The Blacksburg, VA Cozy Cottage

09/06/2025

When short on time, freeze! 🧊🍅🧊

Canning is not the only way to preserve your garden harvest. There are many vegetables that you can preserve, to cook with later, by freezing. Pictured are some jars of tomato sauce prepped for freezing by our ANR agent. She had an abundance of tomatoes but did not have time to can. Freezing is a great option if you have the freezer space.

When freezing, make sure to use containers that are designed for freezing, such as freezer bags, plastic freezer containers, or canning jars. If using jars, make sure to freeze in wide mouth jars and leave an inch at the top to prevent breakage. It's a quick and easy way to preserve!

For more information on freezing different vegetables and other preservation methods, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation website: https://nchfp.uga.edu/ .

05/21/2023

Visit renowned artist Mitchell Tolle as he talks about his love of Kentucky and Art.

07/21/2022

The fact is that I have never seen anyone find spiritual power who did not seek something deeper. Spiritual power is a by-product of the Spirit in the life, making that life Christ-like. To seek for spiritual power is very liable to send one off on those tangents of self-glorification and self-assertion that lead straight away from the Christian ideal. To seek for the Spirit to be made Christ-like sends one to self-surrender that leads straight to the heart of the gospel -- a cross.

From "The Christ of Every Road" by E. Stanley Jones

04/05/2022

Last night at an undisclosed location, Park Rangers picked up an image from one of our trail cameras of what appears to be Bigfoot in the background. There is an ongoing investigation to determine the authenticity of this sighting.

For the safety of our staff and visitors, sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Tennessee and Georgia will be closed until further notice.

NPS Image

02/17/2022

Blue Ridge Parkway managers announced today there were an estimated 15.9 million recreation visits to the park in 2021. On the heels of the National Park Service announcement that the Blue Ridge Parkway again ranks at the top of NPS visitation over the past year, park leadership and staff want to use this opportunity to remind park neighbors and visitors that protecting the park for generations to come requires a shared commitment to stewardship.

“While overall Parkway visitation has remained relatively stable over the past five to ten years, some of the park's most popular destinations are seeing the impacts of heavy visitation,” said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. “Overcrowding at popular locations can lead to diminished visitor experience and damage to park resources. These impacts can often be avoided by recreating responsibly. With 469 miles to explore, we encourage you to find new ways to enjoy the Parkway this year.”

One important way to discover new adventures and recreate responsibly is to plan ahead. Just as park staff are planning ahead for the 2022 season by hiring seasonal staff, conducting winter maintenance activities, finalizing road project plans, and readying facilities for visitation. Park visitors can also plan ahead by learning about park resources and trail etiquette, locating seasonal facility schedules, or book-marking campground reservation websites. More tips for planning your Parkway visit are available at https://go.nps.gov/parkway-plan-ahead.

For the full press release and more information about 2021 highlights click here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/news/parkway-2021-visitation.htm

02/04/2022

Brrr!

Chilly weather has made for icy conditions on some of the parkway's ponds and lakes. While a beautiful sight, visitors are reminded that walking out on frozen bodies of water is not only a bad idea, but its illegal on the parkway.

So stay safe (and warm!) and enjoy these beautiful scenes from afar.

Photo of a frozen Abbott Lake at milepost 86 courtesy of Peaks of Otter Lodge.

01/17/2022

Just in case!

The whole parkway is currently closed due to ice and snow. Visitors are encouraged to avoid the parkway until the storm passes for their own safety and that of emergency personnel throughout our region. High winds and heavy snow are expected today, creating hazardous conditions.

01/08/2022

Pretty---But!

That winter weather is finally here and road closures remain across most of the parkway leading into this weekend! Although sections of the 469-mile parkway are often closed to motor vehicles in winter due to snow and ice on the roadway, there are frequently days when the Parkway may be open from end to end due to unseasonably warm temperatures. Whether your goal is to drive or cross country ski the parkway, it is important to know the road status before you make a trip. The most up to date road information can be found on the parkway’s Road and Facilities Closure Page at https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm.

In all seasons of year, the parkway is more than just a beautiful drive. There are numerous recreational opportunities available such as sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow play.

When visiting the Parkway in winter, remember these safety tips:

❄️Don’t block the gates when accessing the parkway during winter closures
❄️Be prepared and plan for changing weather.
❄️Stay off frozen bodies of water.
❄️Expect delayed response times, especially on closed road sections.
❄️Cell phones do not work from many areas in the park. Leave an itinerary with someone at home.
❄️Remain aware, parkway road crews may be working in your area.

Learn more about winter recreation and safety here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/winter-recreation.htm