1868 Magnolia House Inn

VMI Winter Invitational

by etfromnc

The VMI Winter Invitational indoor track meet which brings back many chilly memories for me is being held on Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7, 2004. The location is the Cormack Field House (also known as The Pit) on the VMI Campus and events begin at 10 AM each day.

Chessie Nature Trail

by 72hoo

"Trail History"

The Chessie Trail lies along the right of way of the C & O Railway branch that connected Lexington with the main line at Balcony Falls on the James River near Glascow, VA. In August of 1969, hurricane Camille brought massive flooding along the Maury, washing out much of the line and destroying the bridge over the river at Lexington. The railroad decided to abandon the line, and deeded the route to the Nature Conservancy, which in turn gave the land to VMI with the understanding that it would remain open to the public.
The trail itself is about 7.5 miles long in total. It connects Lexington with Buena Vista and follows the old rail route along the river the entire way. The railroad used much of the route of the old barge canal of the North River Navagation Co. (later the James River and Kanawa Canal Company). The canal was washed out by a flood in the 1880's. The remains of three of the canal's dams and locks can still be seen along the trail today.
The Chessie Trail is very popular with local residents. On any trip along the Trail you will meet several other hikers or joggers.

"Ruins of Lock and Dam"

This dam is about a mile downstream from the beginning of the trail. The ruins of the lock are just to the left of the dam.

"Lock Viewed From Downstream"

Here is a picture from downstream of the remains of the lock that goes with the dam in the previous picture.

"Another View of the River"

The trail runs along the river to the right.

"Tree Growing From Rock"

This is a great looking tree growing out of the cliff side along the trail.