Fall Photography in the Shenandoah Valley

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It should come as no surprise the fall is one of the most photographed times of year. From professional photographers to casual passers-by with a camera phone, almost everyone is eager to capture the colorful brilliance of autumn. The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia happens to be a particularly picturesque locale for your photography, so grab your camera, book your room at one of our BBHSV Inns, and let these tips help you get started:

Take photos at sunrise and sunset.
“The first and last hours of sun during the day (the times right around both sunrise and sunset) have a brilliant quality to the light that can yield great photos” (PhotoJojo).

Use water in your photography.
“Still water in lakes and lochs is ideal for capturing reflections. If you get down to the water’s edge you can create sublime, symmetrical compositions, with the landscape occupying the top half of the shot and its reflection filling the foreground” (DigitalCameraWorld).

Use subtleties.
“Consider some close-ups that are related to autumn but not to the season’s bright colors, like the image of mushrooms growing on the side of a tree, or the photo of a milkweed seed pod with seeds being dispersed by the wind…Fall color is an excuse to go out in the woods; it doesn’t mean that everything you photograph has to be defined by colorful leaves” (NikonUSA).

Ready for an autumn adventure in the Shenandoah Valley? Choose an Inn now!


Attend Fall Festival Living History Day at Grand Caverns

If you caught a past blog of ours, then you may have learned a bit about the famous Grand Caverns of Grottoes, Virginia. But a tour of the caverns isn’t the only excitement you can experience at this historic location. Coming up on October 3, 2015, you’ll have the chance to experience Fall Festival Living History Day. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just a casual observer of the past, you won’t want to miss this event!

Here are a few details about what you can expect to find and enjoy at this year’s festival:

  1. Artifact Identification: Bring you arrowheads, stone tools, and other historic artifacts, and let the Massanutten Chapter of the Virginia Archeological Society help you identify their past.
  2. Re-enactment Groups: “Re-enactment groups from different time periods will be demonstrating the daily life of a Civil War, WWII, and Vietnam Era Soldier throughout the day.”
  3. Vehicle Displays: Observe an array of military, classic, and antique vehicles.
  4. A Ballroom Dance: Held inside the Ballroom of Grand Caverns, you’ll have the opportunity to end the festival with an authentic ball from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (It’s not required, but if you feel so inclined, feel free to wear period attire!)

Don’t forget to book your room at a Shenandoah Valley B&B to complete your Living History experience. We look forward to seeing you!

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Why You Should Visit the Shenandoah Valley in the Fall

“There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of autumn leaves.” ― Joe L. Wheeler

Here comes fall! Have you planned your Shenandoah Valley adventure?

1. The Fall Foliage: Of course this is reason #1! The Shenandoah Valley bursts into autumn with colorful ferocity as green fades into fiery shades of fall. There is no better place to watch the seasonal shift of nature than at a Shenandoah Valley B&B in the heart of Virginia’s mountains. (Stay up-to-date with the foliage by calling the Virginia Fall Foliage hotline at 1-800-424-LOVE.

2. Fewer People: Summer is the overwhelmingly popular time to travel, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best time. Beat the crowds with a fall getaway (especially a mid-week vacation when the streets are still and the beds are available).

3. The Outdoor Activities. Whether you’re hiking, biking, horseback riding, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, fall is the ideal time to venture outdoors. You’ll find cooler weather that has left behind the humidity of summer but hasn’t quite entered the chill of winter, and you’ll have the opportunity to experience the colors of nature firsthand.

4. Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival. If you’re an avid biker, a casual cycling enthusiast, or a supporting observer, then you won’t want to miss this festival! “A perennial favorite with cyclists up and down the mid-Atlantic states and beyond, the Fall Foliage Bike Festival offers a full weekend of riding, sightseeing and warm Virginia hospitality.”

We look forward to seeing you on a fall adventure in the Shenandoah Valley! Click here to check out our member inns, and book your lodging soon, as our B&Bs fill up fast in the fall.

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