land beforehand to benefit from the drilling?

How will environment, health, and property rights be affected?

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Citizens can also contact their elected officials about this issue and their concerns.

Refer to previous story on how citizens in nearby Pennsylvania are being forced to give up their land to gas drillers – through eminent domain.

Make sure you and your family don’t get the excluded from the debate and decisions. Tell your friends. Join with them. Local officials need to hear from you now.

Middletown, Va – Ever meet a kind, intelligent pair who are individually wonderful, and even moreso together? Enter Soojin and Dayton Henceroth. a vibrant couple from Alexandria, Virginia – near D.C. – who just tied the knot last October 25th in the beautiful, historic Shenandoah Valley.

Now, almost seven months later, when asked how married life is going, Soojin pipes up: “I pinch myself. For me, it’s a dream come true. Our wedding day was three years in the making…We’re having a lot of fun.”

A Wedding on History’s Battlefield
Soojin and Dayton’s choice to hold their wedding out in the Valley is part of a growing trend: destination weddings. For the last several years, they’ve been venturing out to Northern Shenandoah Valley towns – like Stephens City, Middletown, and Strasburg, Virginia – making a habit of weekend trips to explore Dayton’s other passion – American Civil War history.

During one of their jaunts last year, they fell upon Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, Virginia. It’s is an authentic 1797 Manor House, that was built by Major Isaac Hite and his wife Nelly Madison Hite, sister of President James Madison. Based on design principles of Thomas Jefferson, the elegant Federal era Manor House features intricate, hand carved woodwork and a restored interior. The house is constructed of native limestone quarried on the property.

Belle Grove was used as a headquarters by Union General Phillip Sheridan during the Civil War Valley Campaign of 1864 and was at the very center of the pivotal Battle of Cedar Creek. After a surprise attack by Confederate General Jubal Early in the early hours of October 19, 1864, General Sheridan quickly regained the territory, securing the Valley for the Union and boosting President Abraham Lincoln’s chances for re-election.

Belle Grove and Cedar Creek was a central location back then, and it still is. It’s located off Interstate 81 at the Middletown exit, just north of where Route 66 from D.C. leads into the Valley – very convenient, yet off the beaten path. Signal Knob is in the distance.

Let It Be Laid Back
Soojin, 31, remembers: “The minute we arrived at Belle Grove, we fell in love with it. I first noticed the mountains, and experienced a lot of emotions all at once, dreams of future possibilities and a family. I envisioned a wedding… it was just so peaceful.”

“Soojin comes from a traditional Korean family,” explains Dayton, 34. “They were expecting a large, formal church wedding, so it took them a little time to warm up to the idea of having the wedding outside, out here in the Valley.”

“We wanted a small, intimate wedding, to share our day with the most important people in our lives,” the couple explains. “We also wanted to treat people to a mini-vacation. It is really like being in a whole other world when you’re out here. So serene.”

And so, where soldiers once fought the battle of Cedar Creek now would become the intimate Valley backdrop for bringing Dayton and Soojin’s families and closest friends to share their merging as husband and wife, and of Korean and American customs.

On Friday, October 24, 2009, about family members and friends converged on the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Strasburg, Virginia, occupying about 30 rooms altogether. The next evening about 90 people witnessed a miraculous ceremony as two cultures and lives were intricately woven together.

Soojin’s parents, Hjun and Sung Lee, came from Gaithersburg, Maryland, while Dayton’s parents, Dr. Bill and Diane Henceroth came from Richmond. “It was a central location, really,” they both say in unison. “And, the staff at the Fairfield was great, very hospitable. The hotel was ideally suited to our entourage of friends and family that came and stayed with us at the Fairfield. You just don’t get the same level of individualized personal attention and TLC in Northern Virginia as we received here.”

The Fairfield Inn & Suites in Strasburg is just five miles south down Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) from Belle Grove.

A Clearing In The Night Sky
And so it was. From The Wayside Inn in Middletown for the reception dinner on Friday night… to hiring Caroline Mountain Band, a Shenandoah Valley Americana duo, to play local historic tunes… to watching a threatening storm pass the “day of”… In the end, the setting and the timing at Belle Grove could not have been more perfect.

Just as their evening ceremony began, the sky cleared, and the moon shone brightly through the night clouds down on the couple and the gathering. “It was a miracle,” they relate. The tents set up on the Belle Grove grounds were aglow as the two said “I do” and became one – on a crisp, Fall evening.

Dayton’s brother, Adam, was the best man, Soojin’s sister, Youme was the Maid of Honor, and her friend, Angel, was the Matron of Honor. Local Lutheran pastor William Ballance officiated. Dayton’s father, Dr. William Henceroth sang The Lord’s Prayer.

During the ceremony, according to Korean custom, all four parents were honored, as they exchanged gifts with each another. “In my country’s tradition, it’s all about respecting our elders. They got us this far in our lives, so we make sure they know during the ceremony just how much we appreciate them,” Soojin says.

It Takes a Village To Make A Wedding
Friends came from as far away as Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ohio, and Austin, Texas,and were able to take in some of the many sights close at hand, including Shenandoah Caverns and Shenandoah Vineyards.

In addition to the Fairfield Inn getting high marks from the Henceroths, the couple is fast to point out all of the other people in the Valley who helped to make their wedding weekend unforgettable. Now “part of the family,” these folks include: Betsy Anderson, wedding coordinator at Belle Grove. Beth Lehman at the flower shop in Stephens City. Grand Rentals. Shaffer’s BarBQ. Hope at N2U Hair. Anna Quinn Jewelers. And, the staff at nearby Cristina’s Cafe in Strasburg.

In fact, many of the guests had so much fun that as Dayton’s mom, Diane Henceroth, remarks,” We plan to come back next year and have a reunion of sorts. Everything is so convenient and breathtaking at the same time.”

O, Shenandoah, We’ll Always Hear You
“We are truly blessed and humbled,” Soojin confides. Dayton agrees, as he concludes: “Holding our wedding here in the Valley with those we love as witnesses forged a connection to this beautiful place that we’ll carry forever.”

Shenandoah National Park, USA – Why not celebrate National Trails Day with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) at Shenandoah
National Park on Saturday June 5?

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club invites new hikers and experienced backpackers to learn new trail skills at PATC Trail Patrol’s “Beyond the Trailhead” event at Byrd Visitor Center (milepost 51 – on Skyline Drive).

Come participate in hikes, demonstrations, and presentations throughout the day, while taking advantage of the fee-free weekend at Shenandoah on June 5 and 6 in celebration of the America’s Great Outdoor initiative.

The event is designed to give novice hikers the information they need to leave their cars behind and venture beyond the trailhead to enjoy this area’s numerous hiking and nature trails. Even experienced backpackers can learn new skills at the information tables and discussion groups on “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethics, hiking techniques, and equipment. Hands-on demonstrations of traditional tools, such as crosscut saws, used to maintain wilderness trails will be offered by Shenandoah National Park trail crew.

A variety of hikes guided by experienced Trail Patrol members will be offered for people of all ages and experience levels: hikes suitable for families with children; easy, moderate, and advanced hikes for adults. Hikers will need to meet at the registration table at Byrd Visitor Center 15 minutes before the hike time to sign in. Hikers should wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the season, and bring food and plenty of water.

Hikes leaving Byrd Visitor Center include:

- Easy – Story of the Forest Nature Trail – 1.8 mi. – 10:00 a.m.
- Easy – Appalachian Trail Ramble 2.0 mi. – 10:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Moderate – Dark Hollow Falls Hike 1.4 mi. – 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Moderate – Lewis Falls Hike – 2.0 mi. – 10:15 a.m.
- Advanced – Rapidan Camp National Historic – 4.0 mi. – 9:45 a.m.
- Landmark (Camp Hoover) by Mill Prong Trail

Pre-registration is encouraged but you may also register on June 5 at Byrd Visitor Center. To pre-register, send an email to TPNTD ~at~ patc.net by June 3, 2010. Please include your name and which hike you wish to join.

Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail

A presentation about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Reflections, will be offered as part of the National Trails Day event. Maryland backpackers Georgia Harris and Randy Motz will share their 2006 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail by describing what trail life is like, relating what it takes to accomplish a thru-hike, and showing photos of their journey.

The one hour presentation will be given Saturday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Byrd Visitor Center auditorium. A book signing of the presenters’ book, “Solemates – Lessons on Life, Love and Marriage” from the Appalachian Trail, will follow each presentation.

PATC and Trail Patrol are charging no fees to attend or participate in any hike, workshop, or demonstration connected with the event. Byrd Visitor Center lies within the park at milepost 51 on Skyline Drive.

For more information about the event, email Trail Patrol at TPNTD ~at`patc.net, or visit the PATC website.

For more information on the park, visit the Shenandoah National Park’s website.

“Beyond the Trailhead” celebrates the annual National Trails Day organized and sponsored by the American Hiking Society. Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is the volunteer trails maintenance group headquartered in Vienna, Virginia that maintains 240 miles of mid-Atlantic Appalachian Trail and 730 miles of other trails in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, and eastern West Virginia.

PATC volunteers build and maintain trailside hiker shelters and rustic rental cabins; and publish detailed trails maps, hiking guidebooks, and books detailing the history of the Appalachian region.

HARRISONBURG, VA – Today, Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) thanked Governor Bob McDonnell for granting him the opportunity to serve on the new Governor’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring, created by Executive Order No. 2 moments after McDonnell took office on January 16.

“It is an honor to be appointed to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring,” said Obenshain. “A serious examination governmental priorities and the manner in which state government provides services is long overdue.

Governor McDonnell recognizes that ‘we’ve always done it this way’ is not a reason in and of itself, and that especially now, while revenues are low, it is essential that we prioritize and find more efficient and effective ways to provide key services. Streamlining government will not solve all our problems, but it is a vital step in the right direction.”

The commission, to be chaired by Fred Malek, the founder and chairman of Thayer Capital Partners, consists of a bipartisan group of current and former legislators, local government officials, businesspeople, administration officials, and policy analysts from across the Commonwealth. Senator Obenshain is one of four senators tapped to serve, alongside Senators Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington), Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover), and Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth).

The Commission is charged with identifying opportunities for creating efficiencies in state government, exploring innovative ways to deliver state services at a better value to Virginia taxpayers, seeking out means to more effectively and efficiently perform core state functions, and examine ways for state government to be more transparent and accountable.

“Anyone who has ever interacted with state government knows how frustrating the process can be,” said Obenshain. “Our responsibility is to scrutinize both what and how government delivers, and to ask whether services can be delivered more effectively and efficiently – and even, sometimes, whether government should be delivering it at all.”

A leading proponent of auditing the Virginia Department of Transportation, a proposal adopted by the Governor, and of exploring opportunities to privatize Virginia’s ABC stores, Senator Obenshain has long made government reform a top priority. “Serving on the Commission affords me an opportunity to push for much-needed changes in the way Virginia does business,” said Obenshain.

“Governor McDonnell and I are both strong advocates of government reform, and I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues on the new reform commission,” said Obenshain.

The Commission will hold its first meeting within the next month and will complete its initial report to the Governor by July 16, with a final report with recommendations to be issued by December 1.

Senator Obenshain represents the twenty-sixth district in the Virginia Senate. The district includes the city of Harrisonburg and the counties of Warren, Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock and Rockingham (part).

ON THE WEB:

Mark’s website
Mark’s Facebook profile

(Picture above: Sen. Obenshain at McDonnell Rally.)

Come out to the Shenandoah Valley and hike with mom for Mother’s Day. It will be fun for the whole family!

Visitors will have a chance to meet woodland beauties such as wild geranium, trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, and many others on a variety of naturalist-led hikes.

Virginia O'Keefe's painting of a Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Participants will search for wildflowers along the Millers Head, Mill
Prong, Lewis Mountain, Upper Rose River, Appalachian, and Gravel
Springs-Bluff trails.  There will be a Big Meadows stroll, and a new hike called “Cultural Connections,” focusing on historical uses of plants.

Additional activities include bird walks, a children’s program, and
journaling.  The complete schedule is posted on the park’s website.

There will be several special programs this year.  J. Christopher Ludwig, Executive Director and co-author of the “Flora of Virginia Project,” will present an update on the soon-to-be-published manual of Virginia’s 3,500 native and naturalized plants.  The comprehensive guide will include the latest information, detailed illustrations, identification keys, descriptions, range and habitat for every plant. 
The program will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at Byrd Visitor Center auditorium, milepost 51 on Skyline Drive.

Naturalist and author C. Colston Burrell will present “More Than a Pretty Face:  Native Alternatives to Exotic Invasives” at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 9, in Byrd Visitor Center auditorium.  He will explain how to replace exotic plants in home gardens with native trees, shrubs and perennials, providing food for butterflies, birds and other wildlife.  At 1:30 p.m., he will present “Obsession and Exploitation:  A Cultural History of Trilliums.” Mr. Burrell will also lead a wildflower hike to South River Falls on Saturday.

Programs are free, and no registration is required.  There is a $15-per-car
entrance fee to the park, good for seven days.  For more information about
Wildflower Weekend, call the park at 540-999-3500, at extension 3283.

Washington, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that all 392 national parks, including Shenandoah National Park,  will have free admission during National Park Week, April 17 – April 25. Parks will also offer additional family friendly activities and special offers on tours, lodging, food, and souvenirs. A listing of parks and promotions is available on the National Parks web site.

“We are rolling out the red carpet and inviting everyone to visit a
national park and help celebrate National Park Week,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “Parks are fun and affordable destinations and great places to engage in healthy, outdoor activities, whether for a few hours or a few days.”

National Park Week, a program of the National Park Service, is an
opportunity to engage families and communities in America’s Great Outdoors, reconnecting them with nature and creating close to home opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun.

“National parks preserve our heritage, promote recreational experiences, and provide places of quiet refuge,” said National Park Service DirectorJon Jarvis. “Most people live within a short drive of a national park so I encourage everyone to spend some time enjoying America’s Great Outdoors during National Park Week.”

There will be hundreds of family friendly events on Saturday, April 24, for National Junior Ranger Day. Each child participating in Junior Ranger activities will receive a certificate, patch, or pin.

Other National Park Week highlights include the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the 75th anniversary of the nation’s most visited national park – the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Normally, 146 of 392 national parks charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25. The other 246 do not charge for admission. The fee free waiver for National Park Week does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors—such as fees charged for camping, reservations and use of concessions.

Shenandoah National Park – SPRING HIKING – From the Park’s latest press release: “Shenandoah Superintendent Martha Bogle announced that the 12-space “upper lot” on the park boundary at the Ridge Trailhead access for Old Rag Mountain will be permanently closed to public vehicle access and parking.

Temporary signing in the upper and lower lots and at Rt. #600 to advise visitors of the impending upper lot closure has been posted. Park staff will accomplish the closure with the installation of a temporary gate and other barriers by mid-April 2010.

The closure is a result of an Environmental Assessment (EA) entitled “Old Rag Parking Lot,” which included extensive public involvement over a two-year period. The Finding of “No Significant Impact” for that project was approved in June 2009.

The Old Rag Mountain area trails are some of the most popular day and overnight use trail areas in park. Visitation on weekends each day can frequently exceed 500 people completing the 8.8 mile Old Rag circuit hike. Public vehicle parking has been provided at the 12-space National Park Service (NPS) upper parking lot and the leased 250-space lower lot.

Parking space at the upper lot is frequently overwhelmed, resulting in extensive roadside parking which extends on to the road pavement and on private land. Access to the trailhead by emergency vehicles for response to incidents on Old Rag Mountain is hindered by improperly parked visitor vehicles.

It is anticipated that the closure of the NPS upper lot will substantially reduce the conflict and congestion of shared visitor vehicle traffic an pedestrian use on Rt. #600, will minimize road shoulder parking trespass on adjacent private land, and should potentially reduce crowding and resource impacts at the Ridge and Nicholson Hollow Trailheads.

Upon closure of the upper lot to public, vehicle access the site will continue to serve as work trip parking access for PATC and Old Rag Mountain Steward volunteers, and for emergency vehicle and other official park administrative access. For the near future, at least one portable toilet will be maintained on site and most trash receptacles will be kept available.

A new parking lot in the area of Nethers Rt. #600 for Old Rag trail access is planned for future construction.”

Hot Site

Hiking Upward is a great web site that includes details about the Old Rag Mountain hike, including first-hand hiking accounts as well as beautiful photos of the area and trail. It is a strenuous, popular hike.

Or, check out the National Park Service’s web site.

Shenandoah National Park, USA – Enjoy nature – Get ready for camping and enjoying the great outdoors with your family! Today, Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Martha Bogle announced that facilities closed during the winter season will begin opening in March, and will continue to open through the Spring. Even though Spring is just around the corner, Shenandoah National Park staff members are continuing the hard work of clearing snow from the unprecedented 2010 winter season.

The March opening dates shown below are tentative – based on Mother Nature and successful snow clearing operations:

Visitor Centers: Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center will open March 26; Dickey Ridge Visitor Center will open on April 1; Loft Mountain Information Center will open on May 14, operating weekends and holidays only.

Campgrounds: Big Meadows Campgrounds
will open on March 26; Lewis Mountain Campground will open on April 9; Mathews Arm Campgrounds will open on May 14; Loft Mountain will open on May 21, pending completion of a construction project to rehabilitate roads in the area.

Picnic Grounds: Elkwallow, Pinnacles, South River and Dundo Picnic Grounds are currently open. The remaining picnic grounds will operate as follows: Big Meadows Picnic Grounds will open March 26; Dickey Ridge will open on April 1; and Lewis Mountain Picnic Grounds will open April 9. Loft Mountain Picnic
Ground remains closed.

Concession-operated Restaurants, Lodges and Associated Facilities: Big Meadows Wayside will open March 19; Skyland Resort will open on April 1; Big Meadows Shower/Laundry will open on March 26; Lewis Mountain Cabins and Lewis Mountain Campstore will open on April 9; Elkwallow Wayside will open on April 16; Loft Mountain Wayside will open on April 30; Big Meadows Lodge will open on May 20; Loft Mountain Campstore and Loft Mountain Shower and Laundry will open on May 21.

For more information about planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park, call the park at (540) 999-3500, or visit their web site.

Strasburg, VA – Just announced! EarthKorps is proud to present the “Shenandoah Riverside Festival,” a low-cost family weekend camping trip that supports taking care of the Shenandoah River and cleaning up our environment.

Mark your calendars for April 30, May 1 and May 2 – for three days of music and camping in Strasburg, Virginia, right along the beautiful, historic Shenandoah River. (The River is a tributary of the Potomac River, approximately 150 miles (241 km) long, in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia.)

Strasburg is in the Shenandoah Valley – at the crossroads of Route 66 into Washington D.C., and Interstate 81. Like many of the small towns that dot the Valley, Strasburg sits on Old Valley Pike (Route 11), and the river runs alongside the road in many places. Skyline Drive is only about 10 miles away.

Music groups performing during the River camp-out include these bands:

- On The Bus
- Lagerhead
- George Wesley & Small Axe Orchestra
- Joe Herbert & Indoe Loop
- David Frye
- Steal The Prize
- GAC Bluegrass Band
- Jake and Burtones
- Scott Murray – Ambrose Dilemma
- Rick Harris Jr. – Mark Barreres
- Friends ‘O The Shenandacky

One low price ($35) covers the entire weekend of camping for your group, or pay $20 for a one-day pass (Saturday night). There is limited vending available for this event. There is plenty of hiking nearby.

100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the continued clean up of the Shenandoah River.

Earth Korps – the sponsor of the weekend – is being formed as a non-profit organization in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley by a river enthusiast that goes by the name of “Captain” Beau Morgan. The purpose of the project is to clean up the physical pollution that is desecrating the Shenandoah’s natural beauty.

This week, Earth Korps organizers spoke briefly about the background and the need for the clean up event, remarking:

“Since 2005, the Shenandoah River has experienced a series of fish kills every spring that have affected several of its native fish species. In the spring of 2005, redbreast sunfish and small mouth bass along a 100-mile (160 km) stretch of the South Fork Shenandoah River began dying of lesions caused by bacteria and fungi.

Basically there’s a problem, not only in chemical pollution destroying the quality of the water, but also hugely in part by physical pollution. The river is absolutely, quite literally, littered with everything from tires, cans, and plastic, to shopping carts, lawnmowers, and vehicles. There needs to be a change. The river needs help, and that’s where we all come in.”

Spread the news!

If you’d like more information about the Shenandoah Riverside Festival, or if you’d like to contribute your time and energy to this worthy event, email: lazarus_11 at hotmail.com;  for more information on Capt. Morgan and his vision for the future of the Shenandoah visit the Earth Korps web site.