Community column: Labor Day plans reflect range of personal tastes

Brayden and Bob Barnes prepare supplies for a canoe trip this weekend. Photos by Catherine Van Noy, special to The Burgs

It’s a big weekend in the New River Valley — the last unofficial three-day holiday of the summer. Area residents will be out and about hoisting a last hurrah to the season. And others will be welcoming fall traditions with the arrival of football games and cross country meets.

I checked with a variety of people to see how they plan to spend their time. The range of responses perfectly reflects the interests and passions of our diverse population.

 The Great Outdoors

Getting outside to enjoy the natural beauty of our area is a common theme. My husband and son continue a standing tradition of taking to the New River with family friends Bob and Brayden Barnes. They pack canoes, fishing poles and tents for an overnight stay. We will be regaled with tales of their adventures during a Monday cookout.

Peggy White from Pulaski County will likewise spend some time on the river. She’ll turn to Blue Cat on the New for a guided kayak excursion from Foster Falls to Claytor Lake.

Andrea Nash with her pack. Jackson is the larger dog with the yellow bandanna. Lulu is on the left.

Andrea Nash of Blacksburg looks forward to a hike with her muttley crew — Lulu and Jackson. The exact destination is unknown, per Nash: “I just start from my house and wander wherever the pack and I decide looks interesting at the moment.”

Entertainment

Kim Burchette of Floyd will be attending the Montgomery Gentry concert at the Motor Mile Speedway, her first “girls’ night out.” The country hunksters are promoting their new album, “Rebels on the Run.” After spending a little too much time on the band’s website, I predict a raucously sensational time for Burchette and friends today.

Travel Traditions

The Colby clan of Radford will be hitting the highway for a trip to Lake Oconee in Georgia. The adventure will include celebration of a golden wedding anniversary and lots of time with extended family.

 Yoga Jam Attendees

The first-ever Floyd Yoga Jam, a yoga and music festival running all weekend, has captured the imagination of some.

“We’ll be stretching, dancing, camping, eating super healthy food and savoring our quality time together by sweet creeks,” said Elisha Reygle of Floyd, who will be there with her entire family. Theresa Burriss of Radford is bringing her sons, Paul Stanley and Campbell Howard, to the event, as well, with the express intent “to prepare our minds, bodies and spirits for this new academic year.”

 Fall Forward

In Blacksburg, Mary Ann Bonadeo and family are already assuming fall activities since their kindergartner started school three weeks ago. “We will do the typical school weekend activities, like gymnastics class, a birthday party and church.” But Bonadeo is a diehard fan and can’t be too disappointed by the fact that her Hokies are back on the field Monday.

Ken Anderson, also of Blacksburg, offers that he’s “always ready for the next season.” He does admit to missing the quiet summer streets of his town, now that the college community has returned.

I agree and already miss the slow pace of school-free days.

Only a week into the academic year at our house and I’m already a tad fatigued by the early-morning curtain call to late evening, post-sport homework responsibilities.

So I will take the weekend to refresh and relish a few more days unbound by routine. I’ll certainly be outdoors for some of it. Maybe even sit still long enough to watch that blue moon rise on Friday night. Enjoy.

By Catherine Van Noy
Special to The Burgs | 639-3330

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