Snow at Cullers Overlook

It's officially spring in Virginia but there's still a chance we'll get more snow. For now, most of it has melted except in the mountains. Here are some photos from February taken in Shenandoah River State Park.

The state parks do a good job of plowing their roads, but when we arrived the overlook parking lot had not been plowed yet. A plow arrived while we were there however.  This park is a good alternative to Shenandoah National Park when Skyline Drive is closed due to snow or ice.

As you can see, Cullers Overlook always offers a great view! I've posted pictures of it in other seasons. The Massanutten Mountains provide a dramatic background for the valley and a few of the great bends of the South Fork of the Shenandoah.

The interpretive sign is back! It was missing when we were here in November but it's been reposted with a few corrections. (The old version had a spelling error, for instance.)

Everett Cullers Overlook

 Gazing upstream to your left, the gently rolling floodplain and wooded hillsides on this side of the river are the living legacy of Mr. Everett Cullers and family. This land was a portion of the larger farm that was acquired by Everett and his wife Nettie in 1953. Along with their three sons, Merle, Thomas and Everett, Jr., the Cullers worked diligently to make improvements to the land and protect the beautiful river along its boundary. In 1994, the Commonwealth purchased 484 acres of the property from Merle Cullers, thus adding two miles of scenic river frontage to Shenandoah River State Park.

Linking to: Skywatch Friday
and Scenic Weekends

Irresistible Cullers Overlook

I've shown you views from this overlook before. We make it a point to stop here when we go to Shenandoah River State Park. The view changes with the seasons, and it photographs differently according to the light on that day and even the time of day.

The view from the overlook must be the most-photographed spot on the Shenandoah River. The curve of the river provides a graceful "leading line" and the Massanutten Range provides an interesting background. Seeing this in autumn was a treat!

The last photo is a scene from the road that winds down to the RV campground. I cropped it to a panorama because the sky wasn't very interesting.

See all my Cullers Overlook posts.

Green Friday at Cullers Overlook

Shenandoah River State Park

After we walked the Cottonwood Trail yesterday, we made a stop at Cullers Overlook. The view there is beautiful, with the bends of the Shenandoah below and the Massanutten Mountains beyond.

The first picture is one that I submitted to Virginia's #OptOutside Photo Challenge. I've taken prettier images on this overlook in autumn and in winter snow, but the contest is for Thanksgiving weekend photos and I wanted one showing people enjoying the park. Take a look at the photo challenge entries and see some of the parks that our state has to offer.

I didn't lighten the girl's face in the vertical image because I don't know her so I'm leaving her anonymous. As a side benefit, this qualifies the picture for Saturday Silhouettes.

Autumn Rituals: Shenandoah Parks

One meaning of willy-nilly is by compulsion, and we've been almost compulsive in driving around to our favorite fall foliage spots.

1. Shenandoah National Park. The views are great, the fall color is spectacular. I avoid the weekends and go during the week. We are fortunate that the park is not far from home.

I don't know the couple in the black and white shot, but they were happily taking a selfie at an overlook.

2. Shenandoah River State Park. Both along the river and up at Cullers Overlook, the autumn views are lovely.

Weekend Reflections.

See Cullers Overlook in 2013.

3. Glen Burnie at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.

Yesterday I shared some photos from the gardens. There were still a few flowers blooming but I suspect the really cold weather this weekend will put an end to that.

Sharing with Floral Friday and Friday Bliss.

5. Skywatch: It seems fitting to close out the day with a sunset photo.

Have a pleasant weekend!

We Took Flash to Cullers Overlook

See all my Cullers Overlook Posts

Sharing with NF Trees and Bushes and Our World Tuesday
and Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday

Cullers Overlook on Thanksgiving Day

We weren't planning to go to Shenandoah River State Park yesterday afternoon. We were in Front Royal and decided to see if Skyline Drive was open. Unfortunately it was closed due to icy road conditions, so I suggested that we go to the State Park instead since it is nearby.

Cullers Overlook was spectacular as it usually is, even though most of autumn's colors have faded. (See the lovely view with fall foliage here.) The curves of the Shenandoah River are always scenic as seen from this view point. And we saw some hawks soaring overhead (pictured in my previous post).

Zoomed-in View of an Attractive House

Showing Visitors Cullers Overlook

It's becoming our tradition to take visitors to see Shenandoah River State Park. The view from Cullers Overlook is worth the ride (and the small admission fee).

From this vantage point you get a beautiful view of the South Fork on the Shenandoah. Then you drive down to the river and take a closer look.

Frank with the Families of Kate and Susan

Linking to: Skywatch Friday

and Orange You Glad It's Friday 

and Scenic Weekends

Cullers Overlook

A few days ago I posted two pictures I took at this overlook along with other images from when Frank's brother visited us recently. However, Frank and I had visited the state park a month earlier and were impressed by the view.
A sign tells us that much of the land below us to the left was once a farm owned by Everette and Nettie Cullers. In 1999, the state of Virginia purchased acreage from one of their sons adding two miles of scenic river frontage to Shenandoah River State Park. I don't know why the name Everett(e) is spelled two ways on the sign.

View in September (Compare to October Scene)

Afternoon at Cullers Overlook

I've posted views from this overlook before but they are pretty enough to repeat, plus they change according to the time of year and time of day. This is in the Shenandoah River State Park which is south of Front Royal, Virginia. In the distance is the Massanutten Range.

A sign that was here before is missing now. Perhaps it is being repaired. It told us that this part of the park was once a farm owned by the Cullers family.

Zooming In on the South Fork of the Shenandoah

Taking in the View

A visit to Shenandoah River State Park isn't complete without a stop at Cullers Overlook. One of these tourists was kind enough to offer to take our picture — much better than a selfie!

Even though I've posted photos of this view many times before, I'm including it for those who didn't see those posts.  (See the view in the winter!) This fine scenery is between Front Royal and Luray.

South Fork, Shenandoah River

Linking to: Good Fences

and Look Up, Look Down

Viewing the South Fork

When Frank's sister visited, we took her to Shenandoah River State Park. (If this overlook view seems familiar, that may be because I've posted similar photos from Cullers Overlook several times.)

We also drove down to the picnic area by the South Fork of the Shenandoah and admired the river.

Around the Mountain to Shenandoah River State Park

Yesterday’s weather was strange: wintry with icy cold rain in the morning, warming up to springlike temperatures in the afternoon. It was my “day off” from Charlie because I had a reservation for him to stay in day boarding. After I picked up a few groceries, I went off to enjoy the afternoon. 

I drove to Strasburg, dropped off donations at the thrift store, and headed to Shenandoah River State Park. It stays open when our local park cannot be reached due to flooded roads, as well as when Shenandoah National Park has to close Skyline Drive due to snow and downed trees. (The mountain tops get hit hard by winter winds and cold temperatures.)

Here we see the visitors center reflected in a water feature.

I stopped at Cullers Overlook. A pair of chromatic binoculars are mounted on a stand. These not only bring in distant details, but they are said to help people with color blindness.

From the overlook, we see the South Fork of the Shenandoah curving around a bend. The Massanutten Range is in the distance.

From there I drove south to Luray and took pictures for another post. 

Shenandoah Photo of the Year

The City Daily Photo Theme for 1 January is "Photo of the Year 2013." I'm trying to decide which picture to choose and I've narrowed it down to a couple dozen candidates. Some I picked because they follow the stated theme of this blog, which as currently worded is "Shenandoah! A beautiful valley and a winding river -- how fortunate we are to live here!"

Others fall roughly into categories of Shenandoah National Park, pictures I took in our back yard (including lake views, birds, and a squirrel), and a few creative ones that were inspired by topics of "Linky" pages (like Orange You Glad It's Friday or Skywatch).

Here are my favorites for the first category, Shenandoah Valley and River.

South Fork Seen from Cullers Overlook

Barn in the Snow, Middletown

Road Near Berryville

Shenandoah River State Park

Which do you think is the best in this category?

Mitered Corner

At Cullers Overlook

I was attracted to the texture and angle of this railing. I don't approve of people carving their names in public places, but apparently they never developed impulse control.